A Week in Belize with two of the world's greatest naturalist

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Peter Matthiessen is one of America's leading nature writers and novelists. His adventures have led him around the world, from the Arctic to Nepal and South America. Peter's many books have dealt with a tremendous array of subjects, but throughout all of them, both his non-fiction and fiction, there is the theme of man and his relation to the natural world. Some of the most outstanding of these books are Wildlife in America, The Cloud Forest, Under the Mountain Wall, At Play in the Fields of the Lord, Shorebirds of North America, The Tree Where Man Was Born, Far Tortuga, The Snow Leopard (which won the National Book Award), Sand Rivers, and the Watson Trilogy (Killing Mr. Watson, Lost Man's River, and Bone by Bone). His book about cranes, The Birds of Heaven, illustrated with paintings by Robert Bateman, was published in 2001. End of the Earth: Voyaging to Antarctica was published in 2003. Peter is a lifelong naturalist with keen powers of observation. He is also a passionate conservationist, a terrific raconteur, and is great fun to travel with.

Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 59 years ago at the age of eight. His travels have taken him to all the continents, with his areas of concentration being Texas, Arizona, Mexico, Panama, and Peru. He is the founder and compiler for 40 years of the record-breaking Freeport Christmas Bird Count, and served a term as president of the Texas Ornithological Society. Birds and natural history have been a major focus throughout his life. He derives great pleasure from seeing and hearing birds, and sharing with others these avian sights and sounds, both the common ones and the more unusual ones. He initiated the first birding camps for young people, and considers that one of his greatest achievements. Victor holds a B.A. in zoology and botany from the University of Texas and an M.A. in government from Harvard. In 1993, he was the recipient of the Roger Tory Peterson Excellence in Birding Award, given by the Houston Audubon Society in recognition of a lifetime of dedication to careful observation, education, and addition to the body of avian knowledge. In 2004, he received the Roger Tory Peterson Award from the American Birding Association, and the Arthur A. Allen Award from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Victor is a member of the board of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, and the American Bird Conservancy.

Begin your unforgettable trip by spending 4 nights at The Chan Chich Lodge, Belize's premier jungle lodge. Chan Chich is located on a 130,000 acre private nature reserve in northwestern Belize at the heart of "La Selva Maya"; it is a unique destination for serious eco-tourists and novices alike.

Carefully situated in the plaza of an ancient Maya city and surrounded by pristine forest, the lodge consists of 12 individual thatched-roof cabanas and one beautifully appointed 2-bedroom Villa. With a screened-in pool and jacuzzi, fully stocked bar and excellent cuisine, your every desire will be fulfilled by the exceptional facilities and outstanding service they provide.

Retrace the footsteps of the Maya, wander their extensive trail system and discover the unforgettable flora, fauna and Maya history unique to this tropical paradise. With an unparalleled abundance of wildlife (and the best chance to see the elusive jaguar in its natural habitat) Chan Chich is an extraordinary destination for naturalists, birders and for those seeking an authentic retreat to the jungle



After spending a wonderful time at Chan Chich finish up your Belize adventure at El Pescador for 3 nights, located in Ambergris Kaye. El Pescador is world-renown for its spectacular fishing and snorkeling.

At El Pescador they want to ensure that the people who travel to their beautiful resort are not strangers. The entire staff is made up of family a local Belizean staff. You will come to meet all the other guests in the lodge, and create enduring relationships with people from all over the world. To encourage this camaraderie, you will share a common table for dinner in the evening. Equally, they protect and nurture the important things in life like friendship, privacy and our environment. If you share these values, then El Pescador is the perfect destination for you and your loved ones!