Belize Ultimate Multisport
This is an extraordinary journey through Belize packed with adventure and excitement! You'll sea kayak, snorkel, dive, windsurf, explore Mayan ruins and ceremonial caves, and descend an incomparable tropical river through canyons and lush rainforest. We begin with sea kayaking in a remote island group along the southern Barrier Reef; then on to our luxury field camp at Glover's Atoll for two more fantastic days of snorkeling, kayaking, diving and boardsailing. Returning to the mainland for our next series of adventures, we descend into Mayan ceremonial caves and then embark on a three-day paddle trip into the rainforest canyons of Belize. On each stage of the trip, you’re teamed with the best guides in Belize – individuals whose knowledge and experience enable you to see and do what you never thought possible.
REI Adventures shares non-exclusive departures with our travel partner, Island Expeditions Co.
Belize Ultimate Multisport Itinerary:
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Day 1
Your trip begins today in Belize City, Belize. Arrive at the Belize International Airport where you will be met by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo. After settling into our forest cabanas, we have a chance to meet our fellow travelers over dinner. At the Tropical Education Center, you can explore the surrounding savannah forest through their network of interpretative trails and wildlife viewing platforms. There is also an interpretative center, which details the diverse ecology of Belize, and is an ideal starting point for the adventure ahead. Dinner included.
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Day 2
We rise early to start today’s extraordinary journey, which takes us deep into the Mayan underworld known as Xilbalba (shil-balba), a mythical realm inhabited by spirits and powerful gods, an underworld of untold fears and dreams where Mayan shaman, in supposition to the gods, ventured into darkness to conduct their secretive rituals. As we venture underground into the caves, we learn from our guides how the caves played an important role in the ancient Maya civilization and about ongoing archaeological research taking place underground in Belize. After our cave visit, we travel the Hummingbird Route to meet up with our motor charter, on the coast by the town of Dangriga. We head out to the southern Barrier Reef and arrive at our camp in time to settle in, have dinner and plan our next two days on the barrier reef. All meals included.
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Day 3
We rise early for a breakfast on the beach. We then focus on our introduction to sea kayaking and get comfortable with the gear. We start by teaching and reviewing the fundamentals of sea kayaking and introduce everyone to ocean touring techniques. We test our new found skills with a paddle out to the main reef to snorkel along the inner reef wall or patch reefs. Depending on sea conditions, a snorkel along the outside reef edge may be possible.
Our paddle back to our camp takes us past mangrove ranges and protected lagoons. Out on the reef, our guides share their knowledge of Belize, the marine environments and local culture. All meals included. -
Day 4
After breakfast and a morning of paddling and snorkeling, our motor charter returns to take us 20 miles east of the main Barrier Reef to Glovers Reef Atoll, a National Marine Park and designated World Heritage site. We land at park headquarters on Middle Cay, with boats rigged and ready to sail. We sail our kayaks along the eastern reef wall to our base camp at Southwest Caye at the southern end of the atoll, surrounded by rich coral reefs and beautiful turquoise waters. Tonight, we enjoy an island feast of mixed grill of fresh seafood and vegetables topped with Belizean coconut baking and tropical fruits. All meals included.
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Days 5-6
Glover’s is one of only four atolls in the Caribbean Sea and is truly one of the most spectacular marine environments in Belize. Due to its isolation from the mainland, the waters are exceptionally clear with an incredibly rich reef system that offers some of the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. Our days are flexible in order to respond to both group and individual desires and abilities. Activities include: sea kayaking, snorkeling the inner and outer walls of the reef, and kayak sailing. For those who are certified divers, we can also arrange dives on the outer walls. If all this sounds a little busy, you always have the choice of just kicking back in a hammock and relaxing with a good book and a cold drink. On the afternoon of Day 6, we transfer back to the mainland and continue south to our jungle lodge in the Toledo district of Belize to begin the next leg of our journey. All meals included.
