ULTIMATE ADVENTURE

LENGTH: 11 Days/10 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES 2006-2007: Dec 7-17; Dec 14-24; Dec 21-31; Dec 28-Jan 7; Jan 4-14; Jan 25-Feb 4; Feb 1-11; Feb 8-18; Feb 15-25; Feb 22-Mar 4; Mar 8-Mar 18; Mar 15-25; Mar 22-Apr 1; Mar 29-Apr 8; Apr 12-Apr 22.
*Jun, Jul and Aug departures are available for individuals, families and groups, available upon request.

*An affordable extension to the famed MAYAN SITE of TIKAL in eastern Guatemala is available upon request before or after our ULTIMATE ADVENTURE FIELD COURSE. Description and pricing are included below.

*FIELD COURSES for those with SPECIAL INTERESTS, such as BIRDING and GARDEN GROUPS are available upon request. Sample itineraries can be seen at http://www.birdingtours.org (being updated), http://www.gardentours.org (being updated) and also http://www.rainforestandreef.org. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

FIELD COURSE COST: 1790.00USD per person.

GROUP SIZE: 6-12 participants.

Note: Group Leaders, please contact Rainforest and Reef for details about STIPENDS, FREE SPACE and GROUP RATES for bringing 6-12 full-paying participants.

Includes: All INSTRUCTION and GUIDE SERVICES; all MEALS and LODGING as stated in the itinerary; all GROUND and WATER TRANSPORTATION within Belize; One Scuba Dive for certified divers at Glover’s Reef Atoll or on the Barrier Reef; ONE-WAY DOMESTIC FLIGHT Dangriga-Belize City on DAY 10; all ENTRANCE FEES to NATIONAL PARKS and OTHER SITES.

Does Not Include: ROUND-TRIP INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE to Belize; DINNER on DAY 10; MEALS on DAY 11; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX (35.00USD per person); GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: Rainforest and Reef uses consolidators/wholesalers for all of our GROUP and INDIVIDUAL airfares. We are therefore able to offer the LOWEST RATES available. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

DESCRIPTION: Our 11 Day/10 Night Ultimate Adventure Field Course begins at the Belize Tropical Education Center and world-renown Zoo. Here, we will have a chance to explore the surrounding savannah life-zone through a network of trails and wildlife viewing platforms. There is also an Interpretative Center, which illustrates the diverse ecology of Belize, and is an ideal starting point for our Adventure ahead. We will also visit the Zoo, which features many animals from Belize in natural habit-like settings, including all 5 species of Cats found in Belize. Most of the animals at the Zoo were taken in after being injured and are not releasable, others were orphaned after being raised in captivity. On DAY 2 we will begin our journey by sea kayaking along the remote islands found near Belize’s southern Barrier Reef. Participants will then travel on to our luxury Field Camp at Glover’s Reef Atoll, outside of the main Barrier Reef, for two fantastic days of snorkeling, kayaking, diving and windsurfing. Belize’s Barrier Reef is 185 miles long and 10 to 25 miles from the Mainland. It is the longest continuous Reef system in the Caribbean and the second longest in the World. Spread along the Reef are over 200 Cayes, ranging from small sand-fringed Islands perched along the Reef’s edge, to larger Islands of Mangroves and Coconut Palms. After two nights on the main Reef, we will travel by motor-launch 20 miles further offshore to Glover's Reef Atoll, a remote ring of Corals and small Islands rising from the deep waters of the Caribbean. Glovers Atoll, with an unparalleled diversity and abundance of Marine Life is comprised of Reef-strewn waters, which offer some of the best snorkeling in Belize and the entire Caribbean. Our Island Basecamp is the perfect setting from which to actively explore the surrounding waters, which contain over 700 Patch Reefs. After our exploration of the Barrier Reef and Glovers Atoll we will return to the Mainland and travel to the Toledo District of southern Belize. From here, our group will experience Belize’s exquisite Tropical Moist Forest and its well preserved Mayan History, Traditions and Archaeology. Participants will begin this segment of the trip traveling by van and four-wheel drive to our put-in point on the Moho River. Our first day will include teaching river-safety and paddling techniques before embarking into some of Belize's most remote and pristine wilderness. Once on the water, we will paddle and hike during the day, while camping in Tropical Rainforest at night. As our group travels down the Moho River, participants will descend into Mayan Ceremonial Caves and through the forested canyons of Belize’s Mayan Mountains. Although no previous experience or special skills are needed to participate in our Ultimate Adventure Field Course, one should be in good enough physical condition to paddle up to 10 miles a day or hike with a light day-pack for 3-4 hours. On this adventure, we will experience the very best that Belize has to offer.
Note: This is one of our most adventurous kayaking trips. It takes place in two remote wilderness areas of Belize. Participants need to be in good physical condition. Weather conditions can greatly affect water levels on the River and hiking trails in the Forest. This can increase the level of difficulty. We also believe that the remoteness and variability of conditions are what make this trip the best of its kind in Belize. Trip itineraries may vary significantly depending on water levels.

