ADVENTURE WEEK— Belize

2006 Itinerary:

• Day 1 

  Arrive at Belize International Airport. Take a taxi to the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel for a 4:30 p.m. meeting in the lobby. We leave for Maya Mountain Lodge no later than 5:00 p.m. Please note: it is important that your flight arrive no later than 4:30 p.m. in order to guarantee that you not miss your ride to western Belize. If you must land later than 4:30, you will have to catch up with the group (see "If Late or Delayed"). Dinner and overnight at Maya Mountain Lodge, our base for the inland part of the trip.

• Day 2 

  After an early breakfast we drive to the Caves Branch put-in. After river orientation we launch on our underground journey in rafts and inflatable kayaks running the Caves Branch River (Class I-II.) We navigate four underground caverns by headlamp! This unique trip combines caving and river running for an unusual, captivating ride.
  
  We paddle in complete darkness. Stops include short hikes up tributaries and a visit to a Mayan "totem pole" carved into a stalagmite. We also negotiate a quarter-mile portage on a jungle trail. This fabulous odyssey is arguably the best one-day adventure in the country, a must-do for any visit to Belize! We return to Maya Mountain, tired and ready for another fantastic meal.

• Day 3 

  Today: whitewater! We run the Mopan River in sit-on-top hardshell kayaks (hardshell whitewater kayaks also available) that allow everyone to learn to kayak and to enjoy the many small drops and waterfalls on this jungle river. Putting in near the Guatemala border, we teach kayak strokes and maneuvers which we then practice while going downstream. Numerous Class II rapids are run in this six-mile stretch. The Mopan boasts abundant bird life and iguanas, and it is a favorite recreational area for locals, whom we often see along the shore.
  
  We take out at Clarissa Falls Cottages where Chena serves up an excellent Belizean home-cooked meal. After lunch we visit Xunantunich ruins, home of Mayan rulers who controlled a large part of western Belize and Guatemala. We climb the Castillo, a 200-foot high pyramid that is one of the tallest man-made structures in the country. Overnight at Maya Mountain.

• Day 4

   We explore Actun Tunichil Muknal, the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre. This cavern was considered to be an entrance to Shivalva, the Mayan home of subterranean gods. Discovered only a few years ago, this is one of the most impressive archaeological treasures in the region.
  
  After a four-wheel drive ride across remote terrain we reach the edge of the rainforest where we hike a short jungle path to the cave entrance. We enter by swimming a few feet across the creek which issues from the cave’s mouth, being careful not to submerge our headlamps. Inside we find vaulted halls brimming with tall columns of crystal, and soon we arrive at a bench that accesses a side chamber where a Mayan statue is still in place as the Shamans left it. We travel barefoot from here, and view ceramic offerings left by the shamans, mixed with the bones and skulls of sacrificial victims. We also see a fully-articulated skeleton of a woman crystallized on the cave floor. Few other Mayan sites can compare to the treasures found in this cave. Featured in the July/August 2001 issue of National Geographic Adventure, this is the premier caving tour in the country of Belize. We return to Maya Mountain for our last night in the jungle.

• Day 5 

  Time to hit the Caribbean! After an early breakfast we drive two hours to Dangriga, passing through jungle-covered peaks surrounded by citrus farms. We arrive by 10 a.m. for a 35-mile, 1-hour charter boat ride to our Water Sports Center on Long Caye, joining the Sea Kayak Glover’s Reef group already on the island. After moving into our tents and having lunch we snorkel amongst the coral right off shore and if the surf is up, squeeze in a surf kayak session before dinner.

• Day 6

   Sea kayak orientation starts the day. Our guides are expert instructors and cover paddle strokes, entering and exiting the kayak from the water, and other basic techniques. After lunch we paddle to a nearby reef to snorkel from the kayaks. Scuba diving is another option, whether you are a certified diver or want to try scuba for the first time. You may also choose “island time”, a.k.a. “hammock surfing”!

• Day 7

   We begin our last full day with windsurfing instruction. Guests may also choose between activities such as kayak rolling lessons, scuba courses, kayak kite sailing to nearby Middle Caye (home of the Marine Research Center), fishing, or snorkeling around the island. Our Belizean cooks prepare feasts for us, which we enjoy in between this myriad of activities.

• Day 8 

  Island activities in the morning. After lunch we take a boat shuttle back to Belize City, arriving by 3-5 p.m. Later we meet for dinner at our favorite restaurant; we stay at the Belize Biltmore Hotel.

• Day 9 

  Transfer to Belize International Airport in time for a return flight to United States.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

All accommodations and bedding, most meals and beer and soft drinks on the island, transportation within Belize including the boat ride out to the island, all sports equipment (except snorkel gear) and excellent kayak guides, native jungle guides who are trained as archaeologist guides, and a trip leader for each activity.

Airfare to or from Belize City, taxi to/from the airport and the hotel (about $15 each way), alcoholic beverages or soft drinks on the mainland, tips to guides or service people, laundry fees, excess baggage charges or insurance of any kind. Belize departure tax $20. Please bring your own snorkel gear and fishing gear.

If you are traveling alone, we will assign you a same gender roommate if one is available. Single accommodations are not available to request, but are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Everyone needs to be in good shape. This trip is rated moderate, with options to do more. There are a lot of different activities on this trip from swimming and snorkeling to kayaking and hiking. Everyone must be an experienced swimmer. Although the overall pace of the trip is moderate, everyone needs to be physically fit and enjoy the outdoors. If windy, the kayaking can quickly become challenging. The minimum age is 13 years for canoeing the Mopan river.

Belize enjoys the advantage of a sub-tropical climate. The average temperature is 85°F along the coastal areas, and slightly cooler inland. Conditions are pleasantly moderate all year long with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean. The rainy season runs June through October. Water temperatures year-round average 81°F! If you have ever yearned for warm-water kayaking, this is it!

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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