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Days 7-9
The Lodge at Big Falls is situated on the banks of the Rio Grande river in Belize's southern Toledo District, a region of isolated villages lying amongst an unspoiled tropical wilderness. Our location is superb. The lodge property is located on a meander of the river with almost a mile of river frontage. There are views towards the Maya Mountains to the northwest while the southeastern bank faces the small village of Big Falls. In the afternoon, we drive further south from Big Falls to our put-in point on the Moho river, stopping for lunch along the way at the traditional Maya village of Santa Theresa. Here, we get a chance to meet your Mayan guides, tour their homes, and experience the life of the modern Maya people.
Once on the river, our guides provide a brief boat and river orientation and we take as much time as we need to learn and practice our new boat-handling skills, enabling us to safely navigate the rapids and pour-overs. We then begin our journey along one of Belize’s most beautiful rivers through some pristine rainforest to our first river camp.
For these next days we break contact completely with the outside world and become a part of the mist-shrouded rainforest as we follow the Moho River through canyons and lush rainforest. Each bend reveals the dynamic nature of the river-from calm, meandering water that reflects the intense green of the jungle to stretches of rapids, pour-overs and spectacular waterfalls as the river descends from the Maya Mountains to the sea. Depending on water levels, some days we may reach our bush-camp by mid-afternoon and switch to land-based activities. Hiking through the forest, birding, plant and animal identification, and photography are some of the many activities we engage in. During the trip with our Mayan guides and North American leaders, we emphasize understanding the ecology of the rainforest, learning about the habits of the wildlife and gaining an appreciation for the rich Mayan folklore which adds so much to our experience in the jungle. All meals included. -
Day 10
We continue paddling downstream and arrive to the river pull out in the afternoon, where we are met by IEC staff ready to transport us back to Dangriga and onto a Maya Airways domestic flight. We are transferred to this evening’s accommodation to enjoy a hot shower. Breakfast and lunch included.
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Next Day
Fly home.
Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to insure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate the trip.
Trip accommodations are based on double occupancy. We try to pair up single travelers based on their gender and with another traveler with a similar profile. If a single tent is requested, we will do everything possible to accommodate the request, based on available equipment. If a single room is requested during a lodge stay, the guest will be required to pay a nominal surcharge (typically $40-$75), locally at the hotel.
All accommodations; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; airport transfer from Belize airport; charter flight from Dangriga to Belize City; transportation within Belize; local English-speaking guides; kayaks and gear (life vests, paddles, dry bags, etc.);one scuba dive for certified divers; government taxes.
Airfare to Belize, transfer from Belize City to airport; departure taxes; guide gratuities; alcoholic beverages; items of a personal nature; excess baggage charges or insurance of any kind.
A special cancellation policy applies to all Belize trips. Please note that the holiday departures cancellation policy is more strict than REI Adventures’ standard policy. The following fees apply:
Regular season departures (Jan 2 to Dec 14)
91+ days prior to departure – $200 penalty
61 to 90 days – full deposit is non-refundable
31 to 60 days – 50% of trip cost
0 to 30 days – 100% of trip cost
Holiday season departures (Dec 15 – Jan 1)
91+ days prior to departure – $400
61 to 90 days – 50% of trip cost
31 to 60 days – 75% of trip cost
0 to 30 days – 100% of trip cost
This trip is rated Moderate [3]. All participants should be in good physical condition and know how to swim. This adventure takes place in a remote wilderness region of Belize. Participants need to be ready to handle the unexpected. Weather conditions can greatly affect water levels and hiking trails into the river and may increase the level of difficulty. Although no previous experience or special skills are needed to participate in the Ultimate Multisport trip, you should be in good enough physical condition to paddle up to 10 miles a day or hike with a light pack for three or four hours.
The climate of Belize is sub-tropical. Although we will be traveling during the dry season, the infrequent “northerly” can blow down from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing with it cooler temperatures and rain. Inland conditions can change quickly with afternoon thunderstorms and heavy rainfall commonly occurring. Typically, temperatures range from 70 - 100° F with high humidity during the day, dropping at night to 70 - 80°F. From December to May, conditions are usually clear, sunny and warm. December is generally cooler.
