Slaty Vireo Photo by Michael Retter
Day 1
We’ll depart Tuxtla this morning and head for Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This will largely be a driving day, however we will pass through a variety of habitats and thus, birds! Several stops along the road will produced birds such as Orange-breasted Bunting, Rose-bellied (Rosita’s) Bunting, Sumichrast Sparrow, Lesser Roadrunner and more! Night in Juchitan de Zaragoza.
Day 2
The morning will start with birding in the lowland thorn-scrub near town where Beautiful Hummingbird, Sumichrast Sparrow, and Lesser Ground-Cuckoo will be a few of our targets. Once the bird activity dies down, we’ll continue our way west deeper into the state of Oaxaca to Huatulco where we will stay the next several nights. Night in Huatulco City.
Day 3,4 & 5
For the next two days we’ll explore the lowland deciduous forests of southern Mexico and Huatulco National Park . Here we will find a great diversity of birds including many Mexican endemics! Happy Wren, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Citreoline Trogon, Flammulated Flycatcher, Red-breasted Chat, Doubleday’s (Broad-billed) Hummingbird, and Lilac-crowned Parrot! One of these mornings we will head out on a “mini” pelagic. The continental shelf is very close to shore in Oaxaca and that means great birds are not far away by boat. Brown Booby, Red-billed Tropicbird, Wedge-tailed, Galapagos and Townsend’s Shearwater are all possible. Nights in Huatulco City.
Orange-breasted Bunting
Day 6
Today we’re headed up into the slopes of the Sierra Madre de Sur above of Santa Maria Huatulco and the unique forests that grow there. Our targets over the next few days will be Blue-Capped Hummingbird, Red-Headed Tanager, Golden Vireo, Gray-Crowned Woodpecker, Brown-Backed Solitaire, Bumblebee Hummingbird, and many more. Night in San Jose del Pacifico.
Day 7, 8, 9 & 10
Pack up the van and head back to the slopes of the Sierra Madre for a rerun of yesterday’s birds in the morning. After lunch we’ll head north into Oaxaca City where we will stay the remainder of the tour. From here we will adventure out to the many great habitats in the surrounding mountains including Teotitlan del Valle, National Park Benito Juarez, and Monte Alban Archaeological Site. The later of these sites is a magnificent ancient ruin site! We’ll also have the opportunity to visit local markets and eateries (the food here is incredible!). Some of the birds we will encounter here include Boucard’s Wren, Bridled Sparrow, Dwarf Vireo, Oaxaca Sparrow, Ocellated Thrasher, Slaty Vireo, Dusky Hummingbird, Gray- Breasted Woodpecker, White-Throated Towhee, Dwarf Jay, Red Warbler, Collared Towhee, Rufous-Capped Warbler, Grey-Barred Wren, and many other extraordinary birds. Nights in Oaxaca City.
Day 11
Our final morning of the tour, we will transfer to the airport for departure.
Note there will be a day off in between the end of the GBNA meeting and the start of this tour. You will be responsible for your arrangements in Tuxtla the night of the 15th.
Although we will typically adhere to the above itinerary, the exact schedule of the tour is liable to change depending on local conditions and of course the birds!
Photos
Click a photo for a better view and scroll through photos using the arrow keys
Entering Mexico
As a general rule for international travel, your passport should be valid for at least six months after the date the tour ends. US citizens only need a passport to enter Mexico. A tourism card will be issued upon arrival. Citizens of other countries may need to acquire a visa. Be sure to contact the Mexican Embassy if you have any questions.
Exiting Mexico
There are no exit fees when leaving Mexico.
Country Information
Contrary to popular belief, Mexico is a stable and safe place to visit. Yes there are unsafe places in Mexico. No, we will not be in these areas. As a tour company we would not take people to an area where they would be in danger. If you have any concerns or questions about safety please contact us. As with any country (including the USA), the large cities can be mildly threatening but we will not be spending much time in these areas. The national language spoken in Mexico is Spanish. There are often english speakers in larger towns but you shouldn’t count on it. While our accommodations, food, etc are great in Mexico, international ecotourism is not as well developed as it is in other latin countries like Costa Rica. This means we’ll be staying in nice hotels instead of eco-lodges and eating at restaurants and on the road. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Mexico relations page here.
