Honduras/Copan: Nature & Mayan Ruins
April 3-10, 2010, with optional extension to the Lodge at Pico Bonito April 10-13
Discover Honduras, a fascinating country with abundant lakes, lush mountains, and pristine beaches. More than 730 species of birds occur here – including the endemic Honduran Emerald and the stunning Resplendent Quetzal. The country also hosts mammals such as manatees, jaguars, monkeys, tapirs, and peccaries. Honduras is perhaps best known for the ruins of Copan, the “Paris of the Mayan world” where we will spend our time exploring in depth. Our journey highlights the rich archaeological gems, and friendly, relaxing culture.
Enjoy mid-elevation forests of Copan, the Mayan sites of Copan, Las Sepulturas and El Puente archaeological sites. Expect a rainbow of birds: Green Violet Ear, Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Violet Saberwing, Blue-crowned Motmot, Green-throated Mountain Gem, Collared and Mountain Trogon, Unicolored Jay, Flame-colored Tanager, Barred Parakeet, and more (see our guide Robert Gallardo’s website www.birdsofhonduras.com for details!
During the main itinerary of Copan we will stay at the newly built La Chorcha Lodge, built and operated by Robert and Irma. It is named after the variety of Orioles found on the property (5 in all!) and is situated on the grounds of the Enchanted Wings Nature Center. Each cabin is named after its very own custom stain glass piece highlighting an element of flora and fauna fashioned from Robert’s photographs. The property is always full of birds (and other critters) and many can be enjoyed from each of the cabin`s private deck. See www.lachorchalodge.com for details.
ITINERARY
Sat., April 3 Arrival in San Pedro Sula, Honduras / Travel to Copan
Arrive today in San Pedro Sula. We have a scenic three-hour drive to the Copan area during which our guides Robert and Irma Gallardo interpret geography and aspects of rural Honduran life. Upon arrival in Copan, settle in if you like before our welcome dinner. Please note, if you would like to arrive early to rest up or take in sights of the city, we can suggest a hotel and activities.
Accommodations in Copan. (D)
Sun., April 4 Full day at Copan Archaeological Site
After breakfast at the lodge, immerse yourself in Mayan culture at the magnificent Copan ruins. The elaborate artistry of the stelae and altars we encounter in this once-sprawling city is amazing. Many were carved during Copan’s golden age (711-736 A.D.). One of the highlights is the Hieroglyphic Stairway, which preserves the longest written record of Mayan history and describes the lineage of 16 rulers.
One of the delights of Copan is that it is not fully excavated, and some of the structures we hike through as we bird along the Copan Ruins nature trail. Abundant nature gives one a feeling of how life may have been at the time. Amid the ruins, we hope to see White-throated Magpie Jay, Rufous-naped Wren, Green Parakeet, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Turquoise-browed Motmot, and Rufous-browed Peppershrike in the lush vegetation.
In the afternoon we will have a guided tour at the main archaeological site and museum. A local archaeologist joins us here to give in-depth interpretation of the site.
Enjoy a gracious dinner at our lovely hacienda at day’s end.
Accommodations in Copan. (B,L,D)
Mon., April 5 Miramundo Highlands
This morning we venture by four-wheel drive to higher elevation forests in the Miramundo Highlands where we hope to see Barred Parakeet, Collared Trogon, Violet Saberwing, Emerald Toucanet, Blue-crowned Motmot, Golden-olive Woodpecker, and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. We explore a rich, pre-montane broad leaf forest that continues to yield new orchid and bird species for the Copan area. Enjoy a lunch at Miramundo coffee plantation, and return to the hotel for a swim or siesta in the heat of the day.
Tonight is a free night; sample the local cuisine at your choice of restaurants in town, or stay and relax at our hotel.
Accommodations in Copan (B,L)
Tues., April 6 Laguna San Francisco Route / Las Sepulturas
After breakfast, we begin the day birding and exploring the Laguna – San Francisco route. This route passes through a variety of farmland, scrub, mixed woodland and highland pine-oak and we can see many species in this area; up to 80 species have been seen in one day! We will alternate driving and walking as the birding unfolds. One of the highlights often seen along this route include a good number of Elegant Euphonias which feed on fruiting mistletoe. If we`re lucky we may also find a Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird or Black-crested Coquette.
We'll have lunch in the field before going to the archaeological ruins of Las Sepulturas, situated a mile from the main acropolis of Copan. Birds we may see today include Yellow-green Vireo, Rufous-capped Warbler, Northern beardless Tyrannulet and Yellow-backed oriole.
Accommodations in Copan.(B,L,D)
Wed., April 7 Rio Amarillo Nature Reserve
Today we hike and bird at Rio Amarillo Nature Reserve, a lowland rainforest, home to 300 species. We may see Slaty-breasted Tinamou, White hawk and Stub-tailed Spadebill among others. This private reserve is unique in western Honduras as it contains flora found nowhere else in the country and is the last lowland rain forest found in the western interior.
We will hike the trail in the reserve and have lunch in the field.
In the afternoon we will return to town to further enjoy the Enchanted Wings Butterfly House and Nature Center, an educational site that our guides Robert and Irma Gallardo have developed. Learn more about their work with local school children at their website www.copannaturecenter.com.
