You’ll start with a tour of the ceremonial Maya site of Lubaantun, followed by a float trip down the Río Grande with indigenous Maya guides. Next, you’ll kayak and snorkel the marine ecosystem of the southern barrier reef, the least toured in Belize, and camp on a beautiful, small coral cay located right on the reef. While here you’ll learn about the conservation efforts of the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), a Nature Conservancy partner in Belize, and meet their rangers and protection facilities.

Itinerary
This trip begins with a rendezvous at the airport in Punta Gorda, Belize, on Day 1

DAY 1: Arrive in Belize
Arrive in Punta Gorda, Belize, via Belize City. Your trip leader or a representative will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. He or she will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements, and transfer you to The Lodge at Big Falls, located close to the Maya village of Big Falls about 30 minutes from Punta Gorda. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Río Grande and has almost a mile of river frontage.

The lodge’s gardens are beautifully landscaped and the varied riverine habitat provides an excellent birding environment. Nesting herons, toucans, woodpeckers, and birds of prey all nest on the property and can be observed with the lodge’s powerful spotting scopes. The cabanas are large, comfortable, and well-ventilated with large glass patio doors opening onto hardwood decks. The bathrooms have large walk-in hot and cold water showers and the rooms are thoughtfully designed with queen-size beds, bedside reading lamps, ample luggage storage space, and ceiling fans. The main lodge has a beautiful bar made from local stone, large outside decking, airy dining room, gift shop, internet access area, and a well stocked library.

The lodge has a number of canoes and kayaks for exploring the river, including glass bottom kayaks. The river in the dry season is a deep green color and swimming in the river is excellent from the canoe dock. The lodge is located close to the Maya village of San Pedro the fascinating Maya ruins of Lubaantun.

D…The Lodge at Big Falls

DAY 2: Lubaantun
After early morning breakfast at the lodge, we depart to the Maya site of Lubaantun, made famous by the discovery of the mysterious “crystal skull” in 1926. (The carving of a human skull was cut from an eight-inch cube of rock crystal; its origins are still unknown.) This small but fascinating Maya site has a wonderful tranquil feel and is set among brightly colored heliconias, towering ceiba trees, and shady cahune palms. It dates from a.d. 700-900 and has eleven structures (noted for their round corners), five main plazas, and three ball courts. After lunch we will drive through Mayan villages and enjoy a refreshing swim at beautiful waterfalls surrounded by jungle. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

B,L,D…The Lodge at Big Falls

DAY 3: Río Grande float trip & cave visit
Today we will take a river float trip down the Río Grande, accompanied by local Maya guides. We will start the beautiful jungle float early in the morning and emerge at The Lodge at Big Falls for a late lunch. We will be able to swim along the route and see a wide variety of bird life, including keel-billed toucan, collared aracari, and a variety of parrot species. After lunch we will explore caves at either Blue Creek or Deep River, depending on river water levels. Return to The Lodge at Big Falls for dinner and overnight.

B,L,D…The Lodge at Big Falls

DAY 4: Sapodilla Cayes & the Belize Barrier Reef
Early morning start for the short drive to Punta Gorda, where we will board boats at TIDE's headquarters for the 45-minute transfer out to Hunting Cay in the Sapodilla Cays where we will be based for the next two nights. 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. During the course of the next few days we will learn about TIDE's conservation efforts in southern Belize and meet their rangers and protection facilities.

Hunting Cay is a beautiful, small coral cay located right on the Belize barrier reef. With the barrier literally just off shore, snorkeling enthusiasts will be in heaven. There are also large sand flats surrounding the cay with large schools of bonefish for those who want to try their luck at salt water flyfishing. There are seven brand new cabanas with permanent dining and toilet facilities (composting toilets), and basic shower facilities. Using Hunting Cay as a base we can explore the Sapodilla Cays by sea kayak, snorkel the barrier reef, fish, or simply relax in a hammock under the coconut palms. Overnight on Hunting Cay.

B,L,D...Hunting Cay Cabanas

DAY 5: Sapodilla Cayes & the Belize Barrier Reef
We will be able to enjoy the sandy beaches and reefs surrounding Nicholas Cay, Hunting Cay, and Frank's Cay. We'll take time to get used to paddling our sea kayaks in the calm leeward side 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 (and release) a wide range of fish, including bone fish 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 Hunting Cay.

