6 DAYS NATURALIST EXPEDITION – IN SEARCH OF THE JAGUAR
An extraordinary expedition, an exceptional tour – a circuit designed for naturalists, photographers and enthusiasts.
Important information: This extraordinary tour will only take place between March and May, the end of the dry season, in small groups of 6 people maximum, on the dates scheduled on our calendar (please see below), and may be conducted with a group in multiple languages.
Important information: This extraordinary tour will only take place between March and May, the end of the dry season, in small groups of 6 people maximum, on the dates scheduled on our calendar (please see below), and may be conducted with a group in multiple languages.
TRAVELER NOTICE
WARNING: This is not a tourist expedition: this tour is not for everyone and it must remain so in order to minimize the impact on the fauna and flora. The purpose of this expedition is to be as non-invasive as possible in an area rich in wildlife. Part of this expedition will take place in hides to observe the numerous species present in the area, which of course requires remaining silent and still for long periods.
Do you think this is the tour for you? Remember that for this tour, the conditions will be spartan with nights in hammocks, no hot water for bathing, no electricity for several nights, and no mosquito repellents or other scents to avoid unnatural odors and products in the observation area.
Do you still think all of this suits you? Remember that nature is not at our service or disposal, so no species can be guaranteed. Some expeditions offer us VERY nice surprises, while others may be less exciting.
Do you still believe you are one of those who will appreciate a unique expedition like this? If so, let’s move on to the program details:
CIRCUIT DETAILS
Highlights of the circuit
- 3 nights deep in the jungle, in a wildlife-rich area
- 1 night in comfortable cabins at the gates of Calakmul
- 1 night in Bacalar
- Wildlife observation in their natural habitat using our hides and camera traps
- High likelihood of observing felines and other iconic species of the area
- Visit to Calakmul: nature reserve and archaeological site
- Canoe tour of Bacalar in lesser-known areas
- An extraordinary experience, without frills
- Discovery of local fauna and flora
Difficulty
Intermediate/Expert: Good physical condition required.
Next available dates
- du
06/04/2025
au
11/04/2025
- du
03/05/2025
au
08/05/2025
PROGRAM
Day 1
We will leave the Riviera Maya and head south towards the second lung of America, its various reserves, and primary forests. On the first day, a long stretch of road awaits us, which we will break up with a visit to a magnificent archaeological site to learn more about the Maya civilization. It’s a beautiful, less frequented city, nestled in the jungle with superbly preserved stucco masks. After a meal on the road, we will arrive in a village where we will leave our vehicle for the next 3 nights. To reach our campsite, we will ride motorcycles with our Mayan friends. We will arrive at María’s place, a woman living alone far from other villages, near a water source. This explains why we go there at the end of the dry season, when this water point becomes the only one within 9 km, and therefore, a necessary stop for many species. We’ll set up our hammocks in one of the old dilapidated cabins and hang our mosquito nets for the night. María’s cooking will delight us from this first dinner.
Days 2 & 3
The program will be simple: everyone can enjoy the surroundings at their own pace. Hides near the water point will allow observation of birds, mammals, reptiles, and more. Each person can decide their own time, return to their hammock or María’s house at any time, or remain as silent as possible at the water point, camera in hand. Additionally, many paths start from María’s house for those who want to go accompanied by Pablo, María’s son, or Tristan the guide, to search for monkeys, birds, and other animals in the vicinity. A pond located 9 km away will allow hikers to photograph crocodiles and water birds. There’s the option to spend the night camping in hammocks by the pond with a dinner cooked over a wood fire. There’s also the possibility to accompany Pablo to see his beehives and harvest honey.
Days 2 & 3
Why María’s place instead of a human-free nature reserve where one might think there would be a better chance of observing animals? María has been living here for over 30 years. For this reason, the animals have become accustomed to the presence of humans, to the smell of cooking, and to the noises as well. Of course, they still hide from us, so we will need patience to be able to photograph them. What can we hope to see there? Almost every expedition, we have observed coatis, agoutis, white-tailed deer, ocellated turkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, gray foxes, ferruginous pygmy owls, crocodiles, tiger heron, Moctezuma oropendolas, several species of raptors, etc… And sometimes, pumas, tapirs, peccaries, pacas,… The jaguar has passed by our cameras several times while we were sleeping, sometimes during the day as well, but always silent and elusive.
Day 4
One final wake-up at María’s, to the sound of numerous birds. A last visit to the hides to take our final photos. We’ll enjoy another meal, depart back to the village, retrieve our vehicle, and head to the outskirts of the vast Calakmul Reserve, where we’ll spend the night in comfortable cabins. We can visit the bat cave from which approximately 2 million bats take flight each evening.
