Destination: Mayan Ruins, jungle expedition and reef diving in Belize
Essence of the trip:
You will have a full immersion in traditional Mayan life. Learn about medicinal jungle plants and take in ancient Mayan ruins on your journey from Belize’s highest navigable peak to the worlds’ largest living reef on the outlying Caribbean coast.
This trip will give you:
- Unparalleled experience of the Mayan way of life, including the ruined settlements at Belize’s largest archaeological site, Caracol.
- Basic jungle training and survival skills imparted to you by experts in their field; in particular, what plants to eat and what to avoid, and how to tracks jungle animal species.
- The opportunity to climb the highest navigable peak in Belize, Victoria Peak, to gaze over the rainforest skyline from 3,000 feet over a landscape virtually untouched by humans.
- Experience of sea-kayaking in the cerulean waters that surround Caye Caulker.
- Diving in the second largest barrier reef in the world, encompassing the Hol Chan marine reserve.
Details:
Arriving in Belize City you will be transferred to the capital, Belmopan, from where you will spend the night in San Ignacio to acclimatise to the humidity. The next day you will receive jungle training from our team of experts in preparation for your adventure deep into the Belize Jungle, where the famous Mayan ruins at Caracol await your arrival. In Caracol you will set up camp for the night within the ruins themselves, where, come morning, you will catch the first rays of the rising sun over the ancient site.
From here your trek will take you south, stopping at the archaeological sites, Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun, resting overnight at Sun Creek Lodge, Belize’s premier eco-adventure lodge.
You will begin your journey along the Cacao Trail early the following day, where you will meet with farmers from a Mayan village and learn about all the medicinal properties of the jungle flora.
The next day you will trek to the non-excavated Maya site at Uxbenka; easily the most important site in Southern Belize it is a staggering 600-700 years older than Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit. Your hike will also take you to the Yok Balum Caves, from where you will encounter the waterfalls at Santa Elena. Tonight will be spent in a self-erected base camp deep in the jungle.
On day six your trek will continue, leaving Santa Cruz Village behind you as you journey to Blue Creek Village, stopping along the way at Oke Bal Ha Cave. Your hike through this seething jungle will lead you to Blue Creek Cave for a refreshing swim in cobalt waters.
The following day you will travel by 4×4 to Cockscomb Jaguar Sanctuary in 4×4, where you will begin the Victoria Peak Trail; a three day hiking adventure. Wild camping in the forest by night we will reach Victoria’s summit on day nine. At 3,000ft this is Belize’s highest navigable peak which, on a clear day, affords astounding 360 degree views across the forest canopy.
On day ten you will descend Victoria to spend the night in a traditional Maya Guesthouse, in preparation for your short flight to the island of Caye Caulker where you will spend the next three days diving and sea kayaking across the second largest barrier reef in the world, encompassing the astonishing Hol Chan marine reserve. The motto on these paradisiacal shores is ‘Go Slow’. Shoes are hardly worn here on the sandy streets and there are only terrain buggies and bikes for transport. This is truly a counter-world.
On day 14 you will return to Belize City International Airport via light aircraft for your return flight home. hosting information . Please note we may need to extend the trip by 24hrs to allow for extra time in between flying and the last dive.
If you are interested in taking this trip and would like to discuss it in more detail with our team of experts get in touch here or call us on 0207 426 9899 (UK) or 1-888 341 9663 (US) to start planning your trip.