DAY 1: Flight from Denver to Houston - overnight in Houston

DAY 2 SAN PEDRO SULA-VILLAGE of COPÁN RUINAS-FIELD COURSE ORIENTATION. Flight from Houston to San Pedro Sula. Following your arrival at Villeda Morales International Airport, east of San Pedro Sula, you will be greeted by our Honduras Field Course Staff and transferred to the beautiful village of Copán Ruinas in western Honduras. We will check-in at our hotel and relax after a long day of travel. Following dinner, there will be a general orientation session to our Honduras Field Course. Overnight Copán Ruinas. D

DAY 3 COPÁN RUINAS-MAYAN SITE OF COPÁN-COPÁN SCULPTURE MUSEUM-LAS SEPULTURAS. After an early breakfast, we will explore the famed Mayan site of Copán. Called by some the "Athens of the Mayan world", the ruins of Copán represent the highest artistic and cultural achievement of the entire Mayan civilization. The extensive grounds of the Archaeological Park contain the remains of numerous majestic temples and pyramids embellished with literally thousands of sculptures. Copán was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Research is still underway here, as new discoveries are still being made. Following lunch, our group will visit the Copán Sculpture Museum and Las Sepulturas. The latter is thought to have been a luxurious residential compound, that once housed more than 250 people. Following dinner, we will have a chance to walk around the village of Copán Ruinas. Overnight Copán Ruinas. B L D

DAY 4 COPÁN RUINAS-YOJOA LAKE-REFORESTATION PROJECT- HYDROELECTRIC PLANT VISIT. Following breakfast, we will depart for Yojoa Lake (4 hours). Lunch will be at a scenic lakeside location, as we will have an opportunity to try some black bass and other fish the lake is known for. Following lunch, we will have a brief discussion about the Yojoa Lake ecosystem, environmental issues and present conservation efforts. The area around the lake has extremely high biodiversity and was declared a Wildlife Reserve by the Honduran government in 1971. It is also home to a Mayan archaeological site. This will be followed by a visit to one of the oldest hydroelectric plants in Honduras, as a plant Staff member discusses its' use and management. Following dinner, there will be time to relax and go for a swim. Overnight in sun-baked brick houses near the lake. B L D

DAY 5 PULHAPANZÁK WATERFALLS-RURAL SCHOOL VISIT-REFORESTATION PROJECT- LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS. Early morning birding. After breakfast this morning, we will visit a rural school, talk with students and study a reforestation project in the Lindo River w atershed with them. Following lunch, we will depart for magnificent Pulhapanzák Waterfalls, some 300 feet in height, located on the north end of Yojoa Lake and formed by the Lindo River. Wildlife is abundant here and there are numerous spots near the falls to swim and cool off in the river. Mid-afternoon, our group will depart for the north coast of Honduras and Lancetilla Botanical Gardens, located just southwest of the Caribbean village of Tela. On the way, we will discuss the environmental and economic impacts of the African palm, sugar cane and banana plantations in Honduras. Following dinner, there will be a presentation on the history & culture of Lancetilla. Overnight Lancetilla. B L D

DAY 6* LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS-PUNTA SAL NATIONAL MARINE PARK. Early morning birding. Following breakfast, we will hike along some trails of the Lancetilla Botanical Gardens with local Staff and observe one of the best collections of exotic plants in all of Latin America. Founded in 1926 by the United Fruit Company and spread over more than 1700 acres, Lancetilla has functioned as a research center to experiment with the cultivation of a variety of tropical plants. Some of the plants first grown here are now important crops found throughout Central America. Today, they not only have a large collection of plants from Latin America, but also from around the world. The bird-life found on the property is also another large attraction to visitors. The various plantings have created a wide variety of habitats and now more than 200 species of birds have been identified on the property. Following lunch, we will visit the other side of the garden and do some environmental activities with Lancetilla Staff. In the late afternoon, we will return to Lancetilla for dinner. and overnight. B L D

*Note: Our group may be divided in half, depending on size, with DAY 6 and DAY 7 activities alternated.

DAY 7 PUNTA SAL NATIONAL MARINE PARK-SNORKELING-LEFEBRE BEACH- PUERTO ESCONDIDO-El TRIUNFO de la CRUZ. Early this morning, we will depart from Tela by boat, into Punta Sal National Marine Park (one hour). Punta Sal protects a wide variety of habitats, including mangrove forests, swamps, small tropical forests and off-shore coral reefs. It is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in all of Honduras. Once in the Park, we will have breakfast on Lefebre Beach and snorkel some of the near-shore coral reefs (weather permitting). Our group will then travel by boat, to the Cocalito trail. Here we will disembark and walk across Punta Sal Peninsula to Puerto Escondido. We will then return to Lefebre Beach, Tela and the mainland. Our group will then drive to the beautiful Garifuna village of El Triunfo de La Cruz. We will have a traditional Garifuna lunch and spend some time relaxing in the Atlantic. In the late afternoon, we will return to Lancetilla for dinner and overnight. Following dinner, there will be a presentation about the various ecosystems found in Punta Sal. B L D

DAY 8 LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS-LA UNIÓN and EL BAMBÚ-CUERO and SALADO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Early morning birding. After breakfast, we will travel east, to the village of La Unión and then El Bambú. Following our arrival here, we will take a 6 mile (45 minute) ride in a motorized rail-car (burra) to the community of Barras de Cuero and Salado, located in the Cuero and Salado Wildlife Refuge. It is at this point that the Cuero and Salado Rivers meet to form a large estuary on the coast. The estuary and coastal mangrove forest found here protect a wide variety of bird, reptile, fish and mammal species, including manatees. Following lunch, we will set up camp and once settled in, learn about the local coconut processing industry. This will be followed by environmental activities with rural school children of Cuero and Salado. Following dinner, our group will build a campfire on the beach, and the Refuge Staff will discuss conservation issues of this region. Overnight in tents at Cuero and Salado. B L D

