National Geographic Student Expeditions - Belize - High School Student Travel and Community Service Programs

The Expedition

From wildly thick jungles and turquoise bays to ancient Maya ruins, Belize is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Today, a growing and diverse population of Maya, Afro-Caribbean, and European descent strives to address the needs of modern life while protecting the region's ecological and archaeological gems. Discover Belize's efforts to celebrate and preserve its unique heritage as we travel to reefs, jungles, and ancient ruins. Participate in an On Assignment project of your choice—Photography, Wildlife & Conservation, or Archaeology & Ancient Culture.

CHIQUIBUL NATIONAL PARK
8 days. Our journey begins deep in the Chiquibul jungle at the heart of ancient Maya culture. Here, settle into Las Cuevas Research Station, used by ecologists, biologists, and archaeologists. Learn about the challenges of balancing economic development with conservation of Belize's natural resources and cultural heritage. Follow Maya guides on an adventurous jungle survival course. Discover the medicinal uses of plants, and coexist safely with the creatures of the jungle—frogs, birds, monkeys, and even the elusive jaguar. Far from the lights of civilization, examine Belize's dramatic night sky and learn about the significance of constellations in traditional Maya civilization.

National Geographic expert Peter Dunham joins us here to unveil the ancient culture of the Maya and their relationship with the environment. Discover this area's rich archaeological treasures as you hike through the forest with Peter. By analyzing the Maya's use of natural resources thousands of years ago, learn how we can improve our stewardship of the forest today. Then follow the beam of your headlamp into a nearby grotto. Duck through a maze of gothic stalactites and stalagmites, and walk among pottery shards—offerings to the gods left by the Maya, who considered these caves an entrance to the underworld.

SAN IGNACIO
3 days. Return to civilization in San Ignacio, one of Belize's larger cities. Taste a wide range of delicious foods—from market-fresh produce and Indian cuisine to savory Belizean home cooking. From San Ignacio, explore incredible Maya stone structures in the surrounding forests. Climb up the stone steps of the ancient city of Caracol, one of the most important Maya cities at its peak, around A.D. 650. Learn about Maya history and hieroglyphs, and get an archaeologist's perspective on the continuing excavations. In your On Assignment teams, work on your projects and prepare for the next adventure.

GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL
7 days. Take a boat ride to the Marine Research Station at Glover's Reef, 28 miles off the coast of Belize, where scientists are involved in coral reef ecology and marine biology projects. Settle into your bungalows on this tropical atoll. Go snorkeling or scuba diving to explore the colorful marine life.* With marine experts, hone your ability to identify various fish species. Learn about Belize's threatened barrier reef and what's being done to preserve it.

GALES POINT
1 day. Head back to the mainland to Gales Point, a tiny Creole fishing village known for manatee watching and a thriving traditional music scene. Adapt to the relaxed pace of village life, chatting with children selling their mothers' jam rolls, sampling the latest catch at the only restaurant in town, and learning Belizean and African beats at the drum school.

SAN IGNACIO
2 days. After three weeks of adventure, wrap up in San Ignacio with presentations of each team's On Assignment project.

*Students who are scuba certified may dive at Glover's Reef, accompanied by a guide.

Choose one of these On Assignment projects. Throughout your expedition, break into teams to delve further into your selected area of focus.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Capture the character of Belize in a series of photo essays. Document the conservation efforts of local fishermen. Go out with your team on a wildlife shoot in the jungle, or photograph the expressive movements of Caribbean drummers.

WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION: Join botanists and marine biologists as they conduct their research in the field. Catalog the species you encounter in the jungle, and learn about efforts to protect them. Document properties of medicinal plants used by the Maya, or analyze the effects of global warming on Belize's barrier reef. Then report your findings to the group.

ARCHAEOLOGY & ANCIENT CULTURE: Dig deeper into the world of the Maya as you explore the ruins of ancient cities like Caracol. Join our National Geographic expert to discover hidden Maya treasures, and work on an archaeological survey in the Chiquibul forest. Examine the influence of astronomy in Maya architecture, and trace contemporary Maya traditions back to their ancient roots.

Your participation in a National Geographic Student Expedition provides support to National Geographic's mission of increasing global understanding through exploration, geography education, and research.