On our arrival into Belize, we overnight in our forest cabanas at the Tropical Education Center (TEC). Here we are able to experience first-hand the wondrous tropical wildlife of Belize at the Belize Zoo and at the TEC there is also a fantastic interpretative center with a network of trails and wildlife viewing platforms, perfect for exploring the pine savannah setting. On Days 2 and 3 out on the cays, we are practicing minimum impact camping to ensure the pristine state of the wilderness remains for future visitors. We stay in three person Mountain Hardwear tents, which provide more than enough room for two people and gear. We explore from our island camp the surrounding reef flats, islands and patch reefs with an itinerary that is flexible to adjust our activities to different conditions we encounter. On Days 4 and 5 at Southwest Cay on Glovers, we are "base camping" in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents have ample headroom and are outfitted with wood floors and wood-framed beds. On the island, we have a fresh-water collection system for drinking water, access to fresh-water showers, modern composting toilets, a fully-equipped kitchen including refrigeration, with a large dining area complete with resource library and a field marine lab including microscope and hand lenses. On Day 6 we will be staying at The Lodge at Big Falls, located at the gateway of the Toledo District in the deep south of Belize. This spectacular resort is nestled in a unique bend in the Rio Grande River, and houses a restaurant / main lodge, and a number of small cabanas. Our accommodations for the evening are beautifully furnished, thatched, roofed cabanas, outfitted with ceiling fans and hot water showers. On Days 7, 8, 9 we are camping in the remote wilderness of the Upper Moho River, on the western boarder of the Toledo District. We will be keeping our weight and volume to a minimum, carrying our gear in the kayaks from camp to camp. We stay in three-person Mountain Hardwear tents, which provide ample room for two people and gear. As we travel down the river, we use established bush camps, but give ourselves the flexibility to adjust our schedule for different conditions. On the final night, we will spend the night at the Biltmore Hotel. This is a clean and comfortable hotel outside the city center. You have a chance to get a good night’s sleep after your adventure, maybe take a dip in the pool and prepare to fly out or continue on independently.
Ultimate Adventure combines well with a trip into the remarkable Mayan Ruins of Belize. The Maya World Extension gives you a great opportunity to visit some of the largest excavated Mayan ruin sites in Belize and explore the remarkable wildlife of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
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.
Belize Ultimate Multisport
The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.
Weather
The climate of Belize is sub-tropical. Although we are traveling during the dry season, there can be the infrequent “northerly” which blows down from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing with it cooler temperatures and rain. Inland conditions can change quickly with afternoon thunderstorms and heavy rainfall commonly occurring. Typically, temperatures range from 70 - 100° F with high humidity during the day, dropping at night to 70 - 80°F. From December to May, conditions are usually clear, sunny and warm. December is generally cooler.
Gear Checklist
- Kayaks and paddling gear (for sea and river)
- Tents
- Dry bags (20 litres)
- Valid passport
- Airline tickets
- Sleeping bag (lightweight) and stuff sack
- Sleeping pad
- Duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase (wheels and retractable handle are fine) sturdy and large enough to hold clothing and gear
- Passport security pouch or belt
- Daypack
- Luggage tags and luggage locks
- Waterproof, breathable rain jacket (or poncho)
- Lightweight hiking boots or trail shoes, broken in
- Sport sandals for kayaking and caving - toe protection is recommended
- Protective water booties / shoes for swimming and shore walks (coral sands can harm bare feet)
- Lightweight, easily washable items for city/evening wear or when traveling
- Windbreaker
- Lightweight fleece or synthetic top
- T-shirts
- Long-sleeve shirt(s), quick-dry
- Hiking shorts, quick-dry
- Hiking pants, quick-dry
- Hiking socks
- Underwear
- Swimsuit(s)
- Sun hat
- Bandana(s)
- Small personal dry bag for camera, personal items, etc. (10 lt.)
- Mask, fins, snorkel (a must)
- Water bottles, 1-quart size or hydration pack
- Handy wipes
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock (waterproof) and lip balm
- Insect repellent (20-100% Deet)
- Personal first-aid kit
- Toiletry kit
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Watch with alarm or travel alarm
- Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries/bulb
- Beach and/or bath towel
- Liquid camp soap (Suds in salt water)
- Camera, film and spare batteries
- Pocket knife or pocket tool
- Reading and writing materials
- Small binoculars (recommended)
- Field guides
- Bug jacket
- Ziploc bags for easy storage
- Favorite energy snacks and drink mixes
- Paddling gloves
- Mesh bag for snorkel gear
- Fishing rod and tackle
- Clothes line and pegs
- Wet suit (water temperatures in Dec. and Jan. can be cool)
- Aquasocks
Things to Consider
- Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, hiking boots, a pair of shorts/shirt/fleece top/sandals and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
- Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax.
