HIGHLIGHTS
Immerse yourself in the avian diversity of Belize. You will be guided by expert birders along freshwater lagoons, streams, forest and savanna of the Lamani, Mountain Pine Ridge and a glance at the itinerary will reveal your potential sightings.
A great itinerary for the independent birders, this tour takes you to three very comfortable jungle lodges in differing habitat.
Visits include the Agua Caliente Wildlife Sanctuary, with over 150 species of birds, including each of the five kingfishers found in Belize, black-necked stilts, boat-billed herons, roseate spoonbills, and an assortment of manakins, grebes, egrets, and others.
In Mountain Pine Ridge are you might spot Orange Breasted Falcon, King Vulture, Laughing Falcon, Grace's Warbler, Lovely Cotinga, Tody Motmot and possibly the Stygian Owl. With almost 400 species documented within a 3 mile radius, Lamanai Outpost Lodge is one of Belize’s premier birding locations.
Dates
This tour can begin any day of the week!
Price
Per person in double occupancy $2925 (Jan 1 - April 30, Nov 1-26) $2650 (June 1– Oct. 31), $2695 (Nov 27 - Dec 14)
Single supplement $618 (Jan 1 - April 30, Nov 1-26) $491 (June 1– Oct. 31) $519 (Nov 27 - Dec 14)
Prices not valid Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Please ask for these holiday prices.
Included
- 9 nights lodging with taxes
- 3 nights Lodge at Big Falls – Standard Room in Punta Gorda Area
- 3 nights Hidden Valley Inn Mountain Pine Ridge area
- 3 nights Lamanai Outpost Lodge – Superior Gardenview room in Orange Walk District
- Guided birding tours of Agua Caliente Wildlife Sanctuary, Coastal Mangrove Forest & High Forest, private reserve of Hidden Vallen Inn
- Transfers throughout
- Round trip flight Belize City – Punta Gorda
- 19 Meals as listed (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Not Included
- International airfare and taxes
- Departure tax
- Gratuities
- Alchohol & items of a personal nature
-
Birding in Belize - Full Itinerary
Transfer to Toledo - Day 1
Upon your arrival at Belize International Airport you will be met by a representative of JB Journeys to help you check in for the connecting flight to Punta Gorda where you will be met by a representative of the Lodge at Big Falls for your transfer. (D)
Bird Watching at Agua Caliente Wildlife Sanctuary - Day 2
Early in the morning you will enjoy a guided bird walk along the river bank and through the orchard and meadows around the Lodge. After breakfast you will spend the day in broadleaf forest habitats and visiting the Agua Caliente Wildlife Sanctuary. 
(B,L,D)
The Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary is critical for the preservation of biodiversity in Belize and the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. The AWS consists of 5,492 acres of land and water. It encompasses a central wetland area, which consists of three freshwater lagoons, two hot springs, and several streams running in and out of the lagoons. The lagoons are a feeding area for hundreds of waterfowl including wood storks, endangered jabiru storks, black-bellied whistling ducks, sandpipers, and others. Some of these birds live year-round in the Sanctuary and others use it as a transmigration point on their seasonal journeys through the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.
Over 150 species have so far been identified in the AWS, including each of the five kingfishers found in Belize, black-necked stilts, boat-billed herons, roseate spoonbills, and an assortment of manakins, grebes, egrets, and others. The forest and savanna areas of the AWS provide habitat for a wide variety of rare animals, including gibnuts, black howler monkeys, white-tailed deer, kinkajous, and endangered tapirs and jaguars.
The AWS also contains two swamp forest and grassland ecosystems which are found nowhere else in Belize. Due to its rich biodiversity and unique ecological characteristics, the National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan of Belize recently ranked the AWS first in biophysical value nationally.
Coastal Mangrove Forest & High Forest - Day 3
You will leave the lodge early in the morning with your guide for birding in the coastal mangrove forest. You will have breakfast in a local restaurant before driving to high forest to continue birding. Afternoon is free to relax at the lodge. (B,L,D)
In the morning you will be transferred to the airstrip in Punta Gorda for your flight to Belize City . Upon your arrival you will be met by your driver for your transfer to the Hidden Valley Inn in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. (B)
Hummingbirds, Green Jay, Blue-Crowned MotMot, Golden Hooded Tanager, Hepatic Tanager, Montezumas Oropendula, Keel-Billed Toucan and Crested Guan are just a few of the species you may encounter in the area. Highlights for birders 
include Orange Breasted Falcon, King Vulture, Laughing Falcon, Grace's Warbler, Lovely Cotinga, Tody Motmot and many more. Also - the cliffs around the Hidden Valley Inn's property are one of the very few nesting sites for the endangered Orange Breasted Falcon.
Another extremely rare bird found on the property is the Stygian Owl. These uncommon owls are mostly restricted to Pine and Pine Oak woodlands. </span></p>
Bird watching - Days 5 & 6
You will enjoy a collective early morning and a late afternoon guided birding tour in the private reserve surrounding Hidden Valley Inn. The rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel. (B)
Transfer to Lamanai Lodge - Day 7
In the morning you will be transferred to Belize City for the road/river transfer to Lamanai Outpost Lodge. (B,D)
Bird watching & Wildlife activities - Day 8 & 9
Enjoy 2 full days of birding and/or wildlife activities arranged directly by the lodge. All meals are included and you can choose from a selection of guided tours each day which are operated on a collective basis.
With almost 400 species documented within a 3 mile radius, Lamanai Outpost Lodge is one of Be
lize’s premier birding locations. Habitats range from vast wetlands and broadleaf forest to pine savannah and all are easily accessible by boat, trails, vehicle or canoe. Guides will tailor your activities to access your target species in an environment where 200+ species in 3 days is far from unusual. The Spotlight Safari provides an amazing opportunity to see roosting waders, nocturnals and some of the more elusive diurnal species up close and personal. Regular sightings include the Northern Potoo, Yucatan Nightjar, Common Pauraque and Nighthawk, Grey-necked Wood Rail, Sungrebe and Agami Heron. (B,L,D)
Transfer out - Day 10
You will be transferred by land/river to Belize International Airport in plenty of time for your flight out of the country. (B)