DAY 9* CUERO and SALADO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE-LA CEIBA- CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION VISIT-BUTTERFLY MUSEUM. Before breakfast this morning, we will depart by boat, and explore some of the aquatic trails in Cuero and Salado Wildlife Refuge. With some luck, we hope to spot resident black howler monkeys, a wide variety of birds and possibly manatees that live in the Refuge. Our group will return to camp for breakfast and then travel back to the mainland and depart for La Ceiba, largest city on the north coast of Honduras. Following lunch, we will visit one of the local conservation organizations responsible for protecting the valuable natural resources found along the north coast. Our group will then visit a local Butterfly Museum located outside of La Ceiba. Here, we will see mounted butterfly specimens from not only Honduras, but throughout Central America. In the late afternoon, return to La Ceiba for dinner and overnight. B L D

*Note: Our group may be divided in half, depending on size, with DAY 9 afternoon and DAY 10 morning activities alternated.

DAY 10 LA CEIBA-PICO BONITO NATIONAL PARK-ROATÁN. Following breakfast this morning, we will depart for nearby Pico Bonito National Park, the largest National Park in Honduras, with a core area of approximately 310 square miles. It is known for its' magnificent forests, rivers, waterfalls and wildlife, including jaguars, armadillos, peccaries, monkeys and abundant bird-life. The morning will be spent hiking in the rainforest. Following lunch in La Ceiba, we will depart by boat, for the beautiful Bay Island of Roatán. Upon our arrival, we will have an orientation session about Roatán and the Bay Islands. Dinner and overnight Roatán. B L D

DAY11* ROATÁN-SNORKELING-FRENCH HARBOR-IGUANA FARM- MEET with LOCAL TEACHERS. After breakfast this morning, we will depart by boat, for the one of the nearby coral reefs off Roatán. The pristine waters of the Bay Islands support a variety of marine ecosystems, including sea-grass beds, patch reefs and mangroves. The variety of marine-life found here is astounding -- colorful sponges, countless species of coral, tunicates, anemones, starfish, spectacular fish and dolphins. Our group will spend the morning snorkeling and return to Roatán for lunch. This afternoon, we will travel to the village of French Harbor, an important port town and home to the largest fishing and lobster fleet on the island. We will visit an iguana farm in nearby French Key. This is an effort by a local family to reintroduce this reptile to the island. Following dinner, some local teachers will join us to discuss daily life and education on the island. Overnight Roatán. B L D

*Note: For all activities on Roatán, our group may be divided in half, depending on size, with morning and afternoon activities alternated.

DAY 12 ROATÁN-SNORKELING-SANDY BAY-INSTITUTE for MARINE SCIENCES-DOLPHIN DEMONSTRATION-ETHNIC and HISTORICAL MUSEUM-EVENING PRESENTATION. Following an early breakfast, we will depart for a new location off Roatán and spend the morning snorkeling. Again, we will return to the mainland for lunch. This afternoon, we will travel to the village of Sandy Bay, where The Institute for Marine Sciences is located. The Institute is a research and educational facility that specializes on work with dolphins. Our group will observe one of the dolphin training sessions put on by the Institute and then visit the Ethnic and Historical Museum, which is located at the same site. The Museum contains Mayan artifacts found on the island, information on dolphins, forms of sea-life. This evening we will have a presentation on the coral reefs of Honduras and conservation efforts that are presently underway. Dinner and overnight Roatán. B L D

DAY 13 ROATÁN-SNORKELING-CARAMBOLA BOTANICAL GARDENS- SANDY BAY-BIRD PARK-EVENING PRESENTATION. After breakfast, we will depart for a new location off Roatán and spend the morning snorkeling. Again, we will return to the mainland for lunch. In the afternoon, we will depart for Sandy Bay to visit the Carambola Botanical Gardens, where we will hike local trails and learn about the medicinal and industrial uses of plants found here. At the half-way point we will come to a ridge where we can see both sides of the island of Roatan. ...a great photo opportunity. After touring the Gardens, we will visit the local Bird Park, a live exhibit of macaws, toucans and parrots native to Honduras. Following dinner, the Manager of the Sandy Bay Marine Reserve will give a presentation on conservation and management of the Reserve. Overnight Roatán. B L D

DAY 14 LA CEIBA-TELA-LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS. This morning, we will depart from the Coxen Hole dock at 7:00 a.m. for La Ceiba and the mainland (2 hours). Following our arrival, we will have breakfast. We will then drive to the Garifuna village of La Ensenada. Here, we will have an opportunity to meet with some of the local Garifuna and discuss their daily lives, culture and history in the Caribbean. In the late afternoon, we will return to Lancetilla Botanical Garden for a farewell dinner and evaluation of our Honduras Field Course. Overnight Lancetilla. B L D

DAY 15 LA CEIBA-SAN PEDRO SULA-DEPARTURE. After breakfast and farewells to our Honduras Field Course Staff, you will be transferred to the Villeda Morales International Airport, outside of San Pedro Sula for your flight to San Jose or Denver. B

Note: Due to weather conditions and circumstances beyond the control of Field Course Staff, certain activities may be changed or done on different days in the best interest of the group.

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This page was created by Peter Jeschofnig and was last updated: 4/21/2001