Mesoamérica Travel S.A.
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Tel: (504) 2558-6447 & 2558-6258
Fax: (504) 2558-6410
Emergency Tel: (504) 3390-6499
[email protected]
www.mesoamerica-travel.com
Wilderness Experience
5 days / 4 nights, daily from / to San Pedro Sula
Approach: Nature, Hiking & National Parks
Day 1: San Pedro Sula – Cusuco National Park
At the beginning of this tour we drive to Buenos Aires, a coffee growing community in the damping zone of
the Cusuco National Park. There we take quarter at the simple but nice Eco Albergue. As we drive up to the
national park, we can observe various changes of the vegetation. On the lower parts of the mountains of
Cusuco the vegetation consist of pine forest and tropical forest. Around 1,500 m the cloud forest begins. The
vegetation in cloud forests has got adapted to the climatic and geographic conditions; for instance
bromeliads and orchids are able to take water and sometimes even nutrients from the air. Before dinner we
explore the surroundings of our accommodation. Get enchanted by the climate and the silence during the
dusk. The birdsongs and the vegetation characterized by ferns and bromeliads make the mystic atmosphere
perfect. 2 overnights at Eco Albergue.
Day 2: Cusuco National Park
Today we explore the magnificent biodiversity of the cloud forest. With some luck we may spot a variety of
wildlife such as toucans, monkeys, tapirs or the resplendent quetzal. Huge tree ferns – up to 20 m tall, the
highest in all Central America – are typical for Cusuco and give the impression of being in a Jurassic world.
From March to May one of the typical early morning sounds of Cusuco National Park is the monotonous call
of the resplendent Quetzal, the mystic and holy bird of the Aztecs and Mayans. Historic tales explain the
bright red breast of the male Quetzal as a symbol of the eternal life of the Mayan warriors, who lost their lives
against the Spaniards on the battlefield. The Quetzal came from the gods down to the warriors as they died
and saved their souls. The legends of the Aztecs are almost the same, saying that the red chest is the blood
from their last king Montezuma, who died during the Spanish conquest. The charm of Cusuco does not only
come from the nature, but also from the quiet and harmonic life in the 38 surrounding coffee towns.
Day 3: Cusuco National Park – Cerro Azul Meambar National Park
We break camp after breakfast. Our journey continues through a scenic drive to the Lake Yojoa. The Lago
de Yojoa is the only volcanic lake in Honduras and the largest reserve of fresh water available to the country.
The Lake Yojoa Basin measures 43,600 hectares and was recognized as a Wetland of Worldwide Interest by
the UN through the Ramsar Convention in 2005. 13 different types of wetlands and certain unique
ecosystems have been identified within the region. About 800 species of plants grow in this protected area.
With so many plant species, it is not surprising that more than 400 species of birds live in or near this area.
We drive up the the Cerro Azul Meambar where we spend the following 2 nights in the visitors’ centre.
Day 4: Cerro Azul Meambar National Park
The core zone of the protected area Cerro Azul Meambar is located at about 1,800 m above sea level. The
mountain peaks of this region are typically covered with clouds. These clouds are the product of the high
altitude and the resulting cooler temperatures of the mountains. This builds a natural barrier for the hot and
humid Caribbean air that is forced to climb the mountains. The air cools down and condenses. The result is
clouds, fog and drizzle. The cloud forest at Cerro Azul Meambar National Park serves as a water reservoir
that guarantees the constant water supply to the surroundings towns. We explore the different forest types of
the national park. The existence of tropical, pine and cloud forests within a small area has led to a fascinating
biodiversity and species richness. In the afternoon we hike to an idyllic waterfall where we take a refreshing
bath.
Day 5: Cerro Azul Meambar National Park – San Pedro Sula
On our way back to San Pedro Sula we visit the Pulhapanzak waterfall and the archaeological park of Los
Naranjos. Pulhapanzak has been an important ceremonial and cultural site for the early Maya. The fresh
clear water invites us for a refreshing bath. Although scientists are not sure which indigenous community
inhabited the region of Los Naranjos, they tend to believe that it were ancestors of the Lenca. In the
afternoon we return to San Pedro Sula.
For reservations or questions please contact us
[email protected]
Wilderness Experience
Services included:
 4 nights lodging in NP visitor centres incl.
breakfast
 All transfers, excursions and entrances
according to itinerary
 Mesoamérica bilingual guide and local guides
 16% local taxes
Please find the rates for up to 4 participants on
our web.
Wholesalers and groups 5+ please inquire
special conditions at
[email protected]
Cusuco National Park
Located in the Merendon Mountains south west of the industrial city of San Pedro Sula, "Cusuco" was
declared as a National Park in 1987 by the Honduras parliament. It covers an area of 22.223 km². The
untouchable core zone protects the highest and most endangered ecosystems, which is found from 1.800
mts to 2.242 mts above sea level.
During March till May, one of the typical early morning sounds of Cusuco National Park is the call of the
Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), the mystic and holy bird of the Aztecs and Mayas. The
habitat of the Resplendent Quetzal is the cloud forest of Central America. Other typical birds found in the
cloud forests of Central America are the Green Toucan (Aulacorhynchus praesinus), or the small Hilguero,
which is detected by his beautiful and typical song in the morning. A huge diversity of often strange and
exotic insects and vertebrates are the food of the many birds of the cloudforest. Trying to survive, they
evolve new and better forms to hide themselves from the view of their raptors. At the end of the food chain
are the huge Pumas, Jaguars and Ocelots; they hunt for Coatis and Raccoons or Agoutis and Peccaries.
Huge tree ferns - some of up to 20 meters, the highest found in all of Central America - are typical for
Cusuco and give the impressions one is in a Jurassic park world.
Los Naranjos Archaeological Zone
On the shores of Lake Yojoa, exists an extensive set of ruins of pre-Columbian settlements. In this diverse
landscape rich in natural resources, a civilization thrived for two millenniums.
The Los Naranjos Archaeological Zone, which includes 9 archaeological sites, is a 10 km² area along the
northern shore of the lake. The largest of these sites is called the Principal Group, featuring one structure
that is 20 meters high with an acropolis group on top. The late George Hasemann, a prominent archaeologist
with the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History (IHAH) suggested that human settlement around
Lake Yojoa may go back many thousands of years, possibly involving groups hunting the extinct late
Pleistocene mega fauna such as the mastodon. Evidence from the site demonstrates some sort of
interaction between its inhabitants and the Olmecs in Mexico around 800 BC, and the site appears to record
over 2,000 years of continuous human settlement, up until at least 1,200 AD. Although the non-Maya
inhabitants of Los Naranjos were contemporary with the Maya of Copán, says Hasemann, they seem to have
remained fairly isolated, perhaps because in this incredibly diverse area ideal for game and fish, they had
everything they needed.
Most of the "Parque Los Naranjos" is covered in pristine forests of gualiqueme; a high-canopied forest with
lush undergrowth of split leafed philodendrons, orchids, bromeliads and heleconias. There are other forests
dominated by guanacaste, willow and ficus. There is a large, grassy flood plain, which is a nesting site for
some of the lake's 377 species of birds. Planned elevated boardwalks and observation towers will make this
an unbeatable spot for nature lovers, especially bird-watch.
For reservations or questions please contact us
[email protected]