Journey through Belize

Transcription

1 Educational Tours Journey through Belize 10 days Winter 2019

2 Educational Tours Journey through Belize Included on tour Round-trip flights on major carriers; full-time Tour Director; weshare, EF s personalized learning experience; hotels with private bathrooms; 3 meals daily (days 2-9); dinner on arrival day; breakfast on departure day Sightseeing: Lamanai ruins; Jungle hike; Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Entrances: Lamanai Ruins; Old Sugar Mill; St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park; Garifuna Museum; Snorkeling and Beach BBQ; Mayan Chocolate making demonstration; Mayan Site of Nim Li Punit; Xunantunich Ruins; Chaa Creek Center; Cave tubing; Zipline Nohuchcheen; School Visit; Belize Zoo; Snorkling, Hol Chan Marine Park; Snuba Overnight stays: Belize City (2) Southern Coast (3) Cayo region (2) Ambergris Caye (2) Sign up today RP

3 Your itinerary Day 1: Fly to Belize Arrive in Belize City Welcome to Belize. In Belize's largest city, you'll nd an interesting mix of Caribbean charm and eclectic culture. Belize achieved independence from Britain in 1981 and attracts visitors to its famous Barrier Reef, rainforests and Mayan ruins. Day 2: Belize City Visit the New River Lagoon Hop aboard a boat and head for New River Lagoon, Belize's largest body of fresh water. The ecosystem it supports includes exotic birds, colorful sh and crocodiles-and hopefully you'll get a chance to meet them all. Guided visit to the Lamanai Ruins Lamanai means submerged crocodile in the Mayan language, a fact you won't forget as you discover crocodile carvings and artwork all over these ruins-some dating back as far as 1500 B.C. View three large pyramids, residential areas, some open plazas and a ball court. Make sure to check out the views from both the spectacular High Temple and the Mask Temple, where tall stone faces are carved into the sides of the structure. Visit the Old Sugar Mill During your journey through the jungle, you'll come across the brick and wooden remains of a sugar mill that was actually imported from New Orleans. Now home to only the surrounding wildlife, the old mill has become almost entirely intertwined with the jungle. Guided jungle hike Travel to Peccary Hills National Park and its 10,000 acres of preserved rainforest. Explore rainforests crisscrossed with streams and caves once inhabited by the Maya as you trek through this tropical paradise with a guide. Look for tropical birds uttering in the canopy, reptiles soaking in the sun and perhaps an old turtle making its way through a cool stream-it's all part of an average day in Peccary Hills. Day 3: Belize City Southern Coast Transfer to the Placencia Peninsula Travel to the white beaches and mangrove elds of Placencia, a peninsula in the Stann Creek District. Blue Hole National Park At this stunning national park you'll go exploring in a nearby cave, where time stands still and countless tracks and preserved artifacts are waiting to be discovered. Afterwards, you'll return back into the daylight for a hike through the lush jungles outside of the cave. After your adventures around the park, take a well-deserved dip in the azure watering hole for which it's named. Visit the Garifuna Museum Stop in Dangriga and learn about the history and culture of the Garifuna people as you explore this museum's exhibits. Day 4: Southern Coast Introduction to the reef ecosystem The Belize Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, and yet researches have still only uncovered about 10% of the species living there. Today you'll learn about the delicate balance of life that occurs below sea level. Snorkeling in the Cayes Take to the waters and swim with over 500 species of sh and hundreds of invertebrates and coral. Strap on a snorkel and discover colors you didn't even know existed in the warm waters of the little channel before returning to Placencia for the evening. Day 5: Southern Coast Visit Maya Center Not far from Punta Gorda is the culturally interactive museum of Maya Center, where you will learn about authentic Mayan culture from indigenous locals. You'll learn the moves to dances that are as old as civilization, and taste coffee that has been harvested and ground right in front of you. Mayan chocolate making demonstration It's one thing to taste a bar of organic Mayan chocolate that has been made using age-old techniques-it's another to witness the process, meet the people making it and understand the history surrounding it. Fortunately, you can do all three at once. Stop at a chocolate company for a lesson in all things cocoa, and be sure to either take a bar for the road or some powder to cook with when you return home. Visit the Mayan site of Nim Li Punit Located in the Toledo District, this Mayan site is often called Big Hat by the indigenous locals because of the enormous headdress found on the stone stela sculpture overlooking it. You'll have plenty of time to explore the three main plazas here. Day 6: Southern Coast Cayo region Travel to San Ignacio Make your way to the small town of San Ignacio. Guided visit to the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins This afternoon you'll visit the Mayan ceremonial center of Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock). Dating back to the 8th century, the ruins have been the center of archaeological attention since the 1880s. You will explore the site, comprised of six major plazas and more than 25 temples and palaces, and the main pyramid, El Castillo, which has a commanding view of the entire Belize River valley. Also on site is a museum where visitors can learn more about the evolution of the Mayan civilization and features masks of Mayan deities like Kinich Ahau, the sun deity, and Ixchel, who was the patron deity of pregnant women. Visit the Chaa Creek Center Take a trip through Belizean history as you unearth a vast collection of impressive artifacts-mayan and otherwise-that will introduce you to the region's native peoples, architecture, culture and unique languages. You'll also discover the area's diverse ora, including medicinal plants used throughout Belizean history and to this day. Day 7: Cayo region Cave tubing Hop on an inflatable tube as you leisurely float through some of Belize's most beautiful caves. The crystal blue water meeting the jagged rocks is truly a remarkable sight! Zip-Line tour After your hike up to the jungle canopy, the zip-line platforms await. You'll learn how to properly navigate a zip-line before being safely secured and traveling through the air. The view of the worlds below are truly breathtaking.

