This archive holds earlier notes that have
become obsolete
The following notes, in reverse chronological order, reflect the major
points of discussion...
We are targeting beginning the trip in mid-April (i.e., will spend 10-12
days during the 13-30th of April) 2008. This date window now seems pretty
firm.
Vacation planning participants, please reply to me or our private Yahoo!
Group 2008belize YahooGroup at
2008belize@yahoogroups.com to
update your preferences which I will also post on our
http://mikebaird.com/belize2008/ page which currently says:
Norma (& Peter) 3/2/07 -"I
think we ( or I) could go
beginning mid-April. I am perfectly O.K. with camping."
Mike - "can go
anytime, stay anywhere"
Wendy - "you tell me I'll go"
Sylvia - ???
Randy - ???
Karen
R. - 3/3/07 - "anything in 2008 works"
Ron and
Mary - Ron "yes" Mary "no" (3/7/07)
Greg Grilli (added 3/3/07) - ???
From: Denver
Willson-Rymer [mailto:denver@islandexpeditions.net]
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 1:15 PM
To: Baird, Michael
Subject: RE: Mike Baird questions I have about organizing a May 2008
trip with islandexpeditions ignorefilters belize2008
Michael
We can work out something like
that for sure.
Have a look at our Paradise
Islands Trip. Lodge based on the reef. Snorkeling can be done from
the land at both island locations. Motor boat between islands is possible.
Denver
Willson-Rymer
Director
Island Expeditions Co
3/2/07 - here is the latest thinking... documented in a couple of
correspondences:
Denver... You will see I am thinking of
a custom tour where (1) each night is spent in a lodge versus camping, and
(2) a few of the participants could elect to transport between
islands/lodging via motor boat.
Is this practical? One of the participants is not a swimmer - but kayaks
locally in Morro Bay, CA, and also has snorkeled on past trips with a
flotation device. I'd be interested in your comment on this.
*********************** note sent to group ******************
Belize 2008
planning group - update:
The
following people have expressed enough interest in a trip to Belize in
2008 to want to subscribe to our Yahoo! Group planning list here at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2008belize/
(this used to be the Costa Rica planning group which has been renamed
and re-purposed)
Interested: Mike, Norma and Peter?, Wendy,
Sylvia, Randy, Karen R. , Ron and
Mary?
Probably not interested, but members of the group: Carole and Phil,
Barb and Wadih
(you can see all the
nine current members at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2008belize/members )
Recently I
posted a proposed 9 day tour for May 2008 at
http://mikebaird.com/belize2008/ which
said:
$2000 NEW Itinerary!
Ultimate Adventure - 9 Days / 10 Nights
- http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ie-tripdesc-ultimateadven.html-
youll sea kayak,
snorkel, dive, windsurf, hike through the rainforest, explore Mayan
ruins and ceremonial caves and descend an incomparable tropical river
through canyons and lush rainforest. -
Although no previous experience or special skills are needed to
participate in the Ultimate Adventure, you should be in good enough
physical condition to paddle up to 10 miles a day or hike with a light
pack for three or four hours. Group Size: 6-14; Sea Kayaking (paddling &
sailing), Snorkeling, Fishing, Paddling a Rainforest River, Hiking,
Caving, Rainforest Trails, Birding, Photography, Natural History
Interpretation.
Several of
the participants expressed concern about comfort level and capability
with regards to the kayaking and snorkeling water activities, and/or a
desire to stay in more traditional "lodge" accommodations versus
"camping."
I have
also discovered that May is considered too late for visiting Belize...
I want to
re-open the discussion for April, 2008.
Norma and
Peter esp., I forget exactly when you said that you would get back form
your prior trip and be rested and ready for another...
Q: I am
starting to organize a group trip to Belize - we are thinking of
visiting during May of 2008. I see that most of your trips are
scheduled only through Dec. - April - is the weather not good enough go
go in May?
A: We
generally operate during the most predictable weather months from
December to April. We will consider extending into May. Statistically
speaking, hurricane or tropical storm season peaks in Mid September. The
rainy or wet season coincides. So 2 to 3 months either side of this is
wetter than the rest. At the end of the rainy season, December on...
jungle rivers are running high and make for the most fun. By May the
waters are very low and some rivers cannot be paddled. On the flip side
fare weather winds, water and air clarity are best and most consistent
through until April and May. Our base camps at Glovers and
Lighthouse Reef Atolls close at the end of April. We can extend
this a week or so if it is worth our while.
