Day 2
BELIZE RIVER / CARACOL
After breakfast and early morning birding we travel through the Mountain Pine Ridge to the rainforests of the Vaca Plateau adjoining the Maya Mountains. We continue on to the sprawling Mayan ruins of Caracol located deep in the rainforest beyond the mountains. Caracol was once a rival of Tikal and there are Maya carvings on temples that commemorate Caracol’s victory and domination over Tikal – though we can’t really be sure all the victories were in warfare or if some may have been in sporting events. The ruins of Caracol are truly spectacular but they are less often visited by tourists even though there is now an all-weather road that takes us there. We return by way of Rio On Pools where we stop for a swim in the pools formed by this mountain river cascading over huge boulders. We are back at Warrie Head Lodge late in the afternoon but in time to freshen up before enjoying a home-cooked dinner. Every night possible we take an evening walk in search of nocturnal creatures. Not only will we spot interesting things but the sounds are incredible. B,L,D

Day 3
MACAL RIVER
This morning we travel to the western part of the Cayo District to a location upstream on the Macal River where canoes are waiting. First we take a walk through the jungle to learn about the abundant medicinal plants that grow in Belize. Many of these plants have proven their worth in modern Western medicine, and the benefits of many more have yet to be discovered. The New York Botanical Garden and the National Cancer Institute have been involved in research projects here. Then we visit a butterfly farm and nature center where we learn about the life cycle of the beautiful blue morpho butterfly. We have lunch at Chaa Creek and then board our canoes and paddle leisurely down this beautiful tropical river observing a variety of birds and animals including huge iguanas sunning themselves on tree branches overhanging the river. Stops are made often all along the river as there is much to see prior to arriving in San Ignacio, where our vehicle is waiting. We return to our lodge to make entries in our journals or to enjoy the surroundings before our last home-cooked meal with Miss Lydia at Warrie Head Lodge. B,L,D

Day 4
BELIZE ZOO / BLUE HOLE / COCKSCOMB BASIN JAGUAR PRESERVE
After breakfast, we travel on the Western Highway to the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center for a close-up look at native jungle animals and to learn of the conservation projects and environmental education work sponsored by the zoo. If time permits we make a stop at the market in Belmopan, the capital. Then we take a short hike through the forest at Blue Hole National Park. There is time for a swim in the refreshing water and time to investigate the site of emergence where the underground river breaks through the limestone surface, continuing for about 150 yards before disappearing back into the limestone bedrock. Afterwards we continue our travel southeast across Belize on the Hummingbird Highway, the most scenic road in Belize. We are soon driving out of the mountains and back into coastal savannahs on our way to the village of Maya Center, the access point for the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve. Created by the Belize government in 1984, the Jaguar Preserve was the first protected area dedicated to jaguar management, thus this vast area is managed specifically for this elusive cat. This unique sanctuary covers an area of about 150 square miles of tropical forest and is the culmination of many years of work and perseverance by individuals and organizations. Our accommodations are simple and we spend the next two nights here as our base in order to fully explore the preserve and to visit the southern part of Belize. B,L,D

Day 5
COCKSCOMB BASIN JAGUAR PRESERVE / MONKEY RIVER
This morning we travel out of the preserve and down the Southern Highway to Monkey River. The Belize Institute’s Educators of Excellence program has been a supporter of the school here at Monkey River Town for many years and we have the opportunity today to visit the school and learn about their current activities and future projects. Students range in grade level from pre-Kindergarten to eighth grade. Lunch is prepared for us at Clive’s and then we return to the Cockscomb Basin. Later this afternoon we explore the forest of the Jaguar Preserve and also enjoy a swim in the cool refreshing water of Stann Creek River. There are four other wild cats roaming the Southern Maya Mountains – margay, ocelot, jaguarundi and puma. Due to their nocturnal behavior, it is very unlikely that we will see jaguar. We do, however, have a good chance of finding evidence that these big cats are still found in this area. Tracks and occasionally scat or even signs of a recent kill can be found. Only the extremely lucky are privileged or fortunate enough to observe a jaguar in the wild. This evening we take another walk in the forest searching for nocturnal creatures, so again we have the chance of a jaguar encounter. B,L,D

Day 6
COCKSCOMB BASIN JAGUAR PRESERVE / DANGRIGA / SOUTH WATER CAYE
Before leaving the Jaguar Preserve this morning we have time for a hike to the Cockscomb Basin waterfall where we have often seen jaguar tracks in the past. Then we drive up the Caribbean coast to the town of Dangriga where lunch is waiting at Pelican Beach. Afterwards our boat takes us to the island of South Water Caye. It is located directly on the Barrier Reef of Belize, second largest in the world and largest in the Western Hemisphere. South Water Caye is a small island of white sands and coconut palms and our accommodations are located right at the water’s edge. It is a choice location because there is great snorkeling right from the beach. Of course our meals will feature fresh seafood along with home grown vegetables and fruits. This afternoon we have an orientation to the island and the barrier reef before practicing our snorkeling skills for as long as we like along the inner reef. B,L,D

Day 7
SOUTH WATER CAYE MARINE RESERVE
This morning we board our boats for a snorkeling excursion to some of the great sites in the calm, protected waters of South Water Marine Reserve, the largest marine park in Belize. The coral is fabulous and some of fascinating fish we are likely to see include rainbow parrotfish, Nassau grouper and spotted eagle ray. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy more snorkeling right from the beach. If marine water conditions are good then after dinner we snorkel from the beach at night, with lights, in order to see how the colors change as the coral opens up. This is truly a remarkable activity and one that opens the door to tremendous marine environmental education and learning. Tonight we will set up a turtle watch because in the past we have seen both loggerhead and hawksbill sea-turtles coming up to the beach at night to lay their eggs. In addition, occasionally newly emerged baby loggerhead turtles can be found as they “elevator up” through the sand and then crawl franticly towards the ocean where they will spend much of their life at sea. B,L,D

Day 8
SOUTH WATER CAYE
After breakfast we enjoy a great day on our tropical island as we go out snorkeling again by boat. First we visit a caye commonly known as Bird Island where we find magnificent frigatebirds, brown boobies and brown pelicans. Next we visit the mangroves on Twin Cayes where we divide into small groups for snorkeling to investigate the marine life there. Mangroves are nurseries for baby sea creatures and here we may see baby snappers, barracuda, sea-stars, rays, sergeant majors and sea urchins along with a large number of upside down jellies, which at times cover the sea floor. In addition to these wonderful snorkeling sites we also visit Carrie Bow Caye, the location of the Smithsonian’s marine research facility. Here we are briefed by the station manager and researchers about the types of research projects currently underway at the station and in the labs. The afternoon is completely free for more snorkeling or to just relax and enjoy the beach. Tonight we have entertainment planned as a special treat. B,L,D

Day 9
SOUTH WATER CAYE / DANGRIGA / BELIZE CITY / USA
Breakfast is early and then we say goodbye to our extended Belize family and travel again by boat to Dangriga where our vehicle is waiting to take us overland to Belize International Airport. Here we catch our flight back to the USA and home. B

B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner