On the flat Yukatan Peninsula in southeast Mexico not a single river flows above
ground. The peninsula is largely a karstic formation with cenotes or sinkholes.
These sinkholes were the main water source for many ancient and contemporary Maya
people. According to the Alvarez hypothesis, the Yucatan Peninsula was the site
of the impact of an asteroid 65 million years ago and the theory that it was
responsible for the mass extinction of the dinosaur.
The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean coastlines have wonderful white sandy
beaches and nature reserves for water birds i.e. Rio Lagartos or the Sian Ka’an.
Over 450 species of birds have been identified in the area, so it's a great
destination for birding. Inland areas are a mixture of savannas, dry forests,
rain forest and numerous Maya ruins. Here you will find the largest tropical
biological reserve in Mexico – the Calakmul National Park (230 species). The park
forms the ecological link between the rain forests of the Guatamalan Peten- Basin
(Tikal) and the predominantly forest free mountainous regions of Chiapas. The
area is the habitat for many endemic bird species in Yucatan.
.
Dr. Til Macke
- Day 1
-
Flight to Cancun
Hotel Cancun
- Day 2
-
Contoy Bird Island
A 45 minute boat trip takes us to the secluded Contoy Island National Park
where we will spend the day. Protected by the government of Mexico since
1961 as a national park, the island remains a natural habitat for abundant
wildlife, birds and aquatic wonders. Although the island is just five miles
in length it is considered to be the most important refuge for sea, lagoon
and migratory birds in the Mexican Caribbean. This is because the island is
located where the crystalline but nutrient-poor waters of the Caribbean Sea
meet the turbid, fauna-plentiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The mixed
currents produce a great quantity of plankton, the diet of the numerous
fish which in turn are food for the sea birds. Of the 104 species
registered to date, 57 are permanent lodgers and the others are visitors.
The Frigate Bird is the most prolific species with a current population of
6000. Possibility to snorkel in the crystal clear water and enjoy the
presence of hundreds of tropical fish.
- Day 3
-
Valladolid, Rio Lagartos
Visit to Valladolid, a small, quaint city town which still preserves a
colonial flare. Notable sights in Valladolid are the Cathedral of Sao Paulo
and the Convent of San Bernardino, and Cenote Zaci, a landscaped natural
well with a restaurant. About 7 kilometers south west of Valladolid is
the beautiful Dzitnup Cenote. It is stunningly lit with electric lights,
the only natural light source being a tiny hole in the cavernous ceiling
dripping with enormous stalactites. A swim in this cenote is an eerie
experience, swimming amongst stalagmites that formed before the cenote
filled with water.
Arrival at Rio Lagartos Reserve in the north of the peninsula.
Hotel Rio Lagartos
- Day 4
-
Rio Lagartos
Boat trip to the Rio Lagartos National Wildlife Refuge located on the Gulf
Coast of the Yucatan. Established in 1979 the national park covers 118,000
acres and includes everything from coastal dunes to mangrove swamps to
tropical jungle. It is inhabited by more than 200 species of birds as well
as sea turtles and jaguars. It is home to the largest nesting population of
flamingos in North America. Between April and August thousands of flamingos
build their odd, conical mud mounds in the shallows, each containing its
one egg. Our boat trip around the nesting grounds will provide an
excellent view of these exotic birds wading in their salty habitat. Other
species on our list – Mexican Sheartail, Garrulous- Yucatan Wren, Common
Black Hawk, Reddish Egret, Boat-billed Heron, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron,
and maybe the very rare Kelp Gull.
Hotel Rio Lagartos
- Day 5
-
Los Colorados
Drive to Los Colorados Nature Reserve. Observation of birds, amphibians,
reptiles and mammals.
Hotel Rio Lagartos
- Day 6
-
Chichen Izza, Uxmal
This morning we will drive to the most famous Mayan ruins of Chichen Izza
(UNESCO World Heritage Site). The main attraction is the central pyramid,
El Castillo del Serpiente Emplumado, which means "Castle of the Plumed
Serpent,". The surrounding woodlands will provide another taste of
Yucatan’s avifauna – Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Cinnamon Hummingbird,
Turquoise-browed Motmot, Ridgway’s Rough-winged Swallow, Cave Swallow,
Yucatan Jay, White-bellied Wren and Orange Oriole.
Evening drive to Uxmal with optional sound and light show.
Hotel Uxmal
- Day 7
-
Uxmal, Chicanna
Uxmal (OOSH-mahl) means "'built three times" in the Mayan language, and
though its name is a mystery, its beauty is not. As a UNESCO world heritage
site, it is one of the best restored and maintained ruins in the Yucatan,
and certainly one of the most magnificent. Its architecture, some of the
most majestic of the Yucatan ruins, is characterized by low horizontal
palaces set around courtyards, decorated with rich sculptural elements and
details.
