Women’s Belize Itinerary

DAY ONE: BELIZE CITY

Our group arrives to Belize International Airport and transfers by van to the Black Orchid Resort. After getting settled into our accommodations, we will enjoy a dinner together followed by an orientation to our Belizean Adventure. Our trip officially begins pool side at our river front resort! Overnight: double occupancy rooms, air conditioned with private bathrooms. We will spend the next 3 nights at the Black Orchid Resort.

DAY TWO: LAMANAI RUINS 

Today’s adventure begins as we head north to the Orange Walk District where we’ll begin our tour of Lamanai, “the submerged crocodile.” We’ll travel by motorboat up the New River to this ancient site looking for marsh residents such as herons, birds of prey and crocodiles along the way. Lamanai has a rich history beginning in 1500 B.C. to 1650 AD, making it the longest occupation of any Mayan site studied to date. We will have a special guided tour of the ruins before heading back to  the river front resort of Black Orchid.

Join your Blue Water Ventures naturalist on a night hike to view the eerie eye glow of nocturnal animals that live in the jungly terrain. Overnight Black Orchid Resort.

DAY THREE: JUNGLE AND CAVE KAYAKING ADVENTURE

Get ready to experience the Wild Side of Belize! Starting on the lush Caves Branch River, we’ll have an interpretive hike then  paddle  using inflatable kayaks.  The pristine river flows through a series of underground caves and beautiful jungle.  Erie shadows cast by stalactites fuel our imagination as we wander back in time to the ancient Mayan Civilization.

Our expert guides will share their  knowledge of jungle flora and fauna and the historical significance of ceremonial caves in the  Mayan Culture.  Our day will include a combination of hiking, kayaking  and swimming on this adventurous day. An alternative activity will be offered if water levels are not favorable for kayaking.. Overnight Black Orchid Resort.

Exploring  underground caves, Caves Branch River

DAY FOUR: COMMUNITY BABOON SANCTUARY TO HOPKINS VILLAGE

After breakfast, we will travel a short distance to the Community Baboon  Sanctuary,  a locally  supported conservation project that serves to protect  Black Howler Monkeys and  their habitat which has been greatly diminished. Walking through the forest with local guides,  we will learn about the life cycle and unique adaptations  of  black howler monkeys,  as well as the medicinal uses of the jungle flora. Our day may include observing a cultural presentation  by the  ethnic  group known as the Creole who live in the Bermudian Landing Village near the Sanctuary.

In the  afternoon, we will continue our travels to the village of Hopkins, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. Hopkins is home to an ethnic group in Belize known as the Garifuna. The Garifuna culture is a fascinating blend of West African traditions and those of the Carib Indians who migrated into the Caribbean from the Orinoco Basin of Venezuela. Our hosts are members of Sandy Beach Women’s Cooperative who established a small seaside resort providing traditional Garifuna meals. The women of the cooperative are delightful! Tonight we’ll enjoy a cultural presentation by the Hopkins Youth Group.

Overnight: double-triple occupancy rooms in several accommodations we’ve reserved  in Hopkins Village, air conditioned and private bathrooms

Dancing with the Garifuna Children of Hopkins Village

DAY FIVE: HOPKINS VILLAGE TO THE JAGUAR SANCTUARY

Today, we’ll travel into the heart of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. This rain forest is primary habitat for the endangered jaguar and once had the highest concentration of jaguars in the Neotropics. We’ll hike the trails leading into the dense jungle and discuss the fascinating ecology of tropical rain forests.

In addition to jaguars, this sanctuary is also home to tapirs, kinkajous, leaf-cutter ants and hundreds of species of tropical birds such as toucans, motmots and curassows. We’ll launch inner tubes down South Stann Creek, which winds through the heart of the Jaguar Preserve. Tubing is an excellent way to quietly observe wildlife and the rich tropical foliage that lines the river (activity is dependent upon the  availability of tubes).

