Exploring Southern Belize

Your adventure will begin when you are picked up at your hotel by your private guide and driver. Actun Tunichil Muknal "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher" is one of the most impressive caves in the Maya Lowland. Located in the heart of the Belizean Rainforest, this cave was a sacred place to the prehistoric Mayan of Belize, who first began to use the entrance during the early Classical period (300-600AD). The cave system consists of a series of chambers, ending in a 300x50m cathedral where sacrificial ceremonies once took place. When you enter the cave with your private guide, you will have the opportunity to travel into the Maya past and witness a living museum where the human sacrifices and artifacts can be viewed in their original context. After an exciting drive to the trailhead, guests will trek for 45 minutes through dense jungle in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and wade across three streams, and learn about the plants and animals of the jungle. At the entrance of the Cave you will be outfitted with the necessary equipment preparing you for the Caving Adventure ahead. Some swimming will be required as well also climbing and caving activity. This is a first class caving and archaeological experience.

Your tour will begin when you are picked up in your private vehicle by your personal guide and driver. You will transfer to Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve which is a 106,000 acre protected national park. In the 1950's, 60's and 70's, many Belizeans were employed as timber cutters in this area and on the tour you will see that history. Later you will visit Chiquibul Forest Reserve. About a 1 hour drive from Pine Ridge you will arrive at the beautiful Maya site of Caracol (which means the Snail), named by archaeologists because they found numerous snails on site. The original name is Oxwitza which means the sky place. Caracol is the largest archaeological site in Belize, covering 30 square miles in thick, high canopy jungle, and includes five plazas, an astronomic observatory and over 35,000 buildings that have been identified. Among them is a massive pyramid (Caana) capped by three temples and rises over 140ft above the jungle floor. When the tour is complete you will return to your hotel. Tour includes a private guided tour of the site with entrances and picnic lunch. You can choose to stop and explore the Rio-on Pools and Rio Frio Caves before returning to your hotel if they wish.

Whilst transferring approximately 3 hours to Placencia along the scenic hummingbird highway, guests stop off on the way to stretch their legs and go hiking at the inland Blue Hole National Park. They´ll also visit some refreshing natural pools where guests may swim if they like. After time for a tour and bird watching guests have lunch in a local restaurant before continuing on to the their final destination.

Transfer from the hotel to the Cockscomb Nature Reserve where you begin with a nature hike looking for wildlife, discovering medicinal plants and learning about the park’s history and efforts to save the jaguar. After a picnic lunch enjoy a refreshing tube-float downriver, enjoying the rainforest from a different perspective. Combine a visit to the Jaguar Preserve with a stop at the fascinating Maya Museum where you will learn about ancient and contemporary Maya culture. Your Maya hosts will show you how to make corn tortillas and how they gro w shade coffee and cacao. Your trip to the Maya Museum at the entrance to the Jaguar Preserve can also be combined with a night walk in the Jaguar Preserve.

An airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver is included.

Transfer from the lodge to the airport in Punta Gorda for your flight to Belize Airport.

While at the lodge there are a number of activities you can participate in; birding & wildlife, fishing, food & farms, jungle hiking, cultural immersion, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, diving and more!

Your snorkeling and reef tour takes guests to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, to see a variety of aquatic species including sea fans, coral, colorful tropical fish, seahorses, rays, eels and turtles. This tour will take about 6-7 hours. Bring along: sunscreen, bug spray, long light clothing, bathing suit, and snorkeling gears.

While at the lodge there are a number of activities you can participate in; birding & wildlife, fishing, food & farms, jungle hiking, cultural immersion, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, diving and more!

Transfer from the lodge to the airport in Punta Gorda for your flight to Belize Airport.

A direct flight from Punta Gorda will take you to the Belize City International Airport.