Trailblazer Jungle Ride Interior Belize Situated on the mighty Belize River and central to all of Belize, the ranch is a place where the horses roam free and huge iguanas laze in the branches above the bamboo. The land here is surrounded by evidence of both the ancient Maya and a historic logging tradition. Nestled in a quiet jungle setting, in the midst of birds and other tropical wildlife, the jungle ranch resort features delightful accommodations that blend with the local landscape and culture. Home to the finest equestrian center in Belize, here you will experience something different from the familiar. If you've ridden over mountains, prairies and park lands we know your expectations are high. Can the tropics show you anything you haven't already seen? Absolutely! You awaken to the shimmering glow of dawn materializing through the tropical haze. Horses are roaming freely and grazing in green pastures surrounded by large palms. 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 trail itinerary to participating in structured instructor lessons. The well kept horses, quiet river, gentle breeze, flocks of parrots, saturated sunsets, delicious meals, friendly people, and exotic surroundings will sooth your soul. In addition to the day to day riding tours, you have the opportunity to participate in a hands on experience with the horses here. In the arena or on the trail, communication between horse and rider begins to meld. The concepts we follow are those of natural horsemanship, as presented by John Lyons and Pat Parelli, two of the most popular horse clinicians in the United States, and are the basis for horsemanship at the ranch - even down south here in Belize! Key words are communication, trust and discipline. Of course you may just opt for just some exciting trail riding instead. While we mostly ride western, we also have two sets of English saddles and tack for your use. There are miles of jungle trails in and out of the forest canopy. Nice long canters along jungle trails can be an exhilarating experience.  This is a place far from the real world and near to 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! Family Vacation Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Center-based ride Ride with Western Tack Meeting: Belize City Airport: Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) Transfer: Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) or Belize City Municipal Airport (TZA) Riders: Min 2 riders Max 12 riders (per riding group) Max Capacity 45 Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) or Belize City Municipal Airport (TZA) at any time on any day of the week. Check-out at 11:00am on the last day.

Sample 7 days Itinerary- subject to changes

Day 1:
Arrival at Phillip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City. You will be met by our driver in our vehicle and transported the 50 miles inland to the ranch.
After getting settled into your room likely it will be time for dinner. Freshly home cooked meals at the ranch are served family style.
Meal included: Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 2:
Horsemanship will be best experienced if both the horse and the rider are at ease so this will be the goal for this day. Our horses have been raised on trust so they can be trusted. To communicate trust is the first step in gaining confidence and control. It is part of the horses’ basic nature to want to get along. (Bill Dorrance). Your trainer will lead you in some skill sets to test your confidence and control.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 3:
Today is about learning to feel and move with the horses gait, the walk, trot, canter and gallop. You will concentrate on achieve oneness with the horses’ motion by getting in time with the gait. This will take place in the large arena.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 4:
Today is a beginning instruction in learning to give directions to the horse using leg pressure and body weight shift. This discipline takes months to accomplish but every achievement starts somewhere. If you have already had experience in this level of horsemanship then the trainer will introduce to some more challenging disciplines. It puts you on the road to the next level of riding.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 5:
This will be an all day ride back to Tom’s Place, an 8 mile ride away from the ranch through various types of farm land. Ride through the village of Valley of Peace and see what has come from the raw edge of survival to a thriving community. Lunch will be served while there. It is a short distance on to Tom’s Place. The natural beauty will be well worth the trip. The way back to the ranch will be by Buggy along the Valley of Peace road.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 6:
Today is a day of review. A gymkhana will be set up and events will be timed. Ideally there will be other riders with whom to compete and test your skills. We will video your performance to preserve a memory of your week of accomplishment.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 7:
After a hardy breakfast and a heartfelt good-by to your hosts, trainer and horse, you will be transported to your next destination, either another hotel, the municipal airport or the Phillip Goldson International Airport.
Meal included: Breakfast


Sample 8 days Itinerary- subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
We will meet you at the airport. After check-in, you can tour the grounds and get acquainted with our own horses and wildlife. Soon dinner will be served family style, providing perfect time and setting to meet your hosts and the other guests.
Meal included: Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 2 (Sunday): Full day Ride
Horse enrichment connection and horse introduction and learning about a trust relationship between you and your horse. Groom, saddle and mount, and 3 hour introductory trail ride including checking the cattle. The day usually starts at 9 am and ends at about 4:30 pm.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 3 (Monday): Morning Ride and Mayan Temple Visit
Saddle up for a morning ride to Tiger Creek, our wrangler will provide tips and pointers as you ride the trail. After lunch we will head 35 miles to Xunantunich, the most famous and visited Maya Temple in Belize.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride to the Three Sisters Maya Temple
We'll start with some work in the round pen and you will be connecting with your horse in a special way. Then off to the 3 Sisters Maya Temple (undeveloped) for an all day ride where you will unsaddle, have lunch and then ride back to the lodge.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 5 (Wednesday): Half-Day Ride and Sightseeing
Saddle up for a trail ride to check on the cattle and horses. Then, we will head for the arena to do barrel racing, pole bending and other Gymkhana events – you may have never done this before and we don’t generally use a watch. In the afternoon, we go to the beautiful Hummingbird Highway for chocolate growing and tasting exhibit and then special ice cream and swim in the beautiful inland Blue Hole.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 6 (Thursday): Belize River Boat Ride
For a change in pace, we will board the boat at the Cawich Bridge where you will be guided along the Belize River. It will be a wonderful river trip where we usually see howler monkeys, bats, beautiful trees and multitude of birds. Iguanas dart along the paths and scamper up the trees while you observe hundreds of botanic wonders. After lunch back and an afternoon of relaxation, we'll saddle up for an evening ride.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 7 (Friday): Ride to Belmopan market and Roaring River
Swim our horses across the Belize River and have lunch at the