"Very good location & nice rooms – Liked it very much"
Yvonne Heizereder
Maya World Extension
January 23, 2006
"Birds Eye Voew Lodge very pleasant intro to rural Belizean life as well as interesting birds.
4 star guides when it came to history of region, bird identification and mayan experts"
Eileen Goldgrier
Maya World Extension
December 12, 2005
"I leaned a lot about Belize – History, Culture, and birds & reptiles from Leonard. Excellent Information"
Jo-Anne Rohrmoser
Maya World Extension
November 28, 2005 |
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Maya
World Extension
- 3 Days / 2 Nights
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Crooked Tree wetlands, the New River and ruins of Lamanai
Our trip begins with the ancient Mayan city of Lamanai on the New River Lagoon. Lamanai, which
roughly translates to ‘Submerged Crocodile’, was one of the most important trading and ceremonial centers in the Caribbean lowlands. Occupied for over 3000 years, from 1500 B.C until 1600 A.D., the ruins are unique as they illuminate a period of history that encompasses the early formative years of Mayan civilization through to initial European contact and colonization. With structures ranging from pre-classic temples to the Spanish colonial-era; with jungle trails, refreshing swimming holes and an excellent on-site museum, Lamanai is one of the most charming of all Mayan sites in Belize.
After our day of exploring, we travel from Lamanai by boat winding our way through the wildlife rich
wetlands of the New River on the way to our waterfront lodge within the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Crooked Tree provides a special opportunity for viewing, close at hand, the astounding diversity of birds and wildlife for which Belize is renowned. By boat we explore Spanish Creek, Revenge Lagoon and the surrounding wetlands where we can see many birds including northern jacanas, white ibis, wood storks and the huge jabiru stork. In the afternoon we travel to another of Belize’s Maya ruins, Altun Ha, known for the impressive temple of the Sun God.
"Mayan Extension was a very good trip. Well organized, informative, and fun. Accommodations at Crooked Tree were great"
Heidi Giesbrecht
Maya World Extension
March 4, 2007
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The Sites...
Lamanai
- The
ruins of Lamanai lie scattered along the lagoon of the
New River within a tropical rainforest in central Belize.
The archaeological reserve is spread over 950 acres, however,
the central area of the site covers approximately half
a square mile. Mayan "Lama'an'ain", translates into "submerged
crocodile" and, was one of the longest continuously occupied
Mayan cities-from about 500 BC to 1675 AD due in part
to its situation on a major trade route, the New River.
The first major excavation was by David M. Pendergast,
of the Royal Ontario Museum. During a series of field
seasons beginning in 1974, his team mapped 718 structures
stretching out along the shore of the lagoon. Much of
Lamanai's importance is reflected in the large, imposing
Late Pre-Classic temple-pyramids, which usually built
over top of Early Classic constructions. For example,
buried deep inside a 600 AD masked temple lies a well
preserved Late Pre-Classic temple dating back to 100 BC
In addition to the many Mayan structures in the park,
Lamanai is also known for the remains of two 16th century
Catholic churches and a 19th century sugar mill including
a huge flywheel and boiler. Due to the long occupation
of the site by varied peoples, the artifacts of Lamanai
include those of stone, clay, wood, bone, shell, jade,
gold, copper, glass, and iron. Also of interest, there
are at least four troops of howler monkeys living there
and the marshlands around the lagoon support many species
of water birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Altun
Ha - Translates
into "stone water", which comes from the ancient Mayan
reservoir, or aguada, that Belizeans call "rock stone
pond". Altun Ha was an important Classic Period site situated
to take advantage of the trading that occurred between
the waters of the Caribbean and the deep interior of the
Mayan Civilization. Altun Ha is one of the most excavated
sites in Belize. The complex of Altun Ha is located 31
miles (50 kms) north of Belize City. The entire city covered
three square miles (5 km2) and the population is estimated
to have been 8,000 to 10,000 people at its peak. Within
the central portion of the site there are more than 275
structures. Though quite small in size, this Mayan site
has become famous mainly for a large jade head, representing
the sun god Kinich Ahau, that was discovered in the main
temple. This head is the largest Mayan jade artifact discovered
to date, weighing 10 lbs. It is now the national symbol
of Belize and seen on the corner of every Belizean banknote.
