NEW Packages!!

The Nesting Birds of Belize

Great birding is not just about ticking off the largest number of species on your Belize checklist.  A longer, closer look at fewer species, but focusing on bird behavior, can offer an entirely different birding experience which can be even more enriching.  And what more public display of bird behavior is there than their courtship rituals and nesting behavior.

Guests visiting The Lodge at Big Falls in May have witnessed a Black-and- white Owl hijack a nest built by a Gray Hawk.  The Gray Hawk conceded after several early morning skirmishes as the hawk glided towards its nest only t find the owl in occupation.  Tanagers will fight each other for nesting spaces in the same tree but be tolerant of other species.  The Yellow-winged Tanager dominates the Blue Gray Tanager, by the way.  And in March when Kiskadees begin to pair the male will display a magnificent yellow-orange fan which emerges from just above its lores and stands erect about  3-4 cms to thrill the female it is trying to attract.  I have yet to find a guide that mentions this courtship display and yet it is utterly distinctive but so seldom seen.

So what is the right time of year?  To observe resident neotropic species during the mating season the Lodge at Big Falls is offering a new birding package focusing on the courtship rituals and nesting and rearing habits of some of these species which mate during the last two months of the dry season from mid-April until mid-June.  We will scout out sites in advance of your visit and show you between 20-40 nesting species.  In May 2008 16 species nested within 100ft (30m) of the lodge itself. We will take you there during the first two days of your trip and then you can return to sketch or photograph or simply take a long look at the birds' behavior using blinds provided by the lodge.

This 8-day/7-night birding package is offered for just $1,550 per person sharing accommodation and includes all meals, transfers to and from Punta Gorda, free use of the Lodge's facilities including kayaks,  guiding services on each day of your stay and four days trips out from the Lodge to different birding locations. Starts on any day of the week.

Fall Migration Special

This new birding package allows guests to take advantage of great rates available during the fall period after the winter visitors have returned to Belize and before the "snow geese" aka "tourists" arrive during the high season for tourism in Belize.  Some of our winter visitors are much more accurately described as summer visitors to North America.  The Hooded Warbler, for example, is present in Belize from late July to late April and therefore only takes a three month break along the eastern seaboard of the USA while the Black-and-white Warbler takes an even shorter break.  All of which means that by the beginning of October Belize is buzzing with both residents, visitors, and migrants adding up to something just a little short of 600 species.

We are offering a discounted fall special beginning on Saturday 29 September until Saturday 8 December.  Our 8-day/7-night birding package is available for just $1,550 per person sharing accommodation and includes all meals, transfers to and from Punta Gorda, free use of the Lodge's facilities including kayaks, guiding services on each day of your stay and four days trips out from the Lodge to different birding locations. Starts on any day of the week.


Mountains to Mangroves 8 days/7 nights Joint package

The Mountain Pine Ridge and Caracol area of Belize is a prime bird watching destination and Hidden Valley Inn offers birding tours to view the many species of rare birds. Birders will marvel at the colourful array of tropical birds. Darting hummingbirds, Green Jay, Blue-Crowned Mot-Mot, Golden Hooded Tanager, Hepatic Tanager, Montezuma’s Oropendula, Keel-Billed Toucan and Crested Guan are just a few of the flamboyant species you may encounter in the area. Highlights for birders from all over the world include King Vulture, Stygian Owl, Laughing Falcon, Grace's Warbler, Lovely Cotinga and Tody Motmot. The jungle around the Mayan Site of Caracol provides regular views of the exquisite Keel Billed Motmot. 

Your Package Includes:
A road transfer between Belize City & Hidden Valley Inn
4 nights accommodations at Lodge at Big Falls & 3 nights at Hidden Valley Inn
A full day birding tour on Hidden Valley Inn’s private reserve
Tour of Caracol, Rio Frio Caves and Rio On Pools
2 on property guided walks (choice of morning or night walks)
Dinner, lunch and breakfast at Hidden Valley Inn
Service charge at Hidden Valley Inn
Road transfer between Hidden Valley Inn and the Lodge at Big Falls
Guided morning bird walk at the Lodge at Big Falls
Birding tour to Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary
Tour of Lubaantun Mayan Ruin and the waterfalls of San Antonio and Rio Blanco National Park
Dinner, lunch and breakfast at the Lodge at Big Falls
Road transfer to Punta Gorda
Flight to or from Belize International Airport
All taxes
 
Package does not include: . Gratuities for the guides . Gratuities at the Lodge at Big Falls (no service charge is levied) . Any purchases from the bar or gift shop . Airport departure tax (US$35) . Entrance fees to sites where applicable

This is an 8-day/7-night birding package.  Prices are in US dollars per person sharing accommodations: 1 Nov 2007 - 30 Apr 2008 $1956.00 US per person shared occupancy 1 May 2008 - 31 October 2008 $1865.00 US per person shared occupancy