Belize and GuatemalaExplorer

Dear Duke Alumni and Friends,
If you are looking for a quick and tropical escape
in December, Belize beckons. Immerse yourself
in Mayan history and culture on an 8-day Belize
and Guatemala Explorer educational adventure.
This tour is an active vacation packed with jungle
adventure, ruins, and relaxing on the beach.
Belize and
Guatemala Explorer
December 6–13, 2008
Belize offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests
rich in wildlife, majestic mountains, Mayan
temples, and the second longest barrier reef in
the world. The land is home to a variety of flora,
such as palms, cacao, banana, passion fruit, and
orchids. The fauna is equally as diverse, consisting
of exotic birds, jaguars, monkeys, snakes, and
colorful masses of fish, corals, and sea mammals.
Choose from a wide range of activities to
customize your own experience and activity level.
Spend a day horseback riding in the jungle or
visiting Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most
important Mayan ruins. Enjoy a relaxing tour
through Barton Creek Cave or a more adventurous
cave adventure that includes hiking through
the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and exploring
Actun Tunichil Muknal, the Cave of the Stone
Sepulchre. Here, amid beautiful stalactites and
stalagmites, you’ll discover numerous cultural
artifacts used by the Maya in their ritual
ceremonies, and you’ll view the remains of
a Maya princess as she was laid to rest
centuries ago.
Wind up your time in the jungle with a day
trip to Tikal, the greatest of all classic
Mayan cities in Guatemala. End your trip
with three days at a luxurious beachside
hotel on Ambergris Caye, a narrow island
paradise surrounded by the azure Caribbean.
Here you can spend your leisure snorkeling,
scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, sailing, or just
lounging on the beach.
I hope you will join fellow alumni and friends
for a rejuvenating and adventurous experience
in Central America’s beautiful coastal gem.
Forever Duke,
Beth Ray-Schroeder ’83
Coordinator, Alumni Education & Travel
www.dukepassport.com
Belize and Guatemala Explorer
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Belize City We will meet you at the Belize International Airport
and transfer you to duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge, with an optional visit to the Belize Zoo on
the way. Enjoy a welcome dinner and begin to soak in the relaxed Belizean lifestyle. D
Jungle Horseback Riding or Cayo West & Xunantunich Today
you will have your choice of one of two rainforest adventure activities: jungle horseback
riding or a visit to Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most important Mayan ruins. Relaxation
at our rainforest lodge is heavenly for those who wish to remain behind. B,L,D
Day 2:
Day 3: Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulchre) or
Barton Creek Cave Enjoy one of two different cave trips. The Actun Tunichil Muknal
cave trip begins with a 45-minute nature hike that goes through the Tapir Mountain
Nature Reserve. Witness spectacular visions of the jungle, Maya Mountains, and wildlife
while trekking across rivers and remote jungle trails. Gear up with a helmet and waterproof headlamp at the cave’s entrance and wade into the emerald colored water flowing
from the cave’s gaping mouth. Observe numerous cultural artifacts used by the Maya in
their ritual ceremonies, and see the remains of a Maya princess as she was laid to rest
centuries ago.
If you would prefer an easier and more relaxing cave tour, the Barton Creek Cave trip
begins with a drive towards the Mountain Pine Ridge and through a picturesque Dutch
Mennonite Amish farm community. Once there, sit back, relax, and glide through a
remote underground water cave system in a canoe equipped with powerful spotlights.
