Island & Jungle Holiday

Introduction
Coast & Interior Belize
A fun-filled MultiSport week combining 4 nights at a luxury beach resort off the coast of Belize with 3 nights at a Jungle Lodge in the interior.

The trip starts at San Pedro on Ambergris Caye - a reef only a few miles off the coast of Belize City. On this small island paradise you will find a vibrant culture, and quiet beaches. Your hotel is a beautiful, modern, seaside resort located on the serene north end of Ambergris Caye about 2 miles north of the quaint little town of San Pedro. All the excitement and adventure you seek while in Belize is available from here. The friendly tours and activities director is ready to guide you through a diverse selection of fun and exhilarating activities.

Kayak out to the reef from our beautiful white sand beach and snorkel on the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Take a boat to the Blue Hole for a diving experience found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy everything Belize has to offer at the best Ambergris Caye resort including snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, sailing or para sailing or just relaxing in a hammock with a good book - of course we can also arrange extensive Spa treatments for you from body massage to manicures and facials.

Then we are off to the interior of Belize for three nights and days full of activities with overnights at a Jungle Lodge. Nestled in a quiet jungle setting, in the midst of colorful singing birds and tropical wildlife, the jungle resort features delightful accommodations that blend with the lush landscape and local culture. Situated on the Mighty Belize River and central to all of Belize, this is a place where the horses roam free and huge iguanas laze in the branches. The lands here are surrounded by evidence of both the ancient Maya and a historic logging tradition. You will find a variety of activities - horseback riding, a float trip on the mighty Belizy River or visiting tours to the nearby Mayan sites. Home to the finest Equestrian center in Belize, we will give you something different than the tired tourist horses you will find elsewhere and in a setting perfect for eco-exploration.

If you have ridden over mountains, prairies and parkland we know your expectations are high. Can the tropics show you anything you haven't already seen?

Every day you will awaken to the shimmering glow of dawn materializing through the tropical haze. Horses grazing beneath the palms trees.  The day is young and a sudden rush of excitement fills the air. It's time to ride! The ranch is big, beautiful and boisterous. Miles of jungle and riverside trails are awaiting you. There are opportunities to experience horsemanship in a variety of ways, from setting your own itinerary to participating in structured lessons. The well kept horses, quiet river, gentle tropical breezes, flocks of parrots, saturated sunsets, delicious meals, friendly people, and exotic surroundings will truly sooth your soul and quench your thirst for adventure!

Belize is a place far from the busy world and surrounded by the things you've dreamed of. An exciting yet peaceful place. You will be taking more than pictures home. You'll have memories to last a lifetime!

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations. 

Description
You will be staying at the beach accommodations for the first 4 nights and the jungle accommodations for the last 3 nights.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability 
Night 1 - 4: Beach Hotel
Night 5 - 7: Jungle Lodge



Jungle Lodge
Nestled near the river in a quiet jungle setting, in the midst of birds and other tropical wildlife! The tropical jungle resort features delightful accommodations that blend with the local landscape and culture.
You will stay in standard rooms in the main lodge or in cabanas with roofs made from jungle bay leaf thatch and are uniquely designed. Built by local craftsmen with fine Belizean woods, they are, in themselves each works of art.
All standard rooms and suites are equipped with A/C for your comfort (we also have some rooms in the cabanas with A/C).
The cabanas and chalet rooms are equipped with ceiling fans and / or standing fans.
On site you'll enjoy a swimming pool, bird sanctuary, and 14" Meade telescope for star gazing at night. 
Wireless is available at the front desk/reception area of the lodge and in the Chateau Brio building. Laundry is also available.

Standard Rooms
Beautiful stained glass windows and solarium bathrooms make theses all delightful places to stay. The unique use of sea shells in a bathroom mirror, Carolyn Carr art, artistic tiling, local arts and crafts, honor the Belize culture and beauty in these designer rooms. Rooms are air-conditioned and have a reading desk, comfortable easy chair, as well as a queen bed, and most of them have a single bed as well. Four of our standard rooms are in the lodge which has a communal sitting area, adjacent to a patio that overlooks the river. The other two standard rooms are in our Chateau Brio. The building features curved stairs with beautiful banisters and amazing masonry around all the windows. On the second floor there is a large patio where evening conversation can be enjoyed. Inside the rooms you can relish the view of the beautiful landscaping and pool through arched, stained glass windows.

