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SIERRA GORDA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Birding Adventure with Rodrigo López

   
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Overview

   
 

The Sierra Gorda de Querétaro Biosphere Reserve is the most ecologically diverse protected area in México. Experience this small group insider’s tour of one of Mexico’s natural treasures with Travelian’s expert guides!

From the oldest semi-desert in the country to the coniferous forests inhabiting the highest ridges of the mountains, life flourishes here. The extraordinary richness of its oak forests, tropical forests, riparian forests along the rivers, and the ever shady cloud forests are all part of Sierra Gorda’s rich natural heritage. All of this houses 2,310 species of vascular plants, 110 mammal species including the majestic jaguar, 134 reptile and amphibian species, one third of the Mexican butterflies with 800 species, and about 343 birds that include several endemic and highly threatened species.

   
 
 
Elegant Euphonia
 
     
 

Itinerary at a Glance

SIERRA GORDA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Birding Adventure with Rodrigo López

     
DAY 1 ARRIVE SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE | Mar 22
DAY 2 TRAVEL TO JALPAN DE SERRA | Birding in Cuatro Palos | Mar 23
DAY 3 JALPAN DE SERRA | Birding in Ahuacatlán & Chuvejé Watefalls | Mar 24
DAY 4 TRAVEL TO SAN JUAN DE LOS DURAN | Birding in Ayutla | Mar 25
DAY 5 SAN JUAN DE LOS DURÁN | Birding in San Juan de Los Durán | Mar 26
DAY 6 TRAVEL TO XILITLA | Birding at Sótano de Las Golondrinas | Mar 27
DAY 7 JALPAN DE SERRA | Birding Xilitla & Edward James' Las Pozas | Mar 28
DAY 8 TRAVEL TO SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE | Birding Jalpan Dam | Mar 29
DAY 9 DEPART SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE | Mar 30
     
   

Detailed Itinerary

    PLEASE ENTER HERE TO SEE DETAILED ITINERARY
     
 
     
 
 

Your Journey:

   
  Click map for bigger image
 
     
 
 

Top Target Species

   
 

The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is a very under-birded region. A comprehensive census of the avifauna has yet to be accomplished. With that in mind, we may be able to find some rare species including Crested Guan and Bearded-Wood Partridge.

Below you'll find a list of just a few of the species that we expect to find. At the bottom you can find as well the checklists of some of the different sites that we'll visit.

 
  Plain Chachalaca   Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
  Common Chlorospingus   Painted Redstart
  Blue Ground Dove   Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
  Elegant Euphonia   Flame-colored Tanager
  Collared Forest-Falcon   White-winged Tanager
  Rivoli's Hummingbird   Yellow-winged Tanager
  Blue-capped Motmot   Northern Emerald-Toucanet
  Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem   Elegant Trogon
  Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush   Crescent-chested Warbler
  Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush   Golden-crowned Warbler
  Audubon's Oriole   Rufous-capped Warbler
  Montezuma Oropendola   Olivaceous Woodcreeper
  Mottled Owl   Lineated Woodpecker
  White-crowned Parrot   Spot-breasted Wren
  Rufous-browed Peppershrike      
           
           
   

Bird Checklists

     
           
  Chuvejé Waterfalls      
  Jalpan Dam      
  Las Pozas      
  Xilitla      
  Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve      
  Sótano de Las Golondrinas      
   
 
     
 
 

POST-TOUR EXTENSION
Birds and Culture of San Miguel de Allende

   
 

San Miguel de Allende is a colonial town nestled in the highlands of northern central México, its mild climate, beautiful architecture and cosmopolitan ambiance, make it an attractive destination for locals and foreigners alike. Discover the cultural and natural patrimony of this UNESCO world heritage city with Travelian Tours.

