TOUR LIST

Quetzal And Q'eqchi Adventure

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8 Days / 7 Nights

Degree of difficulty: hard/ Type of accommodations: 4 nights in comfortable hotels and 3 nights camping in the cloud forest (including 2 nights at Porject's Biological Station and 1 night rustic accommodations with a Q'eqchi family)/ Focus: Observation of Resplendent Quetzal (Pharumacrus mocinno), Guatemala's National Symbol, Nature Hiking throuhg the Cloud Forest, Trekking, Birdwatching and Visiting a Q'eqchi Maya Community to learn about their way of life, visit orchid nursery to learn about orchids and conservation/

See the Cloud Forest with your Q'eqchi hosts from the Chicacnab ecotourism committee. Learn about efforts to preserve the Quetzal bird. Visit the city of Coban to appreciate a unique orchid collection. Join the indigenous brotherhood or Cofradia of Tactic for a celebration and visit traditional indian markets. Enjoy the impressive colonial city of Antigua...

DAY 1

  • Arrival in Guatemala
  • City Tour and a visit to the Museum of Natural History

DAY 2 (B, L, D)

  • Transfer to the Imperial City of Coban, surrounded by Cloud forests rich in biodiversity
  • En route, visit the picturesque town of Tactic, town’s market, and Chi Ixim (church dedicated to the Lord of Corn)
  • Visit the city of Coban

DAY 3 (B,L,D)

  • Departure to the Q'eqchi village of Secochoy
  • Arrive at the Biological Station of the Project Quetzal
  • Explore the cloud forest, look for Quetzal nests
  • Appreciate orchids and bromeliads in the wild
  • The Quetzal (Pharumacrus mocinno) is an endangered species. Your trip will contribute to its survival and the well being of your Q'eqchi hosts!

DAY 4 (B,L,D)

  • Full day hiking and birdwatching at its best observing the Quetzal
  • Visit Musgo Colorado Lagoon amid the cloud forest, and a Q’eqchi ceremonial cave
  • Night birdwatch to spot different owls and hear the song of the Whip Poor Will

DAY 5 (B,L,D)

  • Early morning bird watch for the ornithology fanatics
  • Lift camp and proceed to Chicacnab to share a day with the Q'eqchi to learn about their culture
  • Special activity

DAY 6 (B,L)

  • Return to Coban
  • Visit the beautiful town of San Pedro Carcha or San Juan Chamelco
  • Proceed to the village of Purulha
  • Hike through the cloud forest in the early afternoon in the Quetzal Sanctuary Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera

DAY 7 (B,L)

  • Transfer to Antigua
  • Guided tour of the colonial city of Antigua
  • Free afternoon to explore Antigua

DAY 8

  • Transfer to Guatemala City International Airport for your flight back home

What’s included?

All ground transport, 4 nights in comfortable hotels, 2 nights camping at Biological Station and 1 night with a Q'eqchi family. All meals on Days 2, 3, 4 and 5. Breakfast and Lunch on Days 6 and 7. Soft drinks and snacks throughout the trip, first aid kit permanently at your disposal. Professional guides and biologists, ornithologists and mountain guides.

What’s not included?

Meals on Days 1 and 8, Dinner on days 6 and 7. International Airfare and airport taxes. Personal and travel insurance. Personal expenses, alcoholic beverages. Tips to porters, drivers, guides and waiters.

What to bring?

Casual and informal dress is appropriate. Bring light clothes for tropical climate, boots and canvas pants or jeans. Long sleeved shirts and trousers for the cloud forest and a windbreaker or rain gear. Do bring a sweater as it may get cold up in the Sierra by night... Mosquito repellent, a cap, a flashlight, bnoculars, your birdbook and photographic equipment!

ABOUT THE FLORA AND THE FAUNA...

Here is a short list of some of the animals you will see on these Sierras: Quetzal, Pharomacrus mocinno (between January and September). Mountain trogon, Trogon mexicanus. Black penelopina or cojolita, Penelopina nigra. Garnet throated hummingbird, Lamprolaima rhami. Emerald toucanet, Aulachorhynchus prasinus. We will hear the awesome call of howler monkeys, Alouatta palliata and the sweet song of the Slate colored solitaire, Myadestes unicolor. We will have the privilege of being able to see Quetzal birds in their nests during the nesting season with the project's members. We will be very close, on top of camouflaged observation platforms...