The Expedition
From wildly thick jungles and turquoise bays to ancient Maya ruins, Belize is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Today, a growing and diverse population of Maya, Afro-Caribbean, and European descent strives to address the needs of modern life while protecting the region's ecological and archaeological gems. Discover Belize's efforts to celebrate and preserve its unique heritage as we travel to reefs, jungles, and ancient ruins. Participate in an On Assignment project of your choice — Photography, Culture & Arts, or Wildlife & Conservation.
GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL
7 days. Our journey begins with a boat ride to the Marine Research Station at Glover's Reef 28 miles off the coast of Belize, where scientists study the effect of global warming on the coral reef. Settle into your bungalows on this tropical atoll. Here, choose to take a PADI® scuba course or explore marine life with a snorkel and fins. Join marine experts, and hone your ability to identify various fish species. Accompany Belizean conservationists as they monitor local fisherman, keeping an eye out for overfishing of lobster and conch. Learn about Belize's threatened barrier reef and what's being done to preserve it.
GALES POINT
2 days. Head back to the mainland to Gales Point, a tiny Creole fishing village known for manatee watching and a thriving traditional music scene. Adapt to the relaxed pace of village life, chatting with the curious children selling their mother's jam rolls, sampling the latest catch at the only restaurant in town, and learning Belizean and African beats at the drum school.
CHIQUIBUL NATIONAL PARK
8 days. Deep in the Chiquibul jungle, at the heart of ancient Maya culture, lies Las Cuevas Research Station, used by ecologists, biologists, and archaeologists. Explore the differences between the Maya societies of the past and present, and learn a few words of the Mayan language. Follow Maya guides on a two-day jungle survival course. Identify vines that provide clean drinking water, and learn about the many creative uses of tree saps. Set up camp among the trees, discover the medicinal uses of plants, and coexist safely with the creatures of the jungle — frogs, birds, monkeys, and even the elusive jaguar.
National Geographic expert Peter Dunham joins us here to unveil the ancient culture of the Maya and their relationship with the environment. By analyzing their use of natural resources thousands of years ago, learn how we can improve our stewardship of the forest today. Study songbirds that summer in North America and winter in the Maya Mountains, and see how our treatment of wildlife at home affects the delicate balance of Belize's ecosystem. Then follow the beam of your headlamp into a nearby grotto. Duck through a maze of gothic stalactites and stalagmites, and stumble upon pottery shards — offerings to the gods left by the Maya, who considered these caves an entrance to the underworld.
SAN IGNACIO
4 days. Return to civilization in San Ignacio, one of Belize's larger cities. Taste a wide range of delicious foods from fresh market produce and Indian cuisine to savory Belizean home cooking. From San Ignacio, explore incredible Maya stone structures in the surrounding forests. Climb up the stone steps of the ancient city of Caracol, one of the most important Maya cities at its peak, around a.d. 650. Today, the site is blanketed with grass and trees — mossy mounds often missed by the unsuspecting traveler. Learn about Maya history and hieroglyphics, and get an archaeologist's perspective on the continuing excavations. Then set out on a tubing trip in the intricate caves of the Caves Branch River.
After three weeks of adventure, wrap up with presentations of each team's On Assignment project.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Capture the character of Belize in a photo essay on a topic of your choice. Document the conservation efforts of local fishermen. Go on a wildlife shoot in the heart of the jungle, or photograph the expressive movements of Caribbean drummers.
CULTURE & ARTS: Step into the lives of Belizeans and experience the country's rich cultural diversity. Spend the afternoon sharing stories with a Maya family. Test your culinary skills with a Belizean chef. Shadow a potter to learn traditional ceramic techniques.
WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION: Join botanists, marine biolgists, and archaeologists as they conduct their research in the field. Collect samples of medicinal plants and test their useful properties. Study migratory patterns of songbirds that winter in the mountains of Belize. Analyze the effects of global warming on Belize's barrier reef.
