On arrival in Belize, before heading out to Glovers, we have an opportunity to experience the diversity of the rainforest and the rich Mayan culture of the interior. Working with guides from the Belize Tropical Education Center, our itinerary includes a rare chance to view the nocturnal wildlife of Belize, and then, in the jungle, we enjoy a leisurely float down a rainforest river with large inner tubes, exploring a fantastic limestone cave.

Thirty six miles offshore of the Belize mainland lie a group of tropical islands cradled within a turquoise lagoon and surrounded by a living coral reef. Glover's Reef Atoll is considered to be one of the richest tropical marine environments in the entire Caribbean. Our private island base of over 13 acres is perched on the southern edge of the atoll with a dramatic view facing east over the main reef crest and the open Caribbean. Based from our comfortable field camp we are fully equipped to spend six and a half days sea kayaking and kayak sailing, snorkeling, diving, and fishing.  After our adventures each day we like to reward ourselves with a bounty of fresh seafood, island baking, tropical fruits and yes, even rich, decadent deserts! Glovers is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the comforts of a well-appointed field camp yet want an active and flexible day-to-day schedule.  Exclusive to Glovers, is our underwater Sea-Breathe System (TM) which provides air for divers and non-divers to depths of 25 ft. Also available are optional Scuba certification courses, resort courses and equipment rentals.

Trip Summary:
Begin from: Belize City End in: Belize City Duration: 7 Days / 8 Nights Trip Departures & Prices: See Trip Schedule at bottom of this page Group Size: 6-18 Guides: 2-4 North American & Belizean Leaders. Accommodations: Tropical Education Center, Banana Bank Lodge, Glovers Base Camp, Belize Biltmore Hotel.	Trip Route
Activities: Rainforest Hiking, Caving, River Float Trip, Horseback Riding, Sea Kayaking (Paddling & Sailing), Snorkeling (Conventional & with our Sea-Breathe System), Scuba Diving (optional, cost not included in trip price), Fishing, Birding, Photography, Natural & Cultural History Interpretation, Garifuna Drum Night

Scuba Divers...
There are some great opportunities to scuba dive at Glover's Reef. Optional diving is available for certified divers on certain days of the trip. Single tank dives are available from $35 US, with further discounts for multi-tank dives. For first time divers we can offer, a Discover Scuba for a subsidized rate, or you may be able to take your Open Water Referral course. Please let us know in advance. We can also arrange a variety of dive packages before or after your trip.

Scuba Diving Rates...
BC and Reg Rental	$15 US
Single Tank Dive	$50 US
Two Dives	$75 US
Discover Scuba...
Discover Scuba Course	$125 US

Available Dates

	Sun. Nov. 30 - Mon. Dec. 8, 2008	Book this date
	Sun. Dec 7 - Mon. Dec 15, 2008	Book this date
	Sun. Dec 14 - Mon. Dec 22, 2008	Book this date
	Sun. Dec 21 - Mon. Dec 29, 2008	Book this date
	Sun. Dec 28, 2008 - Mon. Jan 5, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Jan 4 - Mon. Jan 12, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Jan 11 - Mon. Jan 19, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Jan 18 - Mon. Jan 26, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Jan 25 - Mon. Feb 2, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Feb 1 - Mon. Feb 9, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Feb 8 - Mon. Feb 16, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Feb 15 - Mon. Feb 23, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Feb 22 - Mon. Mar 2, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Mar 1 - Mon. Mar 9, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Mar 8 - Mon. Mar 16, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Mar 15 - Mon. Mar 23, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Mar 22 - Mon. Mar 30, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Mar 29 - Mon. Apr 6, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Apr 12 - Mon. Apr 20, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Apr 19 - Mon. Apr 27, 2009	Book this date
	Sun. Apr 26 - Mon. May 4, 2009	Book this date

Rate Details
USD: $1,789.00
CAD: $1,807 *fluxuates daily
Current CAD/USD Exchange Rate: 0.9902

Includes $130 Gov't Fees & Taxes

Additional Belize Trip Notes:
The Setting...
One of three atolls offshore of Belize, Glover's Reef was named after the pirate John Glover who used this remote offshore ring of islands and coral reefs as a base from which to raid Spanish merchant ships. The shallow waters offshore of Belize with innumerable coral reefs, mangroves and small islands were ideal waters for pirates and buccaneers to hide their raiding ships after plundering Spanish galleons laden with riches, destined for the Old World. Today, the attractions found within the atoll (20 miles long by 7 miles wide) are the clarity of the water and the remarkable profusion of marine life. In 1993, the atoll was declared a marine park, and 25% of the area and lagoon was protected from fishing and harvesting. To continue the conservation efforts to preserve this extraordinary environment, the site was designated as a World Heritage Site, in 1996. We travel and explore this area by sea-kayak, paddling and sailing the shallow 82 square mile lagoon with an unequaled variety of over 700 patch reefs. The reefs of Belize have long been known as the richest in the Caribbean, and Glovers is the best in Belize!

