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The
Setting...
On
this adventure, we experience the very best that Belize
has to offer. From the Belize International Airport
we take you directly to our accommodations situated
alongside the Tropical Education Center and Belize Zoo.
From here we journey into the Cayo to visit an ancient
Mayan ceremonial cave, then travel east to the main
Barrier Reef and beyond to Glover's Atoll. The Barrier
Reef, which runs 185 miles (300 km) long, 10 to 25 miles
(16 to 35 km) offshore, is the longest continuous reef
in the Caribbean and the second longest in the world.
Spread along the reef are over 200 cays, ranging from
small sand-fringed islands perched along the reefs edge,
to larger islands of mangroves and coconut palms.
After
two nights on the main reef, we travel by motor launch
twenty miles further offshore to Glover's Atoll--a remote
ring of corals and small islands rising from the deep
waters of the Caribbean. Glovers Atoll, with an unparalleled
diversity and abundance of marine life and with reef
strewn waters, offers some of the best snorkeling in
Belize. Our island base camp is the perfect setting
from which to actively explore the surrounding waters,
which contains over 700 patch reefs. The waters of Belize
have long been known as the richest in the Caribbean,
and Glovers is one of the best in Belize!
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| After
our exploration of the Barrier Reef and Glovers Atoll
we return to the mainland and travel into the deep south
of the Toledo district to luxuriate at one of the finer
lodges in Belize-The Lodge at Big Falls. The next day,
we travel by van and four-wheel drive to our river put-in.
We begin our river journey by teaching river safety and
paddling techniques before paddling into some of Belize's
most remote and pristine wilderness. Once on the water,
we are immersed in the experience of traveling by day
and camping at night in the tropical rainforest. Our last
night's accommodation is at Belize Biltmore Plaza where
we enjoy a dip in the pool, a comfortable room, and a
hot shower. The next morning you are free to make your
way back to the Belize International Airport, or travel
further in Belize |
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Typical
Daily Itinerary:
Day
0 : Arrive
at the Belize International Airport where you will be
met by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred
to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the Belize
Zoo. After checking into our accommodations we enjoy
a welcome dinner and have a chance to meet our fellow
travelers. We are able to experience the surrounding
tropical pine savannah habitat through a network of
trails and raised wildlife viewing platforms. We also
have a unique and exclusive nocturnal tour of the Belize
Zoo with one of the senior zookeepers, which helps us
understand the diverse ecology of Belize, and is an
ideal starting point for the adventure ahead. This
day is your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet
your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new tropical
environment.
Transfers from the airport and lodging are included
Accommodation: (Lodge)
Meals: Dinner
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Day
1 : We rise early
to start todays extraordinary journey, which takes us
deep into the Mayan underworld known as Xilbalba (shil-balba),
a mythical realm inhabited by spirits and powerful gods,
an underworld of untold fears and dreams where Mayan shaman,
in supposition to the gods, ventured into darkness to
conduct their secretive rituals. As we venture underground
into the caves, we learn from our guides how the caves
played an important role in the ancient Maya civilization
and about ongoing archaeological research taking place
underground in Belize. After our cave visit, we travel
the Hummingbird Route to meet up with our motor charter,
on the coast by the town of Dangriga. We head out to the
southern Barrier Reef and arrive at our camp in time to
settle in, have dinner and plan our next two days on the
barrier reef.
Accommodation: (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day
2 : We rise early
for a breakfast on the beach. We then focus on our introduction
to sea kayaking and get comfortable with the gear. We
start by teaching and reviewing the fundamentals of sea
kayaking and introduce everyone to ocean touring techniques.
We test our new found skills with a paddle out to the
main reef to snorkel along the inner reef wall or patch
reefs. Depending on sea conditions, a snorkel along the
outside reef edge may be possible. Our paddle back to
our camp takes us past mangrove ranges and protected lagoons.
Out on the reef, our guides share their knowledge of Belize,
the marine environments and local culture.
Accommodation: (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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3 : After breakfast
and a morning of paddling and snorkeling, our motor charter
returns to take us 20 miles east of the main Barrier Reef
to Glovers Reef Atoll, a National Marine Park and designated
World Heritage site. We land at park headquarters on Middle
Cay, with boats rigged and ready to sail. We sail our kayaks
along the eastern reef wall to our base camp at Southwest
Caye at the southern end of the atoll, surrounded by rich
coral reefs and beautiful turquoise waters. Tonight, we enjoy
an island feast of mixed grill of fresh seafood and vegetables
topped with Belizean coconut baking and tropical fruits.