B,L,D each day...Hunting Cay Cabanas

DAY 6: Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Paynes Creek National Park
Today we will leave Hunting Cay, touring the Port Honduras Marine Preserve and Paynes Creek National Park by boat. We will call in at Abalone Cay to meet TIDE's rangers and observe the park from the tall observation tower. Wildlife is rich in this area and we will see a wide variety of coastal birdlife, including pelicans and frigate birds, and our route will take us through 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. Paynes Creek National Park has extensive Mayan ruins, many of which are now sub-subsurface due to rising sea levels. During Maya times the park was used as a salt production center and was a major trade hub due to its coastal location. We will return to Punta Gorda in the late afternoon where we will overnight at the Sea Front Inn, a friendly place where we can freshen up and relax after our off-shore visit in the Sapodilla Cays.

The Sea Front Inn is Punta Gorda's best known hotel. Located on the waterfront, it boasts spectacular views of Port Honduras from the lodge's third floor restaurant and bar. Rooms have hot and cold water showers, air conditioning, and cable TV. From the inn it's a ten-minute walk into the tiny center of Punta Gorda where there are a number of restaurants and local shops, and a few relics of the British colonial past. Punta Gorda has a sleepy charm and friendly multi-cultural people (Maya, mestizo, East Indian, and Garifuna) who are just beginning to develop small scale, low impact ecotourism in the region.

B,L...Sea Front Inn

DAY 7: La Lancha
We rise very early and transfer to the airport for the first morning flight (7:00 a.m.) to Belize International Airport, where we will connect with Tropic Air from Belize City to Flores, Guatemala, at 9:15 a.m. Transfer to La Lancha, a beautiful, intimate Francis Ford Coppola property set high above Lake Peten Itza in Guatemala. The casitas are perched high above the lake and have spectacular views across the lake of the island town of Flores.

In the early morning and early evening a resident troop of howler monkeys moves through the jungle canopy surrounding the hotel. Birding is excellent and small forest animals such as gibnut and agouti are frequently seen by guests. The hotel has a freshwater swimming pool and a large open-sided palapa for dining and relaxing. The rooms are airy and simple, decorated with Guatemalan fabrics, works of art, and antiques. Authentic Guatemalan recipes are served in the restaurant and a wide selection of wines from the Niebaum-Coppola Rutherford estate are served in the bar. There will be ample time today to relax, swim in the pool, canoe or kayak on Lake Peten Itza, trek along jungle trails looking for howler monkeys, or take optional tours around the area.

B,L,D…La Lancha

DAY 8: Tikal
Early start for the 30-minute drive to Tikal, where we'll spend the day exploring this ancient temple complex dating from about A.D. 300 to A.D. 900, the Classic period of Mayan civilization. There are more than 3,000 structures, and the dramatic magnitude of these ruins is especially impressive considering the Mayans did not know the use of the wheel nor did they use beasts of burden. All the rock and rubble needed to build the complex was carried on the backs of individual laborers. A hike up the steep stairs leading to the top of one of the high temples is highly recommended; from here one can see the tops of several other enormous temples that are yet to be unearthed from the lush jungle. Tikal is also a national park and World Heritage Site where native flora and fauna still flourish relatively undisturbed. As we walk through the dense growth of mahogany, chicozapote, cedar, ceiba, and palm trees, we will see many birds, including toucans and macaws easily visible for their size and bright colors, as well as howler and spider monkeys that scramble among the treetops. Return to La Lancha for dinner and overnight.

B,L,D…La Lancha

DAY 9 ~ Fly home
Transfer to Flores for the 9:30 a.m. flight to Belize City with Tropic Air, arriving at 10:15 a.m. Connect with departing international flights home.

B…

Includes:
. Bilingual Guide that will accompany the group from Day 1 in Punta Gorda to Day 9 to Belize City International Airport.
. All meals & lodging
. Ground transportation as indicated in the itinerary above. If individual additional transfers are needed for those not travelling with the group they will be charged at an additional rate.
. Tours - 2 day tours at The Lodge at Big Falls as listed above, tour of Tikal at La Lancha.
. Kayaking gear - kayaks, life vests/PFD, paddles, kayak safety equipment.

Not Included:
. Domestic/regional airfare
. Guide & hotel gratuities
. Alcoholic beverages
. Expenses of personal nature
. Personal flash lights (head lights recommended).
. International flights to/from Belize.
. International departures taxes (Belize and Guatemala) and travel cards (to Guatemala).
. Trip insurance (medical and cancellation).

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