HONDURAS FIELD COURSE

LENGTH: 12 Days/11 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES: Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details, available dates and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

*Our standard HONDURAS FIELD COURSE itinerary can be modified in content and length for SPECIAL INTERESTS and NEEDS.

*An affordable extension to LA MOSQUITIA and the RÍO PLÁTANO BIOSPHERE RESERVE is available to individuals and groups. A description and itinerary is included below. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

*WHITE-WATER RAFTING on the Cangrejal River is also available upon request.

*FIELD COURSES for those with SPECIAL INTERESTS, such as BIRDING and GARDEN GROUPS are available upon request.

Sample itineraries can be seen at http://www.birdingtours.org (being updated), http://www.gardentours.org (being updated) and also http://www.rainforestandreef.org. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

FIELD COURSE COST: Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

Note: Group Leaders, please contact Rainforest and Reef for details about STIPENDS for bringing 15 or more full-paying participants.

Includes: All INSTRUCTION and GUIDE SERVICES; all MEALS and LODGING as stated in the itinerary; all GROUND and WATER TRANSPORTATION within Honduras; all ENTRANCE FEES to NATIONAL PARKS and OTHER SITES.

Does Not Include: ROUND-TRIP INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE to Honduras; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX (25.00USD per person); GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: Rainforest and Reef uses consolidators/wholesalers for all of our GROUP and INDIVIDUAL airfares. We are therefore able to offer the LOWEST RATES available. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

ITINERARY:

MEAL CODES: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Note: On the MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM that you will be receiving shortly after registration, please make us aware of any special meal requests and/or dietary restrictions….vegan, vegetarian, etc., that you or members of your group may have. We will be pleased to fulfill your requests/needs.

DAY 1 ARRIVAL SAN PEDRO SULA-VILLAGE of COPÁN RUINAS-FIELD COURSE ORIENTATION. Following your arrival at Villeda Morales International Airport, outside of San Pedro Sula, you will be met by our Honduras Field Course Staff and transferred to the beautiful village of Copán Ruinas. After we check-in at our hotel and have dinner, there will be an orientation session to our Honduras Field Course. Overnight Copán Ruinas. D

Note: You will be met outside of Immigration and Customs by Rainforest and Reef Staff.

DAY 2 MAYAN SITE OF COPÁN-COPÁN SCULPTURE MUSEUM-LAS SEPULTURAS. Early morning birding (optional). After an early breakfast, we will explore the famed Mayan site of Copán. Called by some the "Athens of the Mayan world", Copán represents the highest artistic and cultural achievement of the entire Mayan civilization. The extensive grounds of the Archaeological Park contain the remains of numerous majestic temples and pyramids embellished with literally thousands of sculptures. Copán was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Research is still underway here, as new discoveries continue to be made. Following lunch, our group will visit the Copán Sculpture Museum and Las Sepulturas. The latter is thought to have been a luxurious residential compound, that once housed more than 250 people. After dinner, at leisure in the village of Copán Ruinas. Overnight Copán Ruinas. B L D

DAY 3 PULHAPANZÁK WATERFALLS-LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS. Early morning birding (optional). After breakfast, our group will depart for the magnificent Pulhapanzák Waterfalls, some 300 feet in height, located on the north end of Yojoa Lake and formed by the Lindo River. Wildlife is abundant here and there are numerous spots near the falls to swim and cool off in the river. After lunch, we will depart for the north coast of Honduras and Lancetilla Botanical Gardens, located just southwest of the Caribbean village of Tela. On the way, we will discuss the environmental and economic impacts of the African palm, sugar cane and banana plantations in Honduras. Following dinner, there will be a presentation on the history of Lancetilla Botanical Gardens. Overnight Lancetilla Botanical Gardens. B L D

DAY 4 LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS. Early morning birding (optional). Following breakfast, we will hike along some trails of the Lancetilla Botanical Gardens with local Staff and observe one of the best collections of exotic plants in all of Latin America. Founded in 1926 by the United Fruit Company and spread over more than 1700 acres, Lancetilla has functioned as a research center to experiment with the cultivation of a variety of tropical plants. Some of the plants first grown here are now important crops found throughout Central America. Today, they not only have a large collection of plants from Latin America, but also from around the world. The bird-life found on the property is also another large attraction for visitors. The various plantings have created a wide variety of habitats and now more than 200 species of birds have been identified here. Following lunch, we will visit the other side of the Gardens and do some environmental activities with Lancetilla Staff. This evening, participants will have dinner and overnight Lancetilla Botanical Gardens. B L D

