Tikal Extension, 9th to 14th March 2027 (6 days)

A portion of the proceeds from this trip goes towards Five Valleys Audubon's mission to promote the conservation of natural resources through our birding, education and conservation activities in the Five Valleys area and across the state of Montana.

Spectacular volcanoes and fabulous highland lakes form a brilliant backdrop to our Guatemala – Central American Specialities tour. While this region is probably best known for its shade coffee production, local people have over time developed a strong environmental bond and an understanding of ecotourism that has resulted in much of the highland forests being protected. Even the coffee fincas offer superb birding, and the host of special birds we will search for include one of the world’s most prized birds - Horned Guan as well as the gorgeous Pink-headed Warbler, fabulous Resplendent Quetzal, Blue-throated Motmot, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Rufous-collared Thrush, Slender Sheartail, Goldman’s Warbler, Bushy-crested and Black-throated Jays, Black- capped Swallow, Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge, Green-throated Mountaingem, Long-tailed Manakin and Azure-rumped (Cabanis’s) Tanager. This tour offers the very best of Guatemalan birding, along with comfortable lodgings, delicious fare, and fabulous scenery throughout!

Our Tikal Extension not only takes time to explore the remarkable Mayan temple complexes and cities that dominate this region (both Tikal and lesser known Yaxha are visited), but also to target such highly sought-after species as the remarkable Ocellated Turkey, Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Orange-breasted Falcon, Mayan Antthrush, Tropical Royal Flycatcher and the impressive Great Curassow! This northern Petén region of Guatemala is covered in extensive lowland rainforest, harbouring many special birds of the Yucatan Peninsula and other more widespread forest species, most of which will represent new species for our tour. The birding here is superb, and this extension is highly recommended for its birding, mammal viewing and fascinating historical insights.