Health Considerations
There are no required inoculations when visiting Mexico from most countries. However, it is a good idea to make sure your tetanus vaccinations are up to date. You should consult further with your doctor about the CDC’s recommendation and what action you should take. You can review the CDC latest advisories for Mexico here.
Special medications (your prescriptions) may not be available during the tour so it is important that you bring enough to cover your needs for the entire trip plus additional time in case of emergency or unexpected travel delays.
Biting insects can be prevalent at certain birding sites however they typically do not cause a problem during the tour. The leaders will advise you whenever it is necessary to apply insect repellent.
Intestinal issues are a serious concern when traveling in Mexico.Being careful about the water that you ingest generally eliminates the risk of intestinal problems. We suggest that you only drink bottled water while on this tour (including to brush your teeth). There will be bottled water available throughout the trip. Other bottled drinks are also fine to drink. Some travel clinics will recommend taking along an antibiotic in case of intestinal issues, again consult your doctor.
Climate
July is considered the “green” or “rainy” season in southern Mexico. This means, we are very likely to encounter rain at some point during the trip. Rain is often limited to afternoons and generally light though consistent. Occasionally stronger storms may occur that can inhibit birding. It is important to bring rain gear such as an umbrella rain jacket, rain pants or all of the above. The temperature in southern Mexico at this time of year is quite tropical and pleasant with highs usually in the 80’s to 90’s and lows in the high 70’s. Some mornings may be cool at higher elevations, especially if it rains and a light jacket is recommended. Long sleeved shirts are recommended because of the exposure to the sun, but short tees are fine if you choose. It is relatively humid at all times – the thing that makes this tolerable is that you are bird watching, so who cares.
Dress
Dress is casual throughout. Being in a tropical environment, it is a good idea to bring lots of light weight non-cotton clothing. Once cotton is wet, it will not dry! While shorts, t-shirts and sandals will be okay for lodges and leisurely hikes, it is always a good idea to bring lightweight pants and long-sleeve shirts to help prevent bug bites and protect from the sun. A sturdy, sun protective hat is also important in the harsh tropical sun. Be sure to bring a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella in case of rain, and of course sturdy boots for hiking.
Laundry
Laundry is typically available for a fee at our hotels and is not covered by BRANT. It can be very convenient to do laundry during a trip to drastically reduce the amount of luggage that you must bring. If you decide to do laundry be sure to plan your laundry for a time when we will be staying at the same lodge for two nights in a row. Ask your guide to help you with this if you need. Otherwise there is not enough time to get it done.
Group Size
Maximum group size is 8 participants. We typically have 2 guides for this tour.
Tour Pace
As with any birding tour, we will have many early mornings and full days. Most of our birding will be on short, fairly easy hikes. Hikes through the neotropics often feature lots of tree roots, slippery rocks and occasional mud so it is important to have proper footwear.
Food
Ecotourism is not as well developed as it is in other latin countries like Costa Rica. This means that many of our breakfasts and lunches will be from the grocery store. Dinners will be taken at reputable restaurants throughout. The food in southern Mexico is EXCELLENT! You will not be disappointed.
Transportation
Transportation will be in a nice tourist van.
Accommodations
Accommodations are at locally run hotels throughout. Ecotourism is not as well developed here as it is in other latin countries but don’t worry, our lodging will be excellent.
References
For this tour we recommend purchasing Howell and Webb’s A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America. For information on other guide books, please contact us.
Before deciding to register for this tour, please read over the the following information as well as the “What To Expect” tab on this page. After you have read and understood the all important tour information please fill out the Registration Form at the bottom of this page and complete you payment under the “Payment” tab. Please note that your spot on the tour is not reserved until we have received your deposit in full. If you need help or have questions at any time feel free to contact us via email or phone.
