Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive San Pedro Sula; transfer to Pico Bonito Lodge
Day 2: Trails and set-ups for birds and wildlife
Day 3: Hummingbirds, reptiles and amphibians
Day 4: Cuero y Salado Wildlife Reserve
Day 5: Hummingbirds, butterflies and owls
Day 6: Drive to Copan with stop at Lancetilla Botanical Garden
Day 7: Visit Copan Ruins and Macaws in the morning. explore the town in the afternoon.
Day 8: Explore the town in the morning and the ruins and macaws in the afternoon.
Day 9: Depart for San Pedro Sula and flights home
itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Honduras
Arrive San Pedro Sula no later than 2:00pm; transfer to Pico Bonito Lodge
Dinner at the lodge with discussion and orientation to our trip.
Day 2 - At the Lodge
Exploring the property around Pico Bonito. Several well-maintained trails start from behind the pool, one of them leading to an impressive canopy tower only ten minutes away. As canopy towers go, this is one of the easiest to climb as it is located on a slope overlooking a forested valley. Large enough for the whole group and offers canopy views as well as a piece of the river below. We'll watch for perched and soaring raptors including White Hawk and Bat Falcon and scan the treetops for the turquoise of a male Lovely Cotinga.
After lunch we will enjoy photographing many species of birds at the feeders around the lodge.
Evening discussion and instruction.
Day 3 - Lodge grounds
Today we will work on photographing hummingbirds in the morning and the afternoon we will have incredible opportunities photographing snakes, lizards, frogs and more!
Evening discussion and instruction.
Day 4 - Cuero Y Salado
Today we will visit the beautiful Cuero y Salado wildlife sanctuary. We will take a van to the train-stop... a very small, narrow-guage railroad used by fruit companies in the past. The 45 minute train ride will take us through wetlands and savanna to a little village along a river. No roads come here, just the train.
In Cuero Y salado we will venture by boat to photograph birds, monkeys and more along the river's edge and in hidden forest creeks.
After lunch back in the village, we will explore the river again, this time looking for turtles and crocodiles that are by this time of day, sunning themselves on logs and shore.
Return to Pico Bonito for dinner and evening discussion.
Day 5 - Rio Santiago
Today we will concentrate on hummingbirds in the morning and butterflies in the afternoon.
Evening discussion and instruction.
Day 6 - Drive to Copan
Today Drive to Copan with a stop at Lancetilla Botanical Garden for flowers and birds. Macro and landscape opportunities abound!
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Dinner at our hotel and evening discussion and instruction.
Day 7 -Copan Ruins and Town
The ancient ruins of Copan, once inhabited by the great Mayan civilization, will offer wonderful landscape opportunities. The forest around the ruins are full of birds and other wildlife which may offer added opportunities. The Scarlet Macaw reintroduction program that protects this beautiful species has brought many macaws to the ruins that could offer fantastic chances at flight photography.
After lunch we will explore the local town, full of wonderful people, color and tradition!
Dinner at our hotel.
Day 8 - Copan Ruins and Town
We will asses yesterdays opportunities and plan our day to add the best opportunities for our final day!
Day 9 - Return Home
Depart for San Pedro Sula for our return home...
