Educational Tours to Belize - Chiquibul Reserve


			Educational Tours in Belize

CHIQUIBUL WILDERNESS CHALLENGE
Central America's Largest Intact Broadleaf Forest ....
Environmental Jungle Adventure Tours (4 Incredible Days)

Today a unique and pristine broadleaf forest is threatened with fragmentation by the construction of the Chalillo Dam. The dam's reservoir will permanently flood over 20 km of river flood plain that has been classified as critical habitat for the survival of at least four endangered species: Jaguar, Morelet's Crocodile, Baird's Tapir, and the Scarlet Macaw (of which fewer than 100 remain in Belize).

Come visit this ecological jewel before its gone, and take a Belizean student along with you.

By visiting this area, students will be witness to a pristine habitat that will soon be permanently changed. They will also be making a difference, by giving a Belizean student the gift of seeing and learning about this very remote area before it is gone.

Participants in our field schools gain a valuable intercultural exchange opportunity, and help to shed light on this unique and greatly endangered watershed environment. Not only will students be treating themselves to a real wildlife adventure experience in one of the most unique and pristine broadleaf forest river flood plains in the world, but they will also be helping to promote awareness by giving the gift of education to others.

Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1	Arrival
AM:	Arrival at Belize International Airport Overland Transportation 2 hours west to San Ignacio Pick up participating Belizean students.
PM:	Las Cuevas Research Station Group lunch - Then 4 x 4's transport us 2 hours south to the Chiquibul Research Station located at the edge of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve.
Eve:	Discussion: Chalillo Dam and the Environment
DAY 2	Canoe Down the Upper Raspaculo Branch
AM:	Paddle downstream in inflatable canoes to reach the Raspaculo - Macal River confluence. Discussion: The Unique Ecology of this Forest - Fieldwork: Evaluate readily visible wildlife populations
PM:	Overnight Excursion to an unexcavated Maya archaeological site
Eve:	Set up Riverside Camp - Observe and listen to nightlife
DAY 3	Paddle the Upper Macal to the Chalillo Dam Site
AM:	Discussion: Evaluating this portion of the river's unique floodplain ecology. Fieldwork: Further evaluate wildlife & fauna - Short hikes inland
PM:	More Downstream Paddling - Observing more wildlife & fauna
Eve:	Set up Camp near the proposed location of the Chillao Dam Discussion : What will be lost and how? What can be done?
Day 4
Option #1
	Return to Civilization - Program Ends
AM:	Overland 4 x 4's transports us back to San Ignacio (1 hour) Belizean students depart Transport by road east to Belize International Airport (2 hours)
PM:	Return home or to onward destination - Program ends


Option #2
	Mollejon Hydroelectric Facility
AM:	Tour the Mollejon Hydroelectric Facility See for yourself how a dam works and how it impacts the Macal River
PM:	Transportation to Martz farm for overnight

Day 5	Eco-Tourism
AM:	Rest, Relax & Enjoy one of Cayo's Eco-Resorts located along the Macal River.

Day 6	Program Ends
AM:	Transportation by road -Two hours eastward to Belize Internat'l Airport Return home or to onward destination - Program ends

Educational Tours HOME | Village Homestay

Watershed Ecology | Hike-Bike-Paddle & Sail | Chiquibul Wilderness Challenge

Las Cuevas Research Station | Jungle Survival Courses