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Belize - Tikal 2011
Dates : Feb 16 - 28
Cost : $2859US - per person double occupancy
$3159US - single
The price is all inclusive. Price does not include international airfare, end of trip tips to Guide and Driver, Items of a personal nature, laundry, souvenirs and alcoholic beverages.
Tour Leader : Alfredo Scott - Partner Wildbird Tours-Canada, Operator Wildbird A Tours-Costa Rica
Birding Guide : Hector Bol
Hector lives in Belize but was first introduced to birds by Elizabeth Mallory of Manomet Bird Observatory in 1989, now Manomet Center for Environmental Sciences. He has a degree in Natural Resources Management from Durango, Mexico. He is one of the few guides certified to lead tours inside the ATM cave. Part of the International Intern Program held at the Joppa Flats Education Center in Massachusetts; program set up by Mass Audubon and the American Birding Association. Certified as a mist netting and bird banding assistant.
Overview :
Belize is one of the most environmentally conscious countries in the Americas. Thanks in part to its small population, over 60% of its 23,000 sq. kms. have been protected. This protection has allowed the birds and wildlife to continue to flourish. Over 600 bird species have been recorded within its borders and along its reefs. The colorful Keel-billed Toucan is the national bird of Belize.
However, one cannot go to Belize without visiting the famous ruins of the ancient civilizations that thrived there.
Day 1. For those who arrive today the Tour Leader, Guide and Driver will meet them at the airport.
We depart for the Crooked Tree Area which lies in the central - north region of Belize. The normal 1 ˝ hour drive could take longer because of the birding opportunities along the way. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a 16,400 acres mosaic of wetland and terrestrial habitats like freshwater lagoons, marsh forest, broadleaf forest and pine/oak savanna. This makes it one of the best birding destinations in Belize. Of particular interest is the number of nesting Jabiru. In total, 276 species have been spotted at Crooked Tree. We can be sure to see a wide array of other wildlife as well, like black bowler monkeys and Central American otters and the growing number of Morelet's Crocodile. No meals included Crooked Tree Lodge
Day 2. Fruit and coffee start the day then some birding by boat on the Crooked Tree Lagoon. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the trails of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary .The Sanctuary was designated Belize’s first Ramsar site in 1998. Crooked Tree Lodge
Day 3. Early morning bird walk around the village before breakfast, then we transfer to Cayo District. Normally a 2 hour drive but we will take longer because we will bird the habitat along the route as well as a stop at the Belize Zoo - an excellent place for birds. Lunch en route to San Ignacio located on central-west Belize.
Windy Hill Lodge
Day 4 . Early morning birding on grounds of hotel will start the day. After breakfast we drive to El Pilar to do some more birding. El Pilar is considered by many as one of the finest bird-watching sites in Western Belize. As a Maya flora and fauna reserve it provides us with an insight into Belize's sub-tropical forests. It is an excellent place for birding, hiking, and general nature study. This area is of great archaelogical importantance. It has been included as one of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World by the World Monument Fund's, along with such sites as Pompeii, the Taj Mahal and Ankor Wat.
Pilar is one of Belize's largest Classic Maya centres and has not yet been excavated. Its 100 acre comprise Middle Pre-Classic and Late Classic Mayan sites. Thus far, 12 pyramids and 25 plazas have been found there.
Windy Hill Lodge
Day 5. More early morning birding and then after breakfast we head to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve which is located in the heart of Belize. Consisting of mostly pine trees, broadleaf forests shrubs, grasses and sedges, this type of habitat renders it a good birding destination for unique species. The reserve is on of the critical raptor hotspots of Central America for both resident and migrant species. This unique and mostly uninhabited habitat is cut by many ravine and canyon streams. This means many different eco-zones are formed here resulting in a high number of endemic species. The area is alsohome to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country such as Big Rock Falls, Hidden Valley Falls, and Butterfly Falls.
Windy Hill Lodge
Day 6. Depart to Tikal in Guatemala. Tikal (meaning city of voices) is one of the new seven wonders of the modern world. It was a vibrant centre of the Mayan civilization in the past. Today it is a National Park situated in prime tropical rain forest and home to 410 species of birds. Not many other places in the world combine excellent birding and a fantastic archaelogical site of 16 square miles. Archeologists estimate there are approximately 13,000 structures on the site ranging from palaces for nobility, to temples, to places of sacrifice. Our hotel Jungle Lodge is located inside the Park and not 5 minutes from the entrance to the ruins themselves
Jungle Lodge
Day 7. Full day in Tikal Jungle Lodge
Day 8. Guatemala to Toledo- Belize. Toledo is the southernmost district in Belize and is visited by birdwatchers all year round because of the Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary. It covers 5,492 acres of land and water and is considered the best birding site in southern Belize. The diversity of its native and migratory bird species, the myriad number of ecosystems including rainforests, lagoons, and grasslands are found nowhere else in Belize. This makes it one of the premier birding destinations in the entire Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.
Big Falls Lodge
Day 9. We spend a full day in the Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary, birdng and exploring some of the three big lakes found her as well as the surrounding areas.
Big Falls Lodge
Day 10. In the morning we drive to Belize City where we board a water taxi to take us to the cayes. The cayes, the offshore atolls and the barrier reef are some of the main attractions of Belize. The barrier reef, which is 300 kilometres in length, is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are islands that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef. There are many mangrove and forested areas which are good place to get in some birding. More than 190 species of resident and migrant birds have been identified on Caye Caulker, some of which are rarely seen elsewhere. Seaside Cabanas
Day 11. Birding the cayes. The Caye Caulker Forest and Marine Reserve is located on the northern most 100 acres of the island. Miles of reef, grass flats, lagoons and mangroves are now part of this protected forest and marine reserve system.Seaside Cabanas
Day 12. Day off at the cayes Seaside Cabanas
Day 13. Departure .
Flying directly to Philip Goldson International Airport . breakfast
Inclusive: Transport, accomodation, boat trips, park fees, two birding guides and archaeologist guide, 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners, water taxi, domestic flights.
Exclusive extras on this package shall be: tips, items of personal nature, travel insurance and airport
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