Guatemala Highland Endemics Photography Tour: Horned Guan and Quetzal
Overview
An 11-day bird photography journey through Guatemala's highlands, shaped by cloud forest, volcanic slopes, and the quiet patience of endemic birding. From Antigua and Finca El Pilar to Los Tarrales, the route targets Horned Guan in the upper forest and, on Volcán Tacaná, a second chance at this sought-after species.
Lake Atitlán's dry slopes offer Belted Flycatcher and Blue-and-white Mockingbird; San Marcos cloud forest may yield Resplendent Quetzal. On the Cuchumatanes plateau above 3,000m, Goldman's Warbler is the focus, alongside Pink-headed Warbler, Highland Guan, and highland hummingbirds.
Photographic opportunities
Guatemala rewards patience and early starts. From the pine-oak edges at Finca El Pilar to the shade coffee and humid broadleaf forest at Los Tarrales, days are built around soft morning light and slower afternoon sessions, with motmots, trogons, tanagers, hummingbirds and woodcreepers moving through layered habitat.
The upper cloud forest above Los Tarrales and the pre-dawn ascent of Volcán Tacaná are the trip's strenuous signature blocks, both targeting the Horned Guan. In these steep, moss-draped forests, light is low and broken; long lenses, high ISO and quiet field craft matter. Azure-rumped Tanager, Fulvous Owl, Highland Guan, Pink-headed Warbler and Blue-throated Motmot are among the possibilities.
At Lake Atitlán, dry slopes and a ferry crossing frame Belted Flycatcher and Blue-and-white Mockingbird against lake and volcano. Around San Marcos, a careful fruiting-season session may find Resplendent Quetzal. On the Cuchumatanes plateau above 3,000m, pine-juniper country holds Goldman's Warbler, juncos, siskins and kinglets—wide, open light and highland quiet.
Who this journey is for
This itinerary will appeal to bird photographers who want to work patiently in Guatemala's highland forests rather than move quickly between locations. The physical level is easy overall, but two blocks stand out: the Horned Guan searches at Los Tarrales and on Volcán Tacaná are strenuous full days, and the Cuchumatanes plateau sits above 3,000m. Afternoon sessions are sometimes optional, so guests who prefer to rest can do so. The pace is structured around morning light and forest activity, with repeated visits to lodge grounds, shade coffee, and cloud forest. Those drawn to Horned Guan, Pink-headed Warbler, Goldman's Warbler, and Resplendent Quetzal will find the focus clear.
Inspiration
Expedition highlights
The journey at a glance
Following the route
The journey moves gradually through 5 distinct overnight bases.
Route shown schematically for orientation.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Antigua and Welcome Dinner
A transfer from Guatemala Airport brings travellers to Antigua, where Hotel Boutique Los Pasos provides the setting for the first night. Breakfast is included in the package. The evening features a welcome dinner in Antigua, a distinct group meal arranged at a carefully chosen restaurant known for quality, atmosphere and proximity to the hotel. It also offers tour briefing context, with dietary requirements coordinated in advance.
Day 2
Finca El Pilar Birding and Los Tarrales
Breakfast precedes an early highland birding block at Finca El Pilar near Antigua, where pine-oak forest edges, feeders, and forest tracks introduce motmots, sabrewings, ground-sparrows, and mixed flocks. A generic lunch and transfer to Los Tarrales follow. At Los Tarrales Lodge Grounds and Coffee Forest Birding, gardens, shade coffee, and humid broadleaf forest host White-bellied Chachalaca, manakins, tanagers, motmots, trogons, woodcreepers, and hummingbirds across morning and afternoon sessions. Dinner is included. Tarrales Natural Reserve in Patulul offers birdwatching and coffee tours amid volcanic slopes and protected tropical landscapes.
