Meet & Greet Belize International Airport

We'll have a three-hour journey by road and river to Lamanai South Lodge. Our journey will include an hour safari up the New River. As we meander south five species of King Fishers are possible, Black-collared Hawk, Boatbilled and Agami Herons, Tropical & Couch's Kingbird, and Mangrove Swallows are abundant.

The spotlight safari will find us again on the New River but this time at night. This exciting excursion will provide great views of Pygmy Kingfishers, Grey-necked Wood-Rails, Purple Gallinules, and Limpkins. We may also be fortunate to see a Tyra, Mexican Hairy Porcupine, and possibly one of several opossums.

This morning we'll find ourselves at the ancient Maya site of Lamanai. Amongst the remains of this once thriving civilization we'll see Tody Motmots, Blue Buntings, four species of Trogans, Keel-billed Toucans, and many Red-lored and White-fronted Parrots. The tour will include intriguing discussions and presentations about the Maya at Lamanai.

Our afternoon will find us exploring two 17th Century Spanish Churches and an 18th Century Sugar Mill. We'll learn the significance of these remains while searching for Collared Aracari, Black-headed Saltator, both anttanagers, and Thrushlike Schiffornis. We also hope to encounter an active troop of Black Howler Monkeys often seen in this area.

Our final stop will find us in Indian Church Village where archaeologists and other researchers have been developing a community enhancement project. For those who are interested there will be a pre-arranged project, donation, or other such effort for us to participate in.

After breakfast we'll depart for Pook's Hill Lodge and en route we'll make a stop at Crooked Tree Sanctuary for a great chance at Jabiru, both whistling ducks, and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture.

We'll have lunch at Cheer's, a Belizean landmark, which will provide us with a chance to see Yellow-headed Parrots.

Upon arrival to Pook's Hill we'll explore the small ancient Maya site of Pook's Hill while searching for Olivethroated Parakeets, White-crowned Parrot, Long-tailed Hermit, and Rufus-tailed Jacamar.

An early morning bird walk will find us once again exploring the private reserve that surrounds Pook's Hill Lodge in search of Brown-headed and Mealy Parrots, Violet Sabrewings, Green-breasted Mangos, and White-necked and White-whiskered Puffbirds.

Our first day trip from Pook's Hill will be to Belize's largest Classic Period Maya site, Caracol. The primary forest here extends as far as the eye can see in all directions. The journey to this site is a bit treacherous but well worth the trip. In addition to seeing this spectacular site we'll hope to see Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Dusky Antbird, Crane Hawk, Lovely Cotinga, and Crimson-collared Tanager.

As we find our way back to Pook's Hill we'll stop at the fascinating location of Rio Frio Cave a site that during ancient times was utilized for ceremonial purposes by the Maya.

We'll spend our morning exploring 1,000 Foot Falls in order to located Golden-hooded and Hepatic Tanagers, King Vulture, and most likely a Orange-breasted Falcon. En route to the falls we'll explore the Mountain Pine Ridge in order to see an Acorn Woodpecker, Rusty Sparrow, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, and Yellow-backed and Yellow-tailed Orioles.

In the afternoon you'll have a choice of tubing or swimming in Roaring Creek, relaxing around the grounds and in your cabana, or birding.

A night spotlight excursion on the grounds sometimes produces unusual critters such as tarantulas, kinkajous, or maybe even a Mottled Owl.

Inside Tikal National Park, this inn will give us the rare opportunity to explore this pristine park before the rest of the world is allowed to enter. This is the most rustic of our accommodations but offers us a cool swim in the pool, and the surrounding culture and environment can almost overwhelm.

We'll bird among a site that is often referred to as the "mother of all Maya sites" which is located inside the 20 square mile National Park which is itself surrounded by the largest biosphere reserve in Middle America.

Taking full advantage of staying inside the park, we'll watch the sunrise from Temple IV. From this vantage point we'll be viewing Keel-billed Toucans, Collared Aracaris, Grey-headed Tanagers, as well as howler monkeys, not to mention the incredible view of Temples I and II.

Tikal will also offer us the opportunity to see Ocellated Turkeys, Great Curassows, Ruddy Woodcreepers, and just maybe a Scaly-throated Leaftosser!

Our evening dinner will find us together for one last celebration, we'll review the events of the trip as well as work together to compile a Top Ten List.