Mayan Jungle Ride without Caracol

Introduction
Interior Belize
Enjoy an amazing adventure vacation in the jungles of western Belize.

During your stay, you will have the opportunity to ride to hidden caves, remote waterfalls & more. This trip is an excellent blend between cultural activities, adventure and nature immersion.
You will have the opportunity to see many birds and possibly other wildlife such as Howler Monkeys, Jaguars, Puma, Ocelot, Tapir and more. You will also discover Mayan ruins and remote villages. The avid swimmers, will be fully satisfied with many occasions to cool off in beautiful and remote water holes.

Your evenings are spent in an award-winning ecological lodge surrounded by the Jungle. You will remember this enchanting place forever!
Accommodations consist in tastefully decorated rooms with a comfortable bed and ensuite facilities. The sounds of nature will ease you to sleep every night.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You are accommodated in an award-winning environmentally sustainable lodge, located on 105 of Nature Reserve surrounded by the jungle.
The owners wanted to create an eco-friendly lodge and therefore the lodge produces its own electricity thanks to solar panels. For this reason, the standard electric outlets have been replaced by USD outlets. This means that hairdryers and curling irons cannot be used. We do have, however, a room where guests can charge their computers or other electronics through standard outlets.
Each of the 10 spacious cabanas are elevated and designed to naturally stay cool, taking advantage of natural ventilation and convection, as well as cooling river breezes. To supplement our ‘natural breeze’ cooling system we have industrial ceiling fans in all cabanas. 
It should also be noted that our running water is supplied by rain water and water from the nearby river.

Complimentary WiFi is available free of charge in guest common areas.
The Internet is made possible by multiple towers beaming the signal to us from town. This connection can be affected by rainy and windy weather, as well as by local anomalies such as power outage in town or the number of people using the system at the same time, so it may be slower or unavailable from time to time.

Please, note that there is little to no cell service available at the lodge.

International Phone Service  is available for an additional fee.
Laundry service is available at BZ$20 per load (wash, dry, and fold), and is sent out to our laundry facility in Cristo Rey Village each day.

Room Options
- Garden View Cabanas (1 Queen bed) - can accommodate up to 2 people
- River Valley View Cabanas (1 King bed + 1 futon ) - can accommodate up to 3 people
- Jungle View Cabanas (1 Queen or King bed + 1 futon + enough room for a 2’ x 6’ camp cot & a 4” foam mattress) - can accommodate up to 5 people (ideally, 2 adults and up to 3 children)
- Rainforest Cabin (1 large bedroom with a king bed + 1 small bedroom with bunk beds) - can accommodate up to 5 people


Garden View Cabanas (“Aracari” & “Kiskadee” Rooms) - can accommodate up to 2 people
The 2 adjoining Garden View Cabañas share a single building and palm-thatched veranda overlooking the tropical flower garden. They are within easy walking distance of the dining room and bar. These rooms each have 1 Queen sized handcrafted four-poster bed made from indigenous My Lady trees, tiled floors, private hot water bath with a large river stone-lined shower and an industrial ceiling fan.


Jungle View Cabanas (“MotMot”, “Oropendola”, & “Great Currasow” Rooms) - can accommodate up to 5 people (ideally, 2 adults and up to 3 children)
Larger and more private than the Garden View Cabañas, the Jungle View Cabañas are spacious, stand-alone rooms offering either a queen-sized or king-sized handmade four poster bed, full sized futon, private thatched roof veranda, and gorgeous views of the surrounding jungle. These rooms all have tiled floors, private hot water river stone-lined showers, 2 industrial ceiling fans and a hammock.


River Valley View Cabana (“Laughing Falcon,” “Little Blue Heron,” “Purple Gallinule”, & “Kingfisher” Rooms) - can accommodate up to 3 people
Our most secluded and spacious rooms, these cabañas are prized for their stunning views of the Macal River Valley. Each room is equipped with industrial ceiling fans and private hot water baths with large river stone-lined showers. They feature a large, palm-thatched veranda, a king-sized four poster bed, 1 full-sized futon, and hardwood floors.