Day 3
Birding Los Tarrales Lodge Grounds and Coffee Forest
Exploring the lodge gardens, shade coffee, and humid broadleaf forest at Los Tarrales makes for an anchor birding experience. Morning and afternoon sessions around the grounds and coffee forest bring chances to watch White-bellied Chachalaca, manakins, tanagers, motmots, trogons, woodcreepers, and hummingbirds. Meals include breakfast, with lunch and dinner available. The surrounding Tarrales Natural Reserve in Patulul, on volcanic slopes, adds verdant ecosystems and coffee tours to the day's route.
Day 4
Horned Guan Search at Los Tarrales
A full-day effort in Los Tarrales Upper Forest targets the Horned Guan, with Azure-rumped Tanager, Fulvous Owl, and Highland Guan also possible. Breakfast and lunch support the strenuous search. Later, a gentler block allows rest and afternoon birding around Los Tarrales Lodge Grounds, including feeders, the entrance road, and coffee-forest edge, with no fixed targets and the option to simply rest. Dinner closes the day within Tarrales Natural Reserve, a verdant Patulul landscape of volcanic slopes, coffee tours, and rich birdlife.
Day 5
Lake Atitlán Belted Flycatcher Birding via Los Tarrales
After breakfast, transfer from Antigua to Los Tarrales and continue to the dry slopes of Lake Atitlán for a birding session focused on the Belted Flycatcher and Blue-and-white Mockingbird. The morning-to-early-afternoon outing features lake and volcano views and includes a ferry crossing. Lunch and dinner are provided, followed by an overnight stay at a hotel in San Marcos La Laguna.
Day 6
San Marcos Quetzal Forest and Transfer to Sibinal
Breakfast is included before a morning in the cloud forest around San Marcos and San Rafael, where an early session may reveal Resplendent Quetzal among tanagers, warblers and toucanets, subject to fruiting conditions rather than guaranteed. Lunch follows, then a transfer from San Marcos to Sibinal. Dinner is provided, with overnight accommodation in Sibinal to be confirmed.
Day 7
Union Reforma Montane Forest and Sibinal Birding
Birding in the humid montane forest near Union Reforma brings chances for Highland Guan, Mountain Trogon, hummingbirds and highland songbirds, a self-contained forest block ahead of the Tacaná target morning. A light afternoon recovery block near Sibinal follows, with optional roadside birding through open fields and pine edges for siskins, highland hummingbirds and occasional raptors, or rest at the lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, with an overnight stay in Sibinal.
Day 8
Tacana Horned Guan Search
Breakfast is included before a second Horned Guan search, this time on Volcán Tacaná. A pre-dawn ascent leads into montane forest, where Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-throated Motmot, and highland hummingbirds may also appear on this strenuous signature block. A generic lunch and dinner follow, with overnight lodging in Sibinal.
Day 9
Sibinal to Cuchumatanes and Chancol
A transfer from Sibinal leads into the Cuchumatanes and Chancol highlands, with breakfast included before departure. A generic lunch is available, then an afternoon birding block near Chancol offers a gentle pace for adjusting to altitudes above 3,000m. Around the Unicornio Azul lodge gardens, expect highland hummingbirds, siskins, and the first Goldman's Warblers. Dinner is followed by an overnight stay at Unicornio Azul.
Day 10
Goldman's Warbler Plateau Birding from Todos Santos
Birding on the high Cuchumatanes plateau near Todos Santos centres on the Goldman's Warbler Plateau, a full day spent in pine-juniper country above 3,000m. The Goldman's Warbler is the main target, alongside juncos, siskins, kinglets and highland sparrows. Breakfast is included in the package, with a generic lunch and generic dinner available, and Unicornio Azul as a listed stop. The route and experiences follow the supplied activities in order.
Day 11
Return to Guatemala City from Todos Santos
A included breakfast starts the journey before the transfer from Todos Santos to Ciudad de Guatemala. A generic lunch stop is planned along the way. Arrival brings guests to Wyndham Garden Guatemala City, described as a modern and affordable choice for travelers seeking convenience and efficiency. The route then continues with a transfer from the hotel in Ciudad de Guatemala to the airport.
