Red-lored Parrots are frequently seen around Chan Chich. Photo: Anthony Collerton
The vast jungle of northwestern Belize stretches unbroken into Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and encompasses the largest tract of contiguous forest north of the Amazon. Chan Chich Lodge is located within this wilderness on the main plaza of an ancient Maya ceremonial site. The abundance and diversity of wildlife here is difficult to imagine. Nearly 350 species of birds and over 150 species of butterflies have been recorded at Chan Chich, and the area also supports the largest population in Belize of five species of cats. We’ll spend five days at this magical place, exploring the extensive trail system and enjoying the amenities of a first-class lodge.
Before visiting Chan Chich, we’ll spend several days exploring the tropical forest and pine savanna of central Belize, highlighted by a boat ride at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and a visit to the spectacular excavated Maya ruins of Altun.
Day 1: The tour begins this evening in Belize City. Night near Belize City.
Day 2: We’ll spend our first morning exploring the towering Maya ruins of Altun Ha, occupied from around 10,000 B.C. to A.D. 900. In addition to touring the ruins we’ll sort through the many butterflies that can be found here including Orange-barred Sulphur, Mimosa Yellow, Theona Checkerspot, Mexican Fritillary, Banded Orange Heliconian, Variable Cracker and Veined White-Skipper. After lunch we’ll make our way to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Established in 1984 with the cooperation of the Belize Audubon Society, the government and local villagers, the sanctuary is a 16,000-acre network of lagoons, swamps, pine savanna and mango and cashew orchards surrounding the village of Crooked Tree. From our lodge overlooking Crooked Tree Lagoon we should see a wide spectrum of birds including Limpkin, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Snail Kite, Great Black-Hawk and Northern Jacana. Night at Crooked Tree.
Day 3: We’ll spend a full day at Crooked Tree, looking especially for some Yucatan specialties such as Yucatan Bobwhite, Yellow-lored Parrot, Red-vented Woodpecker, Yucatan Flycatcher and Yucatan Jay. After lunch we’ll take a relaxing boat ride through the forest-edged lagoons in search of Jabiru, Agami and Boat-billed Herons, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Black-collared Hawk, Sungrebe and other marsh birds. Night at Crooked Tree.
Day 4: After early morning birding at Crooked Tree, we’ll return to Belize City for our midday air charter to Chan Chich. Night in Chan Chich.
Days 5-8: Ah, Chan Chich! From the comfort of our private cabañas we’ll likely hear the calls of Great Tinamou, Barred Forest-Falcon, Crested Guan, Ocellated Turkey, Mealy and Red-lored Parrots, Blue-crowned Motmot, Keel-billed Toucan, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Bright-rumped Attila and Montezuma Oropendola before even getting out of bed! Black Howler Monkeys roar from treetops surrounding the lodge and troops of spider monkeys are seen regularly. Spectacular butterflies such as Dark Kite-Swallowtail, Thoas Swallowtail, Apricot Sulphur, Mexican Cycadian, Spot-celled Sister, Many-banded Daggerwing and Zebra Heliconian flit around the compound. A laid-back naturalist could have a wonderful experience without ever leaving the main clearing!
Our time here will seem barely sufficient to explore the nearly nine miles of trails, many of which we’ll want to visit more than once. Our early morning walks will focus on birds and we’ll hope to see most of the specialties of the area such as Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Great Curassow, Purple-crowned Fairy, Tody Motmot, Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Plain Antvireo, White-bellied Wren and Gray-throated Chat. As the days warm up, our attention will shift to butterflies and we’ll seek such uncommon sights as Transandean Cattleheart, Five-striped Kite-Swallowtail, Aglaura Banner, Dashwing Beauty, Guatemalan Cracker, One-spotted and Darkened-blue Preponas, Lycastie Tiger, Peleides (“Blue”) Morpho and Yellow-fronted Giant-Owl. In addition to walking the trails around the lodge we’ll make short excursions to nearby Gallon Jug Farm, where swallows and soaring raptors may be seen, and Laguna Seca, a small wetland that often attracts an interesting variety of wildlife. We’ll also make at least one night drive to look for owls, nightjars, potoos and mammals.
Our days will usually be broken up into a series of short outings with a midday or late-afternoon siesta. For those who wish to have more time away from the group there will be ample opportunity to take a longer siesta by the pool, walk a trail on your own or go touring with a local guide. Nights at Chan Chich Lodge.
Day 9: After spending a final early morning at Chan Chich we’ll take a late-morning flight back to Belize City, where the tour concludes with afternoon or evening flights home.
Updated: 26 November 2007
Prices
Notes
This tour is limited to 14 participants and two leaders. Both leaders will accompany the tour irrespective of group size.