What’s Included
The tour price includes all travel from the point of departure (Tuxtla Gutierrez Days Inn Hotel) all lodging while on the trip, all meals unless otherwise noted, tour materials, and all services of the tour leaders. Tips for included meals, porters, drivers, and other service providers are also included.
Lodging is booked on double occupancy, most lodging in the U.S. can allow us to arranged for single rooms at an additional charge; lodging outside of the U.S. is usually in small locally-owned lodges and will almost always be double occupancy. If you are traveling single we will match you to appropriate roommates and can discuss any changes once the group has established. Double occupancy means that you are sharing your room with another individual, single occupancy means that you are paying for the room for just yourself, and you do not want a roommate.
Items that are not included in the tour price are as follows: passports, visas, airfare , departure taxes, immunizations, baggage charges, telephone calls, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, room service, snacks, emergency evacuation fees and medical fees, and other personal purchases you desire to make in the course of the trip.
Travel to Point of Departure
Your fees include travel arrangements for the trip at/from point of departure. For example if your trip begins in Albuquerque, NM, you will need to make arrangements to get to Albuquerque, NM. From that point we will pick you up and provide all other transport. If you are traveling internationally we will provide you with suggested airline and travel times for you to book your flight. We will provide specific information about arrival and departure times in the trip packet sent to you after registration. If you would like assistance with your travel plans please feel free to contact us and we will help you out.
GBNA Conference
Note that this tour starts in Tuxtla, Chiapas in conjunction with the GBNA conference. If you are attending the conference you will need to make reservations at the conference hotel in Tuxtla for the night of the 15th. This will allow you a full day of rest between the conference field trips and the start of the Oaxaca tour.
If you are not attending the conference we are more than happy to pick you up from the airport in Tuxtla the evening of the 15th or early on the 16th. If you arrive on the 15th you will be responsible for your hotel in Tuxtla on the 15th. Do not arrange to fly in the afternoon of the 16th as we will not be in Tuxtla. Contact us to confirm travel arrangements if you are not attending the conference.
Departure
Notice that this tour ends in Oaxaca city. This means you will need to make arrangements to fly out of Oaxaca and not Tuxtla.
Gratuities
BRANT always provides tips for local guides on international trips. Local guides are incredibly valuable and knowledgeable and often underpaid so additional tips are always welcome. It’s important to show our support and appreciation for these individuals.
At BRANT we take care to pay our guides well enough that they do not need to rely on tips from participants. In a sense, the tips for your guides are already included in the cost of the tour. If you feel inclined to tip your guides above and beyond, I am sure they will be very appreciative. Rest assured that all tips will be split among guides fairly.
Restrictions On Participation
In general there is only one absolute restriction to a nature tour, you absolutely cannot collect any plants, artifacts or animals during the tour.
Otherwise, there are no restrictions. We only ask that you let us know about any potential limitations or safety concerns that may hamper your ability to participate in any aspect of the desired tour. For example, walking difficulties, diabetes, asthma, angina, diet limitations, applicable phobias, etc. should be noted on the registration form. Our tours are typically not physically demanding however the level of physical difficulty for each tour is available under the “Pace of Tour” section of each tour. If there is any question about your ability to participate on a tour we would be more than glad to provide more information that you and/or your doctor may need to help make that decision. All hikes, on all tours, will be round trip, that is returning to the vehicle start point unless otherwise noted, allowing any participant to ‘sit one out’ if they feel inclined to do so. In addition to any walking, participants should be mindful that they will be required to be able to sit in any seat on our tour vehicles.
Tour Confirmation
Tour confirmation occurs at the time of invoicing or 3 months prior to the tour departure date. This tour will be confirmed no later than April 6th, 2015.
Tour Cancellations
In the event a tour is cancelled by BRANT (due to civil unrest, natural disaster, low participation, etc.) we will offer you an alternate tour option (same time/similar birding targets) or refund the full amount of your tour deposit and price.
Price Increase
Projecting the cost of a tour package months in advance is not an exact science. If unexpected increases do occur it may be necessary to charge participants up to 10% increases of the tour price. If greater than 10% increases are necessary, participants may withdraw from the tour without penalty.
