Available to Club Members Only.
Visit Belize and combine tropical nature with Mayan Archaeology and culture featuring Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, Lamanai and Caracol ruins and Crooked Tree Bird Sanctuary. It offers the chance to visit some of the less trodden and emerging regions of this fascinating and diverse Central American Nation.
Itinerary
Day 1 Flight to Belize (D)
Morning flight to Belize City where you will be met by and transferred Crooked Tree Sanctuary located one hour North of the airport. 2 nights Bird's Eye Lodge.
Day 2 Crooked Tree Sanctuary / Lamanai (B,L,D)
From Bird's Eye Lodge we will head to Tower hill to board a boat for a scenic journey up the New River to Lamanai. Along the way guests can observe the characteristic flora and fauna of swamps as well as varied wildlife including several kingfishers, Black-collared Hawks and maybe even crocodiles. Lamanai is one of Belize's largest ceremonial centers. It's name means "submerged crocodile" in the Mayan language and many representations of the crocodile can be found here. This site, situated along the New River Lagoon, features monumental architecture of temples and palaces dating from the Classic and PreClassic Periods. The Great Mask is one of the distinctive features of Lamanai. There will be opportunities to paint or sketch. After a tour of this site with lunch included guests will journey back via boat and land. Overnight at Bird's Eye lodge.
Day 3 Crooked Tree Sanctuary/San Ignacio (B,L)
Morning to explore the lagoon and shoreline, and departure to the Western region of Belize. Enroute a stop at the Belize Zoo. 3 nights Black Rock Resort. On arrival at our jungle lodge, an orientation around the grounds, a great area for nature watching.
Day 4 Macal River/Medicine Trail (B,L,D)
The Macal River originates in the Maya Mountains of Belize and flows down to the town of San Ignacio. In San Ignacio, the Macal and Mopan River conjoin to form the Old Belize River that flows to Belize City and empties into the Caribbean. We begin the canoe trip at Negroman Farm about 14 miles upstream from San Ignacio. The trip is all downstream and therefore is not a very strenuous paddle. Along the way you will see huge iguanas and many species of birds. You may even see a troop or two of howler monkeys. A stop at the Rainforest Medicine Trail will give you a chance to stretch your legs and get an introduction to many of the medicinal plants of the Belize rain forest. Those wishing to continue paddling may do so while the option of returning to the hotel is also available.
Day 5 Caracol (B,L,D)
Discovered in 1938 and later explored in the 1950’s, Caracol was thought to be little more than a Maya ceremonial center. It was not until more extensive excavation efforts began in 1985 that the importance and expanse of Caracol became known. In 1986, a round, elaborately carved altar stone was uncovered which described a victory by Caracol over Tikal, once considered to be the most powerful Maya metropolis. This discovery filled an important missing piece of Maya history, covering approximately 140 years in the Middle Classic period, and positioned Caracol as the “Supreme” Maya city. The largest pyramid at Caracol, the Canaa, (Maya for “sky place”) rises 140 feet and is the tallest man-made structure in all of Belize. This will be a full day departing at 7:30am and returning at about 6pm and will include a drive through the Mountain Pine forest region where a scenic combination of cool pine forests, tumbling streams, lush river valleys, caves and waterfalls compliment the day.
Day 6 Departure (B)
Morning to explore the trails of the resort, and departure to the Belize airport for the flight home. Extensions on an individual basis.
Add a 2 night extension to Tikal, Guatemala including transfers from San Ignacio, 2 nights accommodation in Tikal National Park, and 2 days of guided visits to this incredible Mayan archeology site