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Crooked
Tree Wildlife Sanctuary - Located
33 miles (53 kms) northwest of Belize City and just 2
miles off the Northern Highway, the Crooked Tree Wildlife
Sanctuary consists of a large network of inland lagoons,
swamps, and waterways. The sanctuary provides both the
abundant food sources and the safe resting areas necessary
to support a large and diverse population of birds. There
are literally hundreds of species within the sanctuary,
including, snail kites, tiger herons, snowy egrets, ospreys,
black collared hawks, and of course the reserves most
famous resident, the massive jabiru stork. The best time
for viewing resident and migrant birds is December until
June, during Belize's dry-season. Those visiting in the
later months of the dry season (Feb.- Jun.) are treated
to a concentration of wildlife, which congregate in the
park's shrinking lagoons, as freshwater resources across
the country dry-up.
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Trip
Summary: |
Begin
From: Belize City
End In: Belize City
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Trip Departures & Prices: See Trip Schedule at bottom of this
page
Group Size: 2-13
Guides: 1-2 Belizean Guides
Accommodations: Birds
Eye View Lodge
Activities: Hiking, Mayan
Ruins Exploration, Rainforest Trails and Waterways,
Birding,
Photography, Natural History Interpretation |
New - Detailed trip itinerary
in
Google Maps & Google Earth!
Click on the map below to open a new window.
Then follow the trip elements along the left hand menu through the day to day details.
Trip
Route |
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Typical
Daily Itinerary:
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Day 1: For those beginning their Island Expeditions trip with this extension. Arrive at the Belize International Airport where you are met by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred to the Birds Eye View, in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. After checking into our accommodations we have a chance to meet our fellow travelers, explore the nearby Creole village and settle into the rhythm of ‘Belize Time’. 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
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Day
2: After a nice breakfast the group departs for the Mayan Ruins of Lamanai. This day of exploration includes a complete guided tour, visiting the many temples, plazas, palaces, and museums within the park boundaries.
Once we have had a chance to tour the ruins, we depart Lamanai by boat for a scenic ride into the crooked Tree Area where we have tremendous birding and wildlife opportunities: Iguana, Parrot, Toucan and even Morlet’s Crocodile can be seen along the banks of the new River Lagoon. Upon arriving on the shore, we transfer overland for 45 minutes to Crooked Tree Village. We overnight at Birds Eye View Lodge, along the banks of the Crooked Tree Lagoon.
Accommodation: (Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
3: An early morning coffee and binoculars in hand, we enjoy the waking wilderness and many hundreds of birds feeding along the shores of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Lagoons. The protected area was created in 1984 primarily to preserve resident and migratory birds, and consists of a network of inland lagoons, swamps and waterways that shelter one of the world's largest flying birds, the jabiru (jabiru mycteria.). After breakfast we enjoy a morning boat tour in the lagoons. After lunch we have time to relax and gather our bags before departing to the Mayan site of Altun Ha. Considered one of the major Mayan ceremonial centres of Belize, Altun Ha also functioned as an important trading centre between the interior and the Caribbean Sea during the classic period (250-900 AD). However, Altun Ha has been dated as far back as 600 BC. Within the site, there are more than 275 structures and there are up to 250 to 300 unexcavated mounds. |
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We return to the Belize City around 4:00 pm. Those traveling onto another program with Island Expeditions will continue from here to the Tropical Education Centre. All other travelers will be dropped off at the Belize International Airport, or will be dropped off at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, in Belize City, to continue with their independent arrangements.
Those
people traveling onto another program with Island Expeditions
will continue from here to the Tropical Education Centre.
All other travelers will be dropped off at the Belize
International Airport, or will be dropped off at the
Belize Biltmore Plaza, in Belize City, to continue with
their independent arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
What's
Included...
- All
meals indicated on the itinerary
- Accommodation listed on itinerary
- Transportation on tour
- Professional Guiding Services
- Belize 9% Hotel tax
- 12.5% Belize Sales Tax
What's
Not Included...
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
- Airport Departure Tax
- Extra costs due to late Arrivals and other circumstances beyond
our control.
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A Note About the Ecology...
Flora...
