The St Petersburg Audubon Society is returning to Belize's Chan Chich and Hidden Valley lodges!  This will be our second trip--as a group--to a place most people swore they would never leave after the senses were attacked during the first ten minutes.  On our first visit to Chan Chich, we got out of the airport van and were greeted by a singing Red-capped Mannikan three feet from us at eye level.  The bird remained long enough that everyone got pictures.  I was tempted to touch it to make sure it was real!

The cost is $2,450.00 per person (double occupancy). It includes all expenses--food, lodging, transfers etc.– but not airfare.

I cannot stress enough that there is great interest in this trip.  There are 12 spots left of the 14.  It takes only a $100 deposit per person to hold your spot.  Make checks out to St Petersburg Audubon Society and make a note "Belize trip."  Send your check to: St. Petersburg Audubon: P.O. Box 49087 St. Petersburg, FL 33743-9087.

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FAQs

Tentative Flight Information: Continental flight out of Tampa. From Tampa to Belize City

Date:  January 28, 2009    Flight: CO1437 (transfer to CO1627 in Houston)    Aircraft: Boeing 737-300
Fare Class: Economy (T)     Meal: Snack  No Special Meal Offered. 6:45-11:27 with one stop in Houston
From Belize City to Tampa February 5, 2009
Flight: CO1650 (transfer to CO606 in Houston)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800   Fare Class: Economy (T)  
Meal:  Snack  No Special Meal Offered.
Time:  12:20-8:25 with one stop in Houston

I am requesting that all participants arrive at the airport in Belize City by 1 p.m. Belize time on the 28th of January. Do not book your departing flight any earlier than 11:00 a.m. on February 5 to return to Tampa. If either of these parameters prove difficult for you, please notify me immediately. We will do our best to accommodate you.

1. First and foremost, this trip is open to all. You don't have to be an Audubon member, a bird enthusiast or even a Floridian (real or imagined). A healthy curiosity and a willingness to be awed are the only requirements.
2. January-February is prime time. Temperatures are very much as they are here in Florida. Humidity is low. The two areas we visit will require shorts and tees in the jungle and a sweater at night in the mountains (see #11 for more clothing ideas).
3. In the past, those flying out of Tampa were all on the same flight. There are also flights from Flight Orlando. The national airport in Belize city is the destination.
4. The money should be paid as a DEPOSIT of $100 per person by July 1 to hold the reservation. All payments must be in by November 15. DEPOSITS are 50% refundable until September 1, and non-refundable after that. Prepayment is due and fully refundable 60 days prior to arrival (November 28) and is non-refundable after that time.
5. Cash? Travelers checks are fine though I did encounter some difficulty using them in the airportwith most vendors asking that you cash them at the airport bank first--which means convertingthe US check to Belize money. There is a fee for the cashing and the rates are not as good as youmight find elsewhere. AND when you convert the money back to US, you pay another fee forconversion. Because everything is paid for at both of our destinations, you probably won't needmuch cash. I carried $200 and spent all of that on souvenirs. Finally, most places gladly accept thelowly US dollar.
6. There is no single supplement. All prices have been created based on pairs. Therefore, if you are a "single" and want to go, I will be pleased to give you the names and contact information of others on that singles list. You may contact each other and agree to room. There is plenty of space in each room at both lodges. You will not be crowding each other. We will also be certain to give you separate beds.
7. Photographers! If you aren't one now, you may be when we return. Opportunities for great shots of wildlife abound. The scenery is exotic. The Maya history surrounds you with ruins and beautiful smiles from the Maya people--yep, they are still there.
8. This tour has no specific purpose. That is, we are not there just to see the birds, though I am certain many of you will be looking in that direction. Belize is a wonderful and varied experience. You will be offered multiple opportunities to go on guided tours (Caracol, the waterfalls at HVI, horseback riding or canoeing at Chan Chich etc.).
9. Degree of difficulty: As for vaccinations etc. The CDC web site has all that information. I will tell you that in the trips I have taken to the country, I have never had any inoculations--nor did I use insect repellent. I would not discourage either. That is a personal choice.
10. What to bring. Yes, you need a passport. A comfortable pair of hiking shoes or sneakers are great. Depending on your enthusiasm they may get wet--bring two. As for clothing, Chan Chich is a jungle habitat. Lightweight pants are great.· Shorts are fine too.· Same with shirts--long and short.· A hat is a must.· Don't worry about a canteen etc. But you may want a small day pack to carry a guide book, water bottles, extra socks, pen/pencil and notepad, journal--whatever.
11. Hidden Valley Inn (HVI) is on the pine ridge.· The elevation, though not very far up, makes it a cooler place.· The days will be delightful enough for shorts.· The evenings will probably be cooler.· You will want to swim in the pools at the bases of the waterfalls--plan on a purposeful, personally engineered, dunking.
12. Binoculars and field guides. Check the ABA site.
    

(http://www.abasales.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19_22_41) for Birds of Belize.  It is far more expensive if purchased in Belize.  Other useful guides are:  Birds of Mexico and Central America--Davis, A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America--Howell et al., and The Birds of Mexico and Adjacent Areas--Edwards.

Checklists of the birds of Chan Chich will be in your room.  A checklist of Belizean birds is also found at the HVI website--unfortunately, it is alphabetical !?).

(http://www.hiddenvalleyinn.com/pdf/belizebirdlist_0305.pdf).  In all instances, be aware species may occur there that aren't on your checklists.

On my first visit to Belize more than 10 years ago (on the ride to Caracol) our party had a Wandering Tattler (photographed).  It is still not found on any lists.

A butterfly guide should be considered but you can go nuts with guides--orchids, plants, mammals, reptiles.  Take your pick.  You will find the local guides are incredibly knowledgeable.

Any other questions?  Let me know ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).  I'll be sending updates and reminders as they are needed.  Thanks again for your interest.