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HONDURAS
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Photo by Jo
HONDURAS
This program includes carbon offsetting
with ClimateSafe. Learn more at
holbrooktravel.com/ClimateSafe.
Tropical Ecology
Choose your dates / 8 days
Embark on an ecological adventure
to explore some of the most unique
ecosystems in Honduras. On your
trip you will be able to observe the
natural beauty of Honduras through
boating, kayaking and hiking trips
through various national parks.
Home to lush green, cloud and
rainforests, massive mountain peaks,
rocky and sandy coastline and
coral reefs, Honduras offers diverse
terrains to explore. See hundreds
of animal species on trips through
Punta Izopo, Los Naranjos and
Azul Meambar Parks. Learn about
the different ecosystems through
lectures provided by experts.
EDUCATIONAL GAINS
Environmental Science
• Biology
•
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Travel to Parque Nacional Cerro Azul, which supports coffee
plantations, diverse animal population, lowland humid forests,
pine forests, a rare elfin forest and cloud forests.
• Visit Lake Yojoa, home to the largest limestone mountain in
Central America, where 13 different types of wetlands have
been identified.
• Marvel at the second largest botanical garden in the world,
Lancetilla Botanical Garden, founded to research varieties of
bananas and determine how to best treat diseases found in
plantations.
• Explore Punta Sal Marine Park by boat for the chance to see
over 232 animal species, including endangered marine turtles.
• Kayak through the mangrove forests in the canals of the Platano
and Hicaque rivers to silently observe the natural beauty of the
area, along with the native birds and other wildlife.
• Swim in Honduras’s largest pool at your hotel in the seaside
town of Tela.
holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - SAN PEDRO SULA
Upon arrival at the airport in San Pedro Sula, you will be met by a local
driver and guide and then immediately transfer to Lake Yojoa area and the
Azul Meámbar cloud forest. Looming over the eastern side of Lago de Yojoa,
and frequently shrouded in clouds, is a sheer-walled massif of mountain
peaks cloaked in lush green forests. The park is protected as Parque Nacional
Cerro Azul/Meámbar, or PANACAM. The park covers just over 154 square
miles at elevations ranging between 1,360 and 6,820 feet, supporting (from
lower to upper elevations) coffee plantations, lowland humid forests, pine
forests, and cloud forests. On one of the highest peaks in the center of the
park is a rare elfin forest, a bizarre ecosystem of stunted oak and pine trees,
covered with moss and lichen. Because of its location at the transition
from the hot northern lowlands to the cooler, more arid mountain country
of central Honduras, Cerro Azul supports an unusually diverse animal
population, even in the coffee plantations on the lower stretches of the
mountains. Many of the park’s 200 or so bird species can be seen screeching
noisily and flitting about in the trees. In the upper sections, reachable only
by a multiday hike, at least 50 (and possibly more) species of mammals make
their homes. After dinner attend a lecture on the Azul Meámbar Cloud
Forest ecosystem. Overnight at Panacam Lodge Dormitory. (D)
DAY 2 - LAKE YOJOA
This morning hike through the trails of the park. One of the secrets of this
tropical rainforest is the appearance of a vertical organization of species.
Up to five different levels of plants are found, including the forest canopy.
Each level is formed by specific species, and is populated by different
animals. Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park is of great importance to the
surrounding communities, mainly for water and electricity reasons. The
ground is spongy and is protected by the vegetation from soil erosion. Water
is collected in lower and rocky parts of the ground. This water reservoir
guarantees a constant water supply to the surroundings towns and also
supports the largest hydro electric power plant in the country. Spend the full
day exploring ecosystems of the park. Overnight at Panacam Lodge Dormitory.