Day 5
We’ll rise at dawn to be among the first to enter the reserve as soon as it opens. The 60 kilometers/ 37 miles that take us from the entrance to the archaeological site offer us the opportunity to see animals crossing the road. We’ll try to spot a tapir in one of our favorite spots. Then, we’ll explore the immense Maya site of Calakmul, a magnificent city, a blend of nature and history. We’ll leave the reserve in the afternoon to head towards Bacalar and its seven-colored lagoon. This is where we’ll spend the night.
Day 6
We’ll continue this expedition, this time in canoes. We’ll cross Bacalar Lagoon and explore the numerous canals and lagoons bordered by mangroves and jungle in the hope of finding more beautiful species of fauna and flora. We’ll enjoy a delicious seafood meal by the lagoon before setting off on our journey back to the Riviera Maya.
Day 1
We will leave the Riviera Maya and head south towards the second lung of America, its various reserves, and primary forests. On the first day, a long stretch of road awaits us, which we will break up with a visit to a magnificent archaeological site to learn more about the Maya civilization. It’s a beautiful, less frequented city, nestled in the jungle with superbly preserved stucco masks. After a meal on the road, we will arrive in a village where we will leave our vehicle for the next 3 nights. To reach our campsite, we will ride motorcycles with our Mayan friends. We will arrive at María’s place, a woman living alone far from other villages, near a water source. This explains why we go there at the end of the dry season, when this water point becomes the only one within 9 km, and therefore, a necessary stop for many species. We’ll set up our hammocks in one of the old dilapidated cabins and hang our mosquito nets for the night. María’s cooking will delight us from this first dinner.
Days 2 & 3
The program will be simple: everyone can enjoy the surroundings at their own pace. Hides near the water point will allow observation of birds, mammals, reptiles, and more. Each person can decide their own time, return to their hammock or María’s house at any time, or remain as silent as possible at the water point, camera in hand. Additionally, many paths start from María’s house for those who want to go accompanied by Pablo, María’s son, or Tristan the guide, to search for monkeys, birds, and other animals in the vicinity. A pond located 9 km away will allow hikers to photograph crocodiles and water birds. There’s the option to spend the night camping in hammocks by the pond with a dinner cooked over a wood fire. There’s also the possibility to accompany Pablo to see his beehives and harvest honey.
Days 2 & 3
Why María’s place instead of a human-free nature reserve where one might think there would be a better chance of observing animals? María has been living here for over 30 years. For this reason, the animals have become accustomed to the presence of humans, to the smell of cooking, and to the noises as well. Of course, they still hide from us, so we will need patience to be able to photograph them. What can we hope to see there? Almost every expedition, we have observed coatis, agoutis, white-tailed deer, ocellated turkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, gray foxes, ferruginous pygmy owls, crocodiles, tiger heron, Moctezuma oropendolas, several species of raptors, etc… And sometimes, pumas, tapirs, peccaries, pacas,… The jaguar has passed by our cameras several times while we were sleeping, sometimes during the day as well, but always silent and elusive.
Day 4
One final wake-up at María’s, to the sound of numerous birds. A last visit to the hides to take our final photos. We’ll enjoy another meal, depart back to the village, retrieve our vehicle, and head to the outskirts of the vast Calakmul Reserve, where we’ll spend the night in comfortable cabins. We can visit the bat cave from which approximately 2 million bats take flight each evening.
PRACTICAL INFO
Included
- Transportation from Riviera Maya
- Specialized guide
- Nights in hammocks / mosquito nets
- Night in a cabin (based on double occupancy)
- Night in Bacalar (based on double occupancy)
- Choice of snacks and soft drinks on board
- All meals
- Entrance fees to archaeological sites
- Entrance fee to Calakmul reserve
- Canoes in Bacalar
- Equipment: hammocks, headlamps, etc
- Insurance
Not Included
- Tips
- Personal souvenir purchases
An eco-responsible tour
For this unique tour, we must behave in an exemplary manner towards the nature that welcomes us. The number of people, the number of days per year we conduct this expedition, noise, smells, the location of sleeping and observation spots are all factors we consider to minimize our impact on the area and the animals that live there. Offering tours in these areas also provides an economic alternative for families and locals with whom we work, so that hunting, deforestation, and agriculture can be reduced in these jungle zones, quickly turning them into sanctuaries for wildlife.
PRICES
Prix du Circuit
Tous nos prix sont en Pesos Mexicains et par personne.
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2 people
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3 people
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4 people
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5 people
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6 people
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7 people
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8 people
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9 people
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10 people
$36,000 Mxn
/ person
Minimum 2 people / maximum 6 people
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Select your preferred circuit from the dropdown menu and indicate your preferred dates.
We will contact you to organize the trip of your dreams in the Yucatán Peninsula.
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