An exciting trip that explores many of the varied habitats of Honduras; beautiful natural scenery and lots of great birds, including Keel-billed Motmot and the endangered Honduran Emerald.

On the north coast of Honduras behind the bustling city of La Ceiba rises one of the country's most spectacular and little studied mountains—Pico Bonito. This national park has the biggest relief where continuous forest cover stretches from sea level to well over 8,000 feet. Together with a nearby protected coastal estuary, it is believed that there are over 500 species of birds here, making it the most biologically avian diverse area in the country.

The Lodge at Pico Bonito is nested at the base of the mountain and is one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Birds abound throughout the grounds and along its trail system up into the lush rainforest. More than 350 species have been recorded here alone. The Lovely Cotinga, with its metallic blue and purple coloration, is one of the specialties here, and is frequently seen from the birding towers, sometimes in small flocks. The Keel-billed Motmot, another Mesoamerican endemic, is commonly found along the forest trails along with the Black-throated Shrike-Tanager and Green Shrike-Vireo. At dusk and throughout the night echo the calls of the Great Potoo, as well as Black-and-white, Spectacled, Mottled, and Vermiculated Screech-owls, especially during the summer months of February to May.

The Olanchito thorn forest lies in a rain shadow valley behind the Pico Bonito mountain range and is home to the Honduran Emerald—the country's only endemic bird. It is actually the most common hummingbird in this acacia and cactus-studded environment.

Our tour ends at the renowned Lancetilla Botanical Gardens in Tela, founded in 1926 by the Tela Railroad Company. The Great Antshrike, Ruddy Crake, and Orange-billed Sparrow are frequently seen along the entrance road.

Lots of walking, with some trails steep and rocky; accommodations and cuisine range from basic to luxurious; several lengthy drives; days mostly warm and dry.