The Lighthouse Reef & Maya World trip from Belize’s premier adventure tour company, Island Expeditions is offering an unforgettable trip, which includes kayaking and snorkelling on the world’s second largest barrier reef.From now through April 2004, guests can spend six days at the first-ever adventure base camp on world-renowned Half-Moon Caye within Lighthouse Reef Atoll, located on the furthest boundary of the Belize reef system. Here, activities will include sea kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving, while learning about reef ecology, enjoying mouth-watering seafood feasts, and taking in some of the most spectacular island and coral reef settings imaginable.The trip also ventures into the interior of Belize, beginning with the ancient Maya city of Lamanai on the New River Lagoon, Belize’s largest freshwater lake. Lamanai, which translates to “Submerged Crocodile,” was one of the most important trading and ceremonial centres in the Maya world. With ruins ranging from pre-classic examples to the Spanish colonial era, jungle trails, refreshing swimming holes and an excellent on-site museum, Lamanai is among the most fascinating Maya sites in Belize.After a day of exploring the ruins and surrounding rainforest, guests will travel by boat through the wildlife rich wetlands of the New River to a waterfront lodge within the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary - a tropical wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. Crooked Tree provides a special opportunity for viewing, close at hand, the astounding diversity of birds (more than 450 species) and wildlife that make Belize their home. Guests can expect to see northern jacanas, white ibis, wood storks and the impressive jabiru stork, the largest bird in the New World.Later in the afternoon, the trip will visit another of Belize’s Maya ruins, the ancient site of Altun Ha, known for the impressive temple of the Sun God.The regular rate for the Lighthouse Reef & Maya World trip is US$1,999. This trip is on special for US$1799, which includes accommodations, meals, on-island transportation, professional guiding services and use of specialised equipment.
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