LIGHTHOUSE REEF

LENGTH: 9 Days/8 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES: Jan 28-Feb 5; Feb 3-11; Feb 9-17; Feb 18-26; Feb 24-Mar 4; Mar 2-10; Mar 11-19; Mar 19-25; Mar 23-31; Mar 29-Apr 6; Apr 4-12; Apr 10-18.
*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 LIGHTHOUSE REEF 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: 1375.00USD per person.

GROUP SIZE: 6-18 participants.

Note: Group Leaders, please contact Rainforest and Reef for details about STIPENDS, FREE SPACE and GROUP RATES for bringing 6-18 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 8; MEALS on DAY 9; 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 9 Day/8 Night Lighthouse Reef Field Course takes us to the furthest boundary of the Belize reef system, World-renowned Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Here, we have established the first ever Adventure Basecamp. From Lighthouse Reef we will sea kayak, snorkel and have the opportunity to scuba dive. During this Field Course, participants will learn about coral reef ecology, enjoy incredible seafood feasts and take in one of the most beautiful island and coral reef settings imagineable. Lighthouse Reef Atoll, located fifty miles offshore of the Belize mainland, shelters within the heart of it's lagoon, the 400 foot deep "Blue Hole", one of the most extraordinary underwater phenomena in the Western Hemisphere. In 1972, Capt. Jacques Cousteau and the intrepid crew of the Calypso explored and filmed this incredible site, showing its amazing underwater diversity to the world for the first time. Developed along the lines of our largely successful Glovers Reef Field Course, the Lighthouse Basecamp opens up, for the first time, over 50 miles of wilderness reef and island ecosystems to explore by sea kayak. A one of a kind underwater marine trail, superb snorkeling from our beach, unique island forests and some of the best dive locations in the world all contribute to make this the most exciting new Basecamp program in Belize. We will begin our trip with an inland introduction and journey to Tropical Education Center (TEC) and Belize Zoo. The TEC is situated in savannah habitat close to the Sibun river. This region provides both the abundant food sources and the safe resting areas necessary to support a diverse population of wildlife. On the morning following our arrival in Belize, we will catch our motor-charter to spectacular Lighthouse Reef, one of only four coral atolls in the entire Caribbean. In a partnership with the Belize Audubon Society, the Adventure Basecamp on the Half-Moon Caye Natural Monument, has opened up this spectacular wilderness to adventurers.

Notes:
Due to the remoteness of our Lighthouse Reef Basecamp, activities on the reef portion of this Field Course are weather dependent. As with all of our Field Course itineraries, we reserve the right to change activities based on weather in the best interest of the group.
There are some great opportunities to dive at Lighthouse Reef. Optional diving is available for certified divers on certain days of the Field Course. Single tank dives are available from approximately 49.00US. For further information, please contact Rainforest and Reeef by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721
While at our base-camp on Half-Moon Caye, Participants will have unrestricted use of the following equipment: Double Kayaks (outfitted with special sails), Single Kayaks, Complete Research Library.

While on the Island, we are in On the island, we are in communication with the mainland via satellite phone and VHF Marine radio.

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