DAY 5 PUNTA SAL NATIONAL MARINE PARK-SNORKELING-LEFEBRE BEACH-PUERTO ESCONDIDO-El TRIUNFO de la CRUZ-LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS. Early this morning, we will depart from Tela by boat, into Punta Sal National Marine Park. Punta Sal protects a wide variety of habitats, including mangrove forests, swamps, small tropical forests and off-shore coral reefs. It is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in all of Honduras. Once in the Park, we will have breakfast on Lefebre Beach and, weather permitting, snorkel some of the near-shore coral reefs. Our group will then travel by boat, to Cocalito trail. Here we will disembark and walk across Punta Sal Peninsula to Puerto Escondido. We will have a picnic lunch and spend some time relaxing in the Caribbean. Participants will then return to Lefebre Beach and Tela. Our group will then drive to the beautiful Garifuna village of El Triunfo de La Cruz. Here, we will have some time to swim in the Caribbean, followed by a traditional Garifuna dinner. Late this afternoon, our group will return to Lancetilla Botanical Gardens and overnight. B L D

DAY 6 TELA-KAYAKING IN PUNTA IZOPO-LA CEIBA. Early morning birding (optional). After breakfast today, our group will travel to Punta Izopo, named after Izopo Mountain, which dominates the area. We will use sea kayaks to explore the region formed by the the Plátano and Hicaque rivers. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys and a wide variety of bird-including toucans and parrots. This afternoon, our group will travel to La Ceiba for dinner and overnight. B L D


DAY 7 LA CEIBA-PICO BONITO NATIONAL PARK-ROATÁN. Following breakfast, we will depart for nearby Pico Bonito National Park, the largest in Honduras, with a core area of approximately 310 square miles. It is known for its magnificent forests, rivers, waterfalls and wildlife, including jaguars, armadillos, peccaries, monkeys and abundant bird-life. The morning will be spent hiking in the rainforest here. On our return to La Ceiba, we will depart by plane, for the beautiful island of Roatán. Upon arrival, we will have an orientation session about Roatán and the Bay Islands. Dinner and overnight Roatán. B L D

DAY 8 SNORKELING-FRENCH HARBOR-IGUANA FARM-MEET with LOCAL TEACHERS. After breakfast this morning, we will depart by boat, for the one of the nearby coral reefs off Roatán. The pristine waters of the Bay Islands support a variety of marine ecosystems, including sea-grass beds, patch reefs and mangroves. The variety of marine-life found here is astounding….colorful sponges, countless species of coral, tunicates, anemones, starfish, spectacular fish and dolphins. Our group will spend the morning snorkeling and return to Roatán for lunch. This afternoon, we will travel to the village of French Harbor, an important port town and home to the largest fishing and lobster fleet on the island. We will visit an iguana farm in nearby French Key. This began as an effort by a local family to reintroduce green iguanas, which are native to the island. Following dinner, local teachers will join us to discuss daily life and education on Roatán. Overnight Roatán. B L D

DAY 9 SNORKELING-SANDY BAY-INSTITUTE for MARINE SCIENCES-DOLPHIN DEMONSTRATION-ETHNIC and HISTORICAL MUSEUM-EVENING PRESENTATION. Following an early breakfast, participants will depart for a new location off Roatán and spend the morning snorkeling. Again, we will return to the mainland for lunch. This afternoon, participants will travel to the village of Sandy Bay, where The Institute for Marine Sciences is located. The Institute is a research and educational facility that specializes on work with dolphins. Our group will observe one of the dolphin training sessions put on by the Institute and then visit the Ethnic and Historical Museum, which is located at the same site. The Museum contains Mayan artifacts found on the island, information on dolphins, coral reefs and various other forms of sea-life. This evening we will have a presentation on the coral reefs of Honduras and conservation efforts that are presently underway. Dinner and overnight Roatán. B L D

