On our eleven-day-long excursion to Belize & Chan Chich we'll cut a transect from Ambergris Caye and the world's second-longest barrier reef to the pine ridges on the Guatemalan frontier. En route we'll experience some of the world's finest snorkeling, boat through a wildlife preserve in a sheltered lagoon, visit two major Mayan sites, and watch for more than 250 species of birds, including the magnificent King Vulture. The trip begins with a 15 minute commuter flight to Ambergris Caye, the largest of the "Keys," as they pronounce it (English is the official language of Belize). Ambergris is an island 25 miles long, and 1/2 mile wide, just a few hundred yards from the largest living coral reef in the world. Water visibility at Ambergris is up to 200 feet, water temperature is a perfect 82°, and the brilliant kaleidoscope of tropical fish puts aquariums to shame. While on Ambergris, we also expect to find Black Catbird, Yucatán Vireo, and a generous selection of wintering U.S. warblers. After the short flight back to Belize City, we transfer to our lovely accommodations high on the Mountain Pine Ridge near the 1000 Foot Falls. Hidden Valley Inn is famous as one of the few Central American locations for Orange-breasted Falcon, and the incredibly rare Stygian Owl has also nested near the lodge. Exotic Laughing Falcons, Bat Falcons, and immaculate White Hawks share these unique forests with familiar American Kestrels, Acorn Woodpeckers, and Hepatic Tanagers. Our Belize trip has been designed to allow us a full day to experience the majesty of the seldom visited site at Caracol. Standing 136 feet above the largest archaeological site yet attributed to the Maya, Caana or "Sky Palace" is the tallest building in the entirety of Belize. Over 4,400 structures have been mapped in the core city since excavation began in 1985—almost twice the number as in nearby Tikal. Indeed, after Lord Water conquered Tikal in 562 A.D., Caracol dominated the realm of the Maya for nearly 150 years. Birds will be everywhere. Caracol is set in a lush rain forest that literally throbs to the dawn song of both tropical residents and of our wintering North American warblers and thrushes. Perhaps Caracol’s most prized species is the Keel-billed Motmot, the rarest member of its family. Beautiful Blue-crowned Motmots, larger and far more common, are bound to compete for our notice as we search through shady plazas and enter mottes of virgin hardwoods whose canopy reaches nearly as high as Caana itself. After a visit to the Belize Zoo, our next destination is Crooked Tree Lagoon. Here we'll explore the tranquil waters of this magnificent bird preserve by launch. The Jabiru, the tallest wader in the Western Hemisphere, is only one among the many birds that may occur at Crooked Tree. Other possible species are Black-collared Hawk, Snail Kites, and both tiny American Pygmy and giant Ringed Kingfishers. Pristine rain forest, abundant tropical wildlife, and unexcavated Mayan ruins are the ingredients that make Chan Chich one of Central America’s great natural and cultural history destinations. Throughout our investigation of the 125,000 acre preserve we stay at the single most impressive lodge in the "Mundo Maya." Set in the central plaza of the ruins, and surrounded by temple mounds, Chan Chich is one of the few places in Mesoamerica where Strong-billed Woodcreeper is regular and both Black-and-white and Ornate Hawk-Eagles may soar over at anytime. A garden of paths tunnel through the ceiba, mahogany, and zapote trees, connecting lesser ruins with the central pyramids. Here we'll watch for two species of monkeys, five species of parrots, four species of trogons, three species of toucans, and the rare and richly colored Ocellated Turkey, endemic to the Petén lowlands. After four nights in this tropical paradise we transfer to the Belize International Airport.

Cost of the Belize & Chan Chich tour includes all meals and accommodations, all entrance fees, and all ground and air travel beginning and ending in Belize City—$4295.

Photo:  Plumage detail of Ocellated Turkey
Photo by:  Chris Sharpe

Belize Photo Gallery