Dinner is at your leisure tonight.
Accommodations in Copan (B,L)
Thurs., April 8 El Puente Archaeological Site / Copan Anthropology Museum
After breakfast at our lodge, we'll depart for the El Puente Archaeological site to explore and to bird. El Puente is one of the easternmost Mayan sites. We may see White-fronted parrot, Squirrel cuckoo and the Cinnamon hummingbird. Our lunch will be in La Entrada.
In the afternoon, we'll be back in Copan where we will visit the Copan city anthropology museum.
Accommodations in Copan (B,L,D)
Fri., April 9 Travel to San Pedro Sula
We have a scenic three-hour drive back to San Pedro Sula, the reverse from our arrival day. In the afternoon, we can opt for a visit to the Cultural and Anthropology Museum and/or Guamilito Artisan Market and then back to our accommodations for the night. We'll have a farewell dinner for those who must leave us.
Accommodations in San Pedro Sula. (B,L,D)
Sat., April 10 Departures or PICO BONITO Extension
If you must leave us, we bid a fond farewell at the airport.
Those who can stay to enjoy our tour’s extension (space as available – book early!) , fly to La Cieba and travel to Pico Bonito Lodge. Please note: we must have a minimum of six persons for this extension to send a guide with you. From the airport we drive into the foothills, to our lodgings which are situated in a verdant place of waterfalls and spectacular scenery. The peaks of the Nombre de Dios Mountains loom high above, with Pico Bonito rising to over 8,000 feet -- and one of the best views of it all is right from our lodge’s pool! Trails here are steep, but quite rewarding.
After settling into our accommodations, enjoy the pool, and beautiful gardens. The birds may come to us, perhaps even a Lovely Cotinga! Dinner tonight is at your leisure at this delightful lodge.
Accommodations at Lodge at Pico Bonito. (B,L)
Sun., April 11 Pico Bonito Lodge
In the morning, we will hike the lodge trails. The lush forests of Pico Bonito are fascinating botanically, and we search for an amazing variety of birds: Long-tailed Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Lovely Cotinga, Keel-billed Motmot, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, a variety of woodcreepers and flycatchers, White-collared Manakin, Black-throated Shrike Tanager, noisy colonies of Chestnut-headed and Montezuma Oropendola, and the beautiful Golden-hooded Tanager. A wonderful array of tropical butterflies are also found along the trail including various Clearwings, Swallowtails, Blue Morpho, and a variety of Longwings that take nectar from the infamous “Hot Lips” flowers.
In the afternoon we will visit the serpentarium on the lower Lodge grounds. Or, try some late-afternoon birding at one of three canopy observation towers on the lodge’s trail system. Dinner is again at your leisure.
Accommodations at the Lodge at Pico Bonito. (B,L)
Mon., April 12 Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge / Pico Bonito
Today, we drive a short way down near the coast to visit Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, a preserve of mangrove-lined lagoons and wetlands along the Caribbean coast. Here two major rivers join, creating a complex web of fresh and saltwater lagoons. Many species endangered elsewhere in Honduras find refuge in this rich estuary; we may see manatees, migratory birds, parrots, crocodiles and two species of monkeys. Birds we look for include Boat-billed Heron, Jabiru, Sungrebe, Brown-hooded Parrot, White-crowned Parrot, Great Potoo and more.
In the afternoon we return to La Ceiba and Pico Bonito Lodge for free time to relax or explore. We can hike the Zacate Waterfalls trail or you may remain at the lodge. We’ll share dinner together at the lodge, where there is an optional night walk after dinner.
Accommodations at the Lodge at Pico Bonito. (B,L,D)
Tues., April 13 Departures
We have the return to San Pedro Sula International Airport where we bid you adieu.
(B)
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COST OF THE JOURNEY
Cost of the 7-day journey, $1995.00 per person from San Pedro Sula, is based on double occupancy and includes: all accommodations, most meals as specified in the itinerary (all but four dinners on free evenings), group airport transfers, transportation in Honduras, park and preserve entrance fees, professional guides, and miscellaneous program costs.
Cost of the extension is TBD.
This cost is based on a minimum of 8 persons; if there are fewer than 8, a small group surcharge (typically $200-400.00) may apply. It does not include items of a personal nature such as beverages from the bar, porterage, laundry, phone calls, or gift items. We also recommend a gratuity for our local drivers and guides; the amount is left to your discretion. Single supplement is $390.00.
TRAVEL
ARRANGEMENTS
Honduras is served by a number of major airlines, including American Airlines, Continental, COPA, TACA, AeroCaribe, and Iberia. Gateway cities include, but are not limited to, Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Plan to arrive no later than 2:00 pm on or before April 3rd; please try to schedule departing flights after 11 am on April 10th or April 13th.
PHOTO
CREDITS:
Olive Throated Parakeet, Altamira Oriole, Emerald
Toucanet, Resplendant Quetzal, Purple Gallinule, Green Jay,
Turquoise Browed Motmot, Ferruginous
Pygmy Owl, Keel-billed Toucan, Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher, Howler
Monkeys and Swallow-tailed Kite, Tony Beck - www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/;
all other photos by Peg Abbott.
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