Glover’s Reef & Mayan Caves
Duration: 7 Days / 8 Nights
Begin From: Belize City
End In: Dangriga
Activities: Hiking,
Caving, Horseback Riding or River Float, Sea Kayaking (paddling & sailing), Snorkeling, Sea-Breathe
Diving, Scuba Diving, Fishing, Windsurfing, Birding, Photography, Natural &
Cultural History Interpretation, Garifuna Drum Night
Accommodation: Tropical Education Center, Banana Bank Lodge,
Glover's Basecamp, Chaleanor's Hotel
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Group Size: 6-16
Guides: 2-4 North
American and Belizean leaders
2001 Dates: Dec 3, 10, 17, 24, 31,
2002 Dates: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1,
8, 15, 22, 29, May 6
"Selected as one of the top adventure trips by Outside Magazine in 2000"
The Setting…
Our day of inland exploration takes us from the mythical limestone caverns of the Mayan underworld to a mosaic of broadleaf tropical rainforest, cohune ridge, and rolling pine savannah. With our introduction to the Cayo district, north of the Maya mountains, we gain insight into the traditional and contemporary life of inland Belize, before heading out to our idyllic camp on Glovers Reef.
One of three atolls offshore of Belize, Glover's Reef was
named after the pirate John Glover who used this remote offshore ring of
islands and coral reefs as a base from which to raid Spanish merchant ships.
The shallow waters with innumerable coral reefs, mangroves and small islands
were ideal waters for pirates and buccaneers to hide after plundering Spanish
galleons laden with riches pillaged from the New World. Today, the attractions
found within the atoll (20 miles long by 7 miles wide) are the incredible
clarity of the water and the remarkable profusion of marine life. In 1993, the
atoll was declared a marine park and to further efforts to protect this
extraordinary environment, the site was designated as a World Heritage Site, in
1996. We travel and explore this area
by sea-kayak, paddling and sailing the shallow 82 square mile lagoon with over
700 patch reefs. The reefs of Belize have long been known as the richest in the
Caribbean, and Glovers is the best in Belize!
A Note About the Ecology...
Flora...
Belize's Barrier Reef is the largest reef in the northern hemisphere, second largest in the world, extending 185 miles (300 km) along the coastline. Nineteen miles seaward from the eastern border of the Barrier Reef, lies Belize's most spectacular atoll – Glover’s Reef. These circular shaped reef systems climb from the ocean floor and surround a central lagoon. The surrounding reef is primarily made up of two kinds of coral, the hard hydro-coral (reef-forming coral), such as brain coral or elkhorn coral, and the soft corals, such as sea fans and feather plumes. The sheltered lagoon harbors one of the world's most diverse sea environments; an extensive community of fish, shellfish, and patch reefs. One mile off the eastern shore of the atoll, the reef wall quickly drops 2600 feet to the ocean floor below. The interaction between the deeper, open waters of the Caribbean Sea and the sheltered lagoons of the atoll, results in a diversity and abundance of marine life, which is unsurpassed for sea kayaking, snorkeling and diving.
Fauna...
While on Southwest Cay, we will have the opportunity to
view a diverse range of sea-life and tropical birds. While exploring and
snorkeling the atoll and the many patch reefs, there are opportunities to see
grouper, bonefish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, conger, moray eels, and
goatfish; just to name a few. Some of the bird-life includes osprey (the billy
hawk), sea gulls, brown-footed and white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks,
mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. Around the atoll and the barrier
reef, there are nesting sites for loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. If
we're lucky, we may see them while out snorkeling or kayaking. We will
definitely have a chance to see and sample the main staple for Belizean
fishermen, the spiny lobster (in season) and the queen conch.
Typical Daily Itinerary:
Day 0: Arrive at the Belize
International Airport, where you will be met by an Island Expeditions
representative and transferred to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to
the Belize Zoo. . Here we are able to
explore the surrounding savannah forest through their network of interpretative
trails and wildlife viewing platforms. There is also a great interpretive
center, which details the diverse ecology of Belize, and is an ideal starting
point for the adventure ahead. After checking into our rustic accommodations,
we are greeted with a BBQ dinner, where we have a chance to meet our fellow
travelers. This
is an ideal starting point for the adventure ahead.