Accommodation: (Base Camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day
4 & 5
: Glover’s is one of only four
atolls in the Caribbean Sea and is truly one of the most
spectacular marine environments in Belize. Due to its
isolation from the mainland the waters are exceptionally
clear with an incredibly rich reef system that offers
some of the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the
Caribbean. Our days are flexible in order to respond to
both group and individual desires and abilities. Activities
include: sea kayaking, snorkeling the inner and outer
walls of the reef, kayak sailing and windsurfing. For
those who are certified divers, we can also arrange dives
on the outer walls. If all this sounds a little busy,
you always have the choice of just kicking back in a hammock
and relaxing with a good book and a cold drink. On the
afternoon of Day 5, we transfer back to the mainland and
continue south to our jungle lodge in the Toledo district
of Belize to begin the next leg of our journey.
Accommodation: (Field Camp / The Lodge at Big
Falls - www.thelodgeatbigfalls.com)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day
6, 7 &
8 : The Lodge
at Big Falls is situated on the banks of the Rio Grande
river in Belize's southern Toledo District, a region
of isolated villages lying amongst an unspoiled tropical
wilderness. Our location is superb. The lodge property
is located on a meander of the river with almost a mile
of river frontage. There are views towards the Maya
Mountains to the north west while the south eastern
bank faces the small village of Big Falls. In the afternoon,
we drive further south from Big Falls to our put-in
point on the Moho river, stopping for lunch along the
way and visiting either the Mayan ruins of Lubaantun
or the traditional Maya village of Santa Theresa. Once
on the river, our guides provide a brief boat and river
orientation and we take as much time as we need to learn
and practice our new boat-handling skills, enabling
us to safely navigate the rapids and pour-overs. We
then begin our journey along one of Belize’s most
beautiful rivers through some pristine rainforest to
our first river camp.
For
these next days we break contact completely with the
outside world and become a part of the mist-shrouded
rainforest as we follow the Moho River through canyons
and lush rainforest. Each bend reveals the dynamic nature
of the river-from calm, meandering water that reflects
the intense green of the jungle to stretches of rapids,
pour-overs and spectacular waterfalls as the river descends
from the Maya Mountains to the sea. Depending on water
levels, some days we may reach our bush-camp by mid-afternoon
and switch to land-based activities. Hiking through
the forest, birding, plant and animal identification,
and photography are some of the many activities we engage
in. During the trip with our Mayan guides and North
American leaders, we emphasize understanding the ecology
of the rainforest, learning about the habits of the
wildlife and gaining an appreciation for the rich Mayan
folklore which adds so much to our experience in the
jungle.
Accommodation:
(Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day
9 : We continue
paddling downstream and arrive to the river pull out
in the afternoon, where we are met by IEC staff ready
to transport us back to Dangriga and onto a Maya Airways
domestic flight to our hotel accommodation to enjoy
a hot shower.
Accommodations: (Biltmore Plaza Hotel—www.belizebiltmore.com)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner is NOT Included in this night
Note:
This is one of our most adventurous
trips. It takes place in a remote wilderness region
of Belize. Participants need to be in good physical
condition and ready to handle the unexpected. Weather
conditions can greatly affect water levels and hiking
trails into the river and may increase the level of
difficulty. We also believe that the remoteness and
variability of conditions are what make this trip the
best of its kind in Belize. Trip itineraries may vary
significantly depending on water levels.
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What's
Included...
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All meals, accommodation, and transfers described in the
tour
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Unlimited use of our equipment and facilities
- Use
of waterproof dry bags for river portion of trip
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Accommodation on the day before the trip ('Day 0') and the
night after the trip ends
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Professional Guiding Services (both North American Leaders
and Belizean Guides)
- Transportation
back to Belize City after the trip
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One Scuba Dive for certified divers (at Glovers or on the
barrier reef)
What's
Not Included...
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Alcoholic Beverages
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Gratuities
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International Flights and Airport Departure Tax
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Personal Equipment
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Extra costs due to late arrivals, lost baggage and other
circumstances beyond our control
Accommodation...
On
'Day 0', we will be spending the night
at the Tropical Education Center, in cabanas set amongst
the pine forests. The Education Center and Belize Zoo
harbors Belize's largest collection of tropical animal,
a fantastic interpretative center, and has a great network
of trails and wildlife viewing platforms, perfect for
exploring the pine savannah setting. |
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On
Days 1 and 2 out on the cays, we are
practicing minimum impact camping to ensure the pristine
state of the wilderness remains for future visitors.
