Belize - Save The Rainforest

Belize Itinerary

Trip Schedule

Once Known as British Honduras, Belize is a country culturally distinct and biologically rich. Because of its low population density and conservation-minded government, much of Belize is still forested. Programme for Belize, which hosts this course, manages, and protects 260,000 acres of this forest, and their main field station at La Milpa is where participants of this course spend the first half of their trip. The station is surrounded by the forest, and wildlife can be heard and observed from the front porch of the station buildings, which are charming and comfortable. The many trails through the forest, and the nearby unexcavated Mayan ruins are full of wildlife. Exploring the environs here is simply amazing. The coast of Belize includes many atolls such as Glovers Reef. Glovers Reef is considered among the most biodiverse marine environments in all of the Caribbean.

Trip Type A
La Milpa & Glovers Reef
11 Days

Itinerary for Trip Type A

11 Days

Day 1

(D)

Arrival and pickup at International Airport in Belize City.
Bus ride to La Milpa Field Station (3 hours)
Welcome, unpack and settle into living quarters, and Dinner
Orientation to La Milpa Field Station and Programme for Belize.

Day 2

(B,L,D)

Early morning birding (optional)
Introduction and course outline and expectations
Intro to Tropics and the Rainforest
Tropical forest observation activity and tropical forest observation on Mahogany Trail. Discussion
Presentation on Belizean Fauna
Exciting night hike and spotting nocturnal wildlife
Overnight at La Milpa

Day 3

(B,L,D)

Early morning birding (optional)
Introduction to field botany and tree identification on Bajo Trail – self-exploration
Introduction to Scientific Sampling Methods. Group ecology projects
Introduction to Maya History and Culture/Archaeology presentation
Overnight at La Milpa

Day 4

(B,L,D)

Early morning birding (optional)
Tour of La Milpa Archaeology Site
Visit to Archaeology Laboratory (Texas Camp)
Tour of Medicinal Garden and trail hike
Presentation on Cultures of Belize
Overnight at La Milpa

Day 5

(B,L,D)

Visit Lamanai Archaeological Site
Picnic Lunch
Afternoon visit to Museum and purchase crafts
Depart from Lamanai and transfer back to La Milpa
Swimming en-route to La Milpa – (optional)
Post course evaluation
Belizean farewell night
Overnight at La Milpa

Day 6

(B,L,D)

Depart for Belize City
Land transfer to Sittee River Marina
Boat transfer from Sittee River Marina to Glovers Reef (1.5 hours)
Welcome and Orientation Dinner
Overnight Accommodations at Glovers Reef Research Station

Day 7*

(B,L,D)

Prepare for snorkeling, including gear check and beginners’ lessons for shallow water snorkeling
View an array of island birds, snorkel among grass beds and test your knowledge in identification of algae, coral, fish and invertebrates
Overnight Accommodations at Glovers Reef Research Station

Day 8*

(B,L,D)

Snorkel a patch reef where colorful tropical fish are known to dwell
Begin work Project
- The group leader in consultation with the station manager and Glovers Research Station staff will determine what kind of project to undertake
Overnight accommodations at Glover’s Reef Research Station

Day 9*

(B,L,D)

Boat trip to study and explore mangroves, patch reef and fore reef ecosystems
Project work
Overnight Accommodations at Glovers Reef Research Station

Day 10*

(B,L,D)

Visit to the Man-O -War Caye Bird Sanctuary
Snorkel Tobacco Caye, study inveratbrates, and if you dare, explore the sink holes
Invertebrate study
Visit the Gift Shop
Pre-departure cleanup
Work project presentations
Certificates Awards and Belizean Party
Overnight Accommodations at Glovers Reef Research Station

Day 11

(B)

Breakfast at at Glovers Reef Research Station
Boat transfer from Glovers to Sittee River Marina
Land transfer to Belize International Airport to fly home

Trip Type B
La Milpa & Hill Bank
8 Days

Itinerary for Trip Type B

8 Days

Day 1

(B)

Arrival and pickup at International Airport in Belize City
Bus ride to La Milpa Field Station (3 hours)
Welcome, unpack and settle into living quarters, then Dinner
Orientation to La Milpa Field Station and Programme for Belize

Day 2

(B,L,D)

Early morning birding (optional)
Introduction, course outline, and expectations
Intro to Tropics and the Rainforest
Trek and observe tropical forest wildlife along the Mahogany Trail
Dinner, Discussion, and Presentation on Belizean Fauna
Exciting night hike and spotting nocturnal wildlife
Overnight at La Milpa

Day 3

(B,L,D)

Early morning birding (optional). Introduction to field botany and tree identification on Bajo Trail – self-exploration
Introduction to Scientific Sampling Methods
Group ecology projects
Introduction to Maya History and Culture/Archaeology presentation
Overnight at La Milpa

Day 4

(B,L,D)

Early morning birding (optional)
Tour of La Milpa Archaeology Site
Visit to Archaeology Laboratory (Texas Camp)*
Tour of Medicinal Garden and trail hike
Presentation on Cultures of Belize. Overnight at La Milpa

*(To Be Determined if possible as archaeology project is on hold due to Covid-19)

Day 5

(B,L,D)

Visit Lamanai Archaeological Site and museum, where you may purchase local arts & crafts after the tour
Lunch at Las Orquidias in the historic town of Indian Church
Afternoon visit to Museum and chance to purchase more arts & crafts
Depart from Lamanai and transfer to Hill Bank by bus
Arrive and settle into Hill Bank Field Station

Day 6

(B,L,D)

Explore ecosystems around Hill Bank
Creek Tubing
Dinner & evening presentation on sustainable development in Bravo Conservation area
Overnight at Hill Bank

Day 7

(B,L,D)

Visit sustainable development projects – Timber/CSeq/Ranger and in the buffer zone of Rio Bravo Conservation area
Post Course Evaluation – Farewell dinner

Day 8

(B,L)

Very Early Breakfast
Bus transfer from Hill Bank to visit the Belize Zoo
Transfer to Belize International Airport to take flight homebound
- Dependent on Flight Departure which needs to be 2:30pm or later