This day is
your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers and acclimatize
to your new tropical environment.
Transfers from the airport are included.
Accommodation: (Lodge)
Meals: Dinner is included on this
Day
Day 1: Today begins with a walk
and introduction to the pine savannah and rainforest ecology through the
network of cut trails and wildlife viewing platforms at the Tropical Education
Centre. From here, we continue along
the Hummingbird Highway toward the Mayan Pottery Caves. On our way to the
caves, we pass through cacao and citrus plantations, climb through the
rainforest and descend into the ancient limestone caves of the Maya. After our tour of the caves, we continue
overland to Banana Bank Lodge. We
settle into our accommodations, have lunch in the lodge, and then make a choice
of horseback riding, a river float, or an interpretive birding walk for the
afternoon. Banana Bank Lodge is a
resort and an equestrian facility situated on over 4,000 acres along the banks
of the historic Belize River. Our
location is superb. For those who wish
to stay behind and relax, there are wildlife viewing platforms, a greenhouse
with over 50 varieties of orchids, and a night-sky observatory at our disposal.
Accommodation: (Lodge)
Meals: B,L,D
Day 2-6: We depart early in the
morning by charter boat out past the main Barrier Reef to our private base-camp
on Southwest Cay, at Glovers Reef Marine Reserve. We are introduced to our new
environment and get settled into our accommodation. Once settled, the guides
provide instruction, teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and
safety in the tropics. Then, we paddle out to a nearby patch reef and start to
explore some of the 700 sites that Glovers Atoll has to offer.
Glovers is one of only four
atolls in the Caribbean Sea, and is truly the most spectacular marine
environment in Belize. Due to its isolation from the mainland, the waters are
exceptionally clear with inspiring scenery and a fabulously rich reef system that
offers the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. We spend the
days exploring the atoll with both single and double kayaks (rigged for
sailing!). Our itinerary is flexible in order to respond to both group and
individual desires and abilities. Activities include: sea kayaking, snorkeling
the inner and outer walls of the reef, learning to sail a kayak and
for both novices and experienced boarders. For experienced snorkelers, guides
can provide full instruction with our Sea-Breathe Diving System: a free
floating air pump designed to provide air by hookah lines down to 20-25 feet.
In the mornings and the evenings, we host informative sessions on a range of
topics, providing an opportunity for guides to share their knowledge of Belize,
the marine environments and local culture. Perhaps a high stakes game of Hermit
Crab Racing to finish the day! If all this sounds a little to busy you always
have the choice of just kicking back in a hammock and relaxing with a good book
and a cold drink.
Accommodation: (Tent-Walled Cabanas)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: For our last morning at
Glovers, the choice is yours. We may choose to don mask, snorkel and fins for a
last visit to your favorite coral reef, or work the flats with your most
productive Bonefish fly, before our motor charter comes to pick us up for the
return ride to Dangriga. Here we settle into our accommodations, have a chance
to shower, then dress and relax before our evening celebration. From our
roof-top view over the town of Dangriga, we celebrate with a barbecue and
Dangriga musicians performing their traditional Garifuna drumming and dance.
Accommodation: (Hotel)
Meals: B, L, D
Scuba Divers...
There are some great opportunities to dive at
Glovers. Optional diving is available for certified divers on certain days of
the trip. Single tank dives are available from $45US. For first time divers we
can offer, depending on availability, a Discover Scuba or Open Water Referral
course. Please let us know in advance.
We can also arrange a variety of dive packages before or after your trip. For
further information please contact our office.
Equipment...
