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VEGETATION
Pachuj has coffee plantations, which are surrounded by coniferous and broad-leaf forests. The vegetation consists of a great variety of trees, such as oaks, gumbo limbo “palo jiote” (Bursera simaruba), tree fern (Cyathea sp.) and some Chamaedorea palms.
NATURAL SPOTS
• COFFEE TOUR: You will be able to go through technically grown and traditional coffee plantations, where native trees are used as shade for the coffee trees. You will also be able to visit the coffee processing plant, where they will explain the process.
• FOREST: Natural forests surround the coffee plantations and cover the higher hills of the Pachuj Plantation.
• SCENERY: Includes the area from the summits of the Tolimán and Atitlán volcanoes to the Pacific Coast.
CONTACTS
In order to visit this plantation you must contact the owner, Fernando Fahsen, in advance to arrange for your visit.
Tel. (502) 2369-5405 or 5370-0072 E-mail: fernando.fahsen@pachuj.com
GETTING THERE
There are two alternatives:
1. Along the Pacific Coast: From Guatemala City, take Highway CA-9 and the Palín-Escuintla Expressway, where you pay a toll at Km. 52. A small car, pays Q13.75. Then, take Highway CA-2, which goes through Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. At Cocales (Km.113), turn right toward Patulul and San Lucas Tolimán. The entrance of Finca Pachuj is from Cocales, Km 33. Site Map(Use the zoom)
2. Through the highlands: From Guatemala City take Highway CA-1, which goes through Chimaltenango. On the left (at about Km. 70), there is a turn to Godínez. This highway (National Road 11) goes through Patzún. When you reach Godínez, take the road that goes around Lake Atitlán to San Lucas Tolimán. At the bifurcation San Lucas Tolimán-Cocales, turn toward Cocales. The Pachuj Plantatiaon is one kilometer from the crossing.
Inside the plantation you will need a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
BIRDING SPOTS
This Plantation provides shelter to a great variety of warblers, whose number increases during the migration season, when northern species join the resident populations. Highland species, such as Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra) and Spotted Nightingale-thrush (Catharus dryas) mingle with species from the Pacific Coast, such as Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis).
As you enter the Pachuj Plantation, you will clearly distinguish the coffee trees protected by the shade of the chalum (Inga) trees. Bushy-crested Jays (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus) are abundant in Inga trees, as well as the Violaceous Trogons (Trogon violaceus) during the mating season. Woodpeckers, such as Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Centurus aurifrons) also live here.
The bright red color of the Heliconias stands out in the vegetation off the main road. These flowers are often visited by different species of hummingbirds. The shape and length of the flower coincides with the bill of the visiting hummingbird. You will also observe bamboo plants which shelter rodents and certain birds; it is rare to see these plants bloom.
Along the path leading to the Pampojilá Subdivision, there are trees common to the region, such as the avocado (Persea americana) and gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba). Gumbo limbo "palo de jiote" received this name because its loosening bark resembles impetigo, a skin disease that is common in the tropics; this tree is also known as “indio desnudo” (naked Indian). Orange-fronted parakeets (Aratinga canicularis), flycatchers, and some tanagers feed on this tree. You will watch birds such as Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetti) the Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster), and the Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis), of which the latter are often seen in flocks.
When the capulín rosado trees (Belotia mexicana) bloom, they are invaded by hummingbirds, including the White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis). You will enjoy different kinds of vireos and warblers: Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius), the Crescent-chested Warbler (Vermivora superciliosa), the Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis), and the Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia). A red tanager with white spots on the wings, the White-winged Tanager (Spermagra leucoptera), may appear among the branches and leaves.
At ground level, it is possible to watch the Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) and the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus). You will listen to the song of the Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris), the Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus), and even the Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata).
After walking uphill, you will reach the Pampojilá Subdivision, where local people own their land, which has approximately 22 hectares of coffee plantations, where Gravileas (Grevillea robusta) are used as shade trees, instead of the chalum (Inga) trees. Gravileas are grown in many regions of Guatemala, and are mainly used in the highlands as coffee shade trees. The flowers of this tree attract the Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora peregrina), woodpeckers, and orioles.
As you walk downhill, you can enjoy a combination of topographic phenomena: volcanoes, valleys, and cliffs. The Tolimán and Atitlán volcanoes frame the landscape and, when the sky is clear, you can see the Pacific Ocean. In this open area, where there are banana plants and secondary-growth vegetation, it is easy to watch the vultures (Cathartes aura, Coragyps atratus), the White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) and some hawks.
You can stop along the way to look at the vegetation in the ravines. Hurricane Mitch (1998) caused many landslides and left clearings in the forest. These places are great spots for birdwatching.
A palm called chicuilote (Chamaedorea) is grown at the Pachuj Plantation. Its orange seeds are food for guans and thrushes (Turdus grayi, Turdus infuscatus). Chicuilote belongs to the xate family (Arecaceae) and is grown commercially to be used as foliage for floral arrangements.
On the path to the coffee processing plant, there are pine trees (Pinus) and oaks with big acorns (Quercus skinneri) distributed in the forest. In lower parts, close to the stream, it is common to see the Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra) and deep blue Morpho butterflies. After climbing a little, it is probable you will see Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis).
At the coffee processing plant, they will describe the process that produces the greatly appreciated aromatic coffee bean. To reach the basin of the Madre Vieja River, you have to walk a little further. After the coffee processing plant, there is an open area with coffee and some native trees. Find a curve in front of which are two cecropia trees (Cecropia peltata), few meters away from the path with broad-leaf trees behind, which is a good place for bird watching. The cecropia tree has a thin trunk, with rings and palmate leafs. Its branches are hollow, just as those of the bamboo, and it is common to find it in open areas or in secondary forests. Its fruits are very attractive to frugivorous birds, such as doves, parrots, trogons, toucans, woodpeckers, tanagers, etc. On this spot, you will be able to watch different tanagers, such as the Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra), the Yellow-winged Tanager (Thraupis abbas), and even the Cabanis’ Tanager (Tangara cabanisi). The area is also visited by colorful birds, such as the Blue-hooded Euphonia (Euphonia elegantissima) and the Blue-crowned Clorophonia (Chlorophonia occipitalis). During the summer, when other fruit become scarce, cecropia becomes an important food source. Frugivorous birds benefit this tree, as they spread its seeds. Some warblers feed on insects attracted by the foliage of the cecropia.
The Madre Vieja River flows along the bottom of high rocky walls. Near the river there are many springs surrounded by palms. There are many animals in this area, including birds and mammals. You will be able to watch the Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) and the Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris). You might run into footprints of pacas, collared peccaries, and deer. There is a clearing where you can watch a flock of parakeets or a hawk, such as Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi). After one hour’s walk along the river, you will come to a 5-meter high waterfall. This walk can only be taken during the dry season.
At the hub of the plantation there are three ficus trees, which make bird watching a real pleasure during February and March, when these trees are covered with attractive fruit.
SERVICES
Santo Tomás Pachuj Plantation
• Toilet room (in the office and at the coffee processing plant.)
• For adventure lovers, a rustic camping area made of bamboo will soon be available.
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