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Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive in Belize City
Fly from your home town to Belize City, arriving at approximately 2 pm. Your Emerald Planet (MEA member) trip leader will meet you at the airport. Then we will transfer by van for an approximately 3 hour drive northwest to the Rio Bravo Conservation Management Area. Upon arrival at La Milpa field station you will be met by the Field Station manager who will help you check into your cabanas and, prior to dinner, will give an overview of the reserve and its on-going conservation and community development projects. Enjoy a relaxing dinner of traditional Belizean fare and join our naturalist guide on a night spotting walk to see and hear the nocturnal creatures of the rainforest.
Overnight: La Milpa Field Station
DAY 2: Rio Bravo Conservation Area
Enjoy a full day of activities exploring the reserve. The birding is excellent here with over 200 species within the Rio Bravo area. Howler and spider monkeys are frequently seen and heard in the trees close to the station. Other animals commonly seen include white-tailed and brocket deer, grey foxes, ocellated turkeys, parrots and toucans. We will return for lunch at La Milpa Field Station. In the afternoon visit the partially excavated Maya ruins at La Milpa (Spanish for cleared agricultural plot). The ruins are among Belize's largest and are in the process of being excavated and restored by archaeologist Norman Hammond, sponsored by Boston University, the National Geographic Society and private donors. Return to the field station to relax or explore the medicinal garden.
Overnight: La Milpa Field Station
DAY 3: Lamanai to Placencia
Rise early in the morning for optimal birding. After breakfast transfer by van to the Lamanai archaeological site. Visit the site in the company of an expert guide to explore the mysterious jungle shrouded temples of Lamanai Ruins. The ruins of this once-powerful, 3000 year-old civilization encompass over 700 structures with excavations and reconstruction still underway. We'll have lunch at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge near the archaeological site, and take a charter flight to Placencia afterwards. Our flight path will take us over the New River Lagoon where The Nature Conservancy is working on a fresh water monitoring project. Once in Placencia settle in at the Rum Point Inn right on the Pacific Ocean. We'll have time to relax on the beach prior to dinner.
Overnight: Rum Point
DAY 4: Mesoamerican Reef and Laughing Bird Caye
Coral reefs - teaming with colorful fish, lobsters, conch and coral - are considered, along with rainforests, to be the most diverse habitats on Earth. Spend today exploring the water and reefs off the coast of Placencia, snorkeling in and around Laughing Bird Caye Marine Reserve. Weather permitting, we will also consider a visit to the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve. Snorkeling at Gladden Spit is only for experienced snorklers as the currents can be quite strong. This evening over cocktails and dinner we will meet our partners from Friends of Nature (FoN) and TNC staff to learn about the Meso-American Reef Project.
Overnight: Rum Point
DAY 5: Placencia day trips
Today two different excursions will be offered; however, you may choose to take the day to relax and enjoy the beach or walk around downtown Placencia. A boat trip to Monkey River will allow ample opportunities for bird watching, a chance to see howler monkeys, and a close-up view of the coastal mangrove ecosystem. A trip to the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve brings you through Maya Centre Village, a Mopan Maya community located in the buffer zone of the only jaguar preserve in the world. Once inside the reserve you will hike along the trails to appreciate the variety of flora and fauna found inside this tropical forest. Both groups meet back at Rum Point in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Rum Point
DAY 6: Placencia / Nim Li Punit / Lubaantun / Punta Gorda
After breakfast we will travel to the dock in Placencia. From there we will cross the lagoon by boat and meet up with our "old school bus" transfer (very typical in southern Belize). Today we will visit several Maya archaeological sites (Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun) in route to the Southern Belize town of Punta Gorda. Nim Li Punit is one of the smaller Maya sites well known for the large amount of stelae (carved stone monuments, usually depicting key events in the lives of the ruling class) found there. Nim Li Punit inherited it's name from a carving on the longest of the site's twenty-six stelae, depicting a figure wearing a large headdress. In the Maya Kekchi language, Nim Li Punit means "the big hat". Lubaantun is the largest Maya site in Southern Belize. It is well known for the unusual style of construction. All structures are made of limestone blocks with no visible mortar binding them together. The strength of each structure lies in every hand-cut stone, which was carefully measured and shaped to fit snugly next to each neighboring block. Upon arrival in Punta Gorda we will check into the Sea Front Inn right across the street from the Caribbean. We will have an orientation at the Sea Front and then walk to dinner in Punta Gorda town.
Overnight: Sea Front Inn
DAY 7: Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
After breakfast we will embark on an exploration of Port Honduras Marine Reserve and the Sapodilla Cayes. With more than 200 cayes this is an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem, which is one of the last habitats of the Caribbean manatee. The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), a Nature Conservancy partner in Belize, co-manages the Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Paynes Creek National Park. We will board boats at TIDE's headquarters for the one hour ride to Lime Cay in the Sapodilla Cayes - our base for the next two nights. During the course of the next few days we will learn about TIDE's conservation efforts in southern Belize, meet their rangers and visit the protection facilities. Lime Caye is a beautiful, small coral cay located right on the Belize barrier reef. The camp is comfortable and has permanent dining and toilet facilities (composting toilets), and basic shower facilities. Using Lime cay as a base we can explore the Sapodilla Cayes by sea kayak, snorkel the barrier reef, fish, or simply relax in a hammock under the coconut palms.
