Guanajuato, located in the Central Highlands of Mexico, is one of the least explored states by birders, yet its wealth of Natural Protected Areas, diverse ecosystems, and rich history and culture make it a must for any serious and novice birder. Explore the beauty of rural highlands in Cuenca de la Esperanza and its oak and pine forests. Discover the unique ecosystems of Peña Blanca Preserve, an arid pine-nut pine/oak forest in northern Guanajuato. Enjoy UNESCO’S World Heritage City of San Miguel de Allende, its peaceful botanical garden El Charco del Ingenio and Los Picachos volcanic system, travel south towards the region known as El Bajío which despite its industrial and economic expansion boasts beautiful preserves such as Las Fuentes and the Yuriria Lake in the southern limits of the state.

Guanajuato Birding Adventure Highlands, Bajío, and Southern Wetlands March 31st – April 7th, 2019

Olive Warbler [Photo by Ron Knight]

MARCH 31 (Sunday) - TRAVEL DAY Upon arrival at the Mexico City International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met and transferred to San Miguel de Allende. This evening meet and greet with the rest of the group at the lobby of the hotel, then walk to Hecho en Mexico restaurant for welcome dinner and a briefing of the tour. Overnight at Hotel Posada de la Aldea Time on the road: 4 hours Meals included: D APRIL 1 - SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE Early morning coffee at hotel before departing for birding at El Charco del Ingenio botanical garden. El Charco is renowned not only for its great cacti collection and its scenic trails but for the 150+ species of birds that have been recorded in the last 10 years. Be on the lookout for the Vermilion Flycatcher, Cactus Wren, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher and Black-vented Oriole as possible sightings. Today breakfast is at the botanical garden, then we’ll continue birding until noon and then return to downtown. Lunch on your own and rest of the day at leisure. (Optional downtown historic walking tour in the afternoon with Barry) Overnight at Hotel Posada de la Aldea Time on the road: 30 minutes Meals included: B Physical demand: 2 APRIL 2 - PEÑA ALTA This morning after early breakfast at our hotel depart for the Natural Protected Area of Peña Alta in San Diego de La Union municipality. At higher elevation than San Miguel de Allende this preserve is located in a transition zone from semi-arid scrub forest to semi-arid oak and pine forest. Regular sightings include Great Kiskadee, Greater Pewee, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Mexican Jay, Canyon Wren, Blue Mockingbird, and Black-headed Grosbeak. Lunch today is provided at the preserve, then drive back to SMA. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Posada de la Aldea Time on the road: 3 hours Meals Included: B, L Physical demand: 3 APRIL 3 - YURIRIA Early coffee at our hotel then Journey to Yuriria Lake in southern Guanajuato to look for Green Kingfisher, Black-polled Yellowthroat, Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater, Cassin’s Kingbird and Northern Jacana among other wading birds. Lunch today is at a local restaurant in downtown Yuriria, then a guided visit of the remarkable Augustinian Monastery of Yuriria. Afterwards drive back to San Miguel de Allende. Evening at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel Posada de la Aldea Time on the road: 5 hours Meals Included: B, L Physical demand: 2 APRIL 4 - LOS PICACHOS Early this morning we depart for a hike of Los Picachos volcanic system in San Miguel de Allende, at a slightly higher elevation and with oak forests on top, this area holds many specialty birds not typically found near downtown such as: Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Bluebird, and Gray-silky Flycatcher, among other more common species like the Golden-fronted Woodpecker and Inca Dove. Today lunch is at a nearby restaurant located in a XIX century hacienda. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Posada de la Aldea Time on the road: 1 hours Meals Included: B Physical demand: 3.5 APRIL 5 - CUENCA DE LA ESPERANZA Depart early this morning for Santa Rosa de Lima. Upon arrival have breakfast and start your morning birding excursion. Cuenca de la Esperanza Natural Reserve is one of the most famous places in Guanajuato to view birds; spend the morning birding the trails looking for Acorn Woodpecker, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Brown-backed Solitaire, Yellow-eyed Junco, Hepatic Tanager among other species of oak and pine forest. After lunch visit downtown Guanajuato and have a guided walking tour. Then drive back to San Miguel de Allende. Overnight at Hotel Posada de la Aldea Time on the road: 3 hours Meals Included: B Physical demand: 3.5 APRIL 6 - LAS FUENTES After an early breakfast, transfer to Las Fuentes Reserve in Juventino Rosas village, a nice deciduous and subtropical scrub forest in the Bajío region, in search of species such as Gray Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Verdin, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Streak-backed Oriole, Painted Redstart and more. Lunch today is provided at the preserve. Arrive at the hotel late this afternoon and gather for a final checklist and farewell dinner at Pegaso Restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Posada de la Aldea Time on the road: 3 hours Meals Included: B, L Physical demand: 3.5 APRIL 7 (Sunday) - DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for return flights to CAN. Time on the road: 4 hours Meals Included:

ITINERARY

TO SEE THE MAP OF OUR TOUR PLEASE VISIT: https://tinyurl.com/birdingGto WHAT TO BRING Official ID such as Passport Credit Cards, Debit Card, Cash in Pesos Binoculars, Camera, Flashlight, Hat Sunblock, Sunglasses Umbrella and rain gear Bathing suit Hiking sticks (only if you need them) Insect repellent Day Pack 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 Be sure to bring your own Kleenex and small change for bathroom fees Money belt Personal prescription drugs First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder) ELEVATION CHART MEXICO CITY 2250 m \ 7282 ft SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE 1900 m \ 6234 ft PEÑA ALTA 2180 m \ 7152 ft YURIRIA 1750 m \ 5742 ft LOS PICACHOS 2650 m \ 8695 ft CUENCA DE LA ESPERANZA 2565 m \ 8415 ft LAS FUENTES 1881 m \ 6172 ft TRAVEL PHYSICAL DEMANDS The activities on all Travelian Tours anticipate the good health and good physical condition of all travelers. Prospective travelers who use walking or other mobility devices on a regular basis, who have pulmonary, cardiac, orthopedic or similarly limiting conditions, or who have had recent surgical procedures must contact Travelian Tours, disclose the information and discuss this with a Travelian representative. These concerns are for the well-being of such individual traveler and the overall experience of the traveling group as a whole. LEVEL 1 Includes simple relatively level walking in town or on improved (paved or gravel) trails. Stop, stand and go for up to two hours at a time. LEVEL 2 Includes Level 1 plus: Walking or hiking modest uphill/downhill in town or on improved (paved or gravel) trails for a period of up to four hours at a time. Or walking in urban settings with stair-climbs.

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. LEVEL 4 Includes Level 3 plus: Walking or hiking uphill/downhill on unimproved / dirt trails with periodically steep segments for any period of time. Or riding a horse on a steep trail, while horse is being led. LEVEL 5 Travelian does not do what we would consider Level 5 Physical Demand tours. TOUR COST INCLUDES

Breakfasts daily, 3 lunches, 2 dinners Accommodations (7 nights), at Posada La Aldea, San Miguel de Allende. Private sightseeing (including all entrance fees) as outlined in the itinerary Airport transfers Comfortable private transportation with driver Tipping & porterage taken care of by tour leader along the way, except for Tour Leader Small group experience

TOUR COST DOESN’T INCLUDES

Travel Insurance Telephone calls, laundry or any other items of personal nature International flights CAN – MEX – CAN

RESERVATIONS To reserve a travel space, it is required to make a deposit per person for each trip, reservations will be confirmed once your deposit has been received. Deposit for: Guanajuato Birding Adventure Highlands, Bajío, and Southern Wetlands March 31st – April 7th, 2019

CAD $ 350

TOUR COST PER PERSON CAD $ 2,100 sharing room Rate based on a group of 6 paid travelers SINGLE ACCOMMODATION SUPPLEMENT CAD $ 500 per person

Deposits must be made with anticipation in order to reserve your spot. Deposits should be paid by or before:

November 30th, 2018 The balance of the tour cost should be paid by or before:

January 31st, 2019 HOW TO PROCESS YOUR PAYMENT We can charge your credit card via phone call, using our bank terminal. It is important that you inform your bank beforehand that you’ll be charged from a travel company in Mexico so there is no problem with the transaction. Please contact us any time at: Email: reservations@travelian.com.mx Phone: +52 (1) 415 120 0307 Mobile: +52 (1) 415 100 2798 WhatsApp: +52 (1) 415 100 2798 We can also process your payment with charge to your credit card via PayPal, just lets us know that you wish to use PayPal and we’ll send you a request via email. If paying with check, please make your checks payable to:

RODRIGO ULISES LOPEZ VALDES You can mail your check to:

Rodrigo Lopez / Travelian PMB # 214-B 220 N. Zapata Hwy. # 11 Laredo, TX 78043-4464

CANCELLATIONS If a traveler cancels a reservation by December 15 or earlier, a refund will be made of the amount paid. If a traveler cancels a reservation after December 15, we'll refund only the monies that we can recover from our providers. If Travelian Tours cancels the tour, the participants will receive a full refund of any payments made. TRIP INSURANCE We strongly recommend the purchase of trip insurance for your protection, this comes very handy for the cases in which you have to cancel, and we are unable to recover monies from our providers.

Here are some insurance companies that we recommend: www.insuremytrip.com www.allianztravelinsurance.com www.travelguard.com

Travelian Tours Vicente Araiza #65, Fracc. La Lejona 2ª Sec. San Miguel de Allende, GTO. 37765 México

Toll Free from US / CAN 888-505-7211

Office +52 (1) 415 120 0307 Cellphone and WhatsApp +52 (1) 415 100 2798

info@travelian.com.mx www.travelian.com.mx