We stay in three person Mountain Hardwear tents, which
provide more than enough room for two people and gear.
We explore from our island camp the surrounding reef
flats, islands and patch reefs with an itinerary that
is flexible to adjust our activities to different conditions
we encounter.
On
Days 3 and 4 at Southwest Cay on Glovers,
we are "base camping" in tent-walled cabanas.
These spacious safari-style tents have ample headroom
and are outfitted with wood floors and wood-framed beds.
On the island, we have a fresh-water collection system
for drinking water, access to fresh-water showers, modern
composting toilets, a fully-equipped kitchen including
refrigeration, with a large dining area complete with
resource library and a field marine lab including microscope
and hand lenses. |
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Day 5 we will be staying at The Lodge
at Big Falls, located at the gateway of the Toledo District
in the deep south of Belize. (www.thelodgeatbigfalls.com)
This
spectacular resort is nessled in a unique bend in the
Rio Grande River, and houses a restaurant / main lodge,
and a number of small cabanas. Our accommodations for
the evening are beautifully furnished, thatched, roofed
cabanas, outfitted with ceiling fans and hot water showers.
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On
Days 6, 7, 8 we are camping in the remote
wilderness of the Upper Moho River, on the western boarder
of the Toledo District. We will be keeping our weight
and volume to a minimum, carrying our gear in the kayaks
from camp to camp. We stay in three-person Mountian Hardwear
tents, which provide ample room for two people and gear.
As we travel down the river, we use established bush camps,
but give ourselves the flexibility to adjust our schedule
for different conditions. |
On
the final night, we will spend the night
at the Biltmore Hotel (www.belizebiltmore.com).
This is a clean and comfortable hotel outside the city center.
You have a chance to get a good night’s sleep after
your adventure, maybe take a dip in the pool and prepare to
fly out or continue on independently.
A Note
About the Ecology...
Flora...
The
Belizean coast is a rich combination of coral reefs, sand
flats, mangroves ranges and coral sand islands. The barrier
reef structure shelters the Belizean coast from the open waters
of the Caribbean Sea. It acts as a huge breakwater to the
incoming swells, which as they break on the reef erode the
corals and deposit coral sand. From this action, we get beautiful,
sand-fringed islands and remarkable shallow water patch reefs.
Also, this "breakwater protects the diverse ecosystems of
the mangroves and turtle grass, which cover much of the coast.
These mangrove forests growing out of the sea provide rich
feeding and nursing grounds for many marine creatures and
countless birds.
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Broadleaf
rainforest covers approximately 60% of Belize's wooded
area. The year-round growing season, plentiful precipitation
during the rainy season (May- November) and millennia
of evolution has yielded this area with a complex and
tremendous diversity of plant life. A spongy mass of roots,
fungi, bacteria and microorganisms carpets the forest
floor, which rapidly breaks down any organic matter. Each
plant fulfills its own ecological niche, as the continuous
recycling of the decayed plant matter fuels new growth.
With this rich nutrient cycle a diverse range of plant
life, from the huge buttressed ceiba trees to the smallest
of fungi thrives. High above the forest floor is the enchanting
world of the broad-leafed canopy. The canopy may tower
100 ft and more, with massive hardwoods like santa maria,
mahogany and sapodilla trees forming a broad canopy and
in turning supporting many species of Epiphytes (air plants).
This habitat provides for a unique community of wildlife
and many species will spend most of their life inhabiting
the roof of the rainforest. |
Fauna...
While
traveling along the barrier reef, we will have the opportunity
to view a variety of sea-life and tropical birds. Paddling
from cay to cay and over the many patch reefs, we have
we will see fish like barracuda, bonefish, angel and parrot
fish, stingrays, conger, moray eels, goatfish, just to
name a few. Trailing a fishing line from our kayaks, we
also may get a chance at a tug from barracuda, grouper
or snapper. Birds do well on the cay's, we will see osprey,
royal terns and brown-footed boobies, frigate birds, mangrove
warblers, and sapsuckers. Throughout the barrier reef
and along the coast, there are nesting sites for loggerhead,
green and hawksbill turtles; if we're lucky, we may see
them while out snorkeling. We will definitely have a chance
to see and sample the main staple for Belizean fishermen,
the spiny lobster (in season) and the queen conch, a Caribbean
delicacy. |
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In
the rainforests of Belize we have great opportunities
to view wildlife. Hiking or paddling we see iguanas resting
in the branches of fig trees, we may hear the grunts and
snuffling as a herd of peccary(wild pigs) passes close
by. Large tropical birds are frequently sighted. We see
toucans with their oversized bills, flying ungainly from
one fruiting tree to the next. High overhead loud, raucous
squawking alerts us to the presence of scarlet macaw in
the river valley. Once in view, the size of the bird and
the splendor of their red and blue plumage is unmistakable.