DAY 10 SNORKELING-ISLAND OF SANTA HELENA-HALF MOON BAY-BIRD PARK-EVENING PRESENTATION. After breakfast, we will travel east by boat, along the coast of Roatán to the Island of Santa Helena. The trip will take participants through the picturesque community of Oak Ridge, numerous channels, bays and around a number of small islands. Before arriving on Santa Helena we will drive through a channel of mangroves, which connect the two sides of the island. Here, we will have a chance to do some beach-combing and snorkeling. Our trip back to Roátan will take us to the remote and undeveloped Half-Moon Bay, where participants will have lunch. There will also be an opportunity to swim and snorkel on the spectacular unspoiled reef here. This afternoon, back on Roatán, we will visit Bird Park, a live exhibit of macaws, toucans and parrots native to Honduras. Following dinner, the Manager of the Sandy Bay Marine Reserve will give a presentation on conservation and management of the Reserve. Overnight Roatán. B L D

DAY 11 LA CEIBA-BUTTERFLY FARM-SAN PEDRO SULA. This morning, we will depart from the Coxen Hole dock at 7:00 a.m. and travel to La Ceiba by ferry. Following our arrival, we will have breakfast and some free time before our departure for San Pedro Sula. Enroute we will visit a Butterfly Farm located outside of La Ceiba. Here, we will see live butterfly specimens from Honduras, learn about their complex life cycle and their importance in the wild. In the afternoon we will return. Dinner and overnight San Pedro Sula. B L D

DAY 12 DEPARTURE. After and early breakfast and farewells to our Honduras Field Course Staff, you will be transferred to Villeda Morales International Airport, outside of San Pedro Sula for your return flight home. B

Note: Due to weather conditions and circumstances beyond the control of Field Course Staff, certain activities may be changed or done on different days in the best interest of the group.

EXTENSION: LA MOSQUITIA and RÍO PLÁTANO BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Note: La Mosquitia and the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve are very sensitive, both ecologically and culturally. To minimize impact, group size is limited to 10 people. Departures for larger groups have to be staggered by at least one day. Overnight stays in La Ceiba may be required prior to and/or following our LA MOSQUITIA and RÍO PLÁTANO BIOSPHERE RESERVE EXTENSION.

LENGTH: 5 Days/4 Nights

COST: Please contact Rainforest and Reef.

Includes: All INSTRUCTION and GUIDE SERVICES; all MEALS and LODGING as stated in the itinerary; GROUND and WATER TRANSPORTATION within La Mosquitia; DOMESTIC ROUND-TRIP FLIGHT La Ceiba-Palacios-La Ceiba; all ENTRANCE FEES to NATIONAL PARKS and OTHER SITES.

Does Not Include: GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

AVAILABLE DATES 2007: Before or after any of our Field Courses in Honduras.

DESCRIPTION: During our LA MOSQUITIA and RÍO PLÁTANO BIOSPHERE RESERVE EXTENSION, individuals/groups will visit, what is considered by many to be the most magnificent protected area in Honduras. It is the largest wilderness area in Central America and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1976. A region of biological and cultural variety, it contains a number of diverse ecosystems including mangroves, coastal lagoons, rivers, savannas and tropical rain forest. These provide habitat for wildlife, including a great variety of birds, large mammals and reptiles, such as the tapir, jaguar, manatee and crocodile. Aside from the pristine beauty and outstanding natural history of the region, we will have the opportunity to see the people and villages of three ethnic cultures found in this region….the Miskito, Pech and Garifuna.

MEAL CODES: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 Charter flight from La Ceiba to Palacios. Transfer by boat to Miskito community of Raista. Overnight Raista. B L D

DAY 2 Trip by boat to Las Marias trail where we will hike for 6 hours enroute to the Pech Indian village of Las Marias. Overnight Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve. B L D

DAY 3 Continue hiking for 4 hours to village of Las Marias. Following lunch, visit with members of this community and learn about their culture. Overnight Las Marias. B L D

DAY 4 Travel from Las Marias to Miskito community of La Nueva Jerusalem by boat. Following a short stay here, hike to Miskito community of Belén and continue on by motorized canoe or tuc-tuc to the Garifuna village of Plaplaya. Following dinner, observe a colorful dance show put on by local Garifuna. Overnight Playaplaya. B L D

DAY 5 Following breakfast, transfer to Palacios and return flight to La Ceiba. B