Rainforest Cabin - can accommodate up to 5 people
Formerly the abode of the owners, this 2-bedroom/one-bath cabin features a covered veranda, multiple ceiling fans, and mixture of hardwood and ceramic tile flooring. The master bedroom contains a king-sized bed and panoramic views of the surrounding jungle. The smaller second bedroom is perfect for the kids, with one set of bunk beds. The bedrooms are linked by a half-bath, and there is a second sink basin and separate stone-lined shower room to help as everyone is trying to get ready at the same time.

Room Occupancy
Please, let us know what is your preferred room type at the time of booking. Also, note that we do not take solo travelers at this time.
Children under 18 years of age can stay in the parents’ room free of charge (including the addition of one camp cot). If additional beds are needed to accommodate children of any age, then an additional fee applies. Cots and additional bedding arrangements must be requested in advance.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day. Breakfasts and Dinners will be taken at the lodge, while lunches will be provided by the ranch during day rides.
Please, note that desserts and drinks are not included in your package.

At the lodge, the chefs combine the freshest local products and their skill to serve guests with delicious dishes. The majority of fruit, herbs and vegetables come from our working farm, and our eggs are delivered by our free-range chickens. We use local fishermen and fish farms to provide fresh fish and seafood, and we purchase all meats locally. Whenever available, ingredients used in our gourmet dishes are produced within Belize.
The lodge's farm is currently cultivating Valencia oranges, Key and Tahitian (Persian) limes, several varieties of mango, and coconuts. Additionally, we produce our own avocados, chaya (a local green favored by the Maya), star fruit, sapodilla, grapefruit, craboo, breadfruit, and soursop (guanábana). During different times of the year we also grow a small selection of vegetables and fresh herbs. All of the flowers and plants you see at the lodge are grown on the farm in our very own landscape and flower nursery. We encourage guests to walk around the farm via the main road and to help themselves to any of our tropical fruits. Our only rule is that you must eat what you pick!

Early Breakfast: Packed breakfasts are available for departures prior to 6:45 AM and when ordered at least one day in advance.
Full and Continental Breakfast: Served between 6:30-9:30 AM. Menu changes daily & offers a choice of 4 items.
Snacks & Homemade Desserts: Served all day.
Dinner: Served between 5:30-8:30 PM. Menu changes daily and offers a choice of two starters and two entrées with special selections for specific dietary needs. Private candlelight dinners are also available for a small fee and with advanced notice.

During full day rides, you will be provided with a packed lunch. In case of half-day rides, lunch will be cooked at the ranch's Cantina. 

Dietary Restrictions
We can accommodate most dietary restrictions if notified prior to arrival.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
Riders must be comfortable at a walk, trot, and canter. It is important that riders are capable of strenuous uphill hikes in order to reach the waterfall and caves.

Pace
The ride will move slowly up and down any steep, rocky paths and will increase in speed to include canters and maybe gallops once a plateau is reached. Our half day and full day rides include breaks for swimming, caving, and picnic lunches.

Terrain
We select only the most interesting routes, passing through varied ecosystems, which our knowledgeable guides carefully explain. We will identify traditional uses of plants, visit Maya ruins, and of course enjoy the exhilarating experience of riding through a pristine environment.

Horses 
We started a breeding program about 10 years ago for American Quarter Horses crossed with regional stock. We currently have 25 horses leaving on a 150 acre ranch. Being well-trained and cared for, the horses have a gentle disposition, are sure-footed, and are conditioned for stamina and endurance. We take care to match the rider with the most suitable horse.

Equipment
It is important that riders wear riding boots, hiking boots, or tennis shoes (with socks), and long (preferably single-seamed) trousers or jodhpurs.

Insurance
Please make sure you are covered by travel and medical insurance for unforeseen situations. 

