Venues & Events

Francis Ford Coppola Resorts launches ‘Alexandra Cousteau Discovery Experience with Coppola Resorts’

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Category: Venues & Events

Created on Thursday, 12 April 2012 13:51

Intrepid travellers will have the opportunity to explore the far reaching corners of Belize, following in Alexandra’s footsteps with an authentic insider’s perspective into some of the most pristine areas of this beautiful country.

The itinerary incorporates the people, places and adventures that make this one of the most exciting destinations around. It was inspired by Alexandra’s trek through the mountains and lowlands of Belize and diving off the coast of Placencia with her husband Fritz Neumeyer, during a scouting trip to Belize in the autumn of 2011.

During this time, Alexandra was gathering information for her upcoming documentary, ‘Expedition Blue Planet: Belize’, a film designed to raise awareness about Belize’s crucial water issues. Slated to begin production in 2012 it will focus on Belize’s freshwater and marine environments.

Each participant in this unique adventure is asked to support the funding of two NGOs in Belize; Friends for Conservation and Development and SEA Belize. Each donation will help to protect and conserve Belize’s biodiversity for future generations.

Alexandra Cousteau Discovery Experience with Coppola Resorts Itinerary Overview:
Day 1 ‐ Blancaneaux Lodge
Transfer overland from Belize International Airport to Blancaneaux Lodge via Belize Zoo. On arrival you’ll enjoy a welcome cocktail and expedition briefing. Then there is time to tour the lodge’s organic garden and to plant a tree each to help offset your journey’s carbon footprint.

Day 2 - Caracol, Rio Frio Cave, Rio On Pools & Waterfalls
Leave on a tour to the Maya site of Caracol, located deep in the Chiquibul Forest. Firstly visit the impressive Rio Frio Cave system before continuing on to Caracol, the largest and most important Maya site in Belize. The epicentre of the site is home to howler and spider monkeys and the birding is excellent.

Day 3 - Scarlet Macaws of the Chiquibul Forest
Leave the lodge early for a spectacular day of birding and natural history en route to the nesting site of Belize’s endangered Scarlet Macaws. The route will take you through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve to an escarpment overlooking the Chalillo Dam and its vast artificial reservoir. After an inspiring and adventurous day in the Chiquibul Forest return to Blancaneaux Lodge. As dusk draws in keep your eyes peeled to the road ahead in the hope of spotting an elusive jaguar.

Day 4 - Placencia
It’s off to Caves Branch for an amazing cave tubing float through a series of massive ‘tube‐like’ caverns. After lunch you’ll continue to Placencia and Turtle Inn. The rest of the day is free to relax. Directly behind Turtle Inn is Placencia Lagoon, an important breeding area of the endangered West Indian Manatee. Hawksbill Turtles lay their eggs in the area from late June through October.

Day 5 - Belize Barrier Reef
The day begins with a trip to Placencia Peninsula, towards the Silk Cayes and the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Pods of dolphins may circle the boat or ride its pressure wave. Once you reach the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve the ranger will give a quick orientation of the role local NGO SEA Belize plays in protecting and conserving this delicate environment. This will be followed by a fun filled day of snorkeling.  

Day 6 - Relaxing at Turtle Inn, Placencia
Today is a free day to relax or take optional tours. Enjoy a Thai massage in your own room, cycle into Placencia village, paddle a kayak or surf board, search the lagoon for shy manatee, take a boat tour to Monkey River or explore the world’s only jaguar preserve.

Day 7 - Belize Barrier Reef
Enjoy another fantastic day out on the Belize Barrier Reef exploring the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. Explore different snorkel or dive sites, somewhere between the South Water Caye Marine Preserve in the north and the Sapodilla Cayes in the south. Spotted eagle rays, Southern Sting Rays, Nurse sharks, Logger Head Turtles, Atlantic bottlenose and spotted dolphins are all commonly observed.

Day 8 - Belize International Airport / Departure
Today it is time to say farewell to Belize. After breakfast it is time to take the short flight north to Belize International Airport for onward connections.

Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn in Belize are dedicated to sustainable tourism practices designed to help protect endangered species native to the area and the fragile environments in which they live. Francis and Eleanor Coppola see their role as that of a conservator, working to protect Belize’s pristine environment. They are strongly committed to ecotourism and continue to explore new technologies and practices that minimize negative impact on the environment.

Prices start from $5820 (£3,632) + $957 (£597) tax / service charge per couple (based on a double room share). Each trip participant is asked to make a minimum donation (tax free options may be available for US residents, please enquire) of $100 (£62) to help fund the critical work undertaken by FCD and SEA Belize.