Cabanas (can accommodate up to 4 pax)
With roofs made from jungle bay leaf thatching are uniquely designed. Crafted by local craftsmen with fine Belizean woods, they are, in themselves works of art. Each cabana has a solarium bath, a sitting room, and two bedrooms, each room with a queen size and single bed. Four to six family members, friends or groups traveling together can be easily accommodated in each cabana. Carved doors, original oil paintings and jungle ambiance create a truly memorable surrounding.



Beach Hotel
Your hotel (usually at the Grand Caribe Belize) is among the best Ambergris Caye accommodations. The resort benefits from 800 feet of white sand beach facing the Caribbean Sea and the world’s second largest barrier reef.
Each condo has a panoramic view of the turquoise water and is literally just steps away from 6 swimming pools, a beautifully appointed pier, and the ocean. Each spacious unit is uniquely furnished with everything you need to feel at home: a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with a TV, a bedroom and a private bathroom with hairdryer.
Your regular package includes lodging in the 1-Bedroom Ocean View Condo (1 Queen or King size bed - some have a pull out couch as well). These condos are on the 3rd floor and boast approximately 1000 square feet of living space as well as a verandah with spectacular panoramic views of the Caribbean sea. They are equipped with air conditioning and ceiling fans and have free Wi-Fi internet access.
Upgrades to any of the 2-, 3- and 4-Bedroom Condos are available at a surcharge and are recommended for larger groups.

The resort has a Spa where you can book different treatments fro an extra fee (inquire for rates):
* Massages such as Deep Tissue, Swedish, Hot stone, Thai and Aroma
* Body Treatments ranging from After sun wraps, Papaya Honey Polish, Coco Peppermint Polish and scrubs to Ginger Citrus and Lemon Grass
* Facials include Breakout Buster, Natural Glow, Tropical, Ocean Wave and Black Orchid Facial
* Ear candling and Waxing
* Manicures and Pedicures 
* Special Men’s Space for Men’s treatments
Upon arriving at the spa you will be treated with a complimentary foot bath and refreshing towels for your hands and feet. 

Riding


Riding
Your Belize horseback riding vacation will be unlike any other vacation you have had before. We offer the best horseback riding in Belize with miles of jungle trails combined with years of experience, on the 4000-acre property. Allow us to show you the thrill of riding through the tropical broad leaf forest as we point out birds, wildlife, trees and medicinal plants. Learn about the culture and the beauty of Belize. 

Pace
Rides can vary from 2-hour rides to 4-5 hours in the saddle. For the all-day rides we offer two options. You can either go out to ride in the morning – come back to the lodge for lunch – and then continue the ride in the afternoon, or, you can carry a picnic lunch with you and go a further distance riding. With so many trails and activities, it is all up to you! 



Horses 
About a hundred horses of thoroughbred mixed with quarter horse breeds are found at our farm. Years of careful hands on training from when they are foals, provide trustworthy but agile mounts that will easily carry you through the jungle trails. We train our horses as per horse whispering concepts and methods. We are experts at matching horses and riders.

Tack
While we mostly ride western, we do have two sets of English saddles and tack for your use.

Staff
Our cowboys are eager to meet you and take you on memorable rides throughout the many trails. Cesar, Sherman, John and Chico will show you the joy of riding through the jungle. All our cowboys not only conduct the rides, but they train as per horse whispering methods and John Carr horsemanship practices, all our born and bred horses.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary  - subject to changes

Non riders are welcome to join this trip.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Ambergris Caye (take the shuttle ferry boat or the short flight from Belize City). On arrival in San Pedro, please take a taxi to the pre-arranged hotel (the hotel will pay the driver) and check into your ocean view or ocean front suite. In the afternoon we invite you come to the office to go over the different activities that we can offer you while at the beach resort. 
Meal included: None
Overnight at the Hotel 