(BLD)
DAY 3 - LAKE YOJOA
After breakfast spend a second full day exploring the park trails at various
elevations for the purpose of comparative study. Overnight at Panacam Lodge
Dormitory. (BLD)
DAY 4 - LAKE YOJOA
Today you visit Lake Yojoa. The sub-basin of Lake Yojoa, located in the
departments of Santa Barbara, Cortes and Comayagua, covers an area of over
100,000 acres. It includes the lake and its surroundings, where 13 different
types of wetlands have been identified, and some unique ecosystems such as
the mountain of Santa Barbara which is the largest limestone mountain in
Central America. Although it may not seem so, nearly 800 different species
of plants grow in the zone, an amount that is equivalent to approximately
10% of the national flora. With so much variety, it’s not surprising that 407
species of birds make this area their home. Also identified in the region are
54 mammal species and 72 reptile species. We will enter the lake through Los
Naranjos Park, exploring their trail system, including a hanging bridge. This
is one of the best spots for bird watching around the lake. For lunch enjoy a
typical fresh fried fish from the lake. Later in the day return to the dorm for
independent study time. Overnight at Panacam Lodge Dormitory. (BLD)
DAY 5 - TELA
This morning after breakfast, check out and transfer to the Caribbean
seaside and port town of Tela. The Caribbean side of Honduras is an
important site to visit since more than 16% of the Honduran national
territory is composed of coastal lowlands, characterized by alluvial
floodplains, coastal dune systems, freshwater woody swamps and
mangrove forests, which are in turn associated with seagrass beds and
coral reefs. Such ecosystems provide a range of ecosystem services which
support the livelihoods of large indigenous and mestizo populations that
live along the Caribbean coast of Honduras, in addition to protecting
the coastline from extreme weather events, recharging aquifers, and
filtering pollutants. Accommodations in Tela will be quite a change from
the dorms of PANACAM at a full service hotel. From here you will be
visiting different coastal areas. This afternoon visit the Lancetilla Botanical
Garden, the second largest tropical botanical garden in the world,
founded to research varieties of bananas and determine how to best treat
diseases found in the plantations. Founded by Wilson Popenoe, the site
quickly began to import plants and fruits from all over the world. Today,
4,100 acres host more than 1,200 species such as palms, hardwoods,
fruiting trees, and medicinal varieties. Specimens are superbly labeled and
organized. With such variety, it is not only botany that is of interest here,
ornithology is a focus as well with nearly 400 bird species recorded. The
gardens also host a variety of butterflies and reptiles. In the garden trails
you will delve deeper into the reserve which includes significant tracts of
primary and secondary tropical and subtropical humid forest. Return late
in the afternoon to the hotel to enjoy some time in the largest pool in
Honduras. Overnight at Villas Telamar. (BLD)
DAY 6 - TELA
After breakfast begin exploration of the Punta Sal Marine Park by
boarding a boat. The park offers the very best of both coastal marine and
tropical forest ecosystems. This is one of the most biologically diverse
natural reserves in Honduras. The 300 square miles of protected territory
around Punta Sal include humid tropical forest, mangrove swamp, coastal
lagoons, rivers and canals, rocky and sandy coastline, coral reef and ocean.
Almost 500 types of flora have been identified within the park, as well
as 232 animal species, including endangered marine turtles, manatees,
jaguars, ocelots, caimans, white-faced and howler monkeys, wild pigs,
pelicans and toucans. Enjoy a traditional lunch and then in the afternoon
return by boat to Tela. Overnight at Villas Telamar. (BLD)
DAY 7 - TELA
After breakfast, transfer to Punta Izopo Park, located on the eastern
end of the Bay of Tela, only a few miles away. This unique area takes
its name from the small mountain, Izopo Mountain, which dominates
the area and juts out into the Caribbean. The flora of the area, which is
irrigated by the Platano and Hicaque rivers, is home to large variety of
wildlife, including tropical birds such as parrots and toucans, monkeys,
alligators and turtles. The canals, formed within the mangrove forests,
are accessible to sea kayaks, which permit you to silently enter the area
without disturbing the natural beauty, and come close to the birds and
other wildlife. Enjoy a traditional lunch and return late in the afternoon
back to Tela. This evening is a farewell dinner at the hotel. Overnight at
Villas Telamar. (BLD)
DAY 8 - FAREWELL!
This morning depart for the San Pedro Sula airport. If time permits you
will the Guamilito market for the only chance do some shopping, then
continue to the airport for flight back to the U.S.A. (B)
PROGRAM PRICING
$1,297 (21 participants + 3 leaders)
$1,397 (14 participants + 2 leaders)
Cost does not include international airfare.
THE FINE PRINT
Rates are based on triple and quad occupancy for participants. Holiday surcharges
may apply. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is due upon booking
and no later than four months prior to departure. This deposit is refundable until
95 days prior to departure excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Final payments are
due no later than 95 days prior to departure. Cancellations received less than 95
days prior to departure are not refundable. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is
strongly recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174
or visit travelinsured.com. Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit holbrooktravel.com, call 800-451-7111, or email [email protected]