Summary
- Day 1 : Arrive Belize
- Days 2-3 : Glover's Reef Atoll
- Day 4 : Maya Mountains
- Day 5 : Rio Macal and Xunantunich
- Day 6 : Caracol and Water Wonders
- Day 7 : Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
- Day 8 : Return Home
- Additional Tour Options
- $1370 - Short on time? Check out our 5 day tour instead
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
- Glovers Reef Atoll
- Xunantunich
- Caracol
- Rios on Pools
- Rio Frio Cave
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
- Rio Macal
PaddlingIncludes paddling activity such as sea kayaking or rafting.
Nature ViewingIncludes intentional opportunity to observe flora or fauna with an experienced guide.
Cultural ActivitiesIncludes cultural activities such as a visit to a traditional village or a local market to give a unique perspective.
HistoryVisit ancient ruins and historical sites.
SnorkelingIncludes opportunity for snorkeling or possibly SCUBA.
HikingIncludes guided hiking excursions. Hikes may vary from easy and optional three hour hikes to more difficult multi-day treks.
Details
Day 1 Arrive Belize 
Catch a connecting flight to Dangriga, and spend the night in this small town along the southern coast.
Days 2-3 Glover's Reef Atoll
(2B,2L,2D)
This morning you will need to transfer yourself to the marina to meet up with the rest of the group for the kayaking portion. You travel by motor launch 20 miles east of the main Barrier Reef to our private island base-camp at Glover Reef Marine Reserve. This is an active excursion that includes many hours of kayaking each day. Travelers should be prepared for vigorous -- and rewarding -- activities. Surrounded by rich coral reefs and beautiful turquoise waters, we begin by rigging our kayaks with main-sails and sailing along the shallow reef flats to a superb snorkeling site. Tonight we enjoy an island feast with a mixed grill of seafood, fresh fish and vegetables topped with Belizean coconut baking and tropical fruits.
Glover's is one of only three atolls in the Caribbean Sea and is truly the most spectacular marine environment in Belize. Due to its isolation from the mainland the waters are exceptionally clear with an incredibly rich reef system that offers the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. Day 3 is flexible in order to respond to both group and individual desires and abilities. Activities include: sea kayaking, snorkeling the inner and outer walls of the reef, kayak sailing and windsurfing for both novices and experienced boarders. For those of you who are certified divers, we can also arrange dives on the outer walls. If all this sounds a little too busy, you always have the choice of just kicking back in a hammock and enjoying your Belize vacation with a good book and a cold drink.
Day 4 Maya Mountains
(B,L,D) Enjoy our last morning on the reef before saying good-bye to the group and journeying into the country's interior. We travel by boat to the mainland, where a van awaits to take us along the Hummingbird Highway to our home for the next three nights. Along the way stop at the Belmopan Market, stretch your legs, and find a snack among the stalls piled high with fruits and housewares. Your jungle lodge is tucked next to the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and Roaring River. Surrounded by pristine forest, your days at the lodge are filled with natural discoveries exploring the lush vegetation of the Maya Mountains and the mysteries beneath.
Day 5 Rio Macal and Xunantunich
(B,L,D) After a leisurely morning, we set out to down the Macal River for your first introduction to Belizean wildlife. Your guide will help you spot iguanas, peccaries, coati mundis and a myriad of bird life. After lunch in town, we will visit the Maya ruins of Xunantunich, once a major ceremonial site and the second tallest ruin in Belize. From atop, enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Cayo District of Guatemala.
Day 6 Caracol and Water Wonders
(B,L,D) Today we'll continue our explorations of the ancient Maya with a visit to the ruins of Caracol. Surrounded by breathtaking Belizean jungle, a visit to the ruins offer massive structures, haunting tombs and burial sites, and intriguing carvings that tell stories about the people who lived and worked in this fantastic Maya city. There is still much to be discovered at Caracol and archaeologists continue their digs and preservation of the site. With time we'll stop at Rio On Pools and Rio Frio Cave. A stop at the pools makes for an inviting dip, especially after spending the afternoon hiking under the hot Belize sun. The smooth granite stones make for great slides, but be sure to watch your step. Even for those who prefer to keep dry, the beauty of the pools is well worth the stop. Not far from the pools is the Rio Frio Cave. This is the largest cave in Belize. Approaching the cave's enormous mouth invites a magical, almost frighteningly fantastic, sensation. Long ago the cave was used as a ceremonial site for the Maya, but while artifacts no longer remain, the cave still holds onto its mysticism.
Day 7 Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
(B,L,D)
Alternative: Barton Creek Cave: http://www.adventure-life.com/belize/barton_creek_cave01.php
We wake early for our unforgettable adventure into the Maya underworld. We begin our journey from our lodge doors, crossing creeks and journeying deep into the Belizean jungle to the opening of the sacred Actun Tunichil Muknal - the Cave of the Stone Sepulcher. At the entrance we gear up with helmets and waterproof headlamps, then wade into the emerald colored water flowing from the cave's gaping mouth. Our journey follows the river's flow through wet and dry caves encased in hanging stalactites and towering stalagmites. Our final destination is the spectacular primary chamber where ancient kings and priests made blood sacrifices to appease the Maya gods. Our lights illuminate the ghostly outlines of skeletal ritual victims and scattered ceramic shards of ancient rituals. Tunichil is an active archeological site, so we're careful not to disturb the sleeping skeletons and ceramic pieces before returning to the light above ground. This is a fairly rigorous trip and travelers should be in good shape. For those looking for an alternative trip, a visit the the Barton Creek Cave is an excellent choice for any age. There are also other activities available for those who prefer life above ground.
Day 8 Return Home
After breakfast, transfer to Belize City and catch your international flight home.
Accommodations:
1 night simple hotel, 4 nights rainforest cabanas, 2 nights tent-walled cabanas
Single Supplement:
$340
Meals Included:
All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation:
local flights, motor boat, private van, kayaks, canoe, your own feet!
Notes:
Internal flight Belize City-Dangriga not included. Flight cost is approximately $65(flight cost subject to change). You may buy this with your international ticket or we can bill you for this when you book.
Group & Staff:
Min 2, bilingual naturalist, local guides
Personal Budgeting:
Allow US$60 for meals/snacks not included, US$40 international departure tax, US$75 optional excursions, and money for tips and souvenirs.
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations:
Belize City: Share US$55, Single US$110
Is it for Me?
This is an great trip for active people of any age. The cave trip is moderately challenging, so travelers should have a good sense of adventure!
Arrival / Departure Transfers:
1 person US$50 each
2 or more people US$25 /person
Weekly Departures
Please note that because of inclement weather and the risk of hurricanes, we do not offer this trip from May through the end of November. Ask about our other great trips during these months!
