Sierra del Vallejo / Chocolate patio and Garden
Duration
7hr
Season
October - May
Groups
up to 8
Offered
Eng / Spa
Available days
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Sierra del Vallejo Tour Details
Discover a unique experience that blends nature, wildlife, and local culture in the heart of Bahía de Banderas. This tour takes you to the Sierra de Vallejo, one of the last refuges of Mexico’s monumental wildlife and the northernmost tropical forest of its kind in North America. Protected since 2004, this remarkably preserved ecosystem is a paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
Explore lush tropical forests home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, including trogons, hummingbirds, parrots, woodpeckers, hawks, falcons, and regional highlights such as the Elegant Trogon, Military Macaw, Blue and Varied Buntings, and White-faced Magpie-Jay. With its rich habitats and scenic landscapes, the Sierra de Vallejo is a must-visit destination for birdwatchers visiting Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas.
The experience continues at Rancho Grande Los Pinos, a peaceful hillside location with stunning valley views and excellent birding opportunities. We then conclude at Planeta Cacao, a wonderful destination where you’ll discover the world of cacao and traditional Mexican chocolate. Learn about its history and cultivation process while relaxing in a charming patio and garden setting. This area also offers additional birdwatching, with species such as the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater, and Mexican Parrotlet. The tour ends on a sweet note with a delicious chocolate tasting.
🌿 Join us for an unforgettable journey into one of Mexico’s best-kept natural secrets. Book your tour today and experience the wild beauty, birds, and flavors of the Sierra de Vallejo. 🐦🍫
Highlights
- Specialized Bird Guide
- Visit to a Natural Protected Area
- Visit Rancho Grande Los pinos
- Artisanal Chocolate and Cocoa Experience:
- Small Group Experience
These highlights make the tour both educational and enjoyable, with a strong emphasis on nature conservation and local culture.
Includes
- Ground Transportation in Van with a/c
- Birdwatching Gear: Binoculars and a scope provided for enhanced birdwatching.
- Personal Bird List: A customized bird list to track the species you observe during the tour.
- Refreshments: Water for refill, soft drinks, and granola bars provided for your convenience.
- Continental Breakfast: Coffe, yogurt, sweet roll, fruit.
- Chocolate Tasting: Experience a traditional chocolate drink, adding a cultural touch to the tour.
Know Before You Book
- Fitness Level: The tour is categorized as easy, with walks that are generally not difficult.
- Age Restrictions: Suitable for children under 12 years of age.
- Health Considerations: Not recommended for individuals with back, neck, heart, or knee problems.
- Accessibility: The tour is not wheelchair accessible.
- Walking Requirements: Participants need to be able to walk short distances on their own over natural or unpaved trails.
Departure and Meeting Points
630 am
- 6:30 AM: Depart from Marina Vallarta.
- 6:50 AM: Stop at Starbucks La Mega Flamingos.
- 7:15 AM: Stop at Paninos Plaza Los Amores Bucerias.
SUPPORTING CONSERVATION
In Ecotours de México we pride ourselves on offering excellent services on all our nature tours. To achieve this, we believe it is vital to protect the most important thing we have: our environment. Therefore, throughout our more than 25 years of experience, we have participated and supported different associations, campaigns and conservation projects, both local and national. Some of them are:
ECOBAC.
– We are the main sponsor of ECOBAC (Ecology and Conservation of Whales, AC), a non-profit association that is responsible for the research and protection of humpback whales in Banderas Bay, as well as the diffusion of the NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010, federation standard for whale watching.
– We participate in the FIBB Catalog providing photographs of humpback whales for identification.
– ECOBAC and RABEN (Network of Assistance to Entangled Whales) are responsible for dealing with cases of whales entangled in fishing gear; Ecotours has supported these activities by providing boats and trained personnel for rescue maneuvers.
– Distribution of ecological and conservation information for environmental education.
– Find more information at www.whalephoto.org
Boca de Tomatlán Sea Turtle Camp.
– Each season, Ecotours de México makes a donation of various materials necessary for the correct management of the camp (tarpaulins, buckets, boxes, rakes, diggers, etc.)
– Also, donations of teaching materials with information about turtles have been made.
– Likewise, a donation is made per person in each of our visits during our tour “Encounter with Nature at the Sea Turtle Camp”.
The Green Macaw Sanctuary.
– In 2017, an artificial nest was donated for the project of protection, conservation and reproduction of the green macaw in Las Juntas and Los Veranos, Jalisco.
– Ecotours staff also supported the assembly of the donated artificial nest.
– Also, a donation is made per person in each of our visits to the sanctuary during the “Green Macaws Sanctuary” tour.
Campaigns to clean rivers and beaches.
– Ecotours has organized and participated in various local campaigns to clean the rivers and beaches of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay.
– In the same way, we clean the areas we visit in our tours.
Fishing Garbage Tournament at Marietas Islands.
– Ecotours has promoted and participated of the cleaning activities organized by CONANP (National Commission of Protected Natural Areas) and the National Park managers.
Distribution of organic products.
– To further support the care of our environment, at our shop we have biodegradable products (Newen organic soap, solid shampoo, handmade soaps), environment-riendly products (bamboo toothbrushes) and reusable products (aluminum bottles, mesh bags and jute bags).
We do this because we really care about Nature.
Tour Details:
- Begin the tour by meeting with your guide and other birdwatchers at Marina Vallarta. Travel north on Federal Highway 200 to a small town in the Sierra de Vallejo.
- Spend a couple of hours birdwatching in the mountains.
- Return to Highway 200 and visit Rancho Los Pinos for additional birdwatching.
- End the tour with a refreshing chocolate drink at Planeta Cacao in Tondoroque, Nayarit, where you will also complete your bird observation list.
Return:
- The tour concludes around 2:00 PM, with a return to Bucerias, Nuevo Vallarta, and Puerto Vallarta.
What to bring
Bring your refillable water bottle or purchase your bottle at cost with us and get 10% discount in our store. Check the Ecofriendly products Link section.
Binoculars, all-terrain shoes or tennis, comfortable clothing, insect repellent, sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat or cap), camera.
Cancellation Policies
- Cancellations 36 hrs in advance 100 % refund
- Cancellations 48 hrs in advance 50% refund
- Cancellations the day of tour, no shows or being late, No refund, forfeit the entire amount
- Activities may be changed due to weather conditions (hurricane, storm)
- All guests are required to sign a release of liability
- All tours are non-refundable once taken
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