CORAL ISLANDS

LENGTH: 9 Days/8 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES: Dec 22-30, Jan 13-21, Feb 3-11, Feb 24-Mar 4, Mar 31-Apr 8.
*Jun, Jul and Aug departures are available for individuals, families and groups, available upon request.

*An affordable extension to the famed MAYAN SITE of TIKAL in eastern Guatemala is available upon request before or after our CORAL ISLANDS FIELD COURSE. Description and pricing are included below.

*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: 1290.00USD per person.

GROUP SIZE: 6-12 participants.

Note: Group Leaders, please contact Rainforest and Reef for details about STIPENDS, FREE SPACE and GROUP RATES for bringing 6-12 full-paying participants.

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

Does Not Include: ROUND-TRIP INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE to Belize; MEALS on DAY 9; TRANSFER Dangriga-Belize City on DAY 9; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX (35.00USD per person); GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

Note: On DAY 9 Rainforest and Reef will make the arrangements for your transfer from Dangriga-Belize City. As stated above, it is not included in the cost. Some INDEPENDENT PARTICIPANTS joining our “FIXED DEPARTURE DATES” above may be staying on in Belize to do an EXTENSION to Tikal for example. We will wait until all participants have booked for any particular set of dates and consider their plans, departure dates/times from Belize City before making any Dangriga-Belize City transfer arrangements.

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.

DESCRIPTION: Our 9 Day/8 Night Coral Islands Field Course is the perfect combination of adventure and vacation in Belize. As we paddle and sail from caye to caye, traveling over 20 miles along the southern Barrier Reef, our itinerary will stimulate the active person, yet still leave us ample time to relax and enjoy Island life. We will experience world-class snorkeling, camp on postcard-perfect tropical cayes and explore secluded mangrove islands. Meals of delicious local seafood, Caribbean vegetables, tropical fruits and fresh baked bread will be served. After six glorious days on the water, we cross back to the mainland returning to the village of Dangriga for an evening of camaraderie and reflection. Here, the beat of skin-drums, along with traditional dances and songs bring to life the history of the Garifuna people of Belize. For added adventure value on our Coral Islands Field Course we have included a day at the beginning of the trip focusing on the Mayan caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal. Here, our Guides specially trained by the Belize Department of Archaeology, will lead us into the sacred underworld of the ancient Mayans. From the mouth of the cave we will follow a subterranean creek-bed to the entrance of a massive, cathedral-like sacrificial chamber. Once inside the chamber, our head-lamps will illuminate an astonishing variety of artifacts, including ceramic vases, stone tools and carved altars which have lain hidden for over a thousand years.

DETAILED ITINERARY: Please contact Rainforest and Reef for a detailed itinerary by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

EXTENSION: MAYAN SITE of TIKAL

Note: Overnight stays in Belize may be required prior to and/or following our TIKAL EXTENSION. If necessary, hotel reservations and transfers will be arranged through Rainforest and Reef and are not included in the cost.

LENGTH: 3 Days/2 Nights (overland) or 2 Days/1 Night (flight Belize City-Flores, Guatemala-Belize City)

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

COST:

3 Days/2 Nights: 485.00USD per person. Based on a minimum of 10 full-paying participants. One Group Leader FREE for the ground portion of our TIKAL EXTENSION with 10 full-paying participants. Cost is based on triple and quadruple occupancy. Double and single occupancy available upon request, usually at an extra cost.

2 Days/1 Night: 595.00USD per person. Based on a minimum of 10 full-paying participants. One Group Leader FREE for the ground portion of our TIKAL EXTENSION with 10 full-paying participants. Cost is based on triple and quadruple occupancy. Double and single occupancy available upon request, usually at an extra cost.

Note: For individuals, families or groups of less than 10 full-paying participants, please contact Rainforest and Reef for pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

Includes: All INSTRUCTION and BI-LINGUAL GUIDE SERVICES; all MEALS and LODGING as stated in the itinerary; all GROUND TRANSPORTATION within Belize and Guatemala; all ENTRANCE FEES to NATIONAL PARKS and OTHER SITES.

Note: INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE Belize City-Flores, Guatemala-Belize City is included in our 2 Day/1 Night option.

Does Not Include: ROUND-TRIP INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE to Belize; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX (35.00USD per person); GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

ITINERARY:

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

DAY 1 BELIZE CITY-FLORES, GUATEMALA. Early this morning, we will depart by bus, for Flores, located in eastern Guatemala. Here will have time to shop and visit the local market. Dinner and overnight Flores. B L D

Note: Please advise Rainforest and Reef if there are any non-U.S./non-Canadian citizens in your group. If there are, they should check with the nearest Guatemalan Embassy to see if they will need a VISA to enter Guatemala.



DAY 2 MAYAN CITY OF TIKAL. Following an early breakfast, we will depart for the famed Mayan site of Tikal, located in the middle of Tikal National Park and surrounded by more than 200 square miles of El Petén jungle habitat. There is nothing quite like the experience of Tikal, as we go back more than 2000 years in time. Walking towards the awe inspiring Great Plaza, one sees the Temples of the Grand Jaguar and Masks towering over the surrounding landscape, you immediately feel the mystique that has made Tikal a "must see destination". It is estimated that it took over one million ancient Mayans, one thousand years to build all the structures found here. The central portion of Tikal alone, measures about 10 square miles. Here, the remains of 3000 buildings are found including Temple lV, which at a height of 212 feet is the tallest ancient structure in the New World. We will also visit the Lost World Complex, a group of recently discovered structures from the late Pre-Classic Period, older than Tikal itself. Presently, only a small portion of Tikal has been completely excavated. Following lunch, we will visit the Tikal Museum, which houses some of the many Pre-Columbian treasures found at Tikal. In addition to the spectacular Mayan city found here, the area teems with howler monkeys, almost 300 bird species and other wildlife. Following a memorable day, we will transfer back to our hotel for dinner and overnight. B L D

DAY 3 TIKAL-BELIZE CITY-DEPARTURE. After breakfast this morning, we will pack up and transfer from Tikal National Park to Belize’s Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport for your return flight home. B