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Price details
Price per person
2 people
Per person
3 to 4 people
Per person
5 to 6 people
Per person
7 to 8 people
Per person
9 to 10 people
Per person
11+ people
Per person
Prices are per person and based on twin share, unless stated otherwise.
Additional costs
Deposit
30% deposit (1,679 USD approx.)
Single supplement
338 USD
Available upon request and subject to availability.
What is included
Included
- Accommodation throughout the journey
- Meals indicated in the programme
- Transportation during the itinerary
- Pre-trip planning assistance
Not included
- Lunch on arrival day
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the programme
- Camera equipment
From past travellers
A few kind words
Voyage Patagonie Mars 2025
We spent three wonderful weeks in Patagonia with Tristan. An unforgettable trip for the three of us, in a warm and relaxed atmosphere that Tristan carefully crafted down to the finest details. He organized an itinerary perfectly tailored to our requests. Always smiling, incredibly kind, and very patient. He made us experience this exceptional journey with unique moments that went beyond our expectations. Tristan is an excellent guide. He plans his trips with great professionalism on all levels, yet manages to make you forget it by sharing the experience with you, marveling at the landscapes like a friend showing you around the country… A big thank you to you. Lots of love!
Excellent Travel & Photography Guide
Tristan created a wonderful cultural experience for us over a 10 day visit to Cuba. From a photography perspective, he had researched people and locations to insure the best model, in the most cuban environment in the best light. Although we were focused on photography, he rounded out the tour with opportunities to experience the history (visit to old sugar plantation), the land (visit to a farm with oxen and a hike to waterfall), and the food (experiencing local food and drink in beautiful settings). I would highly recommend Tristan as a guide. We are already planning our next trip with him.
Beautiful discovery of southern Colombia
Wonderful discovery of southern Colombia. Excellent organization, and Tristan is an outstanding guide who shares his love for the country.
Why travel with us?
Expert, trusted guides
We work with carefully selected local guides chosen for their experience, knowledge of wildlife, and ability to find unique encounters ethically and safely.
Carefully selected accommodations
We choose each accommodation to find the perfect balance between comfort, location, and access to wildlife, so you can make the most of every moment of your journey.
Schedules designed for the best light
We organize activities and outings at key times of day to take advantage of the best light conditions and increase opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.
You’ll come home with incredible photographs
We design each expedition to maximize opportunities for observation and help you enjoy unique encounters and capture the best photographs possible in the wild.
About your guide
Tristan Quevilly
At the helm of Remote Expeditions, Tristan adeptly combines exploration, photography, tour design, web development, and tour leadership, encapsulating the essence of a versatile travel entrepreneur. His mission is to offer a limited number of high-quality tours each year, ensuring an unparalleled travel experience steering clear of mass tourism. He aims to guide you towards the true essence of each destination, facilitating a deep connection with both nature and yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
To confirm your spot we request a first payment of 50% of the total trip price. The remaining 50% can be paid up to 3 months before the departure date.
We accept payments in euros and US dollars via bank transfer. Once your booking is made, we will send you all the information and details needed to make the payment.
No, anyone who loves nature is welcome. We always recommend bringing binoculars to enjoy a closer view, and if you have a camera you'll surely capture excellent images too.
You can find all the details about cancellations, refunds and booking conditions on our page: Terms and Conditions.
No. Our trips are designed both for people with experience in photography and wildlife watching and for travelers who simply enjoy nature and want to live a different experience.
The most important thing is to have interest, curiosity and a desire to enjoy the environment and the animals.
Yes. If you wish to arrive earlier or extend your stay, we can arrange additional nights of accommodation, activities and transfers. Just let us know your plans and we'll adjust the itinerary to your preferences.
Yes, of course. Many of our travelers join the expeditions on their own. Our groups usually bring together people with similar interests in wildlife, photography and nature, so the atmosphere tends to be very friendly and it's easy to connect with other travelers.
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