|
|
|
|
Trip
Summary |
Begin
from: Belize City
End in: Belize City
Duration: 5 Days / 6 Nights
Trip Dates & Prices:See Trip Schedule at bottom of this
page
Group Size: 6-20
Guides: 2-4 Belizean Guides & North American Leaders.
Accommodation: 1 night lodge, 4 nights Halfmoon Caye Basecamp (Safari-style tent), 1 night hotel
Activities: sea kayaking instruction (first-time to advanced),
sea kayak sailing,
snorkeling, beaches and swimming,
inter-tidal exploration, reef & mangrove ecology,
sport fishing
history, optional scuba diving, and cultures of Belize |
View Lighthouse Reef Adventure in a larger map
Trip Route |
|
Lighthouse Reef Short - 5 Days / 6 Nights
A jewel of white sand cayes encircling Belize's richest Coral Reefs
The Setting…
The Setting…
We begin our trip with an introduction to the inland waterways of the Crooked Tree
Wildlife Sanctuary. Here we experience the astounding diversity of birds and wildlife for
which Belize is renowned. Located 33 miles northwest of Belize city the sanctuary provides
both the abundant food sources and the safe resting areas necessary to support a large and
diverse population of birds.
Our Journey to Lighthouse Atoll takes us 60 miles offshore to Belize’s most remote
and spectacular atoll. On our way to Lighthouse we weave our way through channels and
picturesque islands within Belize’s Barrier Reef, then after crossing the reef wall we enter a
keyhole passage and wind through narrow mangrove-lined channels to reach the eastern
Coral Wall of Turneffe Atoll and then continue another 20 miles to the world renowned
Lighthouse Reef Atoll and Half Moon Caye. One of only four coral atolls in the Caribbean,
Lighthouse is home to the famous Blue Hole. In 1972, Capt. Jacques Cousteau and the intrepid
crew of the Calypso explored and filmed this incredible atoll, exposing its amazing
underwater diversity to the world for the first time.
In partnership with the Belize Audubon Society, Island Expeditions Co. has established
an Adventure Camp within the Half Moon Cay Marine Reserve, opening up for the
first time this spectacular wilderness to kayakers, snorkelers adventurers. |
"For my family this was a special trip. It was much more than an organized tour, it was truly an eco-adventure on an island close to paradise. What was most special was the warmth and sense of family - developed over just 5 days. Truly extraordinary - one of our best trips ever - right down to the surprise birthday cake made by philip!"
Susan Ormiston
Lighthouse Reef
Mar 18, 2009
|
|
|
 |
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 Birds Eye View Lodge, in the Crooked
Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. After checking into our accommodations we have a chance to
meet our fellow travelers and enjoy a fine meal and as time permits explore Crooked
Tree Village, one of Belize’s oldest Creole Settlement. Transfers from the airport, dinner
activities and lodging are included. This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet
your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new tropical environment.
Accommodation: (Lodge) Meals: Dinner
Day 1: Coffee is served at sunrise, and with binoculars in hand, we enjoy the waking
wilderness and many hundreds of birds feeding right in front of the lodge along the
shores of the Crooked Tree lagoons. After a healthy Belizean breakfast we’ll embark by
boat to explore the area. Throughout the sanctuary we have tremendous birding and
wildlife opportunities: iguana, turtle, parrot, ibis and Morlet’s crocodile are frequently
seen.
Later in the morning, we’ll drive along the old Belize Road to the sea where we board
our motor charter that takes us through white sand cays and mangrove ranges, then
past the main barrier reef to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, at the furthest edge of the Belize
Reef System, 60miles offshore of the mainland. On reaching Halfmoon Cay your guide
team will orient you to our new island setting and settle you into your accommodations
and camp and enjoy a late lunch and an afternoon snorkel or kayak around Halfmoon Cay.
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Perhaps an early swim or before breakfast participate in a yoga session with
our resident yoga instructors ( yoga is not available on all departures please check our
website or call the office for a current schedule of trips with yoga instructors) After a
healthy Belizean breakfast we gather to plan the days activities. To begin our activities
the guides provide instruction; teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and
water safety on the sea. From this point we venture forth into a world that most of us
can only dream of; turquoise waters, solitary beaches and a remarkable abundance of
marine life surrounds us wherever we are. Over the next few days we have many options to explore, including a shipwreck that looms just north of the caye. In 1971, a ship named the Ermlund lost
power during a storm and was deposited on the reef by a large wave. This 4000 ton wreck sits silent as Due to it’s isolation
from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll are exceptionally clear with a fabulously rich reef system
that offers some of the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean.