When Planning Your Trip...Think of "Day 0"
With Island Expeditions Co. a seven day trip means seven days in the field, not 2 days of airline travel and 5 days of vacation. So on all IEC adventures we meet you the day before the trip is scheduled to begin. This is "Day 0" and has been conceived for your convenience and comfort. "Day 0" is your day to arrive in Belize before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers, and to acclimatize to your new tropical environment. From there be it a short flight or a boat charter, your transportation to meet up with your group on this day and your accommodation on this night are included in the trip cost.

Equipment...
While at our private base-camp on Southwest Cay, our guests have unrestricted use of the following equipment: Double Kayaks (outfitted with special sails), Single Kayaks, Sit-on-Top Dive Kayaks, Sea-Breath Dive System, Complete Research Library, Field Marine lab including microscope and Hand Lenses. On the island, we are in communication with the mainland via VHF marine radio.

What's Included...

1. All meals (fully catered) while you are at our Southwest Caye base-camp
2. Selection of chilled wines and rum are served with dinner, or as cocktails on some evenings
3. Unlimited use of our Equipment and facilities
4. Professional guide and sports instruction services with Belizean Guides and North American leaders
5. All accommodations including lodge on 'Day 0' and hotel the night after the trip ends.
6. Glovers Reef Marine Park fees of $25US per person
7. Belize 9% Hotel tax
8. Belize 10% Sales Tax
9. Cave Entrance Fees
10. Comprehensive pre-trip information package
11. Financial Support for Conservation and Education programs in Belize
12. Charter flight from Dangriga to Belize City after the trip

What's Not Included...

1. Gratuities
2. International Flights & Airport Departure Tax
3. Snorkeling or Dive Gear & Scuba Diving fees
4. Extra costs due to late Arrivals and other circumstances beyond our control

A Note About the Ecology...
Flora...
Belize's Barrier Reef is the largest in the northern hemisphere, second largest in the world, extending 185 miles (300 km) along the coastline. Nineteen miles seaward from the eastern border of the Barrier Reef, lies Belize's most spectacular atoll - Glover's Reef. The oval shaped reef walls of the atoll climb from the ocean floor and surround a central lagoon. The surrounding reef is primarily made up of two kinds of coral, the hard hydro-coral (reef- forming coral), such as brain coral or elkhorn coral, and the soft corals, such as sea-fans and feather plumes. The sheltered lagoon at Glover's Reef harbors one of the world's most diverse sea environments; an extensive community of fish, shellfish, and patch reefs. One mile off the eastern shore of the atoll, the reef wall quickly drops 2600 feet to the ocean floor below. The interaction between the deeper open waters of the Caribbean Sea and the sheltered lagoons of the atoll results in a diversity and abundance of marine life which is unsurpassed for sea kayaking, snorkeling and diving.

Fauna...
From our base on Southwest Cay, we will have the opportunity to view a diverse range of sea-life and tropical birds. While exploring and snorkeling the atoll and the many patch reefs, there are opportunities to see grouper, bonefish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, eagle rays,conger, moray eels, goatfish, just to name a few. Some of the bird-life includes osprey (the Billy hawk), sea gulls, brown-footed & white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks, mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. Around the atoll and the barrier reef, there are nesting sites for loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. If we're lucky, we may see them while out snorkeling or kayaking. We will definitely have a chance to see and sample the main staple for Belizean fishermen, the queen conch and (in season) the spiny lobster.

Day 0 : Arrive at the Belize International Airport where you will be met by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo. Here we are able to explore the surrounding savannah forest through their network of interpretative trails and wildlife viewing platforms. There is also a wonderful interpretative wildlife conservation center onsite. This is an ideal starting point for the adventure ahead. After settling into our forest cabanas, we have a chance to meet our fellow travelers over dinner. This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new tropical environment. Transfers from the airport are included.
Accommodation: (forest cabanas)
Meals: Dinner is included on this Day

Day 1 : For early risers, the Tropical Education Center has a wonderful network of trails and wildlife viewing platforms for exploration. There are exceptional birding opportunities in the early hours of dawn as the pine savannah and rainforest awakens with a diversity of feeding birds, turtles and other creatures around the central lagoon. After a hearty breakfast, we travel along the Hummingbird Highway to our underground cave float. We take a short hike through the rainforest to the river put-in where we float on large inner tubes with our headlamps into the ancient limestone caves.

