July 12, 2004

Tahoe City, CA > Lying just offshore Belize's Caribbean Coast is a chain of palm fringed sand and coral islands called Cayes (pronounced ”keys“). These idyllic tropical islands are part of the second largest barrier reef in the world and one of the world's best snorkeling and sea kayaking sites.

AdventureSmith Explorations is offering a Belize Sea Kayak Odyssey featuring the Silk Cayes, located in the 26,000-acre Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve Area. This 6-day odyssey is one of the only programs in the region that uses local Belizean guides. Each guide is trained in natural history to provide a deeper understanding of the region's rich culture and diverse ecosystem.

The adventure begins in the rural Caribbean village of Placencia, where guests are greeted at the airstrip and transferred to a simple, yet comfortable beachfront hotel in the heart of town. The next morning, the small group travels by boat to a base camp, located in the Silk Cayes. During the day, guests kayak the Cayes, exploring beaches, mangroves and reef systems or snorkeling among colorful fish, eagle rays, and harmless nurse sharks, while the naturalist guides point out unusual corals, sponges, sea fans and other marine life. Exploring by kayak provides unparalleled access to this pristine environment and best of all, no experience is necessary; guides are always on hand to provide assistance or instruction.

Each evening is spent relaxing at the base camp, set among shady palms and a spectacular Caribbean view. The camp features a dining tent with seating area, shower and toilet facilities plus comfortable and private sleeping accommodations for each guest. Meals feature locally caught seafood such as lobster, conch or fish, depending on the season, plus fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade tortillas, pasta, rice and beans, all prepared by the camp's chef. The guides, being Belizean, tell local folklore stories and share about their experiences growing up in the area and on the sea.

AdventureSmith Explorations’ Belize Sea Kayak Odyssey departs November 21 and December 19, 2004 and January 16, February 13, March 13 and May 8, 2005 and costs just $895 per person including all lodging facilities, meals and transportation within the destination plus the services of local guides. Custom trips are available.

For reservations or more information, call 1-800-728-2875, email travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com, write to PO Box 1696, Tahoe City, CA 96145 or visit AdventureSmithExplorations.com.

AdventureSmith Explorations utilizes soft adventure travel to create connections with the world's exotic natural environments and native cultures, combining fun and exciting activities such as sea kayaking, hiking, small ship cruising and rafting in extraordinary places like Alaska, Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Guatemala and New Zealand.

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