Belize City to Punta Gorda

You will be greeted at the international airport and then take a one-hour flight from Belize City to Punta Gorda (PG). We will fly over a multitude of ecosystems from the mountains of the north to the pine savannah of the Stann Creek District. Upon your arrival in PG you will check into the luxurious Lodge at Big Falls, our base for exploring this amazing area. There is an optional evening kayak trip up Joe Taylor Creek for those not too tired from their journey.

Overnight: Lodge at Big Falls

Kayak the Rio Grande

Your route along the Rio Grande River is known for its howler monkeys and a large variety of bird species including Montezuma's Oripendulum. We may also get a glimpse of a Jabiru Stork, North America's largest bird. Most of the area is mangrove swamp and primary forest. You will see species such as Cohune Palm and Dogwood and, of course, Red and Black Mangrove. Your guide will point out wildlife and talk about the ecosystem and the various uses of this important river as you kayak down the Rio Grande from Cux Lin Ha. We'll stop at the Morski property for lunch and hike the short loop trail around the area.

Overnight: Lodge at Big Falls

Tiger Cave, Rio Blanco

The first stop this morning is San Miguel, a small friendly Kekchi Maya village with a population of about 380 people. We will start our hike to Tiger Cave from here. Your guide will point out medicinal and other useful plants as well as a multitude of bird species along the way. Don't forget your flashlight for this one! Tiger Cave may well be the largest cave in Southern Belize and is an otherworldly experience.

After lunch we continue on to Rio Blanco. Declared a protected area in 1992, this 500-acre preserve has been designated an Indigenous People's Park. Here the Rio Blanco river flows through wide, shallow pools and gentle cascades formed by smooth slabs of sandstone, before pouring over a 15-foot ledge into a deep pool. Further upstream, a small waterfall and wading pool feed the main waterfall. Trees and flowering vegetation encircle the cliffs providing cool shade. Blue Morpho butterflies flutter in and out of the surrounding trees

Overnight: Lodge at Big Falls

Blue Creek, Lubaantun Archeology Site

Blue Creek Village is a Mopan and Kekchi Maya village of about 270 people. Clusters of thatch huts border both sides of Blue Creek, a beautiful, clear stream emerging from the surrounding thick jungle. The source of Blue Creek, where the water gushes from beneath a mossy rock surface, is about a 15-minute walk upriver. Alongside the source of Blue Creek, is the entrance to the Hokeb Ha Cave, which is fairly easy to explore. The entire area is made of limestone bedrock honey-combed caves, many of which were sacred to the Maya. Long vines hang from the sheer rock wall above the cave mouth. Archaeologists have found many Late Classic Maya ceramics and an altar inside the cave, leading them to theorize that the Hokeb Ha cave was used specifically for ceremonial purposes.

After lunch, we'll head to Lubaantun, the largest Ancient Maya site in Southern Belize. Lubaantun is well known for the unusual and striking style of construction. All of the structures located at this site are made of limestone blocks with no visible binding material. The strength of each structure lies in every hand-cut stone, which was carefully measured and shaped to fit snugly next to each neighboring block.

Overnight: Lodge at Big Falls

Port Honduras Marine Reserve (PHMR), Flyfishing

Prior to 2000, when PHMR became a Reserve, the area was already recognized as one rich in biodiversity with a robust belt of mangroves on the coast that provide the critical link between terrestrial and marine environments, thus serving as habitat for various endangered species including the West Indian Manatee, the American Saltwater Crocodile and the Morelet's Crocodile. The Snake Cayes, a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling, are located on a fringe coral reef system, home to abundant species of fish and coral. We will spend the day touring the area by boat with afternoon option for saltwater flyfishing with locally trained guides.

Overnight: Lodge at Big Falls

Belize Barrier Reef/Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve

The Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve is located on the extreme southern end of the barrier reef and contains 14 sand and mangrove cayes. These cayes are surrounded by fringing reefs with extensive spur-and-groove formations extending eastwards. The outer reefs support a wide variety of fish including jacks or spadefish, angelfish, parrotfish and snappers. Hunting Caye houses an important hawksbill nesting beach. You will have the unique opportunity to explore the waters of the Belize Barrier Reef under the expert care of your guide.

Your guide will ensure that your snorkel gear is properly fitted and will lead you through basic snorkeling lessons in the shallow waters just off Nicholas Caye. Since the reef breaks the heavy action of the waves, it leaves the inland sea extremely clear and calm making it ideal for snorkeling. Most of the area inside the reef is less than 10-feet deep and you can actually see more at the surface with a mask and snorkel than you can scuba diving. In the sunny top six to ten feet of water you will find an amazing diversity of marine life. A novice snorkeler will feel comfortable in the shallow depth and be amazed at the sights beneath the surface - soft and hard corals, staghorn and elkhorn coral, dolphins, Nurse Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, Manta Rays and sea turtles to name a few

Overnight: Lodge at Big Falls

Paynes Creek National Park

This morning we will travel to Paynes Creek National Park via boat (about an hour ride). En route we will search for manatees and learn about mangrove ecology and conservation management in the area. Upon arrival, we will hike to the famous "Crocodile Pond" (about a three hour hike, round trip) and explore the unique ecosystems of the park (broadleaf forest, mangroves and pine savannah). Following lunch we will explore by boat, looking for manatees, sea turtle nesting sites, and monkeys before heading back to Punta Gorda for dinner.

Paynes Creek's three habitats, broadleaf forest, pine savannah and mangrove swamps, provide homes to jaguar, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, White-lipped Peccary, warri, gibnut, tapir, White-tailed Deer, Red Brocket Deer, Spider Monkey, and the Black Howler Monkey. The occasional sighting of a jaguar is not uncommon.

Overnight: Lodge at Big Falls

Monkey River

The town of Monkey River is the northernmost village in the Toledo District. This small, sleepy Creole village of 200 people sits on the southern bank of the mouth of the Monkey River. We will take a river tour, led by one of the local guides, upriver through mangrove channels and broadleaf forest. As we glide by, we will see many iguanas (some over 5 feet long) dive into the water, troops of howler monkeys racing through the trees, and crocodiles sunning along the banks of the river. We will have an optional hike through the jungle.

Overnight: Lodge at Big Falls

Depart for Belize City and flights home