Belize’s diverse habitats harbor over 500 species of birds. This package will take you birding through several differnt habitats including pine, broadleaf, wetland and mangrove forests, giving you the chance to see a wide variety of species. Also, the birding areas feature other attractions, like Mayan ruins and waterfalls, that are combined with the birding. You'll also get a chance to spend a few days on laid back island of Caye Caulker to relax. You will spend your first few nights in a jungle lodge in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. This reserve harbors over 300 bird species such as yellow faced grassquits, rufous-capped warblers, golden-hooded tanagers and orange-breasted falcons. The Macal River is home to black phoebes, social flycatchers, kingfishers and gray necked wood rails. Aguacate Lagoon (near the Mennonite community of Spanish Lookout) may yield species such as jacamaras, trogons, great curassows and a variety of hawks and falcons. The Mayan Ruins of Caracol lay in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve where harpy eagles have been spotted. Just in these few days in the jungle you'll cover broadleaf, pine and wetland forests. Then you'll head to the island of Caye Caulker to do a bit more birding but mostly to relax in this laid back island. The northern part of the island (north of the Split) forms the terrestrial part of the Caye Caulker Forest and Marine Reserve. There is also a Mangrove forest reserve on the southern tip of the island. Over 150 species or resident and migratory birds have been spotted on Caye Caulker. Rare birds such as the Caribbean elaenia and the rufous-necked woodrail, as well as unusual nesting birds such as the black catbirds and mangrove warbler can be seen. The village itself, with its sandy streets and trendy bars, stores and restaurants, is a cool and relaxed place. Everything is at a walking distance here, with bikes, golf-carts and mostly travelers and locals on foot moving along the streets and shoreline. One of the main hang-out spots is the Split, a Channel that cuts the island in two. Overall, it’s a small and very laid-back island with colorful and warm people.
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Itinerary & What's Included:
- You will be welcomed at the International Airport by a representative of DiscoveringBelize.com
- The transfer from the International Airport to Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is not incluced. You can choose between a public bus, rental car or private transfer by SUV. We can easily arrange any of these options for you.
- 4 Nights accomodation at Hidden Valley Inn in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
- Mayan Ruins of Caracol Birding Tour
- Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve Birding Tour
- Aguacate Lagoon Birding Tour & Visit to Spanish Lookout Mennonite Town
- The transfer from the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve to Caye Caulker is not incluced. You must first get to Belize City. You can choose between a public bus, rental car or private transfer by SUV. From Belize City to Caye Caulker you can either take a local flight or a Water Taxi boat ride. We can easily arrange any of these options for you.
- 3 Nights accomodation at Seaside Cabanas in Caye Caulker
- Caye Caulker Mini Forest Reserve Birding Tour
- On your last day, the transfer from Caye Caulker to the International Airport is not included. You can choose betwen a local flight or a Water Taxi boat ride. We can easily arrange any of these options for you.
- Equipment, park fees and lunch are included in all the tours of this trip
- The guides we use are expert birders with a wealth of knowledge
- The smile on your face at the end of the trip is free
Doesn’t Include:
- Departure Tax
- International Flight
- Transfers within Belize as specified above, but we can easily arrange these for you.
RATES
HIDDEN VALLEY INN & SEASIDE CABANAS
LOW SEASON
HIGH SEASON
PEAK SEASON
2 Persons in Room
$858
$941
$985
3 Persons in Room
$646
$694
$731
Rates are per person and in US Dollars Low Season: May 1 - Aug 31, 08 High Season: Jan 2 - Apr 30, 08 Peak Season: Dec 20, 07 - Jan 1, 08
Children under 12 years stay FREE with parents.
