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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.