Join us on a LLCC International Community Educational offering, March 5 - 11, 2009, to Belize!  The trip will be guided by Associate Professor of Biology/ Educational Director of S.E.A.L., Dave Cox.  Only ten participants will have the opportunity to explore this amazing Central American country.

The Best of Belize is a 7 day / 6 night journey offered by LLCC that will give participants a first hand opportunity to trek through pristine rainforests, visit ancient Mayan ceremonial sites and snorkel the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.  The trip is limited to 10 participants in order to provide a greater level of personal service fro trip participants.

Our day begins with a motor coach from the LLCC parking lot to St. Louis, Lambert International Airport followed by an early morning flight to Houston, Texas  and then on to Philip Goldson International Airport, Belize City, Belize.  Once in Belize we will be greeted by the staff of Sibun Educational Center and shuttled to Sibun Educational Center, Belmopan Belize.  We will arrive in time to watch the sunset as we enjoy our first evening in the tropics while dinning on the veranda.

We will awaken to the sounds of the rainforest coming to life in the early morning hours.  After a hearty Belizean breakfast we will begin our day by taking a hike into the jungle to explore the diversity of plant an animal life that can only be found in the tropical rainforests.  We will return to Sibun in time for a well  deserved lunch.  After a short rest we will be begin our afternoon’s adventure. This starts with a short bus ride upstream from Sibun.  We will then board our inner tube and begin a relaxing float trip downstream.  While floating we will be able to view the rainforest from a new perspective.  We will also have the opportunity to learn about the watershed ecology of the rainforest and river.  Our tubing will take us back to the grounds of Sibun were we will disembark in time for dinner.

An early morning birding hike will provide, those interested, a fantastic opportunity to view many rare and unique Neotropical birds.  After a leisurely breakfast we will be shuttled to Cave’s Branch Adventure Lodge to learn about the Orchid rescue program they are involved in.  This will provide the orchid lovers a unique opportunity to see dozens of tropical orchids in their natural environment and learn about the orchid program form the residential Botanist Mr. Chin.  After having lunch on the porch of Cave’s Branch Lodge we will explore the Blue Hole National Park. The Blue Hole is an oblong karst sinkhole 300 feet across and about 100 feet deep.  Water in the Blue Hole will flow from the exposed swimming area to the nearby Sibun River.  St. Herman’s Cave is about a mile and half hike from the entrance to the park.  Pottery, spears and the remains of torches have been found in the caves in the area.  The cave can easily be explored to a distance of about a mile.  After an afternoon of exploration we will head back to Sibun for another tropical sunset before dinner.

We start today out with an hour and a half bus ride to the town of Hopkins.  Hopkins is a traditional fishing village that is infused with the local Garifuna culture.  We will disembark at Almond Beach Resort where we will board our snorkeling boat.  This morning will be spent snorkeling some of the most pristine barrier reefs in the entire Caribbean.  The diversity of marine life in Belize is substantial.  After a morning of snorkeling we will stop on a local Caye (island) and have lunch.  Lunch will feature conch fritters, fresh fish and other local Caribbean cuisine.  After lunch we will have another opportunity to explore the biodiversity of the marine life in the Caribbean.  Nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, loggerhead turtles, angel fish and an amazing array of corals are just a few of the things we can expect to see.  The shuttle will take us back to Sibun in time for a well deserved refreshment and another traditional Belizean dinner.

Today is all about exploring Mayan ruins and the culture of the western part of Belize.  After breakfast we will shuttle to the Mayan ruins of Xunantuninch.  After taking a hand drawn ferry across the Mopan River we will have the opportunity to explore one of Belize’s most impressive ceremonial centers.  From the top of El Castillo we will have an impressive view of entire Cayo District to the east and the border of Guatemala to the west.  After lunch we will drive into San Ignacio and have an opportunity to explore a second Mayan ruin called Cahal Pech.  Cahal Pech allows visitors the opportunity to see 34 structures compacted into a 3 acre site.  Excavation is ongoing and visitors are welcome.  The rest of the afternoon we will have the opportunity to explore the variety of local artisans found in San Ignacio.  Local crafts ranging from wood or slate carvings to jewelry can be purchased from the variety of vendors that can be found in San Ignacio.  Our last dinner together will be at a local Belizean restaurant. 

Once again we will shuttle to Hopkins after breakfast.  This morning will give us an opportunity to experience the Garifuna culture by visiting the Lebeha Drumming Center.  After a drumming demonstration and / or lessons we will have the entire afternoon to explore, play or just relax in the tropical sunshine on the beach.   Dinner will be at Jaguar Reef Lodge featuring more local cuisine with an incredible sunset view of the Caribbean.  We will shuttle back to Sibun just in time to fall asleep to the peaceful nighttime sounds of the rainforest.

This morning we will pack our bags, take a few last minute photos and say goodbye to our hosts as we board our bus back to Goldson International Airport.  Don’t pack your camera just yet, because we have one last stop before we leave Belize.  On our way to the airport we will stop at the Belize Zoo.  The zoo sits on 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 125 animals, all native to Belize.  After an afternoon at the zoo we will head for the airport in time to catch our return flight home.

Dates:  March 5 - 11, 2009
Cost:  $2425.00   ($1575.00 if airfare is purchased separately)
Trip cost includes roundtrip coach from Springfield to St. Louis airport, airfare, all transportation costs, entrance fees, guided tours by the Cave's Branch Staff, lodging and three meals per day while in Belize.

Trip cost does not include passport, drinks, souveniors, play money, travel insurance or departure tax (~$37.00 U.S.).  

Now taking reservations !!!!!!!!!!       

Group size is limited to 10 participants in order to provide a more personal, hands on experience so don't wait to sign up.

For more information or to sign up please contact Dave.cox@llcc.edu or (217) 786-4909.