Day 2 to 4: Beach Activities
Take advantage of the many different options and be active all day or take some time out and enjoy time on the beach. We can take you on an all day excursion to the "Blue Whole" for snorkeling and diving, explore the surrounding islands by motor boat - maybe try some fishing for Bonefish, or take you out to the reefs to explore the marine life just 10 minutes from your hotel (breathtaking).  
Meal included: None
Overnight at the Hotel 

Day 5: Transfer to mainland
Morning check out from the resort and taxi transfer to the boat docks for a ferry transfer to the mainland. We will meet you at the ferry docks on arrival and transfer you to the jungle lodge -- we we can take a side trip to the zoo (entry fee not included). Upon your arrival you can take a tour of the local sites.
After lunch take an afternoon short introductory horseback ride or relax and walk the grounds or take a dip in the pool. 
Meal included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Jungle Lodge

Day 6: Jungle Activities 
Today you can choose from several options of full day activities (at least 2 pax required for each activity).

• Horseback Riding: After breakfast enjoy an all day jungle horseback ride. Explore the vast area of the 200 acre farm with agricultural fields, tree farms, cattle grazing, and horse pastures. Cross small streams, canter on jungle paths and swim with the horses in the Belize River.
• Crystal Cave Tubing: Tubing along underground waterways, cave walls glistening, showing off their crystal formations. The Mayans used these caves a thousand years ago and fascinating artifacts remain. You will be in awe at stalactites, stalagmites, the very immensity of the cave itself (4 to 5 hours in cave). 
• Zip - Lining & Cave Tubing Combo: This is a fun-packed day and great way to experience the jungle and caves if your time is short on the mainland. 
• Actun Tunichil Mucknal: The cave of the Stone Sepulchre displays some of the most spectacular limestone solution dripstone formations. We will walk for 45 minutes through the jungle before reaching the cave. At the entrance of the cave there's a short swim (life jackets are available). 
• Barton Creek: The trip starts with a drive through the picturesque Mennonite farm community to the Caves. Board a canoe and your guide will row you deep inside Barton Creek Cave. Sit back, relax and direct your candle lamp at the amazing formations inside the huge cave believed by the Maya to be the Underworld. Great Swimming spot. Lunch and then on to Green Hills Butterfly Ranch. 

• 500 feet of beachfront
• 3 swimming pools
• Wonderful pier
• Foot Prints Poolside Bar and Grill serves great food and drinks right on site. You can even have meals delivered right to your condo!
• Several restaurants within walking distance
• Full service concierge can book any tour Belize has to offer

Snorkeling

• Half Day Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley - US $65 pp (min 4 pax)
• Half Day north to Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos - US $65 pp (min 4 pax)
• Night Snorkeling to Hol Chan Reserve - US $85 pp (min 4 pax)
• Full Day Snorkel trip to the Blue Hole includes - US $225 pp (min 12 pax)

• Combination dive/snorkel to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley - $75 (includes 5 ft. to 30 ft shallow dive at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and snorkel)
• 10 ft. to 12 ft depth at Shark Ray Alley - 1 tank dive $65 / 2 tank dive $95
• Night dive to Hol Chan Reserve - $95
• Turneffe Atoll Day Trip - $275 (includes: 3 dives, breakfast, lunch and drinks - Depart 5:30 am / Return 6 pm)
• Blue Hole dives at Lighthouse Reef - $310 (includes: 3 dives, breakfast, lunch and drink. Depart 5:30 am / Return 6 pm)

• Resort Course - US $190 pp
• Refresher Course - US $180 pp 
• Referral dive - US $410 pp 
• 4-Day Full PADI course - US $520 pp

Rates and Dates for Island & Jungle Holiday

Dates Note: arrival can be any day of the week; possible to book around Christmas with minimum 7 nights at the beach hotel -- please inquire

Other Info
Meeting: Belize City
Airport: Belize City
Transfer: San Pedro Airport or Boat Dock to hotel by taxi (hotel pays for fare)

Climate:
                                                Belize City area