Refunds, Transfers, and Cancellations
We hope that you will be able to join us on this tour, however, if circumstances cause you to cancel your trip we understand. If cancellations are made 3 months before the start of your tour, your deposit, less the non-refundable amount, will be refunded to you. If cancellations are made after 3 months before the departure date, your deposit is not refundable. If cancellation is made 45 days or less before the departure date all deposits and payments are non-refundable.
BRANT will allow a one-time transfer of a deposit to an upcoming tour date as long as the transfer takes place at least 45 days prior to tour departure date. Once a transfer has been made you will no longer be eligible for a transfer or refund of any amount at any time should you cancel again. Please contact us to discuss this option.
Registration Form
Please fill in all required fields. Remember that you must pay your deposit in addition to submitting this form before your spot on the tour is secured.If you have any questions or problems please contact us at anytime.
If you would prefer to fax or mail your registration form you can click here to print a hard copy. Our fax number and mailing address can be found here.
Mexico – GBN Posttour – Oaxaca Registration Form
Cost
The price of this tour may vary by the selected tour date. Pricing is as follows:
July 16th, 2015
$3,295 (+ tax)
Single Occupancy Supplement – $320 ($3,615 Total)
Deposit Due at Registration – $800
Payment
Deposits can be made either online via PayPal or by check. Payments by check carry a significant discount, applied at the time of invoicing.
Make checks payable to BRANT Tours and mail them to the following address
7522 Edith Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM
87113
To pay the deposit online select your departure date below and click “Buy Now”
July 16th, 2015
Trip Material
After you successfully register for a trip we will send you an information document that will include:
- Detailed tour itinerary
- Study/reference recommendations
- What to bring list
- Receipt for deposit and invoice for remaining balance owed
- Information regarding travel to and from tour departure location
- Liability Waiver
Although your guides will be able to identify all of the wildlife for the area you are visiting, it is always a good idea for you to study up on the expected wildlife for your trip. If you want more information about any aspect of your trip prior to departure please contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions and/or recommend any reference guides
Liability Waiver
BRANT has selected known areas in the US and internationally, we cannot, however, guarantee anyone’s personal safety. For the most part ecotourism is done in remote, outback, and jungle like areas. The terrain is often rugged and local services and government assistance is not available in an emergency. In many out of the US areas there may not be phone or internet services for a day or two at a time during the trip. (However, in most established lodges internet service is readily available.) Therefore, we require that you accept your personal responsibility and agree to release us from liability for your safety within the limits of the law by completing the Assumption of Risk and Liability Agreement provided in your tour registration packet. This agreement must filled out and returned to us prior to the departure date of your tour. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE LIABILITY WAIVER TO PARTICIPATE ON ANY BRANT TOUR!
You can return the liability waiver to us via post or fax at anytime prior to your trip.
Liability Waiver (click to download PDF)
Health Preparations
Health precautions for trips in the US are minimal to none. If you have a health condition that requires medication please have the prescription filled for more than the numbers of days your trip encompasses, carry it in the original bottle, clearly labeled with instructions. If you have a health condition that you feel may affect your participation on the trip please discuss this with us so we can advise you and/or provide you with information to discuss with your physician.
Trips outside of the US may require immunizations. You can check with your physician and/or your local Travel Clinic. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) will also have complete information concerning health precautions and immunizations that are necessary for traveling outside of the US. They may be contacted by phone, 877-FYI-TRIP, or web site: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. If you have any additional questions about immunizations please feel free to contact us.
Trip Insurance
Please check with your insurance agent for coverage you may already have and any limitations on national and/or international travel. Travel insurance may be purchased from several reliable companies; Travel Insured International (travelinsured.com) and Travelex (travelexinsurance.com) are two to consider. Travel insurance is purely voluntary and not required to participate on BRANT tours, however we HIGHLY RECOMMEND purchasing trip insurance. It’s generally inexpensive and will save you a lot of money should you need to cancel.
