This archive holds earlier notes that have become obsolete

 

The following notes, in reverse chronological order, reflect the major points of discussion...


3/5/07 Denver at islandexpeditions, Thanks for the reply.  Yes, the 5-day/6-nights lodge-based Paradise Islands trip (as described at www.tobaccocaye.com to http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ie-tripdesc-paradise.html ) where some people could snorkel just from shore and transit between islands via motor boat, combined w/ the 2-day/2-nights Maya World extension http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ie-tripdesc-maya.html should work for all then.  Since we were thinking about a 10-12 day trip total, perhaps we could add a day or two on the water, and a day or two inland, perhaps visiting the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve (as described at http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ie-tripdesc-coraltorain.html ).
 
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 - ???
K
aren 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.
Check this out...www.tobaccocaye.com

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- you’ll 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...
 
I contacted  http://www.islandexpeditions.com/ and present to following Q&A for your edification.
(contact is: Denver Willson-Rymer, Director, ISLAND EXPEDITIONS CO, 800-667-1630 Toll Free
denver@islandexpeditions.com  www.islandexpeditions.com - Adventure Site
www.educationaltrips.org - Schools and Institutions
www.belizekayaking.com - Belize Kayak Rentals)
 
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.
 
Action items:  Please reply to this message (which will sent it via 2008belize@yahoogroups.com to all group members)
(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 - you’ll 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

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