Belize Holiday

Belize Holiday Itinerary:

• Day 1

  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 our hotel will be arranged for trip participants arriving into Belize today. Dinner included.

• Day 2

  Today we transfer to the trailhead of our cave expedition; a short hike through the jungle brings us to the entrance of this famous river cave. After an hour of caving we come to the Mayan ritual site where ancient Maya pottery and skeletons left from past rituals can be seen!! Lunch will be taken at the exit of the cave before returning to our lodge. All meals included.

• Day 3

  After breakfast and a leisurely morning at our lodge, we connect with our motor charter that takes us offshore to our basecamp at Lighthouse Reef Atoll arriving in time for lunch.
  
  To begin, the guides provide instruction in the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and safety in the tropics. All meals included.

• Day 4

  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.
  
  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 landmark 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 spread over the park’s 45 acres. Many species of birds nest on the island, including a colony of 4,000 red-footed boobies 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

  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 Halfmoon Wall for a spectacular drift snorkel over the undersea cliff of the atoll. All meals included.

• Day 6

  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

  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 comb the beaches before the motor charter arrives for the return trip to the mainland. We transfer to the Birds Eye View Lodge in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. All meals included.

• Day 8

  After a nice breakfast, the group departs for the Mayan Ruins of Lamanai.  This day of exploration includes a complete guided tour, visiting the many temples, plazas, palaces and museums within the park boundaries.
  
  Once we have a chance to tour the ruins, we depart Lamanai by boat for a scenic ride into the Crooked Tree area where we have tremendous birding and wildlife viewing opportunities; iguanas, parrots, toucans and even Morlette Crocodiles can be seen along the banks of the new River Lagoon. Overnight at Birds Eye View Lodge. All meals included.

• Day 9

  An early morning coffee and binoculars in hand, we enjoy the waking wilderness and many hundreds of birds feeding along the shores of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Lagoons. The protected area was created in 1984 primarily to preserve resident and migratory birds, and consists of a network of inland lagoons, swamps and waterways that shelter one of the world's largest flying birds, the jabiru stork (jabiru mycteria.). After breakfast we have time to relax and gather our bags before departing to the Mayan site of Altun Ha, enroute to Belize City. Considered one of the major Mayan ceremonial centres of Belize, Altun Ha also functioned as an important trading center between the interior and the Caribbean during the classic period (250-900 A.D.) However, Altun Ha has been dated as far back as 600 B.C. Within the site, there are more than 275 structures and there are up to 250 to 300 unexcavated mounds. After we tour the site, we continue to Belize City to catch our flights home.

Due to limited availability, single rooms/tents will not be available for these holiday departures. If you are traveling alone, we will automatically match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to, you will be asked to pay a single supplement of $450.

All meals; accommodations and transfers described in tour; unlimited use of equipment and facilities; professional guide and sports instruction services with Belizean and North American leaders; financial support for conservation and education programs in Belize.

Air transportation to/from Belize & airport departure tax, gratuities; snorkeling or dive gear & scuba diving fees; alcoholic beverages; extra costs due to late arrivals and other circumstances beyond our control.

This trip is rated as Easy Active [2]. Participants should enjoy hiking/walking and arrive in good physical condition. Daily hikes/walks may include some short, steep ascents and descents and climbing numerous flights of stairs at various ruins complexes. We highly recommend a conditioning regimen consisting of activities such as hiking, jogging, stair-climbing or cycling beginning several months prior to departure to get in shape for the adventure.

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.

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 within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, 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.

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