Chiapas:
All around in 11 days
Chiapas, Mexico's southernmost state, is defined by its varied geography and climates, including humid cloud forests like the Lacandon Jungle, rivers, the coastline on the state's west side, and impressive mountains and highlands. This last is the distribution area of species that we consider semi-endemic or specialties because they are found in these limited regions of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, whose territory is shared with the northern region of Guatemala or some countries in Central America. In this area, fog forests and cloud forests predominate on fertile volcanic soil, providing a suitable environment for species such as the Pink-headed Warbler, the Belted Flycatcher, or the Horned Guan, a species with limited distribution, specialties of the area of the Tacaná volcano.
Day 1: Pick up and bird the road from Union Juarez to Chiquihuites
After picking you up at Tapachula, we will travel east to get closer to our destination at the Tacana´s volcano. This road offers a great opportunity to spot species of the area like the Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge, the Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, and the Yellow-throated Naghtingale-Thrush. This path takes us through the cloud forest between one village and the other, changing in elevation from 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level. The weather is constant, staying cool during the day and it could become cold at night. Main targets: Cabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Hooded Grosbeak Yellow-throated Nightingale-Thrush Blue-throated Motmot Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird Bar-winged Oriole Black-capped Swallow Blue-tailed Hummingbird Fulvous Owl Highland Guan
.jpeg)
Eric VanderWerf
Day 2: Hiking a Volcano: Chiquihuites to Horned Guan Camp
Chiquihuites is the last town before our feet transportation to the Horned Guan Camp. It is located 2181 meters over the sea level with a generally cool and humid climate from the Rainy Forests. It is a 4 to 5-hour walking distance, at a “birding” pace. It will be important to consider a mid to well physical condition to walk uprise the volcano hill. There is a high chance of facing the Pink-headed Warbler, Blue and White Mockingbird, Guatemalan Tyrannulet, Horned Guan, and the Quetzal. We can stay in a cabin or set up camping tents to try to find the most in the next morning. Main targets: Horned Guan Resplendent Quetzal Long-billed Starthroat Green throated Mountaingem Rufous Sabrewing Wine-throated Hummingbird Mountain Thrush Pink-headed Warbler Black-capped Siskin Guatemalan Tyrannulet Black-throated Jay Rufous-collared Thrush Rufous-browed Wren
Day 3: Horned Guan area and descent to Chiquihuites
This area is a reliable site for the sighting of the Horned Guan, which has been reported in the same spot over the last few years. Begin the day birding at the camp early in the morning. We will keep on searching for the Horned Guan and the Quetzal in case they have not been spotted. Then, continue checking out the other species up in the highlands, and then by noon, start making our way down to Chiquihuites. This day's journey primarily involves walking, so it's advisable to wear suitable footwear for outdoor conditions, considering the generally cool and humid weather, for your safety. Target species for this day are similar to the day before, in addition to the following: Horned Guan Resplendent Quetzal Hooded Grosbeak Black-crested Coquette
Day 4: Benito Juarez del Plan and road to El Castaño
The purpose of this day is to move north to El Castaño, but before that, we will make a stop in Benito Juarez del Plan. This is a small town inside the Tacana Reserve, located 1 hour away driving in the mountains from Union de Juárez, and is the place to search for the Azure-rumped Tanager, the Short-bill Hummingbird, and other missing targets. After that, right after lunch, will start moving down the Sierra to get to El Castaño. On the way there, we can observe birds in some flooded ranches where even water buffaloes are seen, providing an opportunity to observe aquatic birds and other species like the Giant Wren, the White Bellied Chachalaca, and many others. Main targets: Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Azure rumped Tanager White-eared Ground Sparrow Rufous Sabrewing Violet Sabrewing
.jpeg)
Eric VanderWerf
Day 5: El Castaño and Arriaga road
El Castaño is a coastal town surrounded by mangroves and situated near the San Nicolas River. Characterized by a hot and humid climate, the area boasts a rich and diverse vegetation. Our starts with an early morning boat excursion to explore the mangroves, offering opportunities to observe the Agami Heron, Sungrebe, and other species. After that, we will proceed to Arriaga, a town located on a mountain slope and foothill, where we will dedicate the afternoon focusing on species such as the Rose-bellied Bunting and the Orange-breasted Bunting. Concluding our day, we will drive less than 2 hours to reach Tuxtla Gutierrez, to our next accommodation. Main targets: Agami Heron Sungrebe Giant Wren White Bellied Chachalaca Pacific Parakeet Spot Breasted Oriole Yellow-naped Parrot Bare-throated Tiger Heron Northern Potoo Pacific Screech Owl Boat-billed Heron Rose-bellied bunting Orage-breasted bunting
%2008_36_34.png)
%2008_36_56.png)
Day 6: Ocote reserve and Sima de las Cotorras
In the early morning, before sunrise, we will drive to Armando Zebadua, a town situated at an elevation of 900 meters above sea level. This location is particularly noteworthy for its limestone outcrops, which host unique plant species typically found in humid evergreen forests, making it an ideal habitat for the Navas Wren. Additionally, this area is known for sightings of the Smoky-brown Woodpecker and the Slate-colored Solitaire. Furthermore, along the roadside, there is a blend of local vegetation characteristic of humid jungles, offering opportunities to spot the Yellow-winged Tanager and the Stripe-tailed Hummingbird. For the afternoon we will visita Sima de las Cotorras an amazing area with a geological depression and habitat of hundreds of Green Parakeets, many other birds can be seen in the sourranding areas. Main targets: Navas Wren Smoky-brown Woodpecker Rufous-breasted Spinetail Tawny-winged Woodcreeper Slate-colored Solitaire Black-faced Grosbeak Yellow-winged Tanager Wedge-tailed Sabrewing Green Shrike Vireo Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner Green Parakeet Stripe-tailed Hummingbird
_edited.jpg)
Day 7: Cañon del Sumidero
Not only for its tourist appeal due to its impressive landscapes, the Sumidero Canyon was declared a natural reserve almost 40 years ago for its great biodiversity. For example, a large part of its extension is covered by low forest, making it ideal for species such as the Blue-and-White Mockingbird, the Singing Quail, and the Lesser Roadrunner; there are also significant sections of bamboo, where the Belted Flycatcher is located. The tour is towards the north of Tuxtla, with stops at the 5 viewpoints at the highest part of the canyon, at more than 1000 meters high. Main targets: Banded Wren Streak-backed Oriole Fan-tailed Warbler Russet-crowned Motmot Blue-and-white Mockingbird White-lored Gnatcatcher Red-breasted Chat Bar-winged Oriole Slender Sheartail Belted Flycatcher
.jpeg)
Eric VanderWerf
Day 8: San Cristobal de las Casas
This site has tourist appeal due to the well-preserved colonial vestiges of its streets and buildings. San Cristobal is located at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level, and the area we will visit, the Montetik Natural Reserve, is at 2500 meters above sea level. This is a mountainous area with environmental characteristics and ecosystems typical of the high mountains of Guatemala and northern Central America, great to spot species like the Unicolored Jay or the Rufous-collared Robin. Because of this, it is expected to find several species that are specialties and endemics to this region, as well as the Blue-throated Motmot and the Pink Headed Warbler, which are the specialties of this place. Main targets: Unicolored Jay Rufous-collared Robin Pink Headed Warbler Mountain Trogon Garnet-throated Hummingbird Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem Red-faced Warbler Rufous-browed Wren Black-capped Swallow Blue-throated Motmot Chestnut-capped Brushfinch Bearded Screech-owl
.jpeg)
Eric VanderWerf
.jpeg)
Eric VanderWerf
Day 9: Naha - Lacandon Jungle
Drive early in the morning to get to Naha, 900 meters above sea level. This is a picturesque ancient village that preserves its ancestral roots and traditions. Situated in the heart of the Lacandon Jungle and surrounded by beautiful lagoons, this place is ideal for bird-watching. The Montes Azules Natural Reserve, part of the Lacandon Jungle and characterized by its high evergreen jungle ecosystem, has a unique variety of species also found in Central America, like the Lovely Cotinga, the Mayan Trush, the Nightingale Wren, the Green Shrike Vireo or the White-collared Manakin. Among them, species that share high- and low-land territories stand out, such as the Guatemalan Tyrannulet. Main targets: Lovely Cotinga Mayan Antthrush Slaty-breasted Tinamou Great Tinamou Collared Trogon Short-billed Pigeon Black-faced Grosbeak Nightingale Wren Chestnut-headed Oropendola White-winged Tanager Green Shrike Vireo Crested Owl Black-and-white Owl Long-billed Starthroat White-collared Manakin
.jpeg)
Eric VanderWerf
Day 10: Yaxchilan
The next morning, we will start traveling to our next accommodation in Frontera Corozal. On the way, there is Yaxchilan which is an archeological site that can only be accessed by boat from Frontera Corozal. During the boat ride, you can see various birds such as birdwatching, the King Vulture, the Tody Motmot, and the White Hawk. Once in the archaeological zone, visitors disembark and walk along trails and open areas, surrounded by lush vegetation. It is a well-preserved area that offers an unmatched experience for history and nature enthusiasts. Main targets: Lovely Cotinga Tody Motmot Rufous-tailed Jacamar Black-cheeked Woodpecker Dusky Antbird Golden Hooded Tanager White-whiskered Puffbird Long-billed Hermit Streak-headed Woodcreeper Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Central American Pygmy-owl Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet Cinnamon Becard Purple-crowned Fairy Royal Flycatcher
Day 11: Palenque
On this last day we can focus on the pending targets in this area, besides other specialties like the Scarlet Macaw, the White Hawk, the Long-billed Hermit, the Orange-billed Sparrow, or the Northern Royal Flycatcher. This is the night before the drop-off at the airport, so depending on the flight time, we can take advantage of additional hours to birdwatch in nearby areas. Main targets: Chestnut-colored Woodpecker Black-cheeked Woodpecker Golden Hooded Tanager Scarlet-rumped Tanager Crimson-collared Tanager Green Honeycreeper White-collared Swift Buff-throated Saltator Stripe-throated Hermit Scarlet Macaw White Hawk Long-billed Hermit Orange-billed Sparrow Northern Royal Flycatcher
