Nov 15, 2019 we met our group and bus in Harlengen for our Bird Trip to El Cielo Biosphere in Gomez Farias Mexico at 6:30 am. There was a small hiccup in our plans, the bus driver in Mexico did not have insurance to come into the US to pick us up so we took a bus from Harlengen to McAllen shopping mall where we all got into taxi cabs that took us across the border to our Mexican Bus.
We had 27 birders and 4 guides on the trip. Some of the "birders" were just on vacation and not interested in Birding. Three of the guides were from Mexico the other was a local RGV guide. We met up with two local guides after we got to our hotel. So all in all we had 6 guides with 23 birders and 4 tourists.
Before we got to the border we stopped to exchange money, we got 900 pesos for $50. In the end we could have exchanged $100 but we gave US $ for tips where we could. Most of our money was spent on tips, snacks, beer and one handmade item. Tipping for the daily maid service, wait staff in the restaurant, bus driver in Mexico, Pick Up truck drivers and the local guides.
We had to get visas as we were going into the interior of Mexico, no cost but took us about 45 minutes to get them. The taxis then took us to the bus which was about 1/2 mile away. Finally on the bus and on our way at 9:00 am.
At 11:00 we stopped for a quick break at rest stop for bathroom breaks and snacks. We crossed the Tropic of Cancer at about noon.
checkpoint in the interior
We arrived at the Hotel Cumbres at about 3:40. Way too much sitting for these two old people. The property was beautiful with lots of steps, ramps and uneven ground. At least two of our people fell while walking around. The rain that came did not help by making the tiles slippery.
The bus was comfortable but the wi-fi and USB ports did not work. The A/C was very effective, too effective... and the bathroom worked too. So not a bad trip just too long for us.
We had a late lunch of fried chicken breast, FF, salad and rice, it was good. Then checked into our rooms, we were in room #102 with a shower and two queen beds. There was a mix up with some of the rooms so the singles had to share two bedrooms suites. No one complained about their accommodations.
We began birding right after lunch and after we checked in until dark. Dinner at 7:30. todays bird count was at 21.
Breakfast every day was at 6:00 with coffee at 6:30!! Buffett with cold cereal, fruit, yogurt and hot dishes of eggs, meat, rice, beans, pancakes etc...
On Tuesday Nov 12 we loaded up the pick up trucks at 7:00, heading to La Azteca Area.
There are benches in the back of the trucks. It was not easy to get in and out but we all managed. A few of the more disabled people were able to sit inside the truck. The rain and cold wind was able to get into the back of the truck so did not make for a pleasant ride. Also the road was pretty uneven but where we were heading the bus could not go.
A cold front had come down, yesterday it was 85 when we arrived, this morning (Tuesday) it was 58 when we left and the 52 when we returned after birding all morning in the wind and rain. We returned to the hotel by 1:45 for lunch. Eric and I took a walk through town after lunch then met the group again at 3:30 to to El Cielo Interpretive Center, it was so cold and windy..
We returned back to the hotel at 6:00, bird count at 6:30, 64 birds dinner at 7.
Wed Nov 13: On the bus at 7:00 to Boca Toma 2-Rio Sabinas. A nice park on the river. We broke into three groups to take a boat on the river. We took boat #3, hoping the weather would warm up a bit by then. The boat ride was very nice about 45 minutes long, the end of the ride took us past a beautiful waterfall.
We were able to walk around the park and take a nice path until 1:00 when we had a delightful fresh fish lunch. The restaurant grows and harvests the fish right on property. Oh so good. After lunch we took the bus back to the hotel by 5:00, the rain began at 4:30. Bird count of 75 at 6:30 dinner at 7:00. Because of the issues with the bus, no USB and wi-fi we were given a different bus. The new bus did not have A/C or a working bathroom! Not sure if we should have complained about the first bus.
Thurs Nov 14: Back on the trucks at 7:00 am to Alta Cima, a cute little town up on the mountain. One of our guides is from this town.
The sun finally came out! Cute home made items along with jams and liquors.
We stopped many times to get out of the truck to bird as we went up the mountain. A 1 hour drive took us about 5 hours, lots of getting in and out of the trucks. We were able to shop a bit while looking for birds, went to a restaurant for a wonderful lunch. Today's weather was much better we even had sun for most of the day! We arrived back at the hotel by 6:15, long day in and out of the back of the pick up trucks. We were with Calvin Rees and Sam Driver on the truck all day, we had such a great time with our new friends. By the time we got back to the hotel we were wiped out.. Bird count at 6:30 54 birds, dinner at 7:00. A group did go out for night birding, they got 2 birds and got back to the hotel by 11:00pm. Way too late for us!
Friday Nov 15: Boarded the bus for home at 7:00. We stopped at some fields and woods along the way back home. We also stopped for a wonderful Mango Pie and a bit of shopping.
Our fabulous guides Estaban, Rene, Mario, Mary, Eric and Jorge
our friend Calvin Rees
Our friend Sam Driver
Box lunch on the bus was pretty good. Our bus ride was very long as it was hot, noisy and the bathroom smelled. bird count for today was 67. We finally arrived at the boarder by 6:30, waited for the taxis to get us across the border then drop us off at another bus to take us back to our vehicles. We arrived at home by 10:00 pm.
It was a long week, the weather did not cooperate but it was the best trip. We met so many great people, the guides were top notch, the area was beautiful, the food was good and our rooms very comfortable. We would recommend this tour and would do a repeat if the opportunity ever presented itself. We had a total of 138 birds with 40 lifers! I am sure if the weather had cooperated we would have increased both numbers substantially.