Float under stalactites, see ancient skeletons and pottery, and prepare to be awestruck
by cathedral-like caverns. B,L,D
Day 4: Tikal Ruins of Guatemala Embark upon a full day trip to Tikal,
Guatemala. The greatest of all classic Mayan cities, Tikal is set in the jungle canopy and
consists of more than 3,000 buildings, including a handful of impressively tall temples
that tower above the forest. At one point, an estimated 100,000 Maya thrived in this
ancient city, an important religious, scientific, and political center. The combination of
archaeological remains and the natural environment of the Peten Jungle led to Tikal’s
being declared both a Natural and Cultural Heritage for Humanity by UNESCO. B,L,D
Day 5: Ambergris Caye – Beach Relaxation After a leisurely morning relaxing
or enjoying a last chance at the jungle activities at our rainforest lodge, transfer to the
Belize City Municipal Airport for a 15-minute flight over Caribbean waters to Ambergris
Caye. Settle into the beautiful beachside,Villas at Banyan Bay and unwind into the
Belizean rhythm. Spend your days at the beach on Ambergris Caye snorkeling, scuba
diving, deep-sea fishing, or just relaxing on the beautiful white-sand beaches. B,L
Day 6:
Ambergris Caye – Beach Relaxation, Optional Beach Tours
Today is a free day. Explore the island by bicycle, rent a catamaran, or just sunbathe on
the beach. Snorkel the largest reef in the western hemisphere or travel deep into the
rainforest again to explore ancient Mayan ruins. Divers may decide to book a double tank
dive trip nearby – or perhaps a full day trip to the Blue Hole, North Turneffe Island, or
Turneffe Elbow. B
Included
nGlobal Adrenaline tour leader
nDuke representative
nLocal Belizean and
Guatemalan guides
nDomestic Belize City –
Ambergris Caye – Belize City flights
nAirport transfers
nAccommodations:
4 nights in duPlooys Jungle
Lodge and 3 nights at the
Villas at Banyan Bay
nMeals: as indicated
B=breakfast is included
L=lunch is included
D=dinner is included
nActivities and transportation:
as indicated on the itinerary
Optional Activities
(not included in package price):
nMexico Rocks Snorkeling:
approx. $35
nAltun Ha Mayan Ruins:
approx. $140
nLamanai Mayan Ruins:
approx. $155
nBlue Hole Scuba Diving:
approx. $210
Cost
nDouble rooms:
from $2,800 per person
nSingle rooms:
from $3,650 per person
nplus airfare
Ambergris Caye – Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley,
and Caye Caulker Spend the day on a snorkeling excursion to the Hol Chan Marine
Day 7:
Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, and nearby Caye Caulker. The underwater world includes sea
turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks, and hundreds of species of fish, coral, and sponges that
create one of the world’s most diverse underwater ecosystems. Relax on the beach or
stroll through the lobster fishing village of Caye Caulker. Tonight you will enjoy a farewell
dinner on our final night at our luxury beach hotel. B,D
Day 8:
Return Home Relax for one last morning on the beach before departing for
your flight home. B
www.dukepassport.com
Box 90572
Durham, NC 27708-0572
Phone(919) 684-3046
Fax (919) 684-6022
Belize and Gautemala Explorer ~
December 6-13, 2008
Phone(919) 684-3046
Fax (919) 684-6022
Refunds/Cancellations:
If it becomes necessary to
cancel a Global Adrenaline,
Inc. trip, the following
cancellation fees apply
from the date Global
Adrenaline, Inc. receives
written notice that you
must cancel your trip.
Global Adrenaline, Inc.’s
cancellation policy applies
in every instance. There
will be no exceptions for
any reasons. Once you
have been confirmed on
a trip that requires a
medical certificate signed
by a doctor, normal
cancellation penalties
apply if your doctor does
not sign the certificate.
Global Adrenaline, Inc.
and Duke University
highly recommend that
all clients purchase trip
cancellation insurance.
Over 60 days prior
to departure:
Loss of $500 deposit
Early reservations are recommended since group sizes are often limited and airlines
often sell out their best fares months in advance. A deposit of $500 per person per trip is
required to reserve space on this trip. Payment can be made by check or credit card
(Visa, MasterCard or American Express) and please make checks payable to Global Adrenaline,
Inc. You may fax in your reservation to (919) 684-6022 or mail to:
Alumni Education & Travel
Duke Alumni Association
Box 90572, Durham, NC 27708 USA
Personal details:
Name 1
Duke Class Year
Name 2
Duke Class Year
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Telephone: home / work / mobile
email
Payment details:
Please reserve
spaces on the program Belize and Guatemala Explorer.
Enclosed is my deposit of $
Payment Type:
o check
($500/person)
o VISA
o MasterCard
o AMEX
For credit card payments, please provide the following details:
NAME ON CREDIT CARD
Card #Expiration date
60 to 31 days prior
to departure:
50% of trip price
I authorize Global Adrenaline, Inc. to charge my credit card for the amount
indicated above for services provided related to the trip indicated above.
30 days or less prior
to departure:
100% of trip price
SIGNATURE
Final payments:
www.dukepassport.com
You will be invoiced later for the final payment, which can be made by check, money
order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) or wire transfer. Final payment
is due two months prior to trip departure. If the final payment is late, a $250 late penalty
will be added. If the final payment is not received within 60 days of the trip departure,
Global Adrenaline, Inc. reserves the right to treat the reservation as canceled.