Belize & Tikal, Guatemala
7-Day Belize/Guatemala
Bird and Wildlife Photography Expedition
This extraordinary 7 day/6 night land-based expedition that travels throughout Belize with a 3-day optional tour to Tikal, Guatemala.
We visit a Black Howler Monkey Preserve, a Belize Audubon Bird Preserve (300 resident/migratory neotropical birds) and the World's only Jaguar Preserve, in Cockscomb Basin, Belize to search for the elusive cats.
In Guatemala, we explore Central America's most significant Mayan ruins at Tikal to photograph its colorful tropical wildlife.
Travel is in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with plenty of room for you and your gear. This is one of our most popular expeditions.
Knowledgeable guides assist with species identification and natural history interpretation and wildlife photography instruction of your personalized photography curriculum. Comfortable regional hotel stays and restaurant visits sample local flavors. A friendly family in Belize invites us in to experience a taste of local culture.
Itinerary
7-Day Belize/Guatemala Bird and Wildlife Photography Expedition
Day 1
Meet guide(s) at Belize City Airport, Belize (BZE). Welcome lunch in Belize City. Short transfer to Bermudian Landing Howler Monkey Preserve. Afternoon spent photographing Howler Monkeys. Evening check-in at Lodge on banks of Crooked Tree lagoon in the Belize Audubon bird sanctuary. Gourmet welcome dinner at Lodge. Short orientation presentation after dinner. Evening nocturnal bird session on grounds of lodge. Drift off to the night sounds of the tropical wetland around us.
Day 2
Early morning photography session/boat photo tour of lagoon to seach for Black-collared Hawk, Jabiru Stork, Black-headed Trogon, and Bare-throated Tiger-Herons. Mid-morning, travel short distance to Bermudian Landing Howler Monkey Preserve to photograph Howlers, Green Iquanas, Bat Falcon, Barred Antshrike, White-fronted, Yellow-crowned, and Red-lored Parrots, Aztec Parakeets, Rufous-breasted Spinetails. Lunch with a friendly Belizean family we've been friends with for years. Return to Belize Audubon Bird Preserve at Crooked Tree to search for more Jabiru Stork, Vermillion Flycatcher, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, and Limpkin, among many bird species. Evening dinner at local favorite restaurant. Bird the grounds of lakefront hotel, with late afternoon photography instruction/critique sessions at hotel. Group dinner at hotel. Hotel Accommodations.
Day 3
Early morning drive south down the spectacularly scenic "Hummingbird Highway," along the rugged Maya Mountains of southern Belize and into the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve. Lunch at local restaurant in the Stann Creek area. Afternoon enter preserve and explore jungle trails/rivers and inner-forest birds like Great Tinamou, Crested Guan, Squirrel Cuckoo, and Thrush-like Shiffornis. Dinner in Hopkins along the beach. Return to jungle for night hike (optional) to search for Jaguars (plus 4 other cat species) hunting and other nocturnal species such as Vermiculated Screech Owl, or relax to the sounds of the ocean waves gently lapping the beachfront and the soft tropical breezes flowing through the coconut palm fronds. Return to cabana in the coastal village of Hopkins for evening beachfront accommodations.
Day 4
Early morning departure for drive to Tikal, Guatemala. Bird the species rich road back to Hummingbird Highway. Lunch in western Belize village of San Ignacio at a secluded birdy spot along the Mopan River. Cross border and continue on to Tikal area. Check-in at hotel (pictured to the right) on the banks of Lake Petén Itzá. Lunch at local restaurant. Short afternoon walk around town to bird watch and explore local culture, artisan shopping (optional.) Dinner at hotel. Evening photography instruction session and critique session. Hotel accommodations.
Day 5
Early morning departure for short drive to Tikal National Park in the Péten region of Guatemala, Lunch near ruins or back in town. Afternoon siesta back in town. Dinner at hotel. Evening photography instruction session at Hotel. Hotel accommodations
Day 6
Breakfast at hotel, with shopping option at stores around hotel area. Drive to Flores, Guatemala to explore tourism zone on Lake Petén Itzá. Central market place exploration, explore culture of village and local artisans. Lunch in Flores. Afternoon urban photography session. Return to hotel for late farewell dinner. Review species checklists while absorbing last sunset on Lake Péten. Evening photo search for Red-bellied Tarantulas. Hotel accommodations.
Day 7
Breakfast at hotel. Early morning departure to cross back into Belize. Visit Xunantunich Mayan Ruins (time permitting) then head back to Belize City Airport for mid-afternoon flight schedule. End Expedition.