University of Central Oklahoma
Passport to Mexico and Central America
Study Tour - May 14-22, 2008
For information about cost, how to sign up, required documents, etc., please contact Dr. Clark Ovrebo of
the Biology department at covrebo@ucok.edu or Dr. Diana Pardo of the department of Modern
Languages at dpardo@ucok.edu.
Some meals are included. B.=breakfast L.=lunch D.=dinner
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL. Arrival at Belize City Airport. Meet and greet at airport. Transfer to Western Belize's San Ignacio area for overnight. En route, visit the Belize Zoo, an organization deeply involved in environmental education. Overnight at DuPlooys Jungle Lodge, on the Macal River banks (D.)
DAY 2 - XUNANTUNICH & YAXHA. Ground transfer to Tikal National Park in Guatemala. En route and still in the Belizean side of the border visit Xunantunich, a small site with a tall pyramid that commands a spectacular view of the San Ignacio valley. Visit to Yaxha (where the 2005 Survivor Reality Show was filmed), the only Maya Classic Site whose name is the same as its emblem glyph. Yaxha is known for having a large concentration of massive buildings with defined avenues and causeways. It was always an ally of Tikal. Its location, on the shore of a lake and within the Maya Biosphere Reserve, makes it unique. Overnight at Tikal Inn (B.L.D.)
DAY 3 - TIKAL, Guatemala. A day in the pristine forest of Maya Biosphere Reserve. Intensive construction took place at Tikal from the late Pre-classic Period until the waning of Classic Maya civilization around AD 900. At its peak the city covered about 48 square miles and had a population estimated at 55,000. Tikal's Stele 29 bears the earliest Long Count date known in the Maya lowlands. In 292 AD Temple IV, one of the many pyramids erected to memorialize the dead rulers of Tikal's royal dynasty, and one of the tallest of Maya structures at 212 feet, was erected. Afternoon free to explore on your own or go back to the site to watch the sunset. Overnight at Tikal Inn - Tikal . (B.L.D.)
DAY 4 - BELIZE BOTANICAL GARDENS, Belize. Morning ground transfer from Tikal to San Ignacio, Belize. Afternoon, guided visit of the Belize Botanical Gardens, located next door to the DuPlooys Jungle Lodge. Overnight at DuPlooy's Jungle Lodge. (B.D.)
DAY 5. COKSCOMB, Belize. Morning transfer to the Cokscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar sanctuary, for afternoon activities in the reserve. Overnight in rustic cabins at the Research Center. (B.D.)
DAY 6 - JAGUAR SANCTUARY. A day in the Jaguar Sanctuary. A guided hike will be arranged with a local Park Ranger. Mid-afternoon transfer to Belize City for overnight. Overnight at Hotel Mopan. (B.L.)
DAY 7 - LAMANAI, Belize. Early morning ground transfer to Northern Belize continuing with scenic boat transfer to reach Lamanai. A wonderful Classic Maya Site with impressive pyramids in a unique river front setting. The New Rover connects with the Caribbean and it was an important trade route. The well-preserved stucco masks from Lamanai are famous. Afternoon return to Belize City. Overnight at Hotel Mopan. (B.L.)
DAY 8 - AMBERGRIS CAYE. Transfer to Belize City Municipal Dock for a 30-minute boat ride to San Pedro in Ambergris Cave visiting the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Rest of the day at leisure in the Cayes. Overnight at Exotic Cave Beach Resort. (B)
DAY 9 - DEPARTURE. Domestic flight from San Pedro to Belize International Airport for international departure.
Please check out our past Passport UCO events pages:
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