Jabiru
Day 1 – 3
You will arrive in the Belize at Phillip Godson Airport where your guides will be waiting for you. After all participants are accounted for we will board our short flight to the beautiful island of Caye Caulker, a 5 mile long limestone coral island and home to a small fishing community, dreadlocked rastafarians, vacationing beachgoers and a hundreds of birds . We will spend three nights here before departing for the mainland. During our two full days on the island we will enjoy a great assortment of Caribbean birds specialties, world-class snorkeling, great local food, warm sun, sandy beaches and turquoise water. Most birding tour groups visit the nearby island of Ambergris where the birds are few and far between and the beaches are full of partying college students. We were lucky to have discovered Caye Caulker back in 2012 and we’d never plan to go anywhere else! The birds are plentiful and the atmosphere is quiet and laid-back. Birding on the island will produce lots of great caribbean specialties including: Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, Osprey (Caribbean ssp.), Caribbean Dove (if we’re lucky), Yucatan Vireo, Caribbean Elania, Black Catbird, Bananaquit (Cozumel Island ssp.), tons of waterbirds, and a great assortment of neotropical migrants on their wintering grounds. Last time we had to kick the Tennessee, Yellow-throated, and Cape May Warblers out of the way, and the skies overhead were always full of Magnificent Frigatebirds. Nights on Caye Caulker.
Day 4
We will return to the mainland and head for Bird’s Eye View Lodge on Crooked Tree Lagoon for the next two nights. As we drive the causeway into Crooked Tree we will be met with a multitude of water birds including Northern Jacana, Osprey, Snail Kites, Wood Storks, and Limpkin. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and Birds Eye View Lodge are situated on the Northern Lagoon inlet of Black Creek and home to the Jabiru and many species of birds including Yucatan Jay, Southern Lapwing, Tropical Kingbird, Purple Martins, Groove and Smooth-billed Ani, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Sungrebe, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Sora, Killdeer, Red-billed Pigeon, Vermillion Flycatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, a variety of Orioles, Olive-throated Parakeet, Vermiculated Screech Owl, Mottled Owl, Common Pauraque and more. Bird’s Eye View Lodge is within feet of the Northern Lagoon which covers about 3,000 acres of protected wildlife habitat within the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. We will spend our afternoon around the lodge and venture out in the evening to call out owls in the area. Night in Crooked Tree.
Day 5
We will awaken to the soft waters of the Northern Lagoon and early morning calls of any number of water birds as well as martins, swallows and warblers. After breakfast in the dining room we will immediately board our boat for the lagoon trip to see Anhinga, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Snail Kite, Boat-billed Heron, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Agami Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Tricolored Heron, Wood Stork, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Northern Jacana, Great Egret, Wood Stork, all five species of Kingfisher (Belted, Amazon, Pygmy, Ringed and Green), iguanas, crocodiles, coatis, turtles and the ‘Jesus Christ’ Lizard. After the boat trip and a well earned lunch and rest we will venture into the Village for Yucatan Jay, Rufous-browed Peppershrike and more. Night in Crooked Tree.
Day 6
Today we will breakfast at Bird’s Eye View and allow time to bird the local community for any species we missed the day before.
Mottled Owl
By mid afternoon we will leave the lagoon and stop for lunch at our favorite roadside cafe, Cheer’s, where we will enjoy the great dining on a covered, outdoor patio where the birds never disappoint (we had an Aplomado Falcon here last time). After lunch we will begin our drive to the west side of the country to duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge where we will be staying for the remainder of our time in Belize. Along this road to the west we see a great deal of birds right from the car. Roadside Hawks, Groove-billed Anis, and Fork-tailed Flycatchers are usually a given.
