Belize Bird-Watching - 10D/9N

Lamanai photo courtesy of Belize Tourist BoardBecause of Belize’s small population and lack of industry, much of the country has remained virtually undisturbed. Birders will enjoy the opportunity to observe hundreds of species. It is not uncommon to view 50 in a single outing. This tour captures the beauty of Punta Gorda, Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary, Mangrove Forest, High Forest, Mountain Pine Ridge area, and Lamanai.

Punta Gorda - The coastal town of Punta Gorda is the treasure that awaits at the southern end of the paved southern Highway. This highway is intersected with the Hummingbird Highway some 210 miles north in the Stann Creek District. Punta Gorda is a delightful blend of cultures sprinkled with travelers passing through to Honduras and Guatemala via the small port. Colorful markets are filled with local produce and vendors with household goods and clothing form neighboring countries.

Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary - Encompasses 5,492 acres and was declared a sanctuary in 1998. This sanctuary is critical for the preservation of biodiversity in Belize and the region. The lagoons are a feeding area for hundreds of waterfoul including wood storks, endangered jabiru storks, black-bellied whistling ducks, sandpipers, and others. Many of the birds live year-round in the sanctuary and others use it as a transmigration point on their seasonal journey through the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. The Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary plays a vital role in flood control and water purification. Its wetlands act as a filter for the Moho River Watershed, holding and cleansing runoff and floodwaters before they travel through the adjacent villages to the Gulf of Honduras.

Lamanai - One of Belize’s largest Maya centers, sits on the bank of the 30 mile long New River Lagoon in the Orange Walk District. Lamanai features monumental architecture of temples and palaces datin from the Classic and Pre-Classic periods. Set in tropical rain forest and providing spectacular views from several of tis large temples, Lamanai provides a unique glimpse into the culture of the Maya and the biological diversity of the tropical forest. Lamanai was continuously occupied for over 3000 years, up until European contact. The Archaeological Reserve not only contains a museum with ancient Maya artifacts, but visitors can also see the remnants of two 16th century Spanish churches and a colonial sugar mill established in 1860.

Accomodations and Services

  • Superior Hotels: • Chaa Creek - Cottage Rooms in Cayo District • Chan Chich in Orange Walk District • Lodge at Big Falls – Standard Room in Punta Gorda Area • Turtle Inn - Seafront Cottage in Placencia • Victoria House – Plantation Room – Ambergris Caye • Kanantik - Standard Cabana - South Coast Meals: • American breakfast throughout Guides & Tours: • Private minibus transfers at all times - Tours might not be private

  • Standard Hotels: • Pooks Hill – Standard Cabana in Cayo District • Lamanai Outpost Lodge – Superior Gardenview room in Orange Walk District • Lodge at Big Falls – Standard Room in Punta Gorda Area • Roberts Grove – 1st Floor Standard Beachview Room in Placencia • Ramons Village – Beachfront – Ambergris Caye Meals: • Continental breakfast throughout Guides & Tours: • Private minibus transfers at all times. Tours might not be private

Included: Services as specified in the selected level.
Not Included: Any airfare, passport and visa expenses, governmental arrival and departure taxes, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended), excess baggage charges, all items of a personal nature and any services not specifically indicated as included.

Belize City photo courtesy of Belize Tourist BoardDaily Itinerary

  • Day 1 Punta Gorda (D) (Unguided Flight) - Upon arrival to Belize International airport check-in and connecting flight to Punta Gorda. Lodge at Big Falls 4N.
  • Day 2 Bird watching & Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary (B,L,D) (Guided) - Early morning bird walk along the river bank, through the orchard and meadows around the Lodge. After breakfast, spend day in broadleaf forest habitats and visit the Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Day 3 Coastal Mangrove Forest & High Forest (B,L,D) (Guide HD) - Guests leave lodge earlin in the morning for birding in the coastal mangrove forest. Guests have breakfast in local restaurant before drive to high forest to continue birding. Afternoon is free to relax at the lodge.
  • Day 4 Mountain Pine Ridge Area (B) (Unguided) - In the morning, transfer to airstrip in Punta Gorda for flight to Belize City. Upon arriva, transfer to hotel in Mountain Pine Ridge area. Hidden Valley 3N.
  • Day 5 & Bird watching (B) (Guided) - Guests enjoy a collective early morning and late afternoon birding tour in the private reserve surrounding Hidden Valley Inn. Rest of the day is free to relax.
  • Day 7 Lamanai (B) (Unguided) - In the morning, transfer to Belize City for collective road/river transfer to Lamanai.
  • Day 8 & 9 Bird watching & Wildlife activities (B,L,D) (Guided) - Enjoy 2 full days of wildlife activities arranged directly by the lodge. All meals are included and guests can pick from a selection of tours each day which are operated on a collective basis. Tour selection includes: Crocodile Encounter, Birding Expeditions, Native Fishing, Lamanai Maya Ruins, Breakfast on the River Howler Trek, Airboat Safari, Maya Medicine Trail, Sunrise Canoe Excursion, Cultural Immersion: The Mennonities, Snook and Tarpon Fishing, Jungle Dawn, Starlight Canoeing, Spotlight Safari, Cultural Immersion: The Milpa, Sunrise at Crab Catcher Lagoon, Sunset Cocktail Cruise, Crocodile Nest Search, Night Walk, Irish Creek at Dawn.
  • Day 10 Departure (B) (Unguided) - Guests will be transferred by land/river to Belize International Airport for their flight out.

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    Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, Central America, Archaeology, Belize, Educational, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Bird Watching, Art / Architecture, Join-In Tour, Rain Forest, Jungle Lodge, Photography


    Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

    Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.