Q: Some
have limited comfort in the water or ability to kayak 10 miles and might
prefer a tour organized so that paddle outings could be optional for
part of the group.
A: An alternative may be a self guided trip for some or all. We do
outfit. Look here:
www.belizekayaking.com.
Q: I'm
thinking that we might be a self-contained group and could create a
custom itinerary.
A: Custom itineraries are no problem.
(1) I need
to know if everyone who wants to go could in fact go in early April 2008
instead of May 2008. (Remember, we ruled out November earlier).
(2)
As a more tame alternative (i.e., lodging vs. camping, and the
possibility of passing on some kayak outings) to the proposed Ultimate
Adventure
- 9
Days / 10 Nights, consider the following Paradise Islands + Maya World
Extension - are you comfortable with this as a base for planning a
custom trip? (I'm assuming we could negotiate for passage between
islands/lodges via motor boat for those not wanting to kayak).
Go to
http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ie-tripdesc-brief.html to
read about the
Paradise Islands - 5 Days / 6
Nights ("for the adventure and excitement of a sea kayak journey with
the comforts of a lodge") and go to
http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ie-tripdesc-maya.html to
read about the Maya World Extension
- 2 Days / 2
Nights
Tour
operators:
http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ says
Experience the best
of Belize that most travelers miss. Our Belize adventures on the barrier reef
include
kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling. Explore incomparable
Lighthouse Reef and
Glovers'
Reef Atoll from our private island
base-camps.
Listen for the lost echoes of the Maya through forty centuries of silence in the
ruins of Belize. Our 7 day to 10 day Belize trips
on the
coral reefs and
atolls
introduce you to the exciting world of
sea kayaking,
kayak sailing,
snorkeling,
scuba
diving,
c-breathe diving,
yoga, salt water sportfishing and
windsurfing
in the tropics. In the Maya Mountains of Southern Belize, our adventures
offer
river kayaking,
hiking,
caving,
Mayan ruins,
cultural
interaction, wildlife spotting, and excellent photography.
Group size is limited to 8-17 participants, providing a genuine and personalized
travel experience. Here are some options and approximate prices...
Summary of all
trips is at
http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ie-tripdesc-brief.html
Perhaps the best they have to offer is:
http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ie-tripdesc-ultimateadven.html
$2000 NEW Itinerary!
Ultimate Adventure - 9 Days / 10 Nights -
youll sea kayak, snorkel, dive, windsurf, hike
through the rainforest, explore Mayan ruins and ceremonial caves and descend an
incomparable tropical river through canyons and lush rainforest.
- Although no previous experience
or special skills are needed to participate in the Ultimate Adventure, you
should be in good enough physical condition to paddle up to 10 miles a day or
hike with a light pack for three or four hours.
Group Size: 6-14;
Sea Kayaking (paddling & sailing), Snorkeling, Fishing, Paddling a
Rainforest River, Hiking, Caving, Rainforest Trails, Birding, Photography,
Natural History Interpretation
Alternatives:
$1900 Coral Jaguar
Expedition - 10 Days / 11
Nights: Sea Kayaking (Paddling &
Sailing), Snorkeling, Fishing, River Travel, Whitewater, Hiking, Mayan culture,
Birding, Photography, Wildlife & Natural History Interpretation.
$1600 Glover's
Reef & Mayan Caves - 7 Days / 8 Nights:
spend six and a half days sea kayaking and kayak sailing, snorkeling, diving,
and fishing.
Add a $500 Maya World Extension - 2 Days / 2
Nights :
Hiking, Mayan Ruins
Exploration, Rainforest Trails and Waterways, Birding, Photography, Natural
History Interpretation
Other:
OAT http://www.oattravel.com/
Overseas Adventure Travel was discussed as a possibility, but they only offer
Route of the Maya (2007) - 14 days from only $2145 - covering El Salvador,
Guatemala, and a touch of Belize
Back to Belize 2008 main page