HONDURAS
BEACH, WILDLIFE, YOGA TRIP FEBRUARY 11-20, 2006
Saturday
February 11, 2006 departure to Honduras.
We'll
be flying out of Newark on Continental flight #1011 departing Newark at 9:00AM to
Roatan Honduras
(connecting
via Houston Continental flight #1864) arriving in Roatan at 3:42PM. Group
airfare has been reserved.
After
arrival we’ll take a short cab ride to our hotel.
www.lunabeachresort.com
will be our home for the next six nights.
We
have reserved three of their beautiful homes for our group.
The
next 5 days
will include long beach walks, kayaking, snorkeling, 1-2 hikes in the local
mountains, and a yoga class each day –
alternating
between morning and late afternoon classes.
Classes
will be held in the beautiful beachfront pavilion at the resort. Kayak rentals included on two days.
Snorkeling
equipment rental at resort included on 3 days.
Luna
Beach resort is a short walk from the town of Roatan, which has shops, clubs
and restaurants.
Dinners
out each night at different restaurants in town. All breakfasts and dinners included in price – but all drinks are
extra charge.
Snorkeling
boat trips, bicycle rental for bike ride around the island to local
communities, horseback riding and diving are options at an extra charge.
Early
Friday morning Feb. 17 we take a short 30-40 minute flight to La Ceiba and transfer to:
www.picobonitolodge.com - one of the highest rated ecolodges in
Central America, with rave reviews from every travel magazine.
After
our arrival, we will take a 5 hour guided hike in the Pico Bonito cloud
forest.
Several
trails trek deep into the lush vegetation - en route discovering butterflies,
birds, monkeys and many other species of wildlife.
We’ll
have views of the Caribbean Coast, a beautiful waterfall, and reaching the
magnificent ‘Cordillera Gracias a Dios’,
which
has it’s highest peak in Pico Bonito will leave you breathless at the natural
and sweeping beauty of a park.
Most
frequently seen wildlife: Pizote,
Howler and white-faced monkeys, a variety of butterflies (about 40 species) and
tropical forest birds such as toucans.
Lunch
will either be a picnic during the hike, or served at the hotel before we start
the hike.
After
the hike we’ll be able to stretch out in our daily yoga class. Dinner at our lodge.
Saturday,
February 18
all day white water rafting trip on the Cangrejal River in Pico Bonito cloud
forest.
Some
of the best white water rafting in Central America is to be found here. The
Cangrejal river offers class II, III and IV rapids.
In
addition the exciting rapids, the Pico Bonito national park, which features
more than 7 different ecosystems because of its changing altitudes,
has
its eastern border with the river, offering you an insight to the ever so lush
green forests of Honduras. Picnic lunch is included in this tour,
which
is guided by expert river rafters with years of experience. No rafting experience is necessary – but
you can skip this if you’re not interested.
Afternoon
visit to Butterfly Farm. Yoga class
late afternoon (about 5:00 or 5:30PM)
Dinner at our lodge.
Sunday,
February 19
a boat trip to manatee/wildlife refuge
This
wildlife refuge is home to many endangered animal species, found within the
many mangrove canals proceeding from the rivers Cuero and Salado.
There
is a mixture of both fresh and salt water, the reserve being right at the
ocean’s edge.
From
La Union, we catch a ride on the old railway to reach this wildlife refuge, and
then by boat or canoe we explore the mangrove lagoons.
Manatees,
monkeys, alligators and a variety of birds are all part of the highlights of
this protected and diverse habitat run by the foundation FUCSA.
Packed
picnic lunch will be provided. Yoga
class late afternoon (about 5:00 or 5:30PM)
Dinner at the lodge.
Evening
walk led by naturalist guide from our lodge to look for nocturnal creatures.
Return
flight home on Monday, February 20 (President's Day) departing San Pedro
Sula at 12:55PM returning to Newark at 10:13PM
We
will need to leave the lodge around 9:00AM for our transfer to the airport for
check in at 11:15AM.
Airfare from Newark,
all lodging, all breakfasts & dinners, several lunches, and all activities
indicated above as included
(diving, horseback
riding, bicycle rentals are extra), all transfers within the country including
the short flight to/from the island, all 9 nights/10 days –
everything for about
$2400 per person. Price based on
current group airfare that has been reserved.
Increases in taxes/fuel
surcharges on airline ticket may increase price $50 per person.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO
TRIP UNTIL SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2006
Mangrove
River, creeks, and an exuberant jungle full of wild life.
This
excursion involves kayaking (absolutely no experience is necessary) through the
maze of mangrove creeks and rivers
making
up the Río Plátano and the Río Hicaque Lagoon, located in the core zone of the
Park.
As
you penetrate the mangroves, paddling through the narrow channels, there is an
incredible atmosphere as the greenery closes in around you –
and
you realize how close you are to the sights and sounds of the tropics.
Butterflies
such as the Blue Morpho abound as well as an ample variety of water birds
including kingfishers and herons.
We
wrap up the day on the inviting Garifuna beach of Triunfo de la Cruz.
Most
frequently seen wildlife: Alligator,
howler monkey, boat-billed heron (Bujaja), 5 species of Kingfisher,
green-backed heron, anhinga,
cormorant,
pelicans, jellyfish, fiddler crabs, blue morph butterfly.
Late afternoon
transfer to the colonial town of Gracias staying in Gracias at www.guancascos.com
Tuesday, visit some
local towns/communities including La Campa, with the Lenca people and their
traditional handcrafts
Wednesday all day
hike with picnic lunch in Celanque Cloud forest – the highest forest in
Honduras. Return to Gracias.
Thursday morning
transfer to Copan Ruinas - one of the major Mayan ruins in Central
America.
We would spend 2
nights http://www.haciendasanlucas.com an authentic hacienda experience.
Thursday afternoon
hike to the local hot springs.
Friday
- A guided tour of the Copan ruins, which are very extensive, visit the
museum and visit the local craft market
in town (if there is time).
Dinner
in town.
Saturday
morning transfer to San pedro Sula for flight home.
Extension price
$150/day including meals, guided outings, lodging and all transfers.