21 Feb 2027 - 05 Mar 2027 (13 days)
USD6,600 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD6,600 * GBP4,951 * EUR5,779 * AUD10,369
Can be linked with: Mexico - Veracruz & Eastern Sierras Extension 2027
Our tour starts in Manzanillo where we search for Citreoline Trogon, San Blas Jay, Happy & Sinaloa Wrens, Blue Mockingbird and Red-breasted Chat before heading to the volcanic slopes of Volcan de Colima for West Mexican Chachalaca, Banded Quail, Balsas Screech Owl, Colima Pygmy Owl, Long-tailed Wood Partridge, Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Dwarf Vireo and Lesser Roadrunner. After making our way through the Northern Balsas Drainage, we’ll spend time around Patzcuaro. A stop at Lago Cuitzeo will give us an excellent chance of finding the gorgeous, Black-polled Yellowthroat and Aztec Rail, followed by some time in nearby Pine-Oak forests for Transvolcanic Jay and Spotted Wren. The highlands surrounding the town of Morelia play host to Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo and a host of hummingbirds including Mexican Violetear and Rivoli’s, Broad-tailed, Berylline, and White-eared Hummingbirds.
We then head to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City), our base for the remainder of the tour. As we head out of one of the world’s largest conurbations, we shall stop at roadside marshes to search for Black-polled Yellowthroat, Striped Sparrow and with a little luck, Aztec Rail. Heading out to Canon de Los Lobos we search for some of Mexico’s most desirable endemics such as Banded Quail, beautiful Lesser Ground Cuckoo, scarce Colima Pygmy Owl, Beautiful Sheartail and Dusky Hummingbird.
Citreoline & Elegant Trogons; Black-chested, Stripe-headed & Sierre Madre Sparrows; San Blas, Steller's & Transvolcanic Jays; Happy, Grey-barred, Banded, White-bellied & Sinaloa Wrens; Blue Mockingbird; Green-striped & Rufous-capped Brushfinchs; Red-breasted Chat; West Mexican Chachalaca; Banded Quail; Balsas Screech Owl; Colima Pygmy Owl; Long-tailed Wood Partridge; Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo; Dwarf & Golden Vireos; Orange-breasted Bunting; Russet-crowned Motmot; Mexican Violetear; Rivoli’s, Amethyst-throated, Violet-crowned, Dusky, Broad-billed & White-eared Hummingbirds; Lucifer & Beautiful Sheartails; Aztec Thrush; Black-polled Yellowthroat; Aztec Rail; Red-faced & Red Warblers; Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow; Strickland’s Woodpecker; Curve-billed Thrasher; Greater & Lesser Roadrunners; White-naped Swift; Hammond’s, Dusky & Cordilleran Flycatchers; Grey Silky-Flycatcher; Painted & Slate-throated Whitestarts; Yellow-eyed Junco; Thick-billed Kingbird; Orange-billed & Russet Nightingale-Thrushes; Pygmy Nuthatch.
Deciduous forest, volcanic slopes, wetlands, scrub, pine oak forest.
mostly pleasant, warm to hot, and dry. Can be humid on the coastline.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Moderate. Suitable for most birding interest levels. Target driven tour. Mostly short walks on flat ground/roads/sandy trails. Minibus vehicle. Reasonably good quality roads. Some roads are dirt & can be bumpy. Mountain roads are winding. Several long drives.
Medium to good
Moderate. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions. Several target species that can be tricky or require repeat efforts. Optional night birding
Reasonable to good, harsh lighting in some areas.
"We are pleased to report on our recent Rockjumper birding adventure after spending four weeks (March 22 - April 17) exploring many of Mexico’s best birding sites during back-to-back trips to the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas. We were guided by Rockjumper’s Adam Walleyn and his local contact, Eric. Adam guided us in previous trips to Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, Cuba, Jamaica and Dominican Republic, and we have always been impressed by his worldwide birding expertise and his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all wildlife. Eric (a Mexican, living in Oaxaca, and fluent in English) has intimate knowledge of literally every bird species that resides in or migrates through Mexico - over 900 species. We slept well and ate extravagantly. Our drivers did an outstanding job of driving safely and minimizing the discomforts of numerous speed bumps and potholes. We birded in a diversity of landscapes that varied from sea level (during a morning coastal/pelagic cruise), to a mangrove forest, to desert scrub and to cloud forests where elevations were over 8000 feet. The highlight of our trip was, of course, the wildlife. We recorded a total of almost 500 bird species during the three trips - 20 of those were heard only. But with Eric’s guidance we had an exceptional opportunity to absorb Mexican culture. We visited ancient stone ruins, enjoyed delicious meals in small village homes (fincas) of farmers and coffee growers, and were pleased to view the products of skilled woodworkers and potters. Adam and Eric did their best to ensure that everyone in our diverse group saw every bird that we encountered. Everyday we were amazed by their skill in spotting and hearing birds and getting their scopes on the birds so that all could see. Their warmth and passion were felt and appreciated by all. We never felt threatened or insecure during our month-long trip. Mask wearing in Mexico is a law with near 100% compliance, including outdoors (our group complied when outside the van). We had no heath issues associated with food and drinks. "
Our trip, a long time in the waiting, was nothing short of a triumph. David led us again with passion, interest and focus. Jorge, our local guide. and his wife Amy who joined us were a triumph leading us to, and putting us on many many lifers. The travel arrangements were well made, the hotels were comfortable and the meals copious. Our first trip to Mexico will most certainly not be our last. Roll on the Yucatan!
David was brilliant, as usual, and the Mexican guides were also exceptional, making for a really good tour. Great country, fabulous birds, would like to go back.
Thanks again to the team at the office for setting up this trip. It was a great success. Adams experience as a guide really showed through. He was very knowledgeable regarding birds and other wildlife and also handled all the logistics smoothly. The local guides were extremely skilled brothers and were a great addition to the group. The accommodations and food were excellent. I will be using Rockjumper again in the future.
Mexico - Oaxaca 2025 - March 2025
Mexico - Chiapas 2023 - April 2023
Mexico - Oaxaca 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Veracruz & Eastern Sierras Extension 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Yucatan Extension 2023 - March 2023
Mexico - Chiapas 2022 - April 2022
Mexico - Browne 2022 - April 2022
Mexico - Oaxaca 2022 - March 2022
Mexico - Veracruz & Eastern Sierras Extension 2022 - March 2022
Mexico - Oaxaca 2018 - April 2018
Mexico - Starr - Yucatan Extension 2016 - March 2016
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