While at our private base-camp on Southwest Cay, our
guests have unrestricted use of the following equipment: Double Kayaks
(outfitted with special sails), Single Kayaks, Sit-on-Top Dive Kayaks,
Sailboards, Sea-Breath Dive System, Complete Research Library, Field Marine Lab
including microscope and Hand Lenses, Volleyball Court and Weather Station. On
the island, we are in communication with the mainland via VHF marine radio.
What's Included...
All meals (fully catered) while you are at our Southwest
Cay base-camp
Selection of chilled Belizean wines and rum with dinner
and as cocktails
Unlimited
use of our Equipment and facilities
Professional guide and sports instruction services with
Belizean and North American leaders
All
accommodations including lodge on 'Day 0' and hotel the night after the trip
ends.
Glovers
Reef Marine Park user fee of $20US per person
Comprehensive
pre-trip information package
Financial
Support for Conservation and Education programs in Belize
What's Not Included...
Transfer back to Belize City after the trip
Beer
& soft drinks at Glovers ($1US for pop, $2US for beer)
Gratuities
International
Flights & Airport Departure Tax
Snorkeling
or Dive Gear & Scuba Diving fees
Extra
costs due to late Arrivals and other circumstances beyond our control
Accommodation...
On 'Day 0', we will be spending the night at the
Tropical Education Center. The Education Center has comfortable, rustic
accommodations in a beautiful pine savannah setting. The Center has a fantastic
interpretative center and harbors Belize's largest collection of tropical
animals, with a great network of trails and wildlife viewing platforms, perfect
for exploring this rare forest environment.
On
‘Day 1’, we will be staying at Banana Bank Lodge, located at the gateway of the
Cayo District. This spectacular resort
is spread over 4,000 acres, and houses a restaurant, a main lodge, and a number
of small cabanas. Our accommodations
for the evening are beautifully furnished, thatched, roofed cabanas, outfitted
with ceiling fans and hot water showers.
On the premises there is also an Orchadia which houses more than 50
varieties of orchids and bromeliads, a night sky observatory, a two-story
birding platform overlooking the lagoon, as well as an art gallery.
On Day 2 to 6 at Southwest Cay, we are "base
camping", sleeping in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style
tents are have ample headroom to walk around and are on raised wooden floors
with double or single beds. On the island, we have a fresh-water collection
system for drinking water, access to fresh-water showers, modern composting
toilets, a fully equipped kitchen including refrigeration. New for this year is
a large dining area with bar, resource library lounge, weather station and a
field marine lab.
On the final night we will be staying in Dangriga.
Our accommodation is at Chaleanor’s Hotel, a Belizean-style hotel in the heart
of town. On this final night, we have a Belizean dinner on a roof top terrace
with Dangriga musicians who introduce us to traditional Garifuna drumming and
dance.
Getting back to Belize City...
We will make arrangements for you to return to
Belize City the day after the trip ends, unless you have made other
arrangements with us. We will book either overland travel by bus (2-3 hours) or
a domestic flight (20 minutes) from Dangriga to Belize City or International
Airport. The cost of this flight back to Belize City/International Airport is
approximately $45 USD per person, bus transportation is approximately $7 USD
per person.
Thinking about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions Co?
The Glovers Reef & River of Caves combines well
with an adventure traveling inland. The Tikal Extension gives you a great
opportunity to visit one of the largest, excavated, Mayan ruin sites and
explore the ancient world of the Mayan people.
Or, the Wild South trip gives you a rare chance to travel into the
remote regions of southern Belize, combining caving, visiting Mayan ruins, and
a multi-day whitewater expedition in your adventure.
Thinking About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With over 13 years of exploration in Belize, our
knowledgeable office staff can offer you a wealth of travel information.
However, we do recommend that you read up on Belize and find what interests
you. Once you find an area of interest, give our office or your travel agent a
call, and we can help you plan the best vacation possible!
Recommended
Tour Books:
Eltringham, Peter. 1999. Belize: The Rough Guide
.London. Penguin Publishers.
Perottet, Tony. 1997. Belize: Insight Guide
Singapore. Houghton Mifflin Publishers. -
Great photographs and written by a Belizean!