Upon arrival at duPlooy’s we will check in and take a well earned break before dinner. This is a good time to get acquainted with the grounds and enjoy some of the wonderful flora and fauna of duPlooy’s. Some of the birds we have seen at duPlooy’s are: Plain Chachalaca, Yellow-green Vireo, Band-backed Wren, Yellow-winged Tanager, Blue-crowned Motmot, Collared Aracari, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Masked Tityra, Barn Owl, Mottled Owl and more. Night at duPlooy’s
Day 7
We will start our day on the deck for coffee while we bird the rainforest canopy. Following breakfast we will kick off the day with a visit to the nearby Black Rock Lodge, on the Southern end of the Macal River. This will be a delightful trip to the southern side of the Macal River to the neighboring lodge of Kelley and Cameron Boyd for birding and lunch. We will walk the grounds looking for Orange Breasted Falcon, White Hawk, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Blue-crowned Motmot, Tody Motmot, and Blue Ground-Dove. We will lunch on their open-air café and take in the beauty of the area (we often see King Vultures here). After lunch we will drive we will drive to San Jose Succotz and take the short Hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River into Xunantunich (shoo-NAHN-ta-nich) for ‘Stone Lady’. This Mayan site is one of our favorites. It sits atop a natural limestone ridge with an excellent view of the Cayo District and Guatemala countryside. We will enjoy the grounds of this spectacular area while birding for Philadelphia Vireo, Lesser Greenlet, Brown Jay, Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Ovenbird, Yucatan Flycatcher, Melodious Blackbird, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, a variety of parrots and trogons as well as Howler monkey’s. If we are lucky we will also catch a glimpse of the adorable, and incredibly overlooked, Tody Motmot (we have seen this species here on our past two trip). Night at duPlooy’s.
Day 8
Today we will visit The Blue Hole National Park and St. Herman’s Cave. St. Herman’s Cave area is a thick jungle area with a multitude of birds – this is a good area for Ridgeway’s Rough-winged Swallow, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Dot-winged Antwren, Royal Flycatcher, Piratic Flycatcher, White-collared Manakin, Black-cowled Oriole, and a variety of trogons. The Blue Hole is a clean and crisp swimming hole that you will enjoy a dip in the hot afternoon! As we enjoy the cool water we may catch a glimpse of a Purple-crowned Fairy, a really neat forest hummingbird that frequents this watering hole in the afternoons. Night at duPlooy’s.
Collared Aracari
Day 9
After breakfast we will take a drive to an area known as the Mountain Pine Ridge, a drier region where the habitat is comprised of pines, oaks, and other dry-forest plants. Here we will visit multiple sites searching for King Vulture, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Scaled Pigeon, Amethyst-crowned Hummingbird, Lovely Cotinga, Large-billed Seed-Finch, Rufous-capped Warbler, Rusty Sparrow, Black-headed Siskin, and even a resident population of Grace’s Warblers. After lunch we will drive a short distance to Cahal Pech ruins just over the hill of San Ignacio. This site is an active archaeological dig site under a cool canopy of shade trees. Back to duPlooy’s and bird the road for a variety of parrots, buntings, cuckoos, raptors, and seedeaters. The late afternoon/evening will be free to relax around the lodge, explore the botanical garden, float the Macal River by innertube, or take a nap. In the evening we will have dinner and discuss the plans for the trip to Tikal. After dinner we’ll turn in early in preparation for a long day in Guatemala. Night at duPlooy’s.
Day 10
White-collared Manakin
After an early breakfast we will take a short drive to the Guatemala border where you will meet our Guatemalan Driver who will take us to Tikal. We will bird the many walking paths of Tikal looking for species like Tody & Keel-billed Motmot, Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Gray-headed Tanager and Ridgeway’s Rough-Winged Swallow, Orange-breasted Falcon (an endangered species). In addition to the great birds, Tikal is well known for its mammals. We will watch the trees for Spider and Central American Howler Monkey. Collared Peccaries and White-nosed Coatimundis are a regular site along the trails. Last time we were here a mother Jaguar was being seen escorting her baby around the preserve. This is very unlikely, but you never know! Night at duPlooy’s.
Day 11
This morning we will enjoy a relaxing breakfast at duPlooy’s and prepare for your trip home. depending on flight times, around Mid-morning we will load the van and head to the airport for departure.
Although we will typically adhere to the above itinerary, the exact schedule of the tour is liable to change depending on local conditions and of course the birds!
Entering Belize
As a general rule for international travel, your passport should be valid for at least six months after the date the tour ends. US, Canadian, and British citizens only need a passport to enter Belize. Citizens of other countries may need to acquire a visa. Be sure to contact the Belize Embassy if you have any questions: Embassy of Belize, 2535 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, tel: (202) 332 9636, fax: (202) 332 6888 (also deals with inquiries from Canada).