Interesting Yucatan bird species in the dry thorn and humid forest –
Canivet’s Emerald, Yucatan Flycatcher, White-browed Wren.
After visiting the Uxmal ruins drive via Hopelchen to Chicanna in the
Calakmul National Park.
Calakmul/Chicanna
- Day 8
-
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve - Jungle Walk
With more than 1,700,000 acres, the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is the
second largest protected area in Mexico Here you will find the largest
concentration of Maya ruins. From old growth and seasonally flooded
forests to grasslands, Calakmul harbours a wealth of biodiversity within
its boundaries. In terms of birds, 358 species have been identified, of
which 113 are recorded as endangered including the Jabiru Stork, King
Vulture, Ornate Hawk Eagle, Ocellated Turkey. 3-5 million migratory birds
winter here each year. 45 amphibians and reptiles, 95 mammals (Jaguar,
Ozelot, Tigrillo, Screaming Monkey, Spider Monkey, Tapir, Ameisenbär) 36
orchid species, 8 Bromelians.
Hotel Calakmul/Chicanna
- Day 9
-
Bacalar
Drive to Bacalar, also known as the Lagoons of Seven Colours. Birding en
route and visit to the Mayan cities of Becan and Kohunlich.
The ruins of Kohunlich and Dzibanche are a couple of real gems. Completely
surrounded by the lush foliage of the tropical jungle these time worn ruins
have a mystical quality that is enhanced by a lack of tourists, who seldom
venture this far south. For that reason they are frequented by all manner
of tropical wildlife and exotic birds.
Hotel Bacalar
- Day 10
-
Felipe Carrillo Puerto
Possibility to swim in the Bacalar and Cenote Azul lagoons. Drive to Felipe
Carrillo Puerto and take the forest nature trail in Rancho San Angel:
Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Keel-billed Toucan, Northern Bentbill, Tropical
Gnatcatcher, Blue Bunting and the very local Gray-throated Chat and Rose-
throated Tanager. A swarm of army-ants should attract Ruddy and Northern
Barred Woodcreepers. Here you can see nearly half of all the endemic bird
species to be found in Yucatan.
Hotel near Bacalar
- Day 11
-
Tulum, Sian ka’an Reserve
Drive to Tulum with stops for birding and observations at the various Mayan
cities.
Carry on further into the Sian ka’an Nature Reserve stopping for birding in
Boca Paila. Here, as well as others, you can see Louisiana Heron, Sing
Quail, Ruddy Crake, Collared Forest Falcon, Little Blue Heron, Royal Tern.
Off the coast lies the second largest coral reef in the world - over 110
kilometers long.
Overnight in Sian Ka’an/Tulum (possibly in Boca Paila Camp in tent cabins).
- Day 12
-
Sian ka’an Biosphere Reserve(UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
In the language of the Mayan people who once inhabited this region, Sian
Ka'an means 'Origin of the Sky'. This biosphere reserve contains tropical
forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section
intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich
flora and a fauna comprising more than 336 species of birds, as well as a
large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which
cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological
system. Boat tour across the lagoon to mangrove "islands" full of nesting
birds. Roseate Spoonbill, Ibis and Tri-colored Heron are common here.
Animals observations on the beaches and nesting areas of four different
species of ocean turtles.
Overnight in Sian Ka’an/Tulum (possibly in Boca Paila Camp in tent cabins).
- Day 13
-
Coba, Aktun Chen
The next stop on our round journey is the Mayan town of Coba with the
largest pyramid in Mexican Yucatan – birding and sightseeing (Black-headed
Trogon, Grey-collared Becard, Mangrove Vireo, Grey-throated Chat and
Red-throated Tanager. Afterwards carry on to Aktun Chen where we will visit
the stalactite caves. Evening drive to Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean
coast.
Hotel Playa del Carmen
- Day 14
-
Isla de Cosumel
From Playa del Carmen we will take the ferry to Isla de Cosumel. Roundtrip
of the island with visit to the Punta Sur nature reserve. There are two
species of birds on Cosumel found nowhere else in the world – Cosumel Vireo
and the Cosumel Thrasher (critically endangered species). Subspecies -
Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Bananaquit and Stripe-headed Tanager, Black
Catbird and Rose-throated Tanager. Possible neotropical migrants Cape May,
Black-throated Blue and Prairie Warblers, all of which are scarce on the
mainland. In the dense tropical forest areas White-crowned Pigeons and
Caribbean Elaenia can be found. We will also watch for Yucatan Parrots.
Hotel Playa del Carmen.
- Day 15
-
Departure
Transfer to airport for return flight.
- Day 16
-
Arrival in London
.