CORAL JAGUAR

LENGTH: 12 Days/11 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES: Dec 23-Jan 3; Jan 13-Jan 24; Feb 3-Feb 14; Feb 24-Mar 07; Mar 31-Apr 11.

*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 JAGUAR 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: 1715.00USD 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; DINNER on DAY 11; MEALS on DAY 12; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX (35.00USD 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.

DESCRIPTION: Our Coral Jaguar Field Course is, for many, the adventure of a lifetime. On this, one of our more adventurous Sea Kayaking programs, we will paddle, sail and snorkel our way along Belize’s southern Barrier Reef, camp on idyllic tropical islets, explore coral reefs teeming with multi-colored Tropical Fish, Dolphins, Sea Turtles and the magnificent Manta Ray. Late at night, we listen as our Guides weave a tapestry of stories about Belizean life. Photographic opportunities are numerous and exceptional as we journey from the turquoise blues of the Caribbean to the verdant Tropical Moist Forests of the interior. On this Field Course, we will have the unique opportunity to paddle along Belizean Barrier Reef and then venture inland to explore the rivers of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve. The Barrier Reef, which runs the full length of the Belizean coastline, is considered one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth. The Reef, which is 185 miles long and runs from 10 to 25 miles offshore of the mainland, is the longest continuous reef in the Caribbean and second longest in the World. Along the Barrier Reef there are over 225 Cayes, ranging from small sand-fringed islands perched along the Reef's edge, to larger islands of partially submerged land and mangroves found west of the main Barrier Reef, closer to the mainland. After eight days of exploring the Belizean islands we overnight at a hotel on the mainland before venturing into Tropical Moist Forest. Changing from sea kayaks to inflatable river kayaks, we will spend four days floating beneath a forest canopy intertwined with vines and lianas. Inflatable kayaks combine responsiveness and maneuverability with the stability and ease of rafts, making it the ideal craft for navigating through the rapids and pour-overs encountered as we travel downstream. The highlight of the inland portion of the trip is learning about and traveling through Cockscomb Basin. It became a Forest Reserve in 1984 and the World's first and only Jaguar Reserve in 1986. The area came under protected status because of the incredible diversity and profusion of wildlife found here. The Reserve supports the highest concentrations of Jaguars (Felis onca) north of the Amazon Basin. Here we will have a great opportunity to view wildlife as we travel along the river. Our exciting and challenging river-run is combined with a rich cultural experience, as we travel into the heartland of the Mayan people with our Mayan Guides.

Note:
Our Coral Jaguar Field Course takes place in a remote wilderness region of Belize. Once on the mainland, there is a 6 mile hike to the put-in point on the river. Participants are expected to carry only personal gear into the river. Weather conditions can greatly affect water levels and access into the river, and may increase the level of difficulty. We also believe that the remoteness and variability of conditions are what make this trip the best of its kind. Trip itineraries can vary significantly depending on water levels.

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