Exiting Belize
Sometimes there is an approximately $35 exit tax when departing Belize, sometimes not, welcome tot he tropics. When this fee is required it must be paid in cash before you are allowed to leave the country. Brant does not cover this fee so make sure you have the money at the end of the trip! Some airlines will include this fee when you book your flight however not all airlines do this so make sure to check with you airline after you book your flight. This is one of those little peculiar things about Belize.
Entering & Exiting Guatemala
For this tour there are no special rules for entering and exiting Guatemala. We have arranged everything in advance including a local guide so all you will need is your passport.
Country Information
Belize is a stable and safe place to visit and has been for some time. As with any country, the large cities (in this case Belize City) can be dangerous but we not be spending any time there on this tour. The national language spoken in Belize is English although Spanish is also widely spoken. For more information visit the U.S. Department of State’s Belize relations page here.
Some regions of Guatemala can be dangerous and difficult to travel however the Tikal region is a very popular tourism destination where roads and grounds are guarded and VERY safe. The primary language in Guatemala is Spanish. For more information visit the U.S. Department of State’s Guatemala relations page here.
Health Considerations
There are no required inoculations when visiting Belize or Guatemala. However, it is a good idea to make sure your tetanus vaccinations are up to date. According to the CDC there is some risk of malaria in rural Belize as well as typhoid and hepatitis A. Vaccinations are available for both typhoid and hepatitis A and there is malaria prophylaxis drug (chloroquine (Aralen) is recommended for this region) available for malaria prevention. You should consult your doctor to decide whether or not these medications are appropriate for you. Special medications (your prescriptions) may not be available during the tour so it is important that you bring enough to cover your needs for the entire trip plus additional time in case of emergency or unexpected travel delays.
You can review the CDC latest advisories for Belzie here. And for Guatemala here.
Biting insects can be prevalent at certain birding sites however they typically do not cause a problem during. The leaders will advise you whenever it is necessary to apply insect repellent.
To avoid intestinal issues, we recommend that you only drink bottled water while on this tour. All our lodges use only bottled water and have water available to fill your personal water bottle at all times. There will be bottled water available throughout the trip. Other bottled drinks are also fine to drink. Please bring your own water bottle to use throughout the trip.
Climate
During the dry season rain is occasional and usually short lived. We may encounter a storm or two so it is important to bring a light rain jacket or umbrella but we do not expect rain to be a major problem. The climate in Belize is quite tropical and pleasant with highs usually in the mid 80’s and lows in the high 60’s. Long sleeved shirts are recommended because of the exposure to the sun, but short tees are fine if you choose. It is relatively humid at all times – the thing that makes this tolerable is that you are bird watching, so who cares.
Dress
Dress is casual throughout. Being in a tropical environment, it is a good idea to bring lots of light weight non-cotton clothing. Once cotton is wet, it will not dry! While shorts and t-shirts will be okay for lodges and leisurely hikes, it is always a good idea to bring lightweight pants and long-sleeve shirts to help prevent bug bites and protect from the sun. A sturdy, sun protective hat is also important in the harsh tropical sun. Be sure to bring a light weight rain jacket in case of rain and/or a chilly evening, and of course sturdy boots for hiking.
Laundry service is available throughout the tour and is a great way to reduce luggage. Make sure and talk with guides if you need to do laundry. Note that laundry is not covered in the cost of the tour and is considered a personal expense.
Group Size
Maximum group size is 12 participants, although 8 to 10 is typical. We usually have 2 guides for this tour.
Tour Pace
As with any birding tour, we will have many early mornings and full days. Most of our birding will be on short, fairly easy hikes. Hikes through the jungle often feature lots of tree roots, slippery rocks and occasional mud so it is important to have proper footwear. Some of our birding will be at native ruin sites where you will have the option to explore the ruins. Climbing these ruins will likely be the most strenuous part of the trip but it is completely optional.
Food
Most of our meals will be taken at the lodges with the exception of a few lunches during longer travel days. The lodges provide excellent, local meals with fresh, local produce and vegetarian options available. Travel lunches will be either a pack lunch from the lodge or will be taken a local, well reputed restaurants.