Itinerary



Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
On the day of arrival, if you arrive by International flight, you will be met outside the arrival zone at the Airport by a driver who will be holding a sign with your name on it. Alternative pickup locations can be arranged and rates may vary. A stop at the Belize Zoo can be added to your arrival or departure transfer depending on arrival time. The Zoo closes at 3:30 pm.
Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy some of the lodge activities such as: a refreshing swim in the pool, a hike on the trails, river tubing, canoeing and more. Or relax and decompress to the sounds, smells and views of the jungle river valley from your own verandah. Enjoy your first dinner & cocktails in their open-air fine dining restaurant. Alternatively, an intimate private candlelight dinner service can be arranged for a fee to be paid at the lodge.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 2 (Sunday): Ride to a Mayan Cave  
Breakfast is served starting at 6:30 AM.  At 8:00 AM, a driver will transfer you the ranch. Please be ready in your riding cloth. We will provide water, lunch, a small saddle bag, a beach towel and poncho. You will receive an oral orientation before being introduced to your horse and embarking on a full day of horseback riding. Today's ride is through the rainforest to an ancient Mayan cave. You will explore and discover interesting formations and evidence of the Mayan culture in pottery remnants and potsherds that are hundreds of years old. After the cave, refresh yourself with a cool dip in the crystal clear waters of Butterfly Falls and feast on a gourmet picnic lunch. Return to the ranch between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. After a refreshing beverage, you will be driven back to the Lodge, a 30-minute drive.  Return to your Cabana to freshen up for dinner and lively conversation with your hosts and other guests.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 3 (Monday): Barton Creek
Morning routine repeats. You take a tour of the ranch on horseback, learning about our off-grid system and visiting the ponds where you might see birds and wildlife.
After lunch in the Cantina, we will drive to Nohoch Sayab River cave at Barton Creek. As you make your way down the steep narrow road to the valley floor, you will be astounded by the size of fruit trees and tropical flora in the fertile Barton Creek valley. Arriving at Mike’s Place, you will enter a canoe and paddle across the creek, then suddenly disappear, paddling deep into the sparking stalactite formation river cave. When you return to the mouth of the cave, enjoy a swim if you wish. Then back to the lodge for another unique meal and relaxation time.
Then, we will transfer you back to the lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 4 (Tuesday): Half-day Jungle Ride & Visit
This day begins with a beautiful half-day jungle horseback ride followed by lunch at the ranch's cantina. The destination for the half-day ride is a secluded hidden valley where you will ride along a winding creek and enjoy the exotic tropical vegetation and excellent opportunities for sighting colorful rainforest birds and iridescent butterflies. During the ride, there are excellent opportunities for seeing birds and possibly wildlife as the valley is home to Howler Monkeys, Jaguars, Puma, Ocelot, Tapir and more. There are opportunities to canter in some places. 
After lunch, your guide will accompany you on a tour of Cahal Pech followed by shopping or optional cultural tours in San Ignacio or simply experiencing the ambience of the lovely town of San Ignacio at the confluence of the Mopan and Macal Rivers where they merge into the Belize River. You will return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Riding time: approx. 2.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 5 (Wednesday): Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
Today is a full day of riding to beautiful waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The trail passes through rainforest, and varied ecosystems. Your guide will point out features, birds, and will discuss traditional medicinal uses of plants and trees.
Enjoy a gourmet lunch and swimming at the beautiful waterfalls, relax awhile and then mount the horses for a rejuvenating ride home.
Riding time: approx. 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 6 (Thursday): Departure
Day of departure. The time of departure will depend on your plans or flight times. Transfer from the Lodge to International Airport or Belize City by vehicle is included.  Contact us for rates to other desired destinations.  There is a local airport, Maya Flats, outside San Ignacio if you want to fly to the islands or other destinations offered by Tropic Air and Maya Island Air.
Meals included: Breakfast

Notes: The order of the rides in this package can be changed at the operator's discretion.  We will do our best to offer all activities but there will be no refund for services we are unable to perform due to circumstances out of our control, such as weather or other abnormal events. There is no refund for any unused portion of this package.



Self-guided on-site activities (included in your package):
o Upstream Canoeing
o Lazy River Tubing
o Hiking
o Birding
o Farm Animal Feeding
o Swimming in the Macal River and Jungle Infinity Pool

Activities & Services offered for an extra fee:
- Babysitting
- Half-day canoe trips to San Ignacio with a naturalist guide
- In-Room Massage

Rates and Dates for Mayan Jungle Ride without Caracol

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Belize City
Airport: Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize (BZE)
Transfer: Belize City

Climate:
                                                Belize City area