4 Visit a local school Visit a local school where you will have a chance to interact with students and learn about the Belize school system and daily life. Day 8: Cayo region Ambergris Caye Return to Belize City Visit the Belize Zoo Your visit to the Belize Zoo, opened in 1983 by U.S. naturalist Sharon Matola, may prove to be unlike any zoo experience you've ever had. The zoo has no moats, cages, or concrete platforms-all the animals live side-by-side in fenced-in areas of bush, forest, and riversides, allowing visitors to see them in their natural habitats. The Belize Zoo is home to 36 of the 100 species native to Belize. Travel by watertaxi to Ambergris Caye Hop aboard a ferry headed to idyllic Ambergris Caye, located just off the tip of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Snuba Blending aspects of snorkeling and scuba diving, Snuba offers a completely new take on underwater discovery. Using weights, tubing, mouthpieces and goggles, the Snuba technique lets you go literally deeper in your exploration of the world's second largest barrier reef. Day 10: Depart for home Transfer to the airport for your return flight Your Tour Director assists with your transfer to the airport, where you'll check in for your return flight home. Itinerary is subject to change For complete financial and registration details, please refer to the Booking Conditions at Day 9: Ambergris Caye Snorkeling at Hol Chan The Ambergris Caye coastline is protected by the Belize Barrier Reef, a diverse ecosystem with over 500 species of fish, hundreds of invertebrates and over 90 varieties of coral identified. At Central America's first marine reserve-hol Chan-you'll have the chance to discover it all for yourself. Strap on a snorkel and discover colors you didn't even know existed in the warm waters of the little channel.

5 The World Leader in International Education e easiest ways to Enroll today For over 50 years EF has been working toward one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Your teacher has partnered with EF because of our unmatched worldwide presence, our focus on affordability, and our commitment to providing experiences that teach critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and global competence. We always offer the lowest prices guaranteed so more students can travel. ENROLL ON OUR WEBSITE eftours.com/enroll We re fully accredited, just like your school, so you can earn credit while on tour. All of our educational tours feature experiential learning activities and visits to the best sites. We re completely committed to your safety. We have 500 schools and offices in over 50 countries around the world, so local EF staff members can react quickly and in person wherever you travel. ENROLL BY PHONE Your full-time Tour Director is with your group every step of the way on tour, providing insight about your destinations as well as great local tips. MAIL YOUR ENROLLMENT FORM TO: EF Educational Tours Two Education Circle Cambridge, MA My daughter has gained such an amazing view of the world and history from this experience. She has not stopped talking since I picked her up at the airport. "ank you for all the organization, helpful hints, #exible payment plan, and knowledgeable tour guides. CHARLOTTE, PARENT DAVC1