Transportation
Our transportation will depend on how many participants we have. In any case we will have a comfortable rental vehicle appropriately sized for our group. We’re not sardines and we don’t expect you to be either.
Accommodations
Accommodations are at locally run eco-lodges throughout trip. All of our lodges cater specifically to birders and are well known for their pleasant and helpful staff, excellent food, and best of all the great birds and bird feeders right on site! Single occupancy is limited and likely available for only the first 3 nights of the trip. Please contact us for more information if you desire single occupancy.
Before deciding to register for this tour, please read over the the following information as well as the “What To Expect” tab on this page. After you have read and understood the all important tour information please fill out the Registration Form at the bottom of this page and complete you payment under the “Payment” tab. Please note that your spot on the tour is not reserved until we have received your deposit in full. If you need help or have questions at any time feel free to contact us via email or phone.
What’s Included
The tour price includes all travel from the point of departure (Phillip S.W. Gordon International Airport, Belize) all lodging while on the trip, all meals unless otherwise noted, tour materials, and all services of the tour leaders. Tips for included meals, porters, drivers, and other service providers are also included.
Lodging is booked on double occupancy, most lodging in the U.S. can allow us to arranged for single rooms at an additional charge; lodging outside of the U.S. is usually in small locally-owned lodges and will almost always be double occupancy. If you are traveling single we will match you to appropriate roommates and can discuss any changes once the group has established. Double occupancy means that you are sharing your room with another individual, single occupancy means that you are paying for the room for just yourself, and you do not want a roommate.
Items that are not included in the tour price are as follows: passports, visas, airfare , departure taxes, immunizations, baggage charges, telephone calls, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, room service, snacks, emergency evacuation fees and medical fees, and other personal purchases you desire to make in the course of the trip.
Travel to Point of Departure
Your fees include travel arrangements for the trip at/from point of departure. For example if your trip begins in Albuquerque, NM, you will need to make arrangements to get to Albuquerque, NM. From that point we will pick you up and provide all other transport. If you are traveling internationally we will provide you with suggested airline and travel times for you to book your flight. We will provide specific information about arrival and departure times in the trip packet sent to you after registration. If you would like assistance with your travel plans please feel free to contact us and we will help you out.
Gratuities
At BRANT we value our guides experience expertise and do everything we can to compensate them appropriately. We do not expect you to tip them, and they do not expect a tip (seriously, we are not offended), however if you feel as though they have gone above and beyond to help make your trip exceptional and wish to tip your guides, they would be more than happy to accept. At the end of the tour please present your tip to the lead guide at the appropriate time and he/she will make sure to distribute the tips fairly to all the guides.
Tips for hotel staff, servers, kitchen staff, local guides, drivers, and anyone else are included in the cost of the tour. We hope to eliminate any confusion for our participants by covering all tips in the cost of the tour. However, if you wish to tip above and beyond that you are more than welcome to do so.
Restrictions On Participation
In general there is only one absolute restriction to a nature tour, you absolutely cannot collect any plants, artifacts or animals during the tour.
Otherwise, there are no restrictions. We only ask that you let us know about any potential limitations or safety concerns that may hamper your ability to participate in any aspect of the desired tour. For example, walking difficulties, diabetes, asthma, angina, diet limitations, applicable phobias, etc. should be noted on the registration form. Our tours are typically not physically demanding however the level of physical difficulty for each tour is available under the “Pace of Tour” section of each tour. If there is any question about your ability to participate on a tour we would be more than glad to provide more information that you and/or your doctor may need to help make that decision. All hikes, on all tours, will be round trip, that is returning to the vehicle start point unless otherwise noted, allowing any participant to ‘sit one out’ if they feel inclined to do so. In addition to any walking, participants should be mindful that they will be required to be able to sit in any seat on our tour vehicles.
Tour Confirmation
Tour confirmation occurs at the time of invoicing or 3 months prior to the tour departure date. The tour will be confirmed no later than November 16, 2015.
Tour Cancellations
In the event a tour is cancelled by BRANT (due to civil unrest, natural disaster, low participation, etc.) we will offer you an alternate tour option (same time/similar birding targets) or refund the full amount of your tour deposit and price.