We
begin our trip, encompassed in the rich tropical savannah,
grassy lowlands, lagoons and broadleaf rainforests of
Central Belize. Within the savannah and lowland habitats
of Belize, the dominant plant species is the Caribbean
pine, but there also exists an abundance of other species
such as grasses, palms, palmettos to cecropias and miconias.
Although, this ecosystem is not as diverse vegetation
as the broadleaf tropical rainforest, it does posses a
unique system that relies on specific ecological influents.
Fire is the major ecological influent, which contributes
to the continuous dominance of this system. This can be
seen through-out the lowland savannah zones as charred
stumps and burned bark on many of the trees, which seems
like a destructive force to the untrained eye, however,
this is an important factor in the regions ongoing renewal.
The cycle of burns renews growth in the region, and certain
species cannot release their seed without fire! The lagoons
and riverine environments of the lowlands also harbor
an tremendous diversity of plant-life, which ranges from
small thinboled trees, to large kapoks along the floodplain.
Also, small Cecropias and various leguminous trees are
abundant, and heliconias tend to dominate the understory.
Various arums are also common as are palms, especially
morichie palm. |
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Fauna...
While
traveling inland into the savannah and wetland habitats
of northern Belize, we have great opportunities to view
a diverse array of wildlife. Travelers flock to the region
to see the diverse bird life found throughout the savannah
and marshlands; over 250 different species have been spotted
in this region (approximately 2/3 of Belize's total).
During the dry-season, when the birds tend to congregate
in shrunken pools and rivers riverbed, it is not uncommon
to see one hundred species or more on an average
day. Some of the birds seen are: the jabiru stork, the
belted kingfisher, the tri-colored heron, the boat-billed
heron, the great and snowy egret, the snail kite, the
tiger heron, the osprey, and the black-collared hawk.
While traveling through any of the riverbeds or lagoons,
we are also likely to spot some of Belize's interesting
land creatures, such as the Morelet's crocodile, turtles,
and green or spiny iguanas. Also, some of the mammals
common to the area include collared and white-lipped peccary
(warrie), brocket and white-tailed deer, opossums, weasels,
porcupines, and armadillos. |
Accommodation...
On the nights of Day 1 and Day 2, we will be staying at
Birds Eye View Lodge, situated on the water's edge of
the Crooked Tree Lagoon. This comfortable Belizean-style
hotel offers private bath and lakeside views. Over top
of the hotel there is a deck and bar, which is a perfect
place to catch the evening breeze and reminisce over your
recent discoveries.
Transportation...
On
the morning of 'Day 2', we will be traveling overland from
Belize City into the ruins of Lamanai. From Lamanai, we will
be transported up the New River by motorboat to the town of
Orange Walk. Upon arriving on the shores of Orange Walk, we
transfer overland for 45 minutes to Crooked Tree Village.
The following morning, we take another motor charter into
the Crooked Tree Lagoon, visiting the remote Mayan Ruins of
Chau Hiix. After lunch, we return to Crooked Tree and continue
overland, by van, to the Ruins of Altun Ha. In the late afternoon,
we return the 34 miles (55 kms) overland to the Belize Biltmore
Plaza, in Belize City. |
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Thinking
about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions Co?
The
Maya World Extension combines well with the Glovers Reef & River of Caves, Lighthouse
Reef Adventure, the Coral Islands & Mayan Caves, and the Coral
Jaguar Expedition, as it provides the unique opportunity
see other parts of the ancient Mayan world. The Glovers Reef & River of Caves and the Coral Islands & Mayan Caves trips both offer a unique
experience, visiting some of the more isolated areas of the
Barrier Reef and the surrounding atolls. The Coral Jaguar
Expedition combine exploration of the Barrier Reef with an
inland component, venturing into the remote areas of the southern
Belizean rainforest.
Thinking About
Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With nearly two decades 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
a call, and we can help you plan the best vacation possible!
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$599.00 USD
incl $95 Gov't Fees & Taxes
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| 2011 / 2012 Season |
| Day 1 -
Arrival Date |
Day
2 -
Trip Start Date |
Day
3 -
Fly Home Date |
This trip can be done before
or after
any of our trips.
Call us to help you coordinate the dates.
Please
contact our office at info@islandexpeditions.com
or 1-800-667-1630 for availability.
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