Coral Jaguar Expedition
This incredible journey affords us the unique opportunity to venture inland and explore the rivers of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary combined with an epic paddle along the Southern Belizean Barrier Reef. We start our trip at the Belize Zoo, where we become part of the Captured Problem Jaguar Initiative.
Here, we get face to face with one of Belize's newest programs designed to rehabilitate problem jaguars, that are normally destroyed. After a half-day at the zoo, we journey down the Hummingbird Highway to the village of Maya centre to a lodge managed by some of the villagers. From here, we then continue to the highlight of the inland portion of the trip; learning about and travelling through the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve.
The Cockscomb Basin became a forest reserve in 1984, and the world's first and only Jaguar reserve in 1986. The area was protected because of the incredible diversity and profusion of wildlife and birds found within. The reserve supports the highest concentrations of jaguars (Felis onca) north of the Amazon Basin. Here we 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 Maya people with our Mayan Guides.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(WN-15133-P) |
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All meals & accommodation |
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All transfers described in the tour |
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All park and camping fees |
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Unlimited use of our equipment |
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Use of waterproof dry bags for both the sea and river |
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Professional Guiding Services |
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Contributions to Conservation and Education programs in Belize |
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10% Sales Tax and 9% Hotel tax |
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Price Excludes |
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- Transportation back to Belize City
from Dangriga after the trip
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
- International Flights
- Personal Equipment
- Extra costs due to late Arrivals, lost luggage and other circumstances beyond our control |
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Suitability / Level |
NA |
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Theme |
Activity Days
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
12 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Day 0: Arrive at the Belize International Airport where you will be met by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred to the Tropical Education centre, After checking into our rustic accommodations we are greeted with a BBQ dinner where we have a chance to meet our fellow travellers. This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet your fellow travellers and acclimatize to your new tropical environment.
Day 1: After breakfast our guides take us on a morning walk along the wildlife viewing platforms at the centre, and then we travel
across the road to the Belize Zoo to participate in the Problem Jaguar Program. The program live-captures Jaguars, exposes them to people as part of their rehabilitation, and gets them used to captivity. Eventually these animals will be available to high quality zoos around the world instead of being exterminated. This trip helps fund this new program, and gives people a once in a lifetime chance to spend time face to face with the master of the neo-tropical jungle.
After lunch at the TEC, we meander down one of Belize’s most spectacular drives, the Hummingbird Highway, into the
Maya Village of Maya centre. Here we are greeted by a local Mayan family that hosts us for the night, and talks to us on how the
village helps manage the park and about the life of the modern Maya. Here we enjoy a traditional Belizean dinner with our Belizean guide, discuss how to pack for the river portion of the trip, and talk details of the next days hike into the river.
Day 2, 3, 4: Early in the morning, we leave the lodge and head to the Cockscomb Park headquarters, where we tour the small interpretive centre, load our backpacks, and begin our journey into the river put-in and our first camp in the Cockscomb. Stopping
along the way to learn of the many plants and animals of the rainforest, we travel down a wide trail through the centre of the park before veering off the main path into the Mexican Branch junction of the South Stann Creek River. For this portion of the trip, we use two-person inflatable kayaks which combine the stability of a raft with the manoeuvrability of a kayak. We begin by travelling slowly, learning different paddle strokes and getting a feel for how the boats handle on the water. Travelling downriver we experience all the luxuriance and beauty of the tropical rainforest. Each bend in the river holds the promise of something new. As the trip progresses, we learn how to navigate through small rapids becoming proficient with reading the water and choosing the right channels. Arriving at our established bush-camps in the afternoon, we have time to explore and learn more about the plants and wildlife in the surrounding forest, and can take advantage of the afternoon light for photography. At night, we have the chance to go for a night-walk to try and see some of the nocturnal animals. This is the premier trip for encountering wildlife in the rainforests of Belize.
Day 5: Our last morning in the rainforest we travel downstream through an exciting boulder garden and rapids section, before we
are met by IEC staff at the pull-out point. After lunch in Maya centre, we drive overland to the coastal town of Dangriga, where we
take a motor to our first camp on the Belize Barrier Reef. Moving from the green, lush jungle to the waving palms and turquoise
waters of the Caribbean is a exceptional contrast. And throughout we will gain an appreciation of the similarities of the ecosystems on the coral reef and that of the rainforest. We begin with the fundamentals of sea kayaking; we learn and practice paddle strokes, as well as self-rescue and group-rescue techniques, before heading out in the evening for a paddle. Time permitting, we can also enjoy some snorkelling and exploration at one of the nearby patch reefs.
Day 6-9: Expect an adventure of a lifetime as we explore south and east of Dangriga along this wild section of the Barrier Reef.
Our days are a blend of paddling and sailing our kayaks, swimming and snorkelling in the turquoise waters and camping amongst the hundreds of tropical islands along the reef. We engage in a variety of activities as we travel each day. We learn new paddling skills, hone our kayak-sailing skills and try our hands at navigating with a marine chart and compass. A big part of each day is spent exploring the many coral reefs encountered along the way. We also travel through productive fishing grounds with bonefish, tarpon, snapper, grouper and barracuda providing excellent sport fishing, as well as a wonderful variety for the dinner table. For those who savour the simple pleasures of life, you can master the art of relaxing in a hammock with a good book while your guides prepare a fresh seafood dinner.
Day 10: Enjoy our last day on the cays snorkelling paddling , fishing. In the afternoon we end our journey on an island along the
inner channel of the barrier reef, and are transferred to the mainland by motor charter. Back in Dangriga, we settle into our accommodations, and have a chance to shower, dress and relax before our evening celebration at a local family’s house for dinner. Trip finishes in Dangriga the following day. Our office can help you make whatever travel arrangements you need from this point. |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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Tropical Education centre, Maya centre Lodge, Camping, & Chaleanors Hotel. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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We have provided a little
section of extra travel needs that you may need
and to make life easier for our customers. We aim
to provide all the extras you would need; flights,
hotels, insurance, car hire and airport parking.
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