Price Increase
Projecting the cost of a tour package months in advance is not an exact science. If unexpected increases do occur it may be necessary to charge participants up to 10% increases of the tour price. If greater than 10% increases are necessary, participants may withdrawal from the tour without penalty.
Refunds, Transfers, and Cancellations
We hope that you will be able to join us on this tour, however, if circumstances cause you to cancel your trip we understand. If cancellations are made 3 months before the start of your tour, your deposit, less the non-refundable amount, will be refunded to you. If cancellations are made after 3 months before the departure date, your deposit is not refundable. If cancellation is made 45 days or less before the departure date all deposits and payments are non-refundable.
BRANT will allow a one-time transfer of a deposit to an upcoming tour date as long as the transfer takes place at least 45 days prior to tour departure date. Once a transfer has been made you will no longer be eligible for a transfer or refund of any amount at any time should you cancel again. Please contact us to discuss this option.
Registration Form
Please fill in all required fields. Remember that you must pay your deposit in addition to submitting this form before your spot on the tour is secured.If you have any questions or problems please contact us at anytime.
If you would prefer to fax or mail your registration form you can click here to print a hard copy. Our fax number and mailing address can be found here.
Belize & Guatemala – Jay’ Bird Barn Registration Form
Cost
The price of this tour may vary by the selected tour date. Pricing is as follows:
February 16th, 2016
$3,647 (+ 7% tax)
Single Occupancy Supplement – Please contact us at for information on single occupancy rates and availability
Deposit Due at Registration – $800
Payment
Deposits can be made either online via PayPal or by check. Payments by check carry a significant discount, applied at the time of invoicing.
Make checks payable to BRANT Tours and mail them to the following address
7522 Edith Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM
87113
To pay the deposit online select your departure date below and click “Buy Now”
February 16th, 2016
Trip Material
After you successfully register for a trip we will send you an information packet that will include:
- Detailed tour itinerary
- Bird (or wildlife) checklist
- Study/reference sheet
- What to bring sheet
- Receipt for deposit and invoice for remaining balance owed
- Information regarding travel to and from tour departure location
- Liability Waiver
Although your guides will be able to identify all of the wildlife for the area you are visiting, it is always a good idea for you to study up on the expected wildlife for your trip. If you want more information about any aspect of your trip prior to departure please contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions and/or recommend any reference guides
Liability Waiver
BRANT has selected known areas in the US and internationally, we cannot, however, guarantee anyone’s personal safety. For the most part ecotourism is done in remote, outback, and jungle like areas. The terrain is often rugged and local services and government assistance is not available in an emergency. In many out of the US areas there may not be phone or internet services for a day or two at a time during the trip. (However, in most established lodges internet service is readily available.) Therefore, we require that you accept your personal responsibility and agree to release us from liability for your safety within the limits of the law by completing the Assumption of Risk and Liability Agreement provided in your tour registration packet. This agreement must filled out and returned to us prior to the departure date of your tour. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE LIABILITY WAIVER TO PARTICIPATE ON ANY BRANT TOUR!
You can return the liability waiver to us via post or fax at anytime prior to your trip.
Liability Waiver (click to download PDF)
Health Preparations
Health precautions for trips in the US are minimal to none. If you have a health condition that requires medication please have the prescription filled for more than the numbers of days your trip encompasses, carry it in the original bottle, clearly labeled with instructions. If you have a health condition that you feel may affect your participation on the trip please discuss this with us so we can advise you and/or provide you with information to discuss with your physician.
Trips outside of the US may require immunizations. You can check with your physician and/or your local Travel Clinic. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) will also have complete information concerning health precautions and immunizations that are necessary for traveling outside of the US. They may be contacted by phone, 877-FYI-TRIP, or web site: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. If you have any additional questions about immunizations please feel free to contact us.
Trip Insurance
Please check with your insurance agent for coverage you may already have and any limitations on national and/or international travel. Travel insurance may be purchased from several reliable companies; Travel Insured International (travelinsured.com) and Travelex (travelexinsurance.com) are two to consider. Travel insurance is purely voluntary and not required to participate on BRANT tours.
The Belize Botanic Gardens