Belize longest and most spectacular River Cave tubing, float over 7 miles underground. Enter the exciting world of rivers disappearing into the underworld as you float on inner tubes with only your headlamp to light your way. Floating past side window that filters light through the mist as you swirl around stalagmites going down from the river and stalactites looming from above. Float past underground waterfalls then into the crystal cathedral, a spiritual center to the ancient Maya.
DEPARTURES:
8:00 am from San Ignacio
DISTANCE:
1 hour drive from San Ignacio
DIFFICULTY: walking through the river to enter the cave
INCLUDES:
Transportation, guide, entrance fee, equipment
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) (cave of the stone sepulcher), considered one of the most spectacular cave system in western Belize. The ATM has a sacred cave system that was given its name after the many human remains and artifacts that have been found; a cave system that became the sepulcher of many people that were sacrificed by the different Gods. At the ATM cave at least 14 burials have been found, these are just part of the vast amount of artifacts that were found including ceramics, plates, polychrome vases and ceramic vases; and many other stone artifacts which were of great importance for the sacrifices done at the cave. It is a very unique journey into the underworld and a natural museum that provides proof of multiple human sacrifices and blood shedding rituals.
DEPARTURES:
7:30 am from San Ignacio
DISTANCE:
45 min drive from San Ignacio
DIFFICULTY:
Walking trails and walking through the river to enter the cave
INCLUDES:
Transportation, guide, lunch, refreshments, entrance fee, equipment
Barton Creek Cave is part of a large river line system and one of the longest subterranean sites in the country of Belize. Cultural remains, however, have only been found within the first kilometer from the downstream entrance. This kilometer long space contains ten ledges above the river with evidence of ancient Maya activity. The first ledge is located on the left just inside the entrance to the cave, and continues to roughly 30 meters beyond the Maya Bridge that straddles the river.
DEPARTURES:
9:00 am from San Ignacio
DISTANCE:
1 hour drive from San Ignacio
DIFFICULTY:
Boat ride through the cave
INCLUDES:
Transportation, guide, lunch, equipments, refreshments
Cahal Pech (kah-hahl pech) is Mopan and Yucatec Mayan for 'Place of Ticks,' a nickname earned in the 1950s when the site was surrounded by pastures grazed by tick-infested cattle. Today it's a pleasantly shady site with plenty of trees and few tourists. Its core area of seven interconnected plazas has been excavated and restored since the late 1980s. Plaza B is the largest and most impressive complex; Structure A-1, near Plaza A, is the site's tallest temple. Two ballcourts lie at either end of the restored area.
DEPARTURES:
9:00 am from San Ignacio
DISTANCE:
10 min drive from San Ignacio
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate ,climbing is optional
INCLUDES:
Transportation, guide
N.B- ENTRANCE FEE NOT INCLUDED
Mountain pine ridge is an amazing place filled with pine trees that covers more than 300 square miles of natural phenomena. It also has amazing views of caves, rolling hills, jagged peaks natural pools and a 600ft water fall. Among the mountain pine ridge there are sections of limestone that connects to some amazing cave, the most accessible and visited one is Rio Frio cave that has an entrance of 65ft high. A stream that flows through the center adorns the inside along with hanging stalactites. On the other hand of Pine Ridge we have one of the most scenic rivers and is the Rio On, it rustles around granite boulders that form the Rio On pools a splendid spot for picnics and swimming. Another sight within the reserve is the 1�600ft waterfall the highest waterfall in Central America. From the overlook you can view the tin plume of water pouring down the cliff and disappear into the forest.
DEPARTURES:
9:00 am from San Ignacio
DISTANCE:
30 min drive from San Ignacio
DIFFICULTY:
Walking trails and swimming in rio on pool
INCLUDES:
Transportation, guide, lunch, refreshments
While Caracol may have maintained a small population during the Late Preclassic and Early Classic periods, the site was well integrated into the general southern lowland with full access to exotic trade items such as jadeite and Spondylus shells. Subsequent to the sixth and seventh century wars with Tikal and Naranjo, Caracol expanded its urban domain spatially by means of it causeway system, and its population increased dramatically. Information in the identity of the people residing outside of the epicenter comes from burial data. There is a wide distribution of tombs throughout the settlement of Caracol.
DEPARTURES:
7:00 am from San Ignacio
DISTANCE:
2 hour drive from San Ignacio
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate, climbing is optional
INCLUDES:
Transportation, guide, lunch, refreshments, entrance fee
In the heart of the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation, lies one of the major sites of Mayan civilization, inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. The ceremonial center contains superb temples and palaces, and public squares accessed by means of ramps. Remains of dwellings are scattered throughout the surrounding countryside. Tikal National Park is located in Northern Guatemala's Petén Province within a large forest region often referred to as the Maya Forest, which extends into neighboring Mexico and Belize. Embedded within the much larger Maya Biosphere Reserve, exceeding two million hectares and contiguous with additional conservation areas, Tikal National Park is one of the few World Heritage properties inscribed according to both natural and cultural criteria for its extraordinary biodiversity and archaeological importance.
DEPARTURES:
Daily at 7:00 am
DISTANCE:
1 hour 30 min drive from border
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate climbing is optional
INCLUDES:
Transportation, guide, lunch, refreshments, entrance fee (departure tax not included)
Xunantunich meaning maiden of the rock or a stone woman in Maya, is situated on the Western Highway across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz. It can be reached by ferry daily between 8 am and 5 pm. This site is less than one mile from some lovely rapids of the Mopan River and provides an impressive view of the entire river valley. Xunantunich is a Classic Period ceremonial center. The site core occupies only 300 square meters but the periphery covers several square kilometers. Our Xunantunich tour is a half day tour.
DEPARTURES:
9:00 am from San Ignacio
DISTANCE:
30 min drive from San Ignacio
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate, climbing is optional
INCLUDES:
Transportation, guide
N.B- ENTRANCE FEE NO INCLUDED
West from the Belize border, the main attraction in this park is Yaxha, a huge Maya city on the fringes of two beautiful lakes: Yaxha and Sacnab where the sunsets are in the center of the joining lakes. The lakes are encircled by the dense jungle, swamps, savannah and wetlands of the Monument Natural Yaxha Naranjo, whose 370 square kilometers harbor big cats, two species of crocodile and dozens of other reptiles, as well as prolific birdlife: spoonbills, the giant jabirus stork, eagles and vultures. Its one of the very few places in Guatemala where tapir are known to be breeding.
DEPARTURES:
Daily at 2:00 pm
DISTANCE:
40 min drive from border
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate climbing is optional
Transportation, guide, refreshments, entrance fee (departure tax not included)