This resort is nestled amidst 7,200 acres of private reserve with miles of trails leading through pine and broadleaf forests to waterfalls and mountain views. The birding is spectacular. There is even an interesting Orange-Breasted Falcon program, where they are grown captive and released into the reserve here. The main lodge is where everyone gathers, with a cozy fireplace, small library, dining area and bar. Just beside the lodge is a pool with hot-tub and views of the mountains. There are 12 private cabanas spread around the main lodge with rich wood interiors and warm fireplaces. The lodge itself offers a very quiet and relaxed atmosphere while the surrounding trails offer much to see and explore. Overall, this tranquil jungle retreat offers great value and comfort.
This seafront resort is filled with color. Orange dominates the exterior while reds and yellows accent the interiors. The colors are contrasted by wood grains and thatch. The rooms surround the central pool, with a view of the sea, with the courtyard dotted by a few coconut trees. It’s a small comfortable resort and well decorated. There’s a small collection of books near the front desk and above the bar there is a nice lounge that overlooks the pool. Overall, it offers great value and a nice change from the rustic guesthouse that dominate the island.
TOURS
Maya Ruins of Caracol Birding Tour
This is the largest Maya city in Belize. The city core covers 15 square miles. One of its most interesting architectural features is that Canna, the largest temple, features a whole plaza, with 3 smaller temples, on top. You can get some pretty spectacular views of the surrounding jungle from the top as well. Interestingly, one of the hieroglyphics at the site records a military conquest over the mighty city of Tikal in neighboring Guatemala. Additionally, as it is part of a nature reserve, you will see a variety of fauna, birds and maybe even a troop of howler monkeys. The scenic drive to Caracol traverses over creeks, tropical and pine forests, habitat for a variety of bird species. The highest canopy rainforest is home to rare birds such as the Keel-Billed Mot Mot, Crested Guan, Great Curassow and the Ocellated Turkey.
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve Birding Tour
This 300 square mile reserve has many sites to visit, which can be combined with birding. Rio Frio Cave features a massive entrance with cathedral high ceilings inside. Here you might see Orange-Billed Sparrows, White -Throated Robins and an array of Red-Throated and Red-Crowned Tanagers. Rio On Pools features a series of pools and small falls. A common visitor here is the Hepatic-Tanager. Thousand Foot Falls is a huge waterfall which drops into a steap river vally below. Here you might see the Orange-Breasted Falcon and King Vultures. Overall, the reserve offers opportunities to view Yellow Faced Grassquits, the Rufous-Capped Warblers, Acorn Wood Peckers, Yellow Backed Orioles and Golden-Hooded Tanagers.
Aguacate Lagoon Birding Tour & Visit to Spanish Lookout Mennonite Town
Several different habitats it in the area makes it a favorable birding destination. In the open land and pastures it is easy to find Vermillion Flycatchers, Fork-Tailed Flycatchers, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, White-Tailed Kites, Laughing Falcons, Eastern Medowlarks and Northern Rough-Wings Swallows. In the forest around the lake common sighting may include jacamars, trogons, Puff-birds, guans, Great Curassows and a variety of hawks and falcons. The lake itself attracts water birds such as the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Night Herons, Anhingas and Neotropic Cormmorants. The modern Mennonite settlement of Spanish Lookout provides excellent bird watching, as well as an opportunity to witness the unique Mennonite way of life. This Protestand evangelical group, similar to the Amish of Pennsylvania, live in closed communities maintaining their traditional beliefs and way of life. They are farmers and provide most of the produce, including milk and meat, for the country. The town itself looks like a countryside with rolling hills and open farmland.
Caye Caulker Mini Forest Reserve Birding Tour
The island of Caye Caulker is home to over 100 species of birds. This is primarily due to its protected reserves. These littoral forests have 3 kinds of mangroves, red, white and black as well as a number of other trees such as buttonwood, madre de cacao and ziracote. This forms an excellent habitat for crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, fish and waterbirds. Mangrove Warblers are a commone site around here. Other birds you can see here are quite rare such as teh White-Crowned Pideon, Rufus-Necked Woodrail and the Black Catbird. This is one of the few places where you can see these rare birds. A trained naturalist will explain this important exosystem as well as spot several of the bird species here.
