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Trip #1
Manialtepec Lagoon
By Motorboat
This excursion is offered for people interested in tropical birds or who would like a close-up look at the remarkable plant and animal life of Oaxaca’s lush coastal lagoons. Manialtepec – “the place where water springs from the hills” is a tranquil mangrove encircled lagoon hosting a rich diversity of wetland birdlife. We’ll glide quietly past tropical waders – herons, ibis, and egrets while watching for exotic species like White-fronted Parrot, Tiger Heron and Roseate Spoonbill. Migrant northern species also over-winter here. There are great photo opportunities of towering mangrove forest, magnificent displays of tropical flowers, and fishermen at work from their dug-out canoes. Our most popular excursion for the past 24 years, this trip is information packed and personally guided by naturalist Michael Malone with 28 years experience along this coast to share with you. Bring your camera, hat, sunscreen, and brunch items (sandwiches, fruit, juice etc). We’ll enjoy a 45 minute brunch break on the beach at 9:30am. The trip is for 2 to 12 people. See further details on reverse of brochure.
| Monday through Saturday (except Thursday) |
| Price per person |
600 Pesos or $45 US
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| Includes: |
Round Trip transportation to/from hotel,
English (& Spanish) speaking expert Naturalist/Guide & Boatman/Guide,
Premium quality binoculars
3 1/2 hr. boat cruise |
| Departure: |
7:00 AM sharp from your hotel |
| Return: |
12:00 noon |
TRIP #2
Manialtepec Lagoon
By Kayak
For an intimate exploration of this wild lagoon ecosystem our very stable single or double kayaks provide silent access to its innermost secrets. With an English speaking expert naturalist guide we’ll cruise some 8 km of interior mangrove passages, many not accessible by motorboat. An early start ensures great views of myriad aquatic birds feeding on the lagoon at sunrise, terrestrial species like parrots and birds of prey active along the mangrove forest shoreline, and always some surprise encounters. On arrival at the ocean beach we’ll be able to swim in the lagoon or ocean, relax in a shady palapa, and sample the local cuisine. To end in the warmer part of midday we’ll be whisked back to the dock by motorboat. Bring a hat, sunscreen, camera, towel, water, and your brunch items.
1 person minimum, 8 person maximum.
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Thursday only (other days possible by arrangement only with M Malone) |
| Price per person |
750 Pesos or $55 US
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| Includes: |
Round Trip transportation to/from hotel,
English (& Spanish) speaking Naturalist Guide,
High Quality Binoculars & Kayaks - singles or doubles
Return trip on lagoon via motorboat, dry bags. |
| Departure: |
6:30am sharp from your hotel |
| Return: |
2:00 PM |
TRIP #3
Mountain Birding at the
Coffee Ranch
We invite you on a birding excursion at 4,000’+ elevations to seek out endemic Oaxacan birds in tropical evergreen, cloud forest, and mixed pine-oak habitats. We’ll seek out rare and endemic species such as Blue-capped Hummingbird, Grey-crowned Woodpecker, Red-headed Tanager and Golden Vireo. We’ll also explore an active coffee finca, view the coffee production process, sample some organic coffee onsite and enjoy the magnificent mountain vistas. Be prepared for moderate walking, mostly going downhill. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and lunch items; 4 person maximum.
| By appointment only with M Malone |
| Price |
1 person - 1400 pesos or $109.US
2-4 persons - 1200 pesos or $89.US
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| Includes: |
Round-trip transportation to/from hotel, English (& Spanish) speaking Naturalist Guide, Premium quality binoculars and scope, entrance fee to coffee finca. |
| Departure: |
6:30 AM |
| Return: |
5:30 PM |
DEPARTURE: Timing is Critical
Our departure each morning is as early as possible in order to be on the lagoon when bird activity is best. All wildlife activity in the tropics diminishes quickly as the midday heat intensifies. We attempt to make a quick pick-up and getaway from town each morning. Passengers in town should be in front of their hotels or in the lobby at 7:00am. We will pick-up passengers in west-side Rinconada and Bacocho hotels (eg Villa Sol, Posada Real) at ~ 7:10am. Complimentary coffee is served on board at time of departure from the dock at 7:30am. Buy your brunch / breakfast items the night before so as not to delay fellow passengers. The dock restaurant sells beverages to go but not food for your trip. There are good restroom facilities at the dock restaurant, and “rustico’ facilities on the beach.
TRANSPORTATION
Our lagoon explorer motorboats have evolved into efficient 23’ fiberglass , comfortable 10 passenger (carpeted, with individual seats and backrests) , 4 stroke engine (much less oil pollution) models without an overhead canopy. Without a roof we can enter mangrove tunnels with low overhanging vegetation to access the best areas, as well we have much better views of wildlife. Your boatman and guide are quick to cut the motor and paddle these boats to position you for best views and photo opportunities. We don’t operate in the heat of midday, but do bring a sunhat. If you require a canopy we suggest a “boat-ride” offered by other operators. Ground transportation is first class service provided by Turismo Dimar and their chauffeurs. Without exception Hidden Voyages Ecotours offers the highest quality ecotours available on this lagoon. Beware of operators who have copied this brochure, but who cannot deliver knowledgeable service.
SPECIALTY TOURS
1) Local Foothills Birding Tour – a 6 hour tour seeking coastal endemics such as Orange-breasted Bunting, West Mexican Chachalaca, Happy Wren, Doubleday’s and Cinnamon Hummingbirds, Citreoline Trogon, and others. Scope, binoculars, and song recording device included. 1 person - 750 pesos. 2 – 4 persons – 500 pesos each.
2) Private Tours – individuals, families, or groups are welcome to design a special private tour with us by auto, motorboat, or by kayak. Contact Michael Malone at Dimar Travel to make arrangements.
3) Tropical Birding in Oaxaca State – 9 day tours exploring the Oaxaca Valley, Sierra Norte, Pacific slope Sierra Madre del Sur, coastal lagoons and coastal deciduous forest. M Malone has designed and leads these tours for such groups as Quest Nature Tours (Toronto), National Audubon Society (NYC), Massachusetts Audubon, and the American Birding Association (ABA). Enjoy a variety of 700 bird species including 26 endemics, Zapotec archeological ruins, culture, artists and artisans, while based 4 nights each in 4- star colonial hotels in Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido. For details contact M Malone at Dimar Travel or in Canada April – November at Pelee Wings Nature Store, 636 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington ON, N8H 3V4. Tel/Fax 519 326 5193
Email: sales@peleewings.ca Website www.peleewings.ca
Tel in Pto Escondido - 58 22962
Bird Checklist
View, or print-out, a copy of the "Checklist of the Birds of Manialtepec Lagoon & of the Puerto Escondido Region, Oaxaca, Mexico, 2009"
http://www.tomzap.com/ManialtepecBirds2009.pdf
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