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 3: The "aquarium" is today’s big adventure. We pack a hearty lunch and our snorkel gear in our kayaks and paddle with motor support. This dive spot is known for its profusion of fish and towering coral formations. We return home, stopping at the Half-moon Wall for a spectacular drift snorkel over the undersea cliff of the atoll.
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Today, we paddle along the protected waters of the southern reef to Long Caye where we have a chance to snorkel some of the atoll’s best patch reefs. After a full day of exploring, we return just in time for a wonderful seafood dinner prepared by our cooks.
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: For our last morning at Lighthouse, the choice is yours. Don a mask, snorkel and fins for a visit to a favorite patch reef enjoy walking the island trails or beach comb along the island beaches before the motor charter arrives to pick us up for the return boat trip back to the mainland. We transfer to the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel where the trip finishes.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
*NOTE: Due to the remoteness of the Lighthouse basecamp, the activities on the reef portion of this trip are weather dependent and the following itinerary is a ’guide,’ and will remain flexible and open to changes at the trip leaders’ discretion. |
 |
|
 |
Scuba Divers...
There are some great opportunities to dive at Lighthouse Reef. Optional diving is available for certified divers on certain days of the trip. Single tank dives are available from $50 US. Please let us know in advance if you are considering diving during the trip as we often need to make special arrangements in advance. We can also arrange a variety of dive packages before or after your trip. For further information please contact our office.
Equipment...
While at our private base-camp on Half-Moon Caye, our guests have unrestricted use of the following equipment: Double Kayaks (outfitted with special sails), Single Kayaks, Complete Research Library, Field Marine Lab and Weather Station. On the island, we are in communication with the mainland via Satellite phone.
What's Included...
- All meals (fully catered) while you are at our Half Moon Cay base-camp
- Some complimentary beer, wine or rum drinks
- Unlimited use of our Equipment and facilities
- Professional guide and sports instruction services with
- Belizean and North American leaders
- Accommodations described in the itinerary
- Half-moon Caye Marine Park user fee
- Comprehensive pre-trip information package
- Financial Support for Conservation and Education
programs in Belize
What's Not Included...
- Gratuities
- International Flights & Airport Departure Tax
- Snorkeling or Dive Gear & Scuba Diving fees
- Extra costs due to late Arrivals and other circumstances beyond our control
|
|
Accommodation…
On Day 0, we stay at the Birds Eye View Lodge, in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a wonderful place to be introduces to the inland flora and fauna of Belize, and a chance to explore one of Belize's oldest villages.
On Day 1 to 4 we are "base camping", sleeping in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents have ample headroom to walk around and are on raised wooden floors with double or single beds.
On the final night we will be arriving back to Belize city in the afternoon and transfer for the night at Belize Biltmore Hotel, located 3 1/2 miles north of Belize City. This is a modern and comfortable hotel, with a lovely central, courtyard and swimming pool to relax and unwind.
|
 |
|
5
Days / 6 Nights |
$1349.00 USD
incl $195 Gov't Fees & Taxes
|
|
|
Day
1 -
Trip Start Date |
Day
5 -
Trip End Date
|
Day
6 -
Fly Home Date |
19-Dec-10
11-Feb-11
15-Feb-11
30-Mar-11
|
20-Dec-10
12-Feb-11
16-Feb-11
31-Mar-11
|
24-Dec-10
16-Feb-11
20-Feb-11
04-Apr-11
|
25-Dec-10
17-Feb-11
21-Feb-11
05-Feb-11
|
|
|
 |
 |
Family Travel
At
IEC we enjoy traveling with families. Children lend a refreshing
perspective to the experience, which adults sometimes take
for granted. Knowing that travel budgets are especially important
we offer a price break to families with children. Not all
trips are suitable for younger children, however we find that
age is not a definite restriction; rather size and weight
of your children, experience and ability are the main determining
factors in choosing which trip is right for your family. Click here for our Children's pricing policy...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
