HONDURAS: Birding the Mountains and Coast

Length of Tour

9-Days/8-Nights

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive San Pedro Sula; transfer to Panacam Lodge

Day 2 – Birding Panacam Road and Lake Yojoa / Panacam Lodge

Day 3 – El Cajon Reservoir / Panacam Lodge

Day 4 – Santa Barbara National Park / Panacam Lodge

Day 5 – Transfer from Panacam to Indura

Day 6 – Lancetilla Botanical Garden / Indura

Day 7 – Laguna de Los Migos / Indura

Day 8 – Rio Santiago / Indura

Day 9 – Depart to San Pedro Sula for flights home

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Panacam Lodge

Pick up at San Pedro Sula airport and transfer to Panacam Lodge.
Depending on our arrival time, we well do some late-afternoon birding in the gardens of Panacam Lodge. This afternoon we have our first chance to see the regional endemic Keel Billed Motmot, also we can try for Little Tinamou and Mayan Antrush.
Overnight at Panacam Lodge.

Day 2: Birding Panacam Road and Lake Yojoa

We begin the day with some pre-breakfast birding near the lodge for the handsome Prevost’s Ground-Sparrow and muted Green-backed Sparrow, the first of many endemics of northern Central America possible on this itinerary. The edges of this broadleaf rain forest lead to Embalse de Yure, one of the best spots in the area to try for Sungrebe and other water species. We will make a stop at Santa Elena, where Black headed Siskins and Grace’s Warblers are present in these tropical pine forest habitats. We will have a good chance to try for Spot-bellied Bobwhite and many other grassland species. After a full morning on Panacam Road we will go for lunch and afterwards make a visit to Finca Luna del Puente and the shore of Lake Yojoa.

Finca Luna del Puente is a secondary growth forest with cocoa, coffee and citrus plantations, and the numbers of birds in here are simply amazing. Some of the highlights include, Northern Potoo, Green Jay, Tody Motmot, Slate-headed Tody Flycatcher, Great Horned Owl and many more.

After 3:00 pm we will head back to the lodge and relax by birding the very active hummingbird feeders at Panacam.

Day 3: Birding El Cajon Reservoir

We’ll begin this full day of birding Honduras’ unique dry forest habitat with an early breakfast at Panacam Lodge, and departure by 5:30 AM.

The target of our search, the beautiful but critically endangered Honduran Emerald survives only in remaining pockets of intergrade tropical dry and pine-oak forest in the country, lying in the “rain shadow”, or southern side of the mountains here. This unique area, where cloud forested peaks and pine studded slopes give way to a more arid landscape, was once dominated by tropical thorn or dry forest. Other targets are White necked Puffbird, Berylline Hummingbird, Spot-bellied Bobwhite, Elegant Trogon, Lesser- ground Cuckoo and Lesser Roadrunner among others.

Day 4: Birding Santa Barbara National Park

We’ll make an early departure to Santa Barbara National Pak, for a great taste of the beautiful, cloud forest bird species living in the surroundings of this park. Resplendent Quetzal, Flame-colored Tanager, Wine-throated Hummingbird, Bushy-crested Jay, Slate- colored Solitaire, Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Blue and White Mockingbird and many others will be our targets.

Afterwards, we descend again to the shores of Lake Yojoa, the largest lake in Honduras, for wetland species such as Northern Jacana, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, and Ruddy Crake. White-throated Flycatcher, an Empidonax flycatcher with poorly understood migratory movements, also occurs on the marshy banks of the lake.

Day 5: Transfer from Panacam to Indura

Today, we explore the trail system and new observation tower accessible from Panacam Lodge, keeping a sharp eye and ear out for roving feeding flocks that may contain Cocoa and Northern Barred-Woodcreeper, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, and Golden-crowned Warbler as well as an assortment of migrant warblers. Afterwards, we pack up and drive 2 hours to Indura Lodge, located outside the beach town of Tela.

This afternoon everyone has time to enjoy the beach or swimming pools at this wonderful resort.

Day 6: Birding Lancetilla Botanical Gardens

Our first day at Indura will begin at 6:00 AM, with an early breakfast and a short drive to Lancetilla, just 10 minutes away. For the next several hours our guide will lead us throughout the gardens, spotting numerous bird species that are common in the early hours. Birding on the edge of the broad, flat entrance road will offer a great diversity of species.

