Compare Belize: Family Eco Adventure by Elevate Destinations vs Belize: Research & Conservation Experience by Discover Corps
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,500 | $ 3,295 |
| Price Per Day | $ 450 | $ 412 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
| Description |
Family trips will have a hard act to follow after a visit to Belize. With an eye for environmental sustainability combined with all-ages fun in the outdoors, Elevate has crafted an ultimate getaway that gives back. Caves, jungles, Mayan ruins, villages, farm communities, and sandy beaches await. Caution – Belize is likely to turn kids and teens into passionate, lifelong adventure travelers! |
Coral fringed islands, the world’s second largest barrier reef and some of the most pristine rainforests in the world – this is Belize. Under this natural beauty lies a growing problem. A combination of habitat loss and human impact have affected Belize’s endangered manatee population. Spend part of the time monitoring the health of the manatee population, taking measurements of the environment and counting the population of the West Indian Manatee. This information is crucial for the people you’ll work with who track these gentle creatures. You’ll also have a chance to explore the reefs and jungles, meet with the friendly locals, uncover the ancient Mayan past and take in Belize’s laidback Caribbean rhythms. |
Day 1: Arrival
Pook’s Hill
Arrive at Belize International Airport where our local representative will meet you and transfer you to Pook’s Hill Lodge, your home for the next 3 nights.
Pook’s Hill Lodge, situated within a private reserve, is located at the foothills of the beautiful Maya Mountains in the Cayo District of Belize, bordering the Roaring River and Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The lodge encompasses an ancient Maya Plazuela Group. This unique location, coupled with its unparalleled position in the very heart of the country, makes Pook’s Hill a perfect base from which to discover the sights and sounds of Belize. The thatched cabanas and main lodge are located in a small clearing in the forest with lawns leading to the creek and trails below.
Accommodation is simple and hearkens back to a traditional time in Belize, where closeness to nature and the sounds of birds were valued above cell phones! The cabanas are built with traditional thatch roofs and are designed in harmony with their surroundings. Each private cabana is fully screened and equipped with a private bathroom, hot water shower, ceiling fan, and 24 hour electricity on a 110 voltage system. The Family Cabana is comprised of 2 units, which are separated by a dividing wall. Each unit has its own private entrance and bathroom and features 1 queen bed and 1 single bed, or 2 single beds.
Go to sleep to the sounds of the surrounding rainforest and swirling river.
Day 2: Cave & Jungle Adventure
Pook’s Hill
Enjoy an adventurous cave / river trip to see ancient Mayan ritual sites where artifacts remain. Choose between Barton Creek where you canoe through the cave or Actun Tunichil Muknal for a more strenuous and adventurous jungle and cave trip with a surprise at the end!
Day 3: Caracol Maya Archaeology Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge
Pook’s Hill
Travel today to through the protected area of the Mountain Pine Ridge and down into the national park of the Chicquibal Rainforest reserve. Enjoy the changing scenery and variation of eco-systems as you arrive to the Caracol Maya archaeology site, the largest archaeology site in Belize. Here guests enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating and beautiful site with its huge central temple Caana rises over 140 feet above the canopy floor offering wonderful views of the surrounding site and rainforest location. After a tour of the site and a picnic lunch guests can explore the Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools before heading back to the lodge.
Days 4-6: Cotton Tree Lodge, Toledo
Cotton Tree Lodge
Today transfer to Cotton Tree Lodge near Punta Gorda, for the next segment of your vacation.
Nestled between unspoiled rainforest and the banks of the Moho River, Cotton Tree Lodge offers a tranquil retreat on 100 private acres in the undiscovered Toledo District.
Each day begins a new adventure, with locally guided tours to Mayan villages, ancient ruins, waterfalls, and caves. Activities available on the grounds include birding, horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, medicinal plant walks, or simply relaxing in a hammock.
While there is a focus on sustainability, the lodge offers all amenities to keep guests comfortable. Eleven private cabanas and five Garden Vista rooms are fully screened and have private bathrooms, ceiling fans, balconies, and hammocks. The Main Lodge houses reception, a gift shop, wireless internet access, and a fully-stocked bar. Our restaurant serves Belizean and American favorites prepared with the freshest ingredients from local farmers and an organic garden.
While staying at Cotton Tree, your family will have the option to spend a day volunteering with local faming families through Sustainable Harvest International.
Day 7: Placencia
Chabil Mar Villas
Enjoy a quick flight to Placencia and settle in at Chabil Mar Villas, a beach resort well designed to accommodate families.
Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day sunning on the beach or enjoying the resorts two infinity pools.
Day 8: Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve
Chabil Mar Villas
Today’s tour is for those that are into fun and adventure! You will be transferred from your hotel to the Cockscomb Nature Reserve where your tour will begin with a nature hike: looking for wildlife, discovering medicinal plants and learning about the Park's history and efforts to save jaguar.
After a picnic lunch, enjoy a refreshing tube-float downriver - enjoying the rainforest from a different perspective! Then hike to the waterfall for an invigorating swim in cool mountain waters and end by descending down to the river for some "rock sliding!" on smooth rocks. Please note that you will need good hiking shoes for this tour, clothes that you don't mind getting wet, insect repellent, and an extra change of clothes. Tour price does not include a fee of US$2.50,which is a donation to the Belize Audubon Society.
Day 9: Reef Snorkeling Tour
Chabil Mar Villas
Full day private snorkeling reef tour with barbecue lunch.
You will be met at the hotel and transferred to the operator's office to pick up your snorkel equipment and for any final preparations. You’ll then transfer to the dock and board the boat for your transfer out to the reef and to your island destination. The specific snorkeling destination will vary from day to day depending on weather conditions and your preference. The boat transfer out to the reef usually takes 35min to 1hr. The closest destination is Laughing Bird Caye and the furthest is Silk Caye, Ranguana or Pompion caye. Once you arrive at the designated caye, put on your gear and your guide will give a small briefing. You’ll begin snorkeling from the beach, enjoying a variety of tropical fish and colorful coral formations. Enjoy a break for lunch and relaxation before exploring another snorkel spot in the afternoon. After a fabulous day of snorkeling, transfer back to the mainland and to the hotel.
Day 10
Transfer by flight to Belize International Airport for your international flight home.
Day 1
Arrive in Belize City and drive to Hopkins, stopping at a baboon sanctuary along the way
Punta Gorda
Day 2
Explore Mayan ruins at Nim Li Punit, visit with a local family, and tour the city
Payne’s Creek
Day 3
Meet conservationists monitoring manatees in Payne’s Creek National Park
Day 4
Help to monitor manatee populations, visit the small town of Punta Negra for a coconut oil making class, and experience a night lagoon ride
Punta Gorda
Day 5
Snorkel and visit West Snake Caye beach, free afternoon
Day 6
Early morning kayak before a free day or the optional zip-lining. Creole drum lesson by night Drive to Belize City
Drive to Belize City
Day 7
Explore the natural beauty of Rio Blanco National Park
Day 8
Travel back to Belize City for your flight home
