Muskegon Community College
BIOL 101BEL / ICS 101BEL, Field Studies in Belize
Dec. 12-19, 2015
Tentative itinerary in Belize, Dec 12 & 19 are flight days.
Sun, Dec. 13 Arrival & zip Line through the rain forest
before traveling to Sleeping Giant Lodge. Evening safety
presentation and activity.
Figure 1: Sleeping
Giant Lodge
Mon, Dec. 14 Hike in the jungle to learn about medicinal
plants from one of our guides. Also a guided trip down a
1)
river (tubing)
to visit a cave with Mayan artifacts. Trip to
local area establishment.
Tues, Dec. 15 Awake early for trip to Tikal National Park
in Guatemala. Breakfast in Guatemala. Explore this large
excavated Mayan site and learn about the history /
culture of the Mayan civilization.
Figure 3: Tikal
Temple
Wed, Dec. 16 Complete a stream ecology and water
quality study of the Sibun River. Hike one of the trails at
Sleeping Giant. Conduct a cultural interview with local
Belizeans. Visit a lookout tower and orchid gardens.
Figure 2: Mayan
Cave
Figure 4: Stream
sampling
Thurs, Dec.17 Visit two other very different Mayan ruins
(Cahal Pech, Xunantunich). Shopping and other tourist
activities in San Ignacio. Concluding the evening with
Dinner together at specified restaurant.
Figure 5: Cahal
Pech
Fri, Dec. 18 Visit the Belize Zoo: see native Belizean
animals in a naturalistic habitat and learn about jaguar
conservation. Depart for Houston, TX.
*Additional opportunities will be given for morning
guided bird hikes as well as night jungle hikes.
A note about meals: Breakfast and Dinner will be served
each day in the lodge as family/buffet style. Lunch will be
provided “on location”. Food in Belize is substantial, but not
particularly exotic. Rice, beans, chicken, and interesting fruits
are the standard cuisine. Fruit juice and water are provided.
Soda pop can be purchased. Vegetarian meals can easily be
accommodated.
Figure 7: Breakfast Plate
BIOL 101-BEL/ICS 101-BEL
Figure 6: Belize
Zoo cat