Birding Chiapas & Guatemala
The Highlands Grand Slam Expedition
A cross-border birding expedition through the Chiapas Highlands, the Sierra Madre, the Soconusco region, and the Guatemalan Volcanic Chain.
This journey connects some of the most diverse landscapes in southern Mexico and Central America: the pine-oak forests of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, the dramatic
Sumidero Canyon, Selva El Ocote, La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve, the mangroves of La Encrucijada, Tacaná Volcano, the cloud forests of Guatemala, Los Tarrales, and the colonial city of Antigua.
The route is designed to search for endemic, regional, and high-priority species for birdwatchers, with a special focus on the Highlands Grand Slam: Horned Guan,
Resplendent Quetzal, Pink-headed Warbler, and Azure-rumped Tanager. Along the way, the expedition also offers an exceptional diversity of birds associated with dry forests, mountain forests, mangroves, wetlands, shade-grown coffee plantations, private reserves, and volcanic landscapes.
Over 13 days, this journey follows a remarkable ecological gradient, from the cool highland forests of Chiapas to the Pacific mangroves, and from the cloud forests of Tacaná to the volcanic highlands of Guatemala.
Duration:
13 days / 12 nights.
Trip Start:
Reception at Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas.
Trip End:
Departure from La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City.
Type of Experience:
Specialized birding, nature photography, endemic birds, mountain forests, dry forests, mangroves, coffee landscapes, volcanoes, community reserves, natural heritage, and cross-border expedition.
Target Species Grand Slam:
Horned Guan, Resplendent Quetzal, Pink-headed Warbler, and Azure-rumped Tanager.
Other Highlight Species:
Highland Guan, Ocellated Quail, Wine-throated Hummingbird, White-breasted Hawk, Bearded Screech-Owl, Guatemalan Pygmy-Owl, Unspotted Saw-whet Owl, Blue-throated Motmot, Guatemalan Woodpecker, Black-throated Jay, Chiapas Junco, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Lesser Roadrunner, Slender heartail, Green-fronted Hummingbird, Russet-crowned Motmot, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Belted Flycatcher, Red-breasted Chat, Rose-bellied Bunting, Orange-breasted Bunting, Agami Heron, Northern Potoo, Gray-headed Kite, Plumbeous Kite, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Pacific Screech-Owl, Yellow-naped Amazon, Giant Wren, Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge, Maroon-chested Ground Dove, Black-crested Coquette, Rufous Sabrewing, Guatemalan Flicker, Guatemalan Junco, Guatemalan Grosbeak, Crested Guan, Great Curassow, Spotted Wood-Quail, White-faced Quail-Dove, Long-tailed Manakin, and Chestnut-capped Warbler.
Main Ecosystems:
Pine-oak forest, cloud forest, dry tropical forest, tropical canyons, humid rainforest, mangroves, coastal wetlands, shade-grown coffee plantations, high-elevation pine-oak forest, mountain rainforest, and volcanic landscapes.
Trip Highlights:
– Birding in the Chiapas Highlands, with searches for Pink-headed Warbler, Chiapas Junco, and other mountain species.
– Exploration of Sumidero Canyon, one of the most spectacular landscapes in southern Mexico.
– Visit to Selva El Ocote, a key reserve for tropical birds and rainforest species.
– Birding through La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve, with opportunities for dry-forest specialties such as Rose-bellied Bunting.
– Exploration of the mangroves of El Castaño within La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve.
– Birding on Tacaná Volcano, one of the best areas for cloud forest birds between Mexico and Guatemala.
– Cross-border route into Guatemala to continue through volcanic highlands and mountain reserves.
– Searches for Resplendent Quetzal and Azure-rumped Tanager at Refugio del Quetzal.
– Exploration of Astillero de San Marcos and Fuentes Georginas, important sites for Horned Guan.
– Visit to Los Tarrales Natural Reserve, known for its elevational gradient, trails, coffee landscapes, and high bird diversity.
– Final stage in Antigua Guatemala, with birding at Finca El Pilar and a farewell dinner.
Arrival at Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport and transfer to San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Welcome meeting and general introduction to the journey.
Birding at Montetik and around San Cristóbal de Las Casas, exploring pine-oak and cloud forest habitats. Afternoon transfer to Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Exploration of Sumidero Canyon National Park, searching for species associated with dry forest, tropical cliffs, and canyon landscapes. Afternoon visit to Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve.
Birding through La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve, descending from the Sierra Madre toward the coastal plain of the Soconusco region. Afternoon transfer to El Castaño, within La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve.
Boat trip through the mangroves of El Castaño in search of Agami Heron, Northern Potoo, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Gray-headed Kite, Plumbeous Kite, and other tropical wetland birds. Afternoon transfer to Tapachula.
Birding on Tacaná Volcano, exploring shade-grown coffee landscapes and cloud forest. First major opportunity to search for Horned Guan, Pink-headed Warbler, and Azure-rumped Tanager. Afternoon border crossing into Guatemala.
Exploration of Refugio del Quetzal and nearby habitats, with strong opportunities for Resplendent Quetzal, Azure-rumped Tanager, Black-crested Coquette, and other cloud forest birds.
Birding at Astillero de San Marcos, a key area for Horned Guan and other highland species. Afternoon transfer to Fuentes Georginas.
Morning birding at Fuentes Georginas, searching for Horned Guan and mountain forest species. Time to enjoy the thermal springs before transferring to Los Tarrales Natural Reserve.
Exploration of Los Tarrales, a reserve located on Guatemala’s Pacific slope, with trails through coffee plantations, montane forest, and lower-elevation tropical habitats.
Morning birding around Los Tarrales and transfer to Antigua Guatemala.
Birding at Finca El Pilar, near Antigua, with a final opportunity to search for Guatemalan highland specialties such as Ocellated Quail, Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge, hummingbirds, jays, and mountain forest birds. Afternoon walk through Antigua and farewell dinner.
Transfer to La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City, for departure.
Activity Level:
Moderate to demanding. This journey includes early morning departures, mountain trails, mangrove exploration, significant elevation changes, long road transfers, and a land border crossing. It is recommended for travelers with good general fitness and a willingness to participate in active field days.
Ideal For:
Birdwatchers, nature photographers, naturalists, birding clubs, travelers interested in endemic species, international visitors, and private groups seeking a complete birding expedition through Chiapas and Guatemala.
Included:
Lodging throughout the journey, meals according to the program, ground transportation, specialized guides, local guide support, entrance fees to sites and reserves, interpretive activities, operational logistics, and gratuities for included services.
Not Included:
Domestic or international flights. Immigration requirements, border fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, or services not specified must be confirmed according to the final version of the program.
Conservation Focus:
This journey promotes responsible birding tourism across key landscapes of southern Mexico and Guatemala, supporting natural reserves, local guides, community initiatives, and conservation efforts connected to birds, cloud forests, mangroves, shade-grown coffee plantations, and high-biodiversity territories.