There is also a multitude of falcons, hawks and vultures
scavenging and hunting from the sun-bright upper canopy
down to the mottled light of the forest floor. Also, found
in the southern Belizean rainforest are a number of often
bizarre mammals, the largest being Belize's national animal,
Baird's tapir- locally known as the mountain cow in Belize
is an animal unique to the New World tropics with a large
hippopotamus-like body and a long snout, much like the
fabled aardvark. The tapir, along with the white-lipped
and collared peccary, the jaguar, and the puma are some
of the larger mammals that inhabit the river valleys and
forests where we travel. |
Thinking
about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions
Co?
Ultimate Adventure combines well with a trip into
the remarkable Mayan Ruins of Belize. The Maya World Extension
gives you a great opportunity to visit some of the largest,
excavated, Mayan ruin sites in Belize and explore the remarkable
wildlife of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
Thinking
About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With close to two decades of exploration in Belize,
our knowledgeable office staff can offer you a wealth of travel
information. However, we do recommend that you read up on
Belize and find what interests you. Once you find an area
of interest, give our office a call, and we can help you plan
the best vacation possible!
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| 9
Days / 10 Nights |
$2269.00 USD & CAD
incl $235 Gov't Fees & Taxes
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Day
1 -
Trip Start Date |
Day
9 -
Trip End Date |
Day
10 -
Fly Home Date |
Dec 04 / 08
Dec 11 / 08
Dec 18 / 08
Dec 25 / 08
Jan 01 / 09
Jan 08 / 09
Jan 15 / 09
Jan 22 / 09
Jan 29 / 09
Feb 05 /09
Feb 12 / 09
Feb 19 / 09
Feb 26 / 09
Mar 05 / 09
Mar 12 / 09
Mar 19 / 09
Mar 26 / 09
Apr 02 / 09
Apr 16 / 09
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Dec 05 / 08
Dec 12 / 08
Dec 19 / 08
Dec 26 / 08
Jan 02 / 09
Jan 09 / 09
Jan 16 / 09
Jan 23 / 09
Jan 30 / 09
Feb 06 /09
Feb 13 / 09
Feb 20 / 09
Feb 27 / 09
Mar 06 / 09
Mar 13 / 09
Mar 20 / 09
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Apr 03 / 09
Apr 17 / 09
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Dec 13 / 08
Dec 20 / 08
Dec 27 / 08
Jan 03 / 09
Jan 10 / 09
Jan 17 / 09
Jan 24 / 09
Jan 31 / 09
Feb 07 / 09
Feb 14 / 09
Feb 21 / 09
Feb 28 / 09
Mar 07 / 09
Mar 14 / 09
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Mar 28 / 09
Apr 04 / 09
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Dec 14 / 08
Dec 21 / 08
Dec 28 / 08
Jan 04 / 09
Jan 11 / 09
Jan 18 / 09
Jan 25 / 09
Feb 01 / 09
Feb 08 / 09
Feb 15 / 09
Feb 22 / 09
Mar 01 / 09
Mar 08 / 09
Mar 15 / 09
Mar 22 / 09
Mar 29 / 09
Apr 05 / 09
Apr 12 / 09
Apr 26 / 09 |
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When
Planning Your Trip...Think of "Day 0"
With
Island Expeditions Co. a seven day trip means seven days in
the field, not 2 days of airline travel and 5 days of vacation.
So on all IEC adventures we meet you the day before the trip
is scheduled to begin. This is "Day 0" and has been
conceived for your convenience and comfort. "Day 0"
is your day to arrive in Belize before the trip starts, meet
your fellow travelers, and to acclimatize to your new tropical
environment. From there be it a short flight or a boat charter,
your transportation to meet up with your group on this day
and your accommodation on this night are included in the trip
cost. |
Our
Trips in Brief
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Coral Islands & Mayan Caves
Coral
Jaguar Expedition
Paradise
Islands
