The activities on this tour are as diverse as the ecoregions you will explore. Hike through the pristine rain forest of Pico Bonito National Park. Catch a glimpse of a manatee as we boat the fauna rich wetland estuaries of the wildlife refuge at Cuero y Salado. Explore the lava flats along the uninhabited north coast of Utila Island in search of sea turtle nests and the endemic black iguana. Snorkel in the turquoise waters of the amazing Bay Island coral reef system. Round out your tour with a visit to the legendary Maya archeology site of Copan, where the natural setting is as impressive as the architecture of the culture that existed here a millennium ago.

Relax after your busy days with a hot meal and a cold drink at the Lodge at Pico Bonito, The Mango Inn in Utila and the Casa de Café in Copan.

We think you will agree with us when we say that our natural journey along the north coast of Honduras offers an optimal blend of tropical experiences in Mesoamerica.

Day 1: ARRIVE SAN PEDRO SULA - Pico Bonito
You will be met at the airport by a MEA representative and transported to the Lodge at Pico Bonito. A member of the "Small Luxury Hotels of the World", the lodge is nestled in the lush rain forest of the foothills of the Sierra Pico Bonito. There are three nature observation towers, extensive footpaths, hiking trails, a butterfly farm, swimming pool, conference room, dining room and a comfortable lounge area.

We will get together in the evening for a tour overview, followed by a question and answer session addressing the week of activities ahead of us. Night: The Lodge at Pico Bonito.

Day 2: PICO BONITO NATIONAL PARK
We will start the day with a "dawn patrol" interpretive nature walk through the extensive grounds of the lodge. Birds and other wildlife are active at this hour, making this a good time to explore.

After our nature walk, we will have breakfast and some free time before leaving for a hike in Pico Bonito National Park. Trails from the lodge lead directly into the Park grounds. This moderate to strenuous day-hike will last about four hours and take us along the scenic "Gorge Trail", which is a ridge trail between two cascading rainforest rivers. Our local interpretive nature guides will give information on the natural history of this lush rainforest ecosystem. We will keep a sharp look-out for colorful tropical birds such as Lovely Cotinga, Keel-billed Toucan, and numerous parrot and hummingbird species. This area is also home to the more elusive fauna such as jaguar, puma, marguey, agouti, tree frogs, and countless other tropical species. The Lodge at Pico Bonito is surrounded by cacao trees, a favorite food of the agouti, which is a frequent visitor to the grounds. The flora of the area is truly spectacular with many species of orchids, bromeliads and heliconias. After our hike we will have some down time to relax poolside and to sip a cool drink before meeting with our nature guides to review the flora and fauna we observed during the day. There is an optional guided nighttime interpretive nature walk on the lodge grounds. Night: The Lodge at Pico Bonito.

Day 3: CUERO Y SALADO WILDLIFE REFUGE
The nearby coastal reserve of Cuero y Salado is a fauna-rich wetland ecosystem. We will travel into the heart of this amazing reserve that is home to hundreds of aquatic and terrestrial bird species as well as crocodiles and manatees. While exploring the 100,000+ acres of wetland, you will gain a sense of what the early explorers encountered along the north coast of Honduras and a perspective of the modern day threats.

Getting to the reserve is half the fun. It is accessible only by a narrow gauge railroad system that makes its slow and picturesque journey through the different habitats of the refuge. Night: The Lodge at Pico Bonito.

Day 4: ZACATE WATERFALL HIKE / FLY: LA CEIBA TO THE BAY ISLAND OF UTILA
In the morning we will drive to the eastern end of the national park for a hike to the Zacate waterfall. The cool waters of the natural pools at the base of the falls will be a refreshing reward at the end of this hike.

After lunch we will transfer to the airport at La Ceiba for the short flight to the Caribbean Island of Utila. Famous for its buccaneer history, we will have time to explore this uniquely Caribbean British town with its many shops and restaurants. The Bay Islands are a submerged geographic extension of the Sierra de Omoa mountain range, with the tips of the high peaks forming the three main Bay Islands - Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja. Utila is one of the only places on earth where 45 foot long whale sharks can be consistently seen. Night: Mango Inn, Utila.

Day 5: UTILA, BAY ISLANDS
Utila island lies just to the west of Roatan Island, but could easily be in another country as Utila is decidedly Caribbean in "temperament". The sparsely populated island boasts the fledging Turtle Bay Nature Reserve, home to the endemic black iguana and an important sea turtle nesting area. After breakfast, we will take a boat tour out to explore the lave flats, located on the unpopulated north coast of the island.

The Bay Islands, and Utila in particular, have some of the best reef systems in the world because of their location on the edge of the continental shelf. Some 96% of all the species of marine life known to inhabit the Caribbean have been identified in the waters surrounding the Bay Islands. This creates unparalleled snorkeling opportunities. Both shallow water (3 - 7 feet deep) and deeper water (10 - 30 feet) snorkeling will be available..