Our day  will  include a visit to the  Maya Center, a Mopan Mayan village where we will meet Aurora Saqui, niece of the famous Belizean herbal healer Don Eligio Panti. Aurora is one of the Garcia sisters, talented artist known through-out Belize for their work with slate carvings. Like her uncle, Aurora is a well known and respected healer within the Mayan Community.

   Overnight: Hopkins Village.

Exploring the jungle by inner tube, Jaguar Sanctuary

DAY SIX: GLOVER’S REEF ATOLL

After breakfast, we will travel to Glover’s Atoll  and Isla Marisol Resort.  Thirty miles east of the mainland, Glover’s Reef is designated as a World Heritage Site and Marine Reserve. There are few places in the western hemisphere where coral atolls, a circular ring of reef and islands have formed. As a marine preserve the population of fish is exceptionally healthy, from the minute reef inhabitants to the larger predatory species.

Our island accommodations are on Southwest Caye, a pristine privately owned  island within the turquoise hued lagoon of the atoll.

We will be staying in comfortable double occupancy, air conditioned beach cabanas with private bathrooms.  Delicious meals are provided  by our island host. Our coconut lined island surrounded by shimmering blue water is truly magical!
Our daily activities will vary according to the interest of our group and the plan that mother nature has for us this week. The actual timing of our activities will be dictated by wind, currents, tides and weather.

DAY SEVEN: GLOVER’S REEF ATOLL

Our day will begin with an introduction to snorkeling. As we practice our skills, we’ll examine the shallow turtle grass flats where an array of species especially in their juvenile state find refuge. In the afternoon we’ll venture out to swim over large boulders of corals where schools of iridescent reef fish flourish.  The afternoon is free to snorkel, explore  or just relax on the beach or in a hammock. Certified divers may arrange for a morning or afternoon dive.

Following happy hour and dinner, we’ll venture out on an optional night hike to determine what animals are nocturnally active in the island’s interior or intertidal zone. We will look for the eerie green glow produced by the chromatophores cells of the elusive octopus that may be hunting in the shallows near our cabanas.

DAY EIGHT: GLOVER’S REEF ATOLL~IN SEARCH OF BOTTLENOSE  DOLPHINS

As your snorkeling skills improve,  we’ll visit  reef areas to  observe pelagic species such as  nurse sharks and spotted eagle rays. Our hope  is to encounter a residential pod of bottlenose dolphin who frequent this region of the Atoll on a regular basis.  If  conditions permit, we will slide into the turquoise hued water to  observe these majestic marine mammals on their turns in a completely natural and wild setting.  We are extremely excited to offer this  unique wildlife experience in  our new Belize Program. Back at the resort’s “over the water bar” we will enjoy  happy hour  as the sunsets over the Caribbean Blue.

DAY NINE: GLOVER’S REEF ATOLL: KAYAK/SNORKEL/ PADDLE BOARD

This morning we’ll offer a kayaking skills course as we prepare to explore Glover’s Lagoon by kayak or paddle board.  The day will provide ample time to snorkel, beach-comb, kayak or relax on our tropical island paradise.

Scuba divers may arrange a  dive trip today or snorkelers may arrange for a private boat excursion from our base at Isla Marisol.

You are welcomed to join our naturalist as we explore the island’s tropical interior before night falls. Hermit crabs, iguanas, anoles  and numerous birds find refuge in the islands interior habitat. In the evening we’ll review the fish we’ve seen discussing their strange behaviors and coloration strategies.

Paint a fish………. then watch reef fish watching your fish! Our island classroom

DAY TEN: GLOVER’S REEF ATOLL TO BLACK ORCHID RESORT

Our boat departs  early today for the mainland where we’ll catch a charter bus to The Black Orchid Resort.  En route we plan to stop at the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center where injured animals are rehabilitated and released back into the wild whenever possible. Gathering around Black Orchid’s pool, we will have a chance to debrief our Belizean Adventure.

DAY ELEVEN : BLACK ORCHID RESORT  TO THE AIRPORT

Early morning departure for the Belize International Airport to catch our flights home.

Spider Monkey in a Belizean rainforest

Swim Back to Belize