Package
10: Quetzal
And Q'eqchi Adventure
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...
