The Rey Tepepul Municipal Regional Ecological Park is one of the last refuges of the quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) in the western highlands of Guatemala. This tour offers a deep immersion in the cloud forests of Santiago Atitlán, home to this bird sacred to the Mayan people. Through an interpretive walk guided by local experts, visitors will have the opportunity to observe the quetzal in its natural habitat and learn about its symbolism, biology, and the conservation efforts that protect it.
Porta Hotel del Lago, Panajachel.
4:00 Am
Travelers hope to experience the thrill of spotting the quetzal in the wild, within one of the last refuges of this sacred bird in the Guatemalan Highlands. They seek to venture into an authentic cloud forest, guided by local experts, enjoy nature, and learn about Mayan culture and the importance of conserving this species.
We meet at the Porta Hotel del Lago . We walk to the public dock to board a boat bound for Santiago Atitlán.
From the pier, we take a public transportation service to the upper part of the park. The ride allows you to enjoy the sunrise among coffee plantations, mountains, and lush vegetation.
Accompanied by an expert guide, we head into the cloud forest trails to search for the quetzal and other endemic birds. We pause at strategic points to listen to their songs, use binoculars, and receive ecological and cultural explanations.
During mating season (March to June), sightings are more frequent. At any time of year, the tour offers a unique sensory experience in one of the country’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
We enjoy a picnic lunch with local products (vegetarian options available), surrounded by the serenity of the forest.
We descend along the same trail to the starting point, return by pickup to the pier and cross the lake by boat to Panajachel.
