Educational Expeditions

Activism

The Chiquibul is Central America's largest intact broadleaf forest. It is under threat of destruction through fragmentation by the construction of the proposed Chalillo Dam.

The proposed dam's reservoir would destroy over 20 km of river flood plain that has been classified as critical habitat for the survival of at least four endangered species: jaguar, morelet's crocodile, baird's tapir, and the magnificent scarlet macaw, of which fewer than 100 remain in Belize.

This itinerary is also available in .pdf format.

Help us fight the construction of this dam through travel education. By visiting this amazing area and participating in our hands on watershed ecology program, you also generate the funds necessary to sponsor an equal number of Belizean students on the same program.

Not only will you be treating yourself to a trip to one of the most unique and pristine broadleaf forests and river floodplains in the world, but you will be helping to conserve it by giving the gift of education to someone else.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1	Arrive Belize Int'l Airport and transfer two hours west to San Ignacio. Pick up the Belizean students that will join you on the program. Group lunch, then board 4 x 4's to transfer two hours south to the Cuevas Research Station, located on the edge of the Chiquibul forest. Discuss Chalillo and the Environment
Day 2	Paddle the Upper Raspaculo Branch to the confluence with the Macal River. Transfer to the Raspaculo River, and depart downstream in inflatable canoes. Discuss the unique ecology of this forest. Evaluate readily visible wildlife populations. Visit an unexplored Mayan archaeological site. Set up camp riverside and listen for nightlife.
Day 3	Paddle the Macal down to the proposed Chalillo Dam site. Discuss and evaluate this portion of the river's unique floodplain ecology. Conduct short hikes inland to evaluate wildlife further. Continue paddling and the observation of wildlife. Set up camp close to or at the proposed location of the dam. Discussion: What will be lost, and how, and what can be done.
Day 4	(Optional) Transfer two hours in 4 x 4's to the Mollejon Hydroelectric Facility. See for yourself how a dam works and its impacts on the Macal River.
Day 5	Transfer one hour back to San Ignacio in 4 x 4's. Drop off Belizean students. Transfer remaining students two hours east to Belize International Airport. Return home.

Not ready to go home? Combine this program with a longer stay in Belize! All trips are customized with your needs in mind.