For the land-lubber, Utila is home to many caves, rumored to hold the gold chests of pirates from yesteryear. There will be a optional hike to investigate some of these nearby caverns. In the evening there will be the option to go to the local movie theater to view a documentary on Utila, many of whose characters you will recognize from our day on the island. Also during our stay on the island we will have an overview of the conservation efforts by the Bay Island Conservation Association and a visit to the Iguana Research Station, devoted to the endemic black iguana. Night: Mango Inn, Utila.

Day 6 & 7: UTILA/SAN PEDRO SULA/ COPAN
After a short flight we will transfer to our vans for the scenic three-hour drive to the historic Copan Ruins. The lush highlands of Copan boast some of the best birding opportunities in Mesoamerica. In our two days in the area we will visit a butterfly farm, tour the famous Copan Maya Archeology Site, and explore the rich highland ecosystem that surrounds this mystical area. Nights: Casa de Café, Copan.

Day 8: Copan / Transfer to Airport and connections home

Accommodations Listing
The Lodge at Pico Bonito, 4 Star, small luxury lodge of the world member, spectacular setting, beautiful grounds and cabanas.
Mango Inn, Utila, 2.5 Star, beautiful Caribbean style inn, excellent restaurant, nice landscaping.
Casa de Café, Copan, 2.5 Star, charming B&B, a few blocks from central square, beautiful veranda, colonial style.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
By participating on this tour, you will be directly providing financial support to the vital conservation work of our local hosts, Foundation Pico Bonito National Park and the Honduran Ecological Network for Sustainable Development.

This is a trip to one of the more spectacular areas of Mesoamerica. It provides the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and solitude of some of the most pristine protected areas remaining in our hemisphere. Viewing wildlife in the rain forest can be frustrating. With the thick vegetative cover, one must proceed patiently and cover an area thoroughly. The probability of seeing toucans, trogons and parrots is good; the probability of seeing a jaguar or tapir is poor (but we may see some sign). For orchid, bromeliad and heliconia enthusiasts, we can guarantee numerous sightings (plants are nice that way).

It is not a particularly rigorous trip but will involve some moderate to strenuous walking and hill climbing. This tour should only be taken by persons who are in good health. The trails are in very good condition. However, there is a limestone base and loose rocks are common. Light weight hiking boots with strong ankle support are recommended.

Honduras is a developing country and basic infrastructure is often at a level less than what we are used to in the United States. While our accommodations are very good, all with air-conditioning/ceiling fans, hot water, and in spectacular locations; there will be limited access to international phone service, faxes and e-mails. Meal service is leisurely, arrival and departure times subject to change, and everything can be subject to an overall inefficiency we do not encounter in the US. It is, however, a wonderful, vibrant culture and people are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Relax! You're on vacation.

WEATHER:
The weather, depending on our location, will vary from warm and sunny to cloudy, misty, foggy or rainy. We can expect daytime temperature highs in the mid 80s to low 90s in the lowlands, and the highlands around Copan can be a bit cooler, with highs in the low 80s and 60s at night. Precipitation is one of the key factors in creating the rain forest ecosystem and we can expect heavy rain any day even in the dry season.

TOUR SIZE:
This tour will be limited to a maximum of 16 participants and a minimum of 8 participants.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
A US passport valid beyond your anticipated date of return to the US and tourist card (available on arrival) is required. Currently no visas or immunization certificates are required. Those with foreign passports should contact the Embassy of Honduras for details.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS:
The fee for the tour is $2,475 per person based on double occupancy from San Pedro Sula. Single rates are an additional $550. This includes all food, three meals per day, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8; all lodging for 7 nights during the tour; ground transportation; domestic flights from La Ceiba to Utila and Utila to San Pedro Sula; and guide services provided by the tour leaders and local conservation professionals. It does not include tips for tour leader or local day trip guides, international airfare, departure tax, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, passport fees, 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. An additional pick-up/drop-off fee may be charged for arrivals and departures from regularly scheduled international flights.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS:
For comprehensive information please contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the Internet at www.cdc.gov or by phone at 404-332-4559. The CDC information is a comprehensive listing of any disease reported in a particular region or state. Honduras is included with Central America. We have not had any problems with diseases. Please consult a health care professional with any questions.

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES:
Currently there are no travel advisories for traveling in Honduras. You will be updated on any significant developments that pertain to our trip. http://travel.state.gov

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Refunds are made according to the following schedule: If cancellation is made eighty days or more before departure date, the deposit less $150 is refundable. If cancellation is made between seventy-nine and sixty 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 fifty-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 which you will receive upon registration.

If the Mesoamerican Ecotourism Alliance (MEA) cancels the tour or the tour must be postponed during a time period starting seven days before tour departure and /or through the duration of the tour, MEA will refund all money recoverable through our agents, not yet spent and/or all refundable deposits. MEA reserves the right to cancel, postpone or suspend any tour based on the judgment of MEA, its staff and representatives, in order to insure the safety of our guests.

RESPONSIBILITY:
MEA, 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. 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 owner's risk.