Snowy egret wading through the river at Boca de Tomatlán

River landscape near Boca de Tomatlán surrounded by forest

Group birdwatching with binoculars in the pine forest

Crested guan in flight over the forest canopy

The Feathered Trail Tour & Petroglifos

Duration

7 hours

Season

All year

Groups

Up to 8

Offered

Eng / Spa

A birdwatching journey through pine forest and subtropical rainforest, past ancient petroglyphs, ending with lunch in Boca de Tomatlán.

Located just an hour away from Puerto Vallarta, this journey takes you deep into the Pine Forest and Subtropical subdeciduous rainforest, one of the region's most diverse and scenic natural areas. Our first stop is the mountain forest, where the crisp air and dense canopy create the perfect environment for observing colorful tanagers, trogons, flycatchers, and hummingbirds. As we continue, we'll explore ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks. We then enter the deciduous forest before concluding in Boca de Tomatlán, a picturesque coastal village where the river meets the sea. Available days: Tuesdays and Thursdays. Species you may see: San Blas jay, black-throated magpie-jay, military macaw, berylline hummingbird, elegant trogon, citreoline trogon, blue mockingbird.

Highlights

Guide specialized in birding tours
Binoculars and telescope available
Personal bird list
Identification material
Small groups

Includes

Ground transportation in vans with A/C
Continental breakfast
Bird snacks and checklist

Itinerary

6:30 a.m.: meet your guide at Marina Vallarta, drive south, visit mountain forest and ancient petroglyphs
Walk through the deciduous forest at Ejido Emiliano Zapata spotting tropical and endemic birds
Mid-morning: arrive at Boca de Tomatlán, relax by the river, complete bird checklist, light lunch
~1:30 p.m.: return to Marina Vallarta

Know Before You Book

Moderate fitness level; some walking on natural trails or unpaved roads
Children under 8 and pregnant women not allowed
Not recommended for guests with back, neck, heart, or knee issues
Children 8-11 must be accompanied by a paying adult
Not accessible for wheelchairs

What to Bring

Refillable water bottle (available for purchase with 10% discount)
Binoculars, all-terrain shoes or tennis shoes, insect repellent, cap, camera

Cancellation Policies

Cancellations 72 hrs in advance, 100% refund
Cancellations 48 hrs in advance, 50% refund
Cancellations the day of tour, no-shows, or late arrivals forfeit the entire amount, no refund
Activities may change due to weather conditions

Gallery

Reviews

JohnVerified

“We took a birding tour with Cynthia as our guide and just one other guest. She had been our guide on a whale watch last year. That tour was so wonderful and informative that we were thrilled to have her leading us on the bird tour. She was a fountain of knowledge on not just birds, but basically any question we had on the area. She stopped along the way at a local roadside stand and purchased coffee and several stuffed breads for all of us that had been freshly baked in a wood fired oven. When we arrived at one of several stops, she used her keen eye and encyclopedic birding knowledge to point out so many species, many of which I couldn't even see, though she tried her best to help us. I was still able to get a bunch of pics of birds I had never seen. Cynthia is everything you want in a tour guide, a fountain of knowledge and a friendly guide to help you locate those hard to find birds you'd very hard pressed to spot on your own. Really hit the spot. Fantastic tour and highly recommended. We will be repeat customers on every return trip to PV. Great tour!”

30 months ago

heidiwC5167SAVerified

“Michael, our tour guide, was absolutely wonderful! He was knowledgeable about all kinds of things and was patient with us on the uphill parts of our climb.”

12 months ago

tcG4718MBVerified

“I have been birdwatching before, but this was the best experience I've ever had! This was my second tour with EV and they once again took care of me from sign up to drop off. Our guide was exceptionally knowledgeable about birds and their habitat, as well as the local history and geography in the region. We made multiple stops in different areas to see a wide variety of birds, butterflies, and plant life. It felt as if we were with good friends the entire trip! I am already planning another birdwatching tour with EV”

15 months ago

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