Belize Holiday

Belize Holiday Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Ahhhh. Feel the sun and warm tropical breezes of Belize.

  Your trip begins in Belize City, Belize. Your exact itinerary can be worked out with a member of the REI Adventures air department. A group transfer from the Belize City airport to San Ignacio, our destination for the next two days, will be provided. Driving time is approximately 2 hours. San Ignacio is in the western part of Belize and is situated on the banks of the Macal and Mopan rivers. Full of vibrant Belizean cultures like Mestizo, Creole and Mayan, San Ignacio is the heart and capital of the Cayo District. The Cayo District is known for its unspoiled mountain terrain, waterfalls, caves, colorful parrots, toucans and other exotic flora and fauna. After checking into our accommodations, we'll enjoy our first Belizean meal. Afterwards, we'll explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech in the evening. The ruins of Cahal Pech, sit on top of a hill and overlook the city of San Ignacio. The ruins date back to 900BC when it was a city of some importance. The site consists of 34 buildings with several plazas and pyramids. Dinner included.

• Day 2 Explore the mysteries of the Mayan underworld with a visit to Actun Tunichil Muknal cave and ceremonial site of Cahal Pech.

  Today, we'll start with a hearty breakfast at our hotel before transferring to the trailhead of our cave expedition which is about 45 minutes away. A short hike through the jungle brings us to the entrance of this famous river cave. Here, the rainforest covers the land and the ancient traditions of the Maya are still strong. We'll descend into the Actun Tunichil Caves to explore underground rivers, and astounding burial chambers, with pottery, stone tools and carved altars that have lain as is, for thousands of years. Lunch will be taken at the exit of the cave before returning to our lodge in San Ignacio. You'll have time to explore the town tonight. The streets are walkable and traffic is light. Most everything is about a 5 minute walk from downtown. Tonight's dinner will be on your own. Breakfast and lunch included.

• Days 3-4 Our destination today is Lighthouse Reef, renowned for its sheer abundance of marine life and thriving coral reefs.

  Get ready to see a completely different view of Belize today. After breakfast, we'll load up and head east in order to board our speed boat that will take us to Half Moon Caye and our basecamp for the next several nights.
  
  Due to its isolation from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll are exceptionally clear, with inspiring scenery and a fabulously rich reef system that offers some of the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. To begin, the guides provide instruction, teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and safety in the tropics.
  
  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 rusted wreck sits silent as a landmark and is one of many shipwrecks in the area that serve as a constant reminder of the hazards of navigating these waters. We also have ample opportunities to learn from our guides about the marine reef ecology and the island's mangrove and interior forest habitat that spread over the park's 45 acres. Many species of birds nest on the island, including a 4,000 red-footed booby colony for which the Audubon Society has built a series of viewing platforms to intimately observe the many nesting sites. And, of course, we always have the option of hanging out in a hammock with a good book and a cold drink! All meals included.

• Day 5 Today we'll make our way to the Blue Hole or "aquarium", made famous by legendary underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau.

  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 it's profusion of fish and towering coral formations. We return home, stopping at the Halfmoon Wall for a spectacular drift snorkel over the undersea cliff of the atoll. All meals included.

• Day 6 Paddle, snorkel or kayak sail the clear, turquoise waters surrounding our luxury base camp on Halfmoon Caye.

  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. All meals included.

• Day 7 Spend the day hammock swinging under a grove of palm trees against a back-drop of shimmering waters washing up on white-sand beaches.

  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 our hotel in Belize where we can relax by the pool and recount the highlights of the past week. Dinner on your own this evening.

• Day 8 Depart Belize City for flights home.

  Breakfast and airport transfer are on your own today. Or choose to extend your visit with the Maya World three-day extension. This short extension combines an exploration of Mayan ruins with a stay at a waterfront lodge in Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Crooked Tree provides a special opportunity for viewing, close at hand, the astounding diversity of birds and wildlife for which Belize is renowned.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

Not applicable for holiday departures. Minimum age for children is 8 years old.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are only two single rooms available on each departure.

All accommodations; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; airport transfer from Belize airport; transportation within Belize; local English-speaking guides; kayaks and gear (life vests, paddles, dry bags, etc.); Blue Hole fees; cave entry fees; government taxes.

Airfare to Belize, transfer from Belize City to airport; departure taxes; guide gratuities; items of a personal nature; dive gear & scuba diving fees; excess baggage charges or insurance of any kind.

Full payment is due at 90 days prior to the departure date. A special cancellation policy applies to all Belize holiday trips. Please note that the holiday departures cancellation policy is more strict than REI Adventures’ standard policy. Listed are the cancellation and penalties timeframe:
91+ days prior to departure – $400
61 to 90 days – 50% of trip cost
31 to 60 days – 75% of trip cost
0 to 30 days – 100% of trip cost

This trip is rated as Easy Active [2]. It is suitable for people of all ages who enjoy an active, adventurous, and educational vacation. We provide thorough expert skills instruction during our trips—no previous experience is needed to participate.

The climate of Belize is sub-tropical. Although we will be traveling during the dry season, the infrequent "northerly" can blow down from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing with it cooler temperatures and rain. Inland conditions can change quickly with afternoon thunderstorms and heavy rainfall commonly occurring. Typically, temperatures range from 70 - 100° F with high humidity during the day, dropping at night to 70 - 80°F. From December to May, conditions are usually clear, sunny and warm. December is generally cooler.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

The climate of Belize is sub-tropical. Temperatures range from 70 - 95°F during the day. Although we are traveling during the dry season, there can be the infrequent “Northerly” which blows down from the Gulf of Mexico bringing with it cooler temperatures and rain. Inland conditions can change quickly with afternoon thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall is common in some parts of the country. From December to May, conditions are usually clear, sunny and warm. December is generally cooler.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, hiking boots, a pair of shorts/shirt/fleece top/sandals and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax.
• Bring clothing that is light in weight and color, which ventilates and protects you from the sun. It is always good to have a lightweight, long-sleeve fleece or synthetic top, especially for the evenings.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Pack lotions that can help ease itching from bug bites.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
• Plastic bags are the key to keeping clothing and gear dry. Use Ziploc bags to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes.
• If you wear prescription glasses, use a safety cord and bring an extra pair if possible. Contact lens wearers should also bring an extra set, or bring eyeglasses for a backup.