Arrive at the Philip Goldson Belize International Airport on [airline, flight number] at [time], where Monkey Bay staff will meet and greet GRC group. Transfer to Monkey Bay by bus (approximately 45 minutes travel time). Off-load all gear, followed by brief orientation tour of facilities.  Settle into bunkhouse/field station accommodations.  Dinner will follow at MBay, with orientations to health & safety and a briefing on local natural history. Evening review of program schedule, facilitated by Monkey Bay staff and the group leader.

Breakfast at Monkey Bay. Load gear (helmets, lunch etc) and transfer to the access point by bus (approximately 20 minutes travel time). Meet local guide, who for the next 4 hours will assist our exploration of the karst cave system, which is believed to be sacred space by the ancient Maya.  Undisturbed artifacts and pottery, remnants of ‘underworld’ ceremonies, are still seen in many of the caves. The excursion includes fruit picking in citrus and cacao (chocolate) groves, Sibun River crossing, jungle hike, native bird and tree identification, and extensive exploration of dry cave system.  Afternoon swim before returning to MBay.  Dinner at MBay, followed by a briefing of the next day’s itinerary.

Cox Lagoon wildlife exploration (day and evening canoe tour)

Breakfast at Monkey Bay after early birding walk.  Time to explore local trails at Monkey Bay.  After an early lunch, depart for Cox Lagoon with canoes for afternoon and evening exploration paddle of five-mile long black water creek and lagoon system.  The diverse habitat in this private sanctuary supports correspondingly diverse animal life.  Researchers Howard Hunt of Zoo Atlanta and Jim Tamarack of the Ford Plantation have recorded 124 species of birds, 23 mammal and 14 species of reptiles.  Jabiru storks, the largest flying bird in the Americas wade in the marsh of the sanctuary.  Up in the trees bordering the water Black Howler monkeys roar; tapir graze in the lagoon.  Routinely, jaguars leave tracks on the farm road and call from the forest of Cox Lagoon – not to mention the crocodiles.  Morelet’s crocodiles gather at night for the best fishing areas; point a light at them and their eyes fire up the dark.  At night, during dry season in March and April, when the fish congregate, it is common to count nearly 100 crocodiles.  Morelet’s crocodiles can grow to about 10 feet in length.  These creatures dominate Cox Lagoon; no swimming allowed. From the safety of our canoes, we transition from daylight to dark night and experience the shift of activity at Cox Lagoon.  Pack dinner … return to MBay in late evening for overnight.  With luck, Howard Hunt will guide our day and night exploration at Cox Lagoon.

Breakfast at Monkey Bay. Depart by bus to the Xunantunich Archaeological Site, situated only one mile from Belize’s western border with Guatemala. Cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry, then hike 1 mile to the entrance of the archaeological site. Your guide will lead you on a two-hour tour of the site, explaining its historical significance and escorting you to the top of El Castillo, the stone temple that remains the third-tallest human structure in Belize. Take in the breathtaking view into Guatemala and across the Mopan river valley, then return to San Jose Succotz, the village where you disembarked, for a Mayan lunch prepared by Ms. Magaña. Travel by bus to San Ignacio Town to visit the local crafts shops and farmer’s market, and then return to Monkey Bay with plenty of time for herping in the afternoon. Dinner at Monkey Bay.

Breakfast at Monkey Bay. Depart by bus at 9:00am for transfer to Belize City water taxi terminal (approximately 45 minutes travel time). Water taxi departs at 10:30am and arrives Caye Caulker around 11:15am. Check in at guesthouse, settle into accommodations, and join for lunch at local establishment. Monkey Bay staff will offer a brief orientation and tour of the island, and then leave the afternoon free for swimming, snorkeling, and island exploration. Group dinner at restaurant of choice.  Overnight at island guesthouse.

Breakfast followed by preparation for guided snorkeling tour of Caye Caulker Marine Reserve situated along barrier reef system with local guide Carlos Ayala.  Three snorkeling stops including reef channel, coral gardens and sting ray alley.  Return to island guesthouse for rinse off before boarding the 4:00 pm return water taxi, arriving Belize City approximately 4:45pm. Monkey Bay staff will meet you to transfer by bus back to Monkey Bay. Dinner at Monkey Bay and review of the next day’s itinerary.

Breakfast at Monkey Bay. Depart at 9:00 for the Belize Zoo (approximately 10 minutes travel time), where you will encounter much of the native fauna of Belize: tapir, jaguar, peccary, ocelot, jaguarondi, puma, spider monkey, black howler monkey, central American river otter, kinkajou, Morelet’s crocodile, American crocodile, Jabiru stork, boa constrictor, fer-de-lance, and more. Return for lunch at Monkey Bay. Depart for Sibun River at approximately 2:00pm and travel 8 miles to the put-in point. Your guide will instruct you on safety protocols while paddling on this reach of the river, and point out a wide variety of birds, iguanas, cave bats and if lucky, a view of river otter and coatimundi. Meet Monkey Bay staff at your take-out point and after a long relaxing swim, return to MBay.  Farewell dinner, campfire stories and overnight at Monkey Bay.

Breakfast at Monkey Bay. Pack up all gear, load into the bus, and depart to Philip Goldson Belize International Airport in time for two hour pre-flight check in.  Depart to home destinations; program concludes.

Price: $995/person

Includes all lodging, ground transportation in Belize, food*, park entrance fees, and tour guide fees. Excludes flight, tips, and departure tax.