DETAILED ITINERARY: Please contact Rainforest and Reef for a detailed itinerary by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

EXTENSION: MAYAN SITE of TIKAL

Note: Overnight stays in Belize may be required prior to and/or following our TIKAL EXTENSION. If necessary, hotel reservations and transfers will be arranged through Rainforest and Reef and are not included in the cost.

LENGTH: 3 Days/2 Nights (overland) or 2 Days/1 Night (flight Belize City-Flores, Guatemala-Belize City)

AVAILABLE DATES: Before or after any of our Field Courses in Belize.

COST:

3 Days/2 Nights: 485.00USD per person. Based on a minimum of 10 full-paying participants. One Group Leader FREE for the ground portion of our TIKAL EXTENSION with 10 full-paying participants. Cost is based on triple and quadruple occupancy. Double and single occupancy available upon request, usually at an extra cost.

2 Days/1 Night: 595.00USD per person. Based on a minimum of 10 full-paying participants. One Group Leader FREE for the ground portion of our TIKAL EXTENSION with 10 full-paying participants. Cost is based on triple and quadruple occupancy. Double and single occupancy available upon request, usually at an extra cost.

Note: For individuals, families or groups of less than 10 full-paying participants, please contact Rainforest and Reef for pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

Includes: All INSTRUCTION and BI-LINGUAL GUIDE SERVICES; all MEALS and LODGING as stated in the itinerary; all GROUND TRANSPORTATION within Belize and Guatemala; all ENTRANCE FEES to NATIONAL PARKS and OTHER SITES.

Note: INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE Belize City-Flores, Guatemala-Belize City is included in our 2 Day/1 Night option.

Does Not Include: ROUND-TRIP INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE to Belize; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX (35.00USD per person); GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

ITINERARY:

MEAL CODES: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

DAY 1 BELIZE CITY-FLORES, GUATEMALA. Early this morning, we will depart by bus, for Flores, located in eastern Guatemala. Here will have time to shop and visit the local market. Dinner and overnight Flores. B L D

Note: Please advise Rainforest and Reef if there are any non-U.S./non-Canadian citizens in your group. If there are, they should check with the nearest Guatemalan Embassy to see if they will need a VISA to enter Guatemala.



DAY 2 MAYAN CITY OF TIKAL. Following an early breakfast, we will depart for the famed Mayan site of Tikal, located in the middle of Tikal National Park and surrounded by more than 200 square miles of El Petén jungle habitat. There is nothing quite like the experience of Tikal, as we go back more than 2000 years in time. Walking towards the awe inspiring Great Plaza, one sees the Temples of the Grand Jaguar and Masks towering over the surrounding landscape, you immediately feel the mystique that has made Tikal a "must see destination". It is estimated that it took over one million ancient Mayans, one thousand years to build all the structures found here. The central portion of Tikal alone, measures about 10 square miles. Here, the remains of 3000 buildings are found including Temple lV, which at a height of 212 feet is the tallest ancient structure in the New World. We will also visit the Lost World Complex, a group of recently discovered structures from the late Pre-Classic Period, older than Tikal itself. Presently, only a small portion of Tikal has been completely excavated. Following lunch, we will visit the Tikal Museum, which houses some of the many Pre-Columbian treasures found at Tikal. In addition to the spectacular Mayan city found here, the area teems with howler monkeys, almost 300 bird species and other wildlife. Following a memorable day, we will transfer back to our hotel for dinner and overnight. B L D

DAY 3 TIKAL-BELIZE CITY-DEPARTURE. After breakfast this morning, we will pack up and transfer from Tikal National Park to Belize’s Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport for your return flight home. B