Overnight: Camp on Lime Caye or cabanas on Nicolas Caye
DAY 8: Sapodilla Cayes and the Belize Barrier Reef
We have the full day at Sapodilla Cayes, enjoying the sandy beaches and reefs surrounding Nicholas Caye, Hunting Caye, and Frank's Caye. We'll take time to get used to paddling our sea kayaks in the calm leeward side of Lime Caye and your guide will brief you on safety procedures and give you tips on paddling. The snorkeling is world class and kayaking from island to island will allow us to explore a wide range of patch reef, island, and barrier reef snorkel sites. We'll take picnic lunches on the islands and there will be plenty of time to swim, relax, and enjoy the magnificent ecosystem. For those that enjoy fishing (fly or spin) there are opportunities to catch fish, including bonefish and permit. In the evenings we'll enjoy barbecues and fresh seafood dinners, including fish, conch, and lobster when in season. We will spend each night on Lime Caye camping close to the water's edge in comfortable tents.
Overnight: Camp on Lime Caye or cabanas on Nicolas Caye
DAY 9 ~ Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Paynes Creek National Park
Today we will leave Lime Cay, touring the Port Honduras Marine Preserve and Paynes Creek National Park by boat. We will visit at Abalone Caye to meet TIDE's rangers and observe the park from the tall observation tower. The area is rich in wildlife and we will see a variety of coastal birds, including pelicans and frigate birds. Our route will also take us through the critical habitat of the endangered West Indian manatee. We will make our way to Deep River Forest Reserve and Paynes Creek National Park, and picnic at Punta Negra. We will return to Punta Gorda in the late afternoon where we will overnight at the Sea Front Inn, where we can freshen up and relax after our camping days in the Sapodilla Cayes. Dinner will be at Waluccos with traditional Punta dancing and Garifuna music.
Overnight: Sea Front Inn
DAY 10 ~ Departure
Today we will familiarize ourselves with TIDE's work along the Rio Grande River. Breakfast will be at the Pescador fishing lodge high on a hill overlooking TIDE's private land conservation work. Then we'll take a stroll down through the canopy to the Rio Grande River where our river transportation awaits us. We'll return to Punta Gorda in time to have lunch and catch our return flight to Belize City and connecting international flights.
Logistical Details
Exploring the Rainforests and Reefs of Belize
March 2 - 11, 2007
Trip Details:
This trip covers a wide variety of activities. We will be both on foot and in boats, and the possibility of rain always exists. We are, however, visiting during the dry season and we hope for good weather throughout the trip. At Rio Bravo, we'll have private baths and fans; in Placencia and Punta Gorda, private baths and air conditioning; on the Cayes there is no electricity.
Financial Arrangements:
The fee for the tour is $3,250 per person based on double occupancy. Single rates are an additional $835. Single rooms are not available in Rio Bravo and on Sapodilla Caye. This price includes: a detailed pre-trip packet including a reading list, country bird list, packing suggestions, and background reading and conservation project information; all food, three meals per day, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10; all lodging for 9 nights during the tour; ground and boat transportation; in country airfares; and guide services provided by the tour leader and local expert guides. The tour fee does not include international airfare, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, passport fees, airport departure taxes or items of a personal nature. Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the group does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement may have to be charged. Flight arrangements (not included) for this tour can be made through your local travel agent.
Tour Size:
This tour will be strictly limited to a maximum of 16 participants and a minimum of 10 participants. Sign up early in order to secure your space.
Tour Registration:
To register for the tour, complete the enclosed registration form and return it with a deposit of $500 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due ninety days prior to the tour departure (December 2, 2006). If you have any questions please contact Katherine King of Emerald Planet (970-231-4890 or toll-free, 888-883-0736).
Travel Documents:
A US passport valid beyond your anticipated date of return to the US and tourist card (available on flight) is required. Currently no visas or immunization certificates are required. Those with foreign passports should contact the Embassy of Belize for details.
Cancellation Policy:
Refunds are made according to the following schedule: If cancellation is made ninety days or more before departure date, the deposit less $150 is refundable. If cancellation is made between eighty-nine and seventy days before departure date, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made sixty-nine days or less before departure date, no refund is available except for amounts recoverable through our agents. We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself. Trip cancellation insurance can be arranged through Travel Insured International by calling 1-800-243-3174 or by visiting www.travelinsured.com. Insurance can also be arranged through CSA Vacation Guarantee by calling 1-800-645-5926 or by visiting www.csatravelprotections.com.
Responsibility:
Emerald Planet, The Nature Conservancy, and/or their Agents act only as agents for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motorcoach, boat, or airplane and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in air schedules. The right is reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour. The right is reserved to decline to accept or to retain any person as a member of the tour. Baggage is at owners risk entirely.
Health Precautions:
For comprehensive health information, please contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/travel or by phone at 1-877-394-8747 (traveler's health hotline). The CDC information is a comprehensive listing of any disease reported in a particular region or state. We have not had any problems with diseases; however, you may need to discuss with your physician what is best for you individually. If you have any questions please consult your physician. For general information about Belize please refer to the Consular Information sheet: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1055.html. Please check with your medical insurance provided to make sure that your insurance covers you while you are abroad. Several companies can provide additional international insurance as well as emergency evacuation insurance. See MEDEX for an example of one such provider: http://www.medexassist.com/ or 1-410-453-6300.
For more information about this trip contact:
Katherine King
Emerald Planet Tours
1706 Constitution Court
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone: 970-231-4890
Toll-free: 888-883-0736
E-mail: katking@emeraldplanet.com
Website: www.emeraldplanet.com
To sign up for an experience of a lifetime, please fill out and return the registration form.
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