- Bring clothing that is light in weight and color, which ventilates and protects you from the sun. It is always good to have a lightweight, long-sleeve fleece or synthetic top, especially for the evenings.
- Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
- Pack lotions that can help ease itching from bug bites.
- Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
- Plastic bags are the key to keeping clothing and gear dry. Use Ziploc bags to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes.
- If you wear prescription glasses, use a safety cord and bring an extra pair if possible. Contact lens wearers should also bring an extra set, or bring eyeglasses for a backup.
- Space for luggage is limited. Pack lightly, fitting all clothing into one duffel bag. During the day, plan on carrying a small daypack with sunscreen, water bottle/hydration system and camera.
Feel free to give us a call should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at any of our stores or Direct Sales (800-426-4840) will be happy to help you with gear questions. Or visit REI's website at www.rei.com. The "Expert Advice" section has great information to help you prepare for your trip.
Maya World Extension
Want more of Belize? The Maya World Extension is a great compliment to your Belize adventure. It provides a unique opportunity to see other parts of the Mayan world that you may not experience. The extension can be added on before or after your island trip. For an additional $640, make the Maya World Extension part of your adventure.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: For those beginning their Belize trip with this extension, please arrive in Belize by 6 p.m. today. You will be met at the Belize International Airport by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred to the Birds Eye View, in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. For trip members who are doing this as an extension to their Belizean adventure, your trip guide will advise you of the meeting time and place. After checking into our accommodations we have a chance to meet our fellow travelers, explore the nearby Creole village and settle into the rhythm of 'Belize Time'.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: After a nice breakfast the group departs for the Mayan Ruins of Lamanai. This day of exploration includes a complete guided tour, visiting the many temples, plazas, palaces, and museums within the park boundaries.
Once we have had a chance to tour the ruins, we depart Lamanai by boat for a scenic ride into the Crooked Tree area where we have tremendous birding and wildlife opportunities: Iguana, Parrot, Toucan and even Morlet's Crocodile can be seen along the banks of the new River Lagoon. Upon arriving on the shore, we transfer overland for 45 minutes to Crooked Tree Village. We overnight at Birds Eye View Lodge, along the banks of the Crooked Tree Lagoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: With an early morning coffee and binoculars in hand, we enjoy the waking wilderness and many hundreds of birds feeding along the shores of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Lagoons. The protected area was created in 1984 primarily to preserve resident and migratory birds, and consists of a network of inland lagoons, swamps and waterways that shelter one of the world's largest flying birds, the jabiru (jabiru mycteria.). After breakfast we enjoy a morning boat tour in the lagoons. We'll return to the lodge for lunch. Afterwards, we'll have time to relax and gather our bags before departing to the Mayan site of Altun Ha. Considered one of the major Mayan ceremonial centers of Belize, Altun Ha also functioned as an important trading center between the interior and the Caribbean Sea during the classic period (250-900 AD). However, Altun Ha has been dated as far back as 600 BC. Within the site, there are more than 275 structures and there are up to 250 to 300 unexcavated mounds.
We return to Belize City around 4:00 pm. Those traveling onto another program with Island Expeditions will continue from here to the Tropical Education Centre. All other travelers will be dropped off at the Belize International Airport, or will be dropped off at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, in Belize City, to continue with their independent arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Price Includes:
All meals, accommodations and transfers described in the tour; unlimited use of equipment; professional guiding services.
Not Included:
Alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature; gratuities; international flights & airport departure tax; extra costs due to late arrivals and other circumstances beyond our control.
Accommodations:
On the nights of Day 1 and Day 2, we will be staying at Birds Eye View Lodge, situated on the water's edge of the Crooked Tree Lagoon. This comfortable Belizean-style hotel offers private baths and lakeside views. The rooftop deck and bar atop the lodge is a perfect place to catch the evening breeze and reminisce over your recent discoveries.
