Resplendent quetzal perched in the cloud forest near Lake Atitlán

The resplendent quetzal is one of the most striking birds in Central America, long considered sacred by the Maya and now Guatemala’s national bird.

A remnant of cloud forest in the southern part of Lake Atitlán is one of the few places nearby where it can still be seen.

This tour goes in search of the quetzal in its natural habitat, walking a trail through cloud forest with a guide who specializes in birdwatching.

The best time to see the quetzal is from January to April, during its mating season. Outside those months, a sighting is possible but less likely.

It is led by a guide specialized in bird watching; the objective is to look for the quetzal on a trail of approximately 3 km, but you can expect to see toucans, birds of prey, turkeys, hummingbirds, and more along the way.

The guide will pick you up in Santiago Atitlan at 6 am. You’ll return approximately at noon.

Trail Description:

The first part of the trail is Maxan cultivation (a crop used in the local cuisine). It is a downhill walk that takes about 1-2 hrs to arrive where you normally see the birds. The way back will be uphill.

Includes:

Private pickup from Santiago Atitlán to the entrance of the Mirador Rey Tepepul reserve (round trip).
Bilingual, authorized general guide specialized in birdwatching.

Equipment to be used by the guide at the disposition of the participants:

Telescope to observe the species up close.
Binoculars, a speaker, a laser pointer, and a field guide for species identification.

What to Bring:

A jacket for the cold;
Bring a pair of binoculars if possible;
Wear dark, non-bright-colored clothing (no white, red, yellow, or shiny colors);
Camera (the phone camera works well when fitted to the telescope);
Snacks and water.