   
 
 
St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church
 
     
 
 

Itinerary at a Glance

     
DAY 1 RELAX & EXPLORE SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE | Mar 30
DAY 2 BIRDING AND LUNCH AT LA HUERTA - FREE AFTERNOON | Mar 31
DAY 3 BIRDING AT BOTANICAL GARDEN - FAREWELL DINNER | Apr 1
DAY 4 DEPART SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE | Apr 2
     
   

Detailed Itinerary

    ENTER HERE TO SEE DETAILED ITINERARY
     
 
     
 
 
   

Bird Checklists

     
           
  La Huerta      
  El Charco Botanical Garden      

 

 
     
 

REQUEST A BOOKING

 

 
 

WHAT TO TAKE

 
  
     
  Official ID your current Passport, Mexican residency ID (copies are fine) 
  Original INAPAM ID (if you have one)
  Water Bottle
  Binoculars
  Camera
  Bathing suit
  Flashlight 
  Hat
  Sunblock
  Sunglasses
  Umbrella and rain gear 
  Hiking sticks
  Insect repellent
  Day pack 
  Light-weight long sleeved t-shirt and long pants (for sun and insect protection)
  Light-weight walking/hiking shoes 
  A fleece garment can be useful in case of chilly mornings 
  Pack your binoculars, toiletries and travel documents in your day pack A supply of resealable plastic storage bags can be handy for storing food items from the breakfast, to be used as mid-morning snacks 
  Be sure to bring your own kleenex and small change for bathroom fees
  Money belt
  First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
  Bring your own snacks in a Ziploc plastic bag
 
 

     
 

Further details about this tour

 
 
 
.   Travel Physical Demands
.   Reservations
.   Payment Options
.   Cancellations
.   Trip Insurance
     
 
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 888-505-7211

 

 +52 415 1002798

 
    info@travelian.com.mx
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Current members of Ontario Field Ornithologists, Toronto Ornithological Club and Hamilton Naturalists' Club save CAD $100 on Travelian's Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve Birding Adventure. (not applicable to Post-tour extension)

 
 
Ontario Field Ornithologists
 
Toronto Ornithological Club
 
Hamilton Naturalists' Club
 
     
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Included with this Tour:

     
  Hand-Picked Accommodations
(8 nights)
  Full breakfasts, lunches, and dinners daily. (except drinks)
  México City and Querétaro Airports - Hotel Transfers (some restrictions may apply)
  Daily birding (including all entrance fees) as outlined in the itinerary
  Comfortable private transportation with driver
  Tips for housekeepers, waitstaff and bell boys.
  English speaking Travelian tour leader and local guide
  Small group experience: 11 travelers maximum
     
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Travelian Tour Leaders


Rodrigo Lopez
Photo of Rodrigo López Rodrigo is an enthusiastic birdwatcher and photographer. His love of Mexico is shared daily in the outstanding in-depth tours he develops and shares with travelers. He holds degrees in Business Administration from the prestigious Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico City and Creative Marketing from Texas A&M (Mexico City Program).
 
Alejandro Arellano
Photo of Alejandro Arellano Alejandro is a Biologist that has spent his life studying Querétaro's biodiversity and training forest rangers and birding guides. He is co-author of the book Natural History of Querétaro. Nowadays he is the head of the Environmental Education Department of the Sustainable Development Ministry of the State of Querétaro

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Physical Demand

     
    LEVEL 3
    Includes Level 2 plus: Walking or hiking modest uphill/downhill unimproved / dirt trails for up to four hours at a time. Or walking in urban or rural settings with significant stair climbing.

Click here for a description of all activity levels.
     
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Included with the Post-Tour Extension:

     
  Hand-Picked Accommodations
(3 nights)
  Full breakfasts daily, 2 lunches and 1 dinner (except drinks)
  México City and Querétaro Airports - Hotel Transfers (some restrictions may apply)
  Sightseeing and birding (including all entrance fees) as outlined in the itinerary
  Comfortable private transportation with driver
  Tips for housekeepers, waitstaff and bell boys
  English speaking Travelian tour leader
  Small group experience: 11 travelers maximum