Belize Soft Adventure

Belize

Join us on this soft adventure journey, exploring Mother Nature's best kept secrets while hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, sea-kayaking, swimming and snorkelling. Explore with us the intriguing mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic mountains, mysterious Maya temples and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Hike some of the trails of Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, with its beautiful waterfalls, pools and many caves, explore the Maya city of Xunantunich with its "El Castillo" pyramid, canoe its beautiful Macal River and finally, snorkel and kayak around Ambergris Caye and its Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Pack your hiking boots, swimming gear and camera and let the adventure begin!

The Itinerary

Day 1:
Meet & greet at Belize International Airport. On our way to the Mountain Pine Ridge area, we stop at Belize zoo. Belize Zoo came to be in 1983, with 17 semi-tame animals left behind by a film crew. Today there are more than 150 birds, mammals and reptiles, living in natural settings. The Zoo's inhabitants make good photographic subjects and include all species indigenous to Belize - good way to become familiar with the wildlife you may encounter. Some theorize this out-of-place ecosystem, called Mountain Pine Ridge are the remnants of a volcanic island that long ago collided with the mainland. This unusual pine forest covers nearly 300 square miles of unpaved roads and nature trails. The karst limestone terrain is especially suited for hiking, biking, horseback riding and caves. Overnight at Cayo area hotel (L).

Day 2:
After breakfast, we hike the many trails and visit the bathing pools and waterfalls in this magnificent National Park. A whole day of hiking and swimming! Accommodation in hotel (B L).

Day 3:
After breakfast, we continue hiking the Mountain Pine Ridge Area, including the Rio Frio Caves. After lunch in San Ignacio, we hike to Xunantunich and its imposing El Castillo Pyramid. Hotel in Cayo area (B L).

Day 4:
In the morning, we hike the Panti Medicinal Trail, which winds its way gently above the bank of the Macal River past medicinal plants and introduces visitors to many of the plants and herbs used in traditional Mayan medicine. The Maya were masters at utilizing the jungle's natural resources for their practical and medicinal needs. Here you learn about vines that store drinking water, plants that helps abate malaria, aid diabetics, cleanse the blood, plus many more. The trails most remarkable feature is that all the plants and trees were already there. The fact that none were planted is a testament to the natural diversity found in the rainforest. After lunch, we canoe the Macal River (B L).

Day 5:
Morning available for horseback riding or visiting the areas attractions. Around 10.00 am, we leave for Belize City. After lunch, we fly to Ambergris Caye. After checking into the hotel, we go snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan's one square mile coral reef zone is the most highly protected. No fishing or collecting is permitted. Large schools of snapper and jacks continually cruise through the reef, big groupers sit on the bottom completely at ease with the human presence, lobster populate the caves and crevices of the channel's heavily pockmarked walls. Currents here can be strong at times and special attention has to be paid to the tides (B L)

Day 6:
Today, we go on an escorted sea-kayaking tour of the mangrove islands and islets on the west side of Ambergris Caye. The western shore of Ambergris Caye has many hidden sandy coves. While hot and buggy when the wind is not blowing, the western side of the island has beautiful scenery of mangrove lined islands and islets with white fine sandy beaches. After lunch on a remote island, we kayak back to our hotel (B L).

Day 7:
After breakfast, we go on an escorted sea-kayaking tour along the Barrier Reef on the North end of Ambergris Caye, with lots of opportunities for snorkelling and a lunch on a remote beach. Afternoon return to the hotel (B L).

Day 8:
Flight back to Belize City and transfer to the airport or continuation of your journey.

General Information

Rated: Easy

Included:
All transport, meals mentioned in itinerary, accommodation with private facilities, bi-lingual guiding service, transfers and excursions according to itinerary, all entrance fees and local guide.

Not included:
Meals not mentioned, personal expenses, tips, beverages.

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