Belize Barrier Reef by Steffi Lopez EDUCATIONAL CONNECTIONS BELIZE Marine Studies Osbourn Park - Experiential Learning In Belize Conservation Marine & Terrestrial Science Active Adventure June 14 - 20, 2019 Cultural Belize is home to a variety of PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS marine and terrestrial ecosystems, • At Belize Zoo learn about Belizean wildlife, gain an from rainforest and tropical understanding of the importance of its conservation, and take an exciting night walk. savanna to mangroves, coral • Work on a service project at the Belize Zoo. reefs, and more. Examine and • Hike a tropical savanna ecosystem and watch for iguanas, compare the country’s different peccary, coatis, and a variety of tropical birds natural, unspoiled habitats during • Observe and identify a host of marine life while snorkeling this 7-day learning adventure. the Belize Barrier Reef. Observe wildlife and hike in the • Visit the Smithsonian Institute Research Station on Carrie Bow Caye. foothills of the Maya Mountains, explore underground caves, and WHAT’S INCLUDED? snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef • Expert naturalist guides at Tobacco Caye for a firsthand • Accommodations look at marine biodiversity. • Activities Opportunities for a service project • Entrance fees • In-country transportation and informative lectures round • Meals & beverages out the experience. • Travel insurance Jaguar at Belize Zoo by Michael Schamis holbrook.travel/osbournpark-bz19 ITINERARY BLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER Dependent on weather conditions, there will be an optional night snorkel or “croc watch” to experience nocturnal marine species. Overnight at Billy Hawk Caye. (BLD) JUNE 14 - WESTERN HIGHWAY Upon arrival at the international airport, transfer along the Western JUNE 19 - BILLY HAWK CAYE Highway to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the Belize After breakfast there will be a lecture on mangroves. Explore the Zoo. Stop en route for lunch at a local restaurant and a brief mangroves by boat to observe the above water habitat then snorkel orientation. The Zoo and Tropical Education Center are situated to observe the habitat under water. Return to the lodge for lunch on 29 acres of tropical savannah and exhibit over 125 animals, all and some free time. This evening the locals will demonstrate how native to Belize. All of the animals living at the zoo were rehabilitated they clean the fish from their daily catch and prepare it for a dinner or rescued as orphans from poaching situations, the illegal pet that you will be able to enjoy tonight. Before dinner, have a group trade, injury, or exposure due to habitat loss. Founded in 1983, the discussion on today’s activities. After dinner, you will spend the rest Belize Zoo has been internationally recognized for its outstanding of the night learning about Garifuna culture talk through storytelling conservation efforts and excellent simulated natural environments. and music. Overnight at Billy Hawk Caye. (BLD) After settling in at the dorms, there will be some time to explore the grounds before dinner. Please note: all accommodations use JUNE 20 - DEPARTURE share bathroom facilities; no en-suite bathrooms. Later meet in the On this final day on the reef, consider getting up early to watch a education center for a review of the course. This evening take an beautiful Belizean sunrise. After a hearty breakfast, the boat arrives exciting night walk at the zoo to observe nocturnal wildlife. Be on for your transfer back to the Dangriga. Transfer by bus to Belize City the lookout for snakes, a Harpy Eagle, ocelot, pumas, and jaguars! International Airport. Connect with your flight to United States. (B) Overnight at Belize Zoo’s Tropical Education Center. (LD) JUNE 15 - WESTERN HIGHWAY LAND PRICING Today there will be a talk on the tropical savanna ecosystem followed by hiking along trails for a firsthand experience of what you have $1,400 - $1,475 (depending on group size) learned. As you hike through the dense vegetation, observe the interactions between the ecology of the savanna and its wildlife Price includes accommodations, meals, activities and entrance fees as inhabitants such as Yellow-headed Parrots, armadillos, and grey foxes. indicated in the itinerary, in-country transportation, local guides in Other wildlife observations may include iguanas, peccary, coatis, each region of the program, and carbon offset. and a variety of tropical birds. Later work on a service project at the Belize Zoo. Overnight at Belize Zoo’s Tropical Education Center. (BLD) Does not include gratuities or items of a personal nature. JUNE 16 - BILLY HAWK CAYE Transfer to the Riverside Cafe in Dangriga Town for an opportunity AIRFARE to purchase supplies in the well stocked shops and produce market. While the stay on Billy Hawk Caye includes meals, you can purchase $750 snacks here. Bid the mainland guide farewell; this guide will be replaced by a marine expert during the caye portion of the program. Based on round trip from Washington/Dulles. Baggage fees not Transfer from Dangriga for boat to Billy Hawk Caye, approximately included. 40 minutes away, situated in the Blue Ground Range. Upon arrival, settle into bunkhouse accommodations then meet for lunch and orientation. This afternoon the fun begins with an overview of TRAVEL PROTECTION tropical marine environments. Before heading out to the water, Holbrook Travel purchases Travel Protection on behalf of all the local guides will teach you the fundamentals of sea kayaking, participants traveling in 2018 or beyond. These plans help provide snorkeling, and tropical water safety. Once that’s done, go snorkeling coverage once the trip has departed and offer benefits for Baggage/ to a nearby patch reef and start exploring some of the marine sites. Personal Effects, Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses, Emergency Return to lodge for dinner. Activities will be adjusted based on land Evacuation and more. Refer to the Plan Document for more details. and sea conditions daily. Overnight at Billy Hawk Caye. (BLD) Optional additional coverage is available in the form of the JUNE 17 - BILLY HAWK CAYE Group Deluxe Plan, which offers benefits for Trip Cancellation/ After breakfast there will be a lecture on hard and soft corals, Interruption, in addition to many other insurance benefits and non- then take a motor boat ride out to a patch reef to snorkel. After insurance assistance services. If interested in this optional plan, we lunch, spend the afternoon kayaking around the island. In the can provide you with rates and plan details. late afternoon, meet at the lodge before dinner to discuss the day and identify species encountered. Following dinner, dependent on weather conditions, there will be an optional night snorkel or “croc THE FINE PRINT watch” to experience nocturnal marine species. Overnight at Billy Hawk Caye. (BLD) Price is based on double occupancy. Single occupancy arrangements are offered at additional cost. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment JUNE 18 - BILLY HAWK CAYE form are required to hold your space on the trip. This deposit is After breakfast, there will be a lecture on reef zonation, identifying refundable minus a $100 cancellation fee until March 01, 2019, at inverts and fish, and fish behavior. Visit the Smithsonian Research which time final non-refundable payment is due. Center on Carrie Bow Caye to learn about ongoing research. After lunch, spend the afternoon paddling out to the barrier reef to snorkel the reef wall. Return to the lodge before dinner to discuss the day This program includes optional carbon offsetting with and identify species encountered. Following dinner, have a group ClimateSafe. Learn more at holbrooktravel.com/climatesafe discussion on environmental issues and stressors on marine habitats. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL: Contact Mr. Orr or visit holbrook.travel/osbournpark-bz19.