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Exploring Belize: Life in the Rainforest

Program Number: 16572RJ
Start and End Dates:
1/19/2013 - 1/26/2013;
Duration: 7 nights
Location: Belize
Price starting at: $1,778.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Natural History
Meals: 20; 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Gluten Free; Low Fat; Low Salt    

Interact directly with the local Maya, Creole and Garifuna people of Belize and learn of their rich cultural heritage as you participate in activities ranging from gathering medicinal herbs in the rainforest to making chocolate in a Mayan village. English is the spoken language, so nothing is lost in translation. Explore the incredible flora and fauna in national parks and preserves, which make up almost half of Belize. Visit Mayan ruins at Lubaantun and learn to dance the 'huga huga' at a traditional Garifuna drumming performance.




Highlights

• Make your own chocolate in a traditional Mayan chocolate-making workshop.
• Discuss courtship, marriage, religion and education with local Mayan villagers.
• Observe stalactites and stalagmites as you swim to the source of a river at Blue Creek Cave.



Activity Particulars

Walking and/or moderate hiking up to two miles per day with some challenging terrain. Optional swimming activities.



Program price includes round-trip air transfers between Belize International Airport and Punta Gorda Airport.




Date Specific Information

1-19-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Belize City, fly to Punta Gorda, coach to San Felipe, 7 nights; coach to Punta Gorda, fly to Belize City, departure.



Arrival Belize City
Flight to Punta Gorda
Coach to San Felipe
7 nights
Coach to Punta Gorda
Flight to Belize City
Departure

Explore the rainforest and gather herbs while learning about bush medicine from a traditional Mayan healer. Uncover the world of the ancient Maya at the ruins at Lubaantun, which are hidden in the lush, southern coastal plains. Learn about contemporary Mayan culture as you discuss social customs with local villagers. Explore Rio Blanco National Park and cross the suspended cable bridge, then take a refreshing dip in the pool beneath the 20-foot-high waterfall. Learn to spot exotic tropical birds with a local expert. Participate in a chocolate-making workshop and learn the traditional method of transforming the cocoa bean into this most beloved confection. Explore a wet cave and swim to the source of the Mojo River. Hear the African origins of the Garifuna expressed during a live drumming performance.




Belize

Before it was colonized as “British Honouras,” Belize flourished as a stronghold of the Maya civilization. Today, the country celebrates this unique heritage while sharing in Central American and Caribbean identities. Its tropical climate supports the country’s rich biodiversity, while its coastline along the Caribbean Sea offers access to the second-longest coral reef system in the world.
Accommodations
Private jungle lodge cabanas situated along the banks of the Moho River.
Meals and Lodgings
   Cotton Tree Lodge
  Cotton Tree Lodge, Belize 7 nights
 Cotton Tree Lodge
Type: Lodge
  Description: Lodging in private cabanas situated along the banks of the Moho River featuring private bath with hot and cold running water, completely screened in. Howler monkeys, iguanas and incredible bird life are seen daily.
  Contact info: Moho River
San Felipe,  Toledo District Belize
phone: +501-670-0557
web: www.cottontreelodge.com
  Room amenities: Approximately 300 square feet with private bath, ceiling fan, and screened louvered shutters decorated with handcrafted furniture in native woods, woven fabrics and rugs.
  Facility amenities: Wireles internet, bar, gift shop, kayaking and swimming in the Moho River, horseback riding, and 100 acres of trails.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: $150USD Price based on double occupancy and includes accommodations, all meals, daily guided tours, transfers to and from Punta Gorda, and all taxes. $50USD surcharge for single occupancy.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $150USD Price based on double occupancy and includes accommodations, all meals, daily guided tours, transfers to and from Punta Gorda, and all taxes. $50USD surcharge for single occupancy.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
7 PM Welcome Meeting After Dinner You will be staying at Cotton Tree Lodge that night.
  End of Program:
9AM After Breakfast You will be staying at Cotton Tree Lodge the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. We have a simple liability waiver at the lodge for those who participate in any of our adventure tours such as caving or horseback riding.
  Parking availability:
Parking is available.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
To Start of Program
  Location:  Cotton Tree Lodge
  Nearest city or town:  Punta Gorda
  Nearest highway: Southern Highway
  Nearest airport:  Punta Gorda (PND) is the local airport, Belize International (BZE) is the international airport
  Transportation to site: Round-trip domestic flights from Belize International Airport (BZE) to Punta Gorda Airstrip (PND) are included in this program fee. Several domestic departures are available daily, and Cotton Tree Lodge will book participants on the domestic flights which most closely match their international itineraries. Ground transfer from Punta Gorda to Cotton Tree Lodge is included.
  From End of Program
  Location: Cotton Tree Lodge
  Transportation from site: Ground transfers from Cotton Tree Lodge to Punta Gorda is included. Flight from Punta Gorda (PND) to Belize International Airport (BZE) is included. Round-trip domestic flights from Belize International Airport (BZE) to Punta Gorda Airstrip (PND) are included in this program fee. Several domestic departures are available daily, and Cotton Tree Lodge will book participants on the domestic flights which most closely match their international itineraries.
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation
(Saturday, January 19)
   
 Afternoon: Arrive Belize International Airport (BZE) by 4:00PM. Check in at Tropic Air counter by 4:30PM for flight to Punta Gorda (PND) at 5:00PM. You will be met by your Group Leader in Punta Gorda for the final leg of the journey to Cotton Tree Lodge. Group orientation at Cotton Tree Lodge.
 Dinner: Appetizers in the Main Lodge followed by a four-course dinner.
   
Accommodations: Cotton Tree Lodge
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Tumul K'in Center of Learning and Blue Creek Cave
(Sunday, January 20)
   
 Breakfast: Hot buffet in the Main Lodge
 Morning: Visit Tumul K'in Center of learning, a unique vocational high school which emphasizes traditional Maya culture and values, while preparing its students for success in a modern world. On Sundays the students participate in cultural classes and activities. Meet students and teachers, and observe lessons in marimba, cuxtal weaving, and dance.
 Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch along side Blue Creek.
 Afternoon: Hike into the jungle, don your headlamp and your life jacket, and step into the river that flows out of Hokeb Ha Cave. This cave's name means "where the water enters the earth" and you will actually swim right into this magical cave to the source of Blue Creek (also the source of the Moho River). Spend up to an hour in the cave, depending on your swimming level, and then enjoy a dip in the crystal clear pools and waterfalls just outside.
 Dinner: Appetizers in the Main Lodge followed by a four-course dinner.
 Evening: After dinner gather for an presentation and discussion on the politics, demography, and economy of Belize. Learn about the diverse groups that have occupied this land in ancient and modern times, and the economic influences that have shaped it--from the Maya, to logging, to agriculture, to tourism, and now oil.
   
Accommodations: Cotton Tree Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Lubaantun Mayan Ruins, Traditional Maya Harpmaker's Workshop
(Monday, January 21)
   
 Breakfast: Hot buffet breakfast in the Main Lodge
 Morning: Lubaantun is the largest Maya site of southern Belize, composed of eleven large structures, five main plazas, and three ball courts. As you explore the grounds, learn about the rites and traditions of the ancient Maya. Also learn about the controversial story of the Mitchell-Hedges crystal skull, which was allegedly found at this site in the 1920s, and is said to have supernatural powers.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch at Lubaantun
 Afternoon: Visit a traditional Maya harpmaker in the village of San Pedro Columbia, not far from Lubaantun ruins. On this tour you will visit his home and workshop, learn how these instruments are crafted, and hear the harpist play a few pieces. Traditional Mayan music is usually played at village ceremonies and festivals. Most villagers believe that these songs were composed by the Mayan gods long ago.
 Dinner: Appetizers in the Main Lodge followed by a four-course dinner.
   
Accommodations: Cotton Tree Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Tortilla Making and the Modern Maya
(Tuesday, January 22)
   
 Breakfast: Hot buffet breakfast in the Main Lodge
 Morning: Corn, or maize, has always been an important crop to the Mayan people. The ancient Maya believed it was a gift from the gods and growing it was a sacred duty. In ancient times corn was prepared in many different ways, including warm drinks, sourdough breads, mixed into stews, steamed as tamales, etc. Corn continues to be a major part of the Mayan diet in southern Belize. In this workshop you will learn how to prepare corn tortillas, a staple food in many Mayan homes. Mrs. Bo will host you at her home in Santa Anna village, two miles from Cotton Tree Lodge. She will show you how harvested corn is separated from the cob, soaked in lime, and ground to make delicious hot tortillas. Try your hand at preparing your own, and end your workshop with a delicious snack of tortillas, eggs, and tomatoes.
 Lunch: Return to Cotton Tree for a plated lunch in the Main Lodge
 Afternoon: This afternoon meet with a leader from the Toledo Maya community. Learn how the Maya are working together to retain their traditions and culture in modern Belize, protect indigenous land rights, and incorporate Maya history into school curriculum.
 Dinner: Appetizers in the Main Lodge followed by a four course dinner.
 Evening: Follow the sounds of the howler monkeys and head deep into the jungle. With a little luck, you may see tapir or other nocturnal creatures in the old growth rainforest surrounding the lodge.
   
Accommodations: Cotton Tree Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Rio Blanco National Park and Waterfall
(Wednesday, January 23)
   
 Breakfast: Hot buffet breakfast in the Main Lodge
 Morning: A tiny reserve which received just under 100 official visitors in 2008, Rio Blanco National Park is as remote as it is beautiful.The Rio Blanco River is a tributary of the Moho River that flows by Cotton Tree Lodge, and the park surrounds a spectacular waterfall.The nearby villages of Santa Elena and Santa Cruz organized the Rio Blanco Mayan Association in 1994 to protect this waterfall and 104 adjacent acres of sub-tropical forest.Jaguar, ocelot, margay, river otter, and many species of birds and fish live in the park.The RBMA hopes this area can become a viable ecotourism destination generating income for both villages. Thrill seekers may jump off the 20 foot cliffs by the falls or cross the suspended cable bridge. Others may wish to explore the trail system with the rangers, identifying the flora and fauna.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch by the waterfall.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to relax or explore the grounds of Cotton Tree Lodge. Available activities include kayaking, hiking, and swimming or napping in a hammock.
 Dinner: Appetizers in the Main Lodge followed by a four-course dinner.
   
Accommodations: Cotton Tree Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Belize Birding, Medicinal Plants, and Marine and Rainforest Preservation
(Thursday, January 24)
   
 Breakfast: Hot buffet breakfast in the Main Lodge.
 Morning: Rise early (before breakfast) and join an expert bird guide for a walk around the Cotton Tree Lodge grounds, and a look at some of the nearly 250 species of birds that have been identified in southern Belize. Countrywide, Belize enjoys an incredibly rich variety of bird life, with over 600 species in a country the size of Massachusetts. After breakfast, travel to nearby Santa Anna village and meet with a Maya healer. Traditional medicine and natural healing was once widely practiced throughout the Mayan communities of Belize. Using a combination of medicinal plants and prayer, shamans and healers treated both the physical and spiritual ailments of their communities. Today this knowledge is nearly lost, but your guide will show you some of the best known plants and remedies still used by the modern Maya.
 Lunch: Return to Cotton Tree for a plated lunch in the Main Lodge
 Afternoon: This afternoon, hear from a community leader about the various successes and failures of marine and rainforest preservation in Belize. Belize has designated nearly half of its land as protected areas, hoping to preserve unique and rare tropical creatures that live here. In addition to animals, Belize is home to over 4,000 species of plants, including over 250 types of orchids. Discuss how competing interests, such as oil discovery and tourism development, are being reconciled with environmental concerns.
 Dinner: Appetizers in the Main Lodge followed by a four course dinner.
   
Accommodations: Cotton Tree Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Chocolate Farm and Farewell Party with Garifuna Drumming Performance
(Friday, January 25)
   
 Breakfast: Hot buffet breakfast in the Main Lodge
 Morning: Excursion to an organic cacao farm in the village of San Pedro Columbia. Cacao, the fruit that produces cocoa beans, is becoming an important cash crash for small farmers in southern Belize. Hike the jungle trails along with a Mayan farmer and learn how his productive farm coexists with the surrounding ecosystems of the rainforest. See how cacao is grown, harvested, fermented, dried, and prepared for market. Taste fresh cacao, along with other exotic edible plants, while observing incredible wildlife and vistas.
 Lunch: Return to the farmer's home in the village and share a traditional Belizean lunch with his family.
 Afternoon: After the meal, join his wife and daughters and learn how to roast and grind cacao into delicious hot chocolate drink enjoyed by both ancient and modern Maya
 Dinner: Appetizers in the Main Lodge followed by a four-course dinner.
 Evening: Cultural presentation and drumming performance by traditional Garifuna musicians in the Main Lodge. The Garifuna people are descendents of shipwrecked African slaves who escaped to St. Vincent island in 1635 and the Carib Indians who already lived there. After the British displaced them from St. Vincent in 1773, Garinagu communities spread to Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. Traditional Garifuna music draws on African influences, utilizing drums and strong rhythms. If you like, learn some traditional dances like the 'punta' or the 'huga huga'.
   
Accommodations: Cotton Tree Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Transfer to Punta Gorda and Departures
(Saturday, January 26)
   
 Breakfast: Hot buffet breakfast in the Main Lodge
 Morning: Early morning departure to Punta Gorda with time available in town to explore the farmers market. Fly from Punta Gorda to Belize International Airport in Belize City.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Chocolate in Mesoamerica: A Cultural History of Cacao.


Author: McNeil, Cameron L.


Description: A collection of academic papers addressing the role of cacao in ancient and modern Maya culture and Mesoamerica.



High Jungles and Low.


Author: Carr, Archie


Description: . This absorbing memoir of slogging through the forest as a gun-toting tagalong on a commercial expedition in search of mahogany in the Honduran highlands is a classic. The book to read for anyone heading to the tropics.



Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw: One Woman’s Fight to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Bird


Author: Barcott, Bruce


Description: The story of an American woman’s fight against a Canadian power company trying to build a hydroelectric damn in Belize which would endanger human lives and destroy the habitat of the 200 Scarlet Macaws left in the country.



Moon Handbook Belize. A travel guide to the culture, history and nature of Belize.


Author: Berman, Josh


Popul Vuh: The Mythic Sections


Author: Christiensen, Allen


Description: A sacred text by the ancient K’iché Maya, includes many Maya myths.



The Maya, Fifth Edition


Author: Coe, Michael


Description: A clear, concise and up-to-date introduction to Maya archaeology and culture by a leading authority, now in its seventh edition. A volume in the series, "Ancient Peoples and Places," this short book highlights the chronology, accomplishments and legacy of the Maya.





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