Throughout the morning we will bird areas of tropical, secondary and gallery forest and plantation areas along the Lancetilla River, Along this route, diversity is the rule and examples of sightings include: Masked and Black-crowned Tityra, Blue crowned and Turquoise-browed Motmot, Tody Motmot, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Black-cowled Oriole, Black-headed, Gartered, Collared and Slaty-tailed Trogon, Royal Flycatcher, Green, Shining and Red-Legged Honeycreeper, several species of Hummingbird including Crowned Woodnymph, Blue-throated Goldentail, Violet Sabrewing, Purple-crowned Fairy, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Brown Violet-ear, Green Violet-ear and White-necked Jacobin.

We will have lunch in one of the restaurants located on the edges of the beach around Tela. In the afternoon we’ll return to the arboretum in Lancetilla, where we learn about the 100 year history of the gardens while birding these beautiful, lowland tropical surroundings. Usual encounters here are Black-headed Trogon, Band backed Wrens, Northern barred Woodcreeper, and Sepia capped Flycatcher among others.

Day 7: Birding Laguna de Los Micos

After breakfast we’ll depart for Jeanette Kawas National Park and a day of birding by boat of Laguna Los Micos. Laguna Los Micos Wildlife Refuge holds many canals, mangroves and small islands which serve as a refuge for abundant flora and fauna, including over 200 species of tropical birds. This area is one of the main attractions of Jeannette Kawas National Park, and its home to one of the most typical Garifuna villages in Honduras, Miami, where fishermen still ply the sea in dugout canoes and fish with cast nets. Some of our targets include the American Pygmy Kingfisher, Agami Heron, Sungrebe, Bare throated tiger Heron, Gray-headed Kite and many more.

After all morning among the mangroves we return to Indura for lunch. Late in the afternoon we will spend time birding around the gardens and forests of Indura.

Day 8: Birding Rio Santiago

Rio Santiago Nature Resort is a 150 acre private preserve located 80 kilometers east of Indura. Its secluded, rain forest location and impressive numbers of hummingbird feeders has earned it the name of “Hummingbird Capital of Honduras”. Throughout most of the year, Santiago’s trails and main garden areas abound with bewildering numbers of some of Honduras’ most well-known hummingbird species.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Brown Violet-ear, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Violet Sabrewing, Crowned Woodnymph, Stripe-throated Hermit, Long-billed Hermit, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, White-bellied Emerald, and Scaly-breasted Hummingbird are among the 20+ species that frequent Santiago’s feeders. The trails system of Rio Santiago lead us into some of the Mesoamerican endemics such as Lovely Cotinga, Black throated Shrike Tanager, Tody motmot, White Hawk, King Vulture, Cocoa Woodcreeper and many more.

Day 9: Transfer to San Pedro Airport to fly home

Birding the grounds of Indura in the morning then transfer to San Pedro Sula airport for return home…

Cost

Cost is $3,450 per person, based upon double occupancy, from San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Airport code SAP).
This trip ends in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Airport code SAP).

Single Supplement

If a single room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $500 will be assessed.

Deposit Requirements

A $500 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.

Minimum Number

If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.

How to Book

In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.

Final Payment

For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.

For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.

NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.

Panacam Lodge

Panacam Lodge is a cozy mountain hotel located in the Meambar Blue Mountain National Park. The natural beauty and scenery of this important protected area, combined with the Lodge’s spacious facilities will capture your attention from the moment you arrive.

The comfortable, cabin-style rooms and quality services will make your stay unforgettable. Each of the rooms has a private bathroom with hot water, satellite TV and a resting area.

Indura Resort

Tucked between crystal-clear Caribbean waters and jungles teeming with birds and monkeys, Indura Beach & Golf Resort sits on the tranquil northern coast of Honduras. Set on a 26 mile stretch of Tela Bay, the overall design remains true to the region’s history and has been inspired by the coral reefs and surrounding tropical rain forests. Set within a national park, guests are able to commune with the native flora and fauna that flourish within.

Spacious rooms with breezy wrap-around terraces and lush garden or ocean views. Rooms are fully equipped with both air conditioning and ceiling fans. Complimentary WiFi available.

Activity Level Rating: 2 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)

Most trails and walks will be easy, however, there will be some limited high altitude walking on muddy, steep trails.

Purchasing Flights

Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.

Detailed Trip Information

Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.

Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.

Travel Insurance

As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.

Passport & Visa

US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.

Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.

Itinerary Changes

The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.