After our tour of the caves, we continue overland to Banana Bank Lodge. We settle into our accommodations, have lunch in the lodge, and then make a choice of horseback riding, a river float, or an interpretive birding walk for the afternoon. Banana Bank Lodge is a resort and an equestrian facility situated on over 4,000 acres along the banks of the historic Belize River. Our location is superb. For those who wish to stay behind and relax, there is a swimming pool, a greenhouse with over 50 varieties of orchids, and a night-sky observatory for our pleasure.
Accommodation: (Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 - 6: We depart early in the morning by charter boat out past the main Barrier Reef to our private base-camp on Southwest Cay, at Glovers Reef Marine Reserve. We are introduced to our new environment and get settled into our accommodation. Once settled, the guides provide instruction, teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and safety in the tropics. Then, we paddle out to a nearby patch reef and start to explore some of the 700 sites that Glovers Atoll has to offer. Glovers is one of only four atolls in the Caribbean Sea, and is truly the most spectacular marine environment in Belize. Due to its isolation from the mainland, the waters are exceptionally clear with inspiring scenery and a fabulously rich reef system that offers the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. We spend the days exploring the atoll with both single and double kayaks (rigged for sailing). Our itinerary is flexible in order to respond to both group and individual desires and abilities.

Activities include: sea kayaking, snorkeling the inner and outer walls of the reef, learning to sail a kayak for both novices and experienced paddlers. For experienced snorkelers, guides can provide full instruction with our Sea-Breathe Diving System: a free floating air pump designed to provide air by hookah lines down to 20-25 feet.

In the mornings and the evenings, we host informative sessions on a range of topics, providing an opportunity for guides to share their knowledge of Belize, the marine environments and local culture. Perhaps a high stakes game of Hermit Crab Racing to finish the day! If all this sounds a little too busy, you always have the choice of just kicking back in a hammock and relaxing with a good book and a cold drink.
Accommodation: (Tent-Walled Cabanas)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:For our last morning at Glover's, the choice is yours. We may choose to don mask, snorkel and fins for a last visit to your favorite coral reef, or work the flats with your most productive Bonefish fly, before our motor charter comes to pick us up for the return ride to Dangriga. Here we arrive to a waiting vehicle that whisks us to the local airstrip for a flight to Belize City. Once airborne, we have the Manatee Lagoons over our left shoulder and the Belize Barrier Reef over our right, giving us an impressive view of Belize’s coastal topography from the Caribbean sea to the Maya Mountains. We end our journey with a comfortable night at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, where they have a wonderful pool-side courtyard and bar.
Accommodation: (Hotel)
Meals: B, L (Dinner is not included on this night)

Accommodation...
On ' Day 0 ', we will be spending the night at the Tropical Education Center. The Education Center has comfortable, rustic accommodations in a beautiful pine savannah setting. The Center is right next to the Belize Zoo and has a interpretative center with Belize's largest collection of tropical animal specimens, and a network of trails and wildlife viewing platforms, perfect for exploring this unique tropical pine forest environment.

On Day 1 , we will be staying at Banana Bank Lodge, located at the gateway to the Cayo District. This spectacular resort is spread over 4,000 acres, and houses a restaurant, a main lodge, and a number of small cabanas. Our accommodations for the evening are beautifully furnished, thatched, roofed cabanas, outfitted with ceiling fans and hot water showers. On the premises, there is also an Orchadia which houses more than 50 varieties of orchids and bromeliads, a swimming pool, night sky observatory, a two-story birding platform overlooking the lagoon, as well as an art gallery.

On Day 2 to 6 at Southwest Caye, we are "base camping", sleeping in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents are have ample headroom to walk around and are on raised wooden floors with double or single beds. On the island, we have a fresh-water collection system for drinking water, access to fresh-water showers, modern composting toilets, a fully equipped. We also have a large dining area, resource library lounge, and a field marine lab.

On the final night we will be staying in Belize City. Our accommodations are at the Belize Biltmore Plaza www.belizebiltmore.com, a comfortable, modern hotel with a inviting pool-side courtyard and bar. The Belize International Airport is a short cab ride from the hotel, which can be arranged through the front desk. The hotel also has a tour desk that can help you arrange activities if you are planning on staying longer in the Belize City area.