Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Belize
Crooked Tree Sanctuary
Arrival in Belize, board our custom birding bus and depart for Crooked Tree and Paradise Inn (birding along the way), arriving for dinner. A brief orientation to Belize after dinner.

Day 2 - Crooked Tree Sanctuary
We will explore the Crooked Tree Lagoon and Spanish Creek by boat in search of the many species of birds which inhabit this beautiful sanctuary. With low canopy logwood, turtlebone, provision tree and mangrove, good views of Yellow-tailed Oriole, Mangrove Vireo and Rufous-browed Peppershrike are very possible. The endangered Black Howler Monkey and Morelets Crocodile are also found here. After lunch back at Paradise Inn, we will explore the upper end of the island, a pine-oak savanna. Yellow-lored (Yucatan) Parrot, Yucatan Woodpecker and Yucatan Jay can be found in this open habitat.

Day 3 - Crooked Tree Sanctuary
Today we will boat up the New River to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai. We will see many bird species along the water’s edge (Jabiru, Norther Jacana, Black-collared hawk) as well as along the trails of the gallery forest surrounding Lamanai. The ruins of Lamanai are some of the best examples of the Mayan civilization. It was the last stronghold of this ancient civilization of which we know relatively little about. Here we have found Slaty-tailed and Collared Trogons, Double-toothed Kite, and Brown-hooded Parrot.

Day 4 - On the road south to Cockscomb Basin
After breakfast we will depart for southern Belize, and Mama Noot’s Backabush Lodge, with many birding stops along the way, including the Monkey Bay Sanctuary (a private preserve) and Blue Hole National Park.

Day 5 - Cockscomb Basin
Morning birding around the lodge and entrance road. Hummingbirds, honeycreepers, woodpeckers and orioles abound here. In the afternoon we will explore some of the surrounding areas such as Five Blues Lake National Park. After dinner we will go spotlighting along the entrance road for Common Paraque, Black-and-white Owl, Mottled Owl and Crested Guans as well as mammals like Kinkajou and Ocelot.

Day 6 - Cockscomb Basin
This morning we’ll explore some of the many trails through the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. We’ll bring a box lunch so we can remain in the preserve all day. This preserve is rich in fauna, including Jaguar and many species of birds.

Day 7 - On the road to the Mountain Pine Ridge
The Mountain Pine Ridge is an unexpected tropical ecosystem of pine trees and granite-lined streams, surrounded by moist, broad-leaf rainforest. With many birding stops along the way, we will arrive at Five Sisters Lodge in time for dinner.

Day 8 - Mountain Pine Ridge
Rise before the sun so we can quickly get on the road to the Mayan Ruins of Caracol. This is the largest known city in the Mayan world, and is surrounded by incredible birding and wildlife opportunities. This is the best area in Central America to find the Keel-billed Motmot, and is also the location of an Wildside Tours Harpy Eagle sighting! Breakfast and lunch at Caracol. Return to the lodge in time for some relaxation before dinner.

Day 9 - Mountain Pine Ridge
Today we will explore the trails and roads around the Rio Frio Cave and the Rio On as well as the Hidden Valley Falls, where a pair of Orange-breasted Falcons nest each year. This is also a good area for Emerald Toucanet, King Vultures and so much more. An afternoon swim in the cool waters of the Rio On—sliding down the smooth granite waterfalls is a blast!

Day 10 Departure to USA or Departure
Load the vans after breakfast for departure to the airport and flights back to the USA.

Birding Areas and Accommodations

Mama Noot’s Backabush Resort
Located on the edge of the Cockscomb Basin, the broad-leaf rainforest surrounding the lodge offers many colorful species including: Crimson-collared and Passerini’s Tanagers, Green and Red-legged Honeycreepers and White-necked Jacobin. Tinamous and Curassows can be seen along the darker trails near the resort as well as in the nearby Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve. The lodge itself is made up of comfortable cabanas with private bath and hot showers. From this location we will visit the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve, Blue Hole National Park and the Red Bank Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary - Crooked Tree Lodge
The brand new Crooked Tree Lodge was built on the beautiful site of the former Paradise Inn and is set along the Crooked Tree Lagoon on the edge of the Creole settlement of Crooked Tree Village. This town of about 900 people offers incredible wildlife viewing as well as a very friendly atmosphere. Smiling faces will greet us everywhere in the village. The rustin Paradise Inn has been replaced with this beautiful, up-scale lodge, however, the down-home treatement, including delicious Creole style meals and desserts still remain!.

Mountain Pine Ridge - Hidden Valley Inn
The Hidden Valley Inn is in a beautiful pine-forest setting on a private reserve. Pine forest and moist broad-leaf forest collide here to offer a grand mix of bird species. The lodge offers all the amenities, from luxurious rooms (most with fireplaces) and excellent fine dining, to a pool and hot tub! From here we will visit many wonderful sites, including the ruins of Caracol and Hidden Valley Falls. The lodge's many trails offer specialties such as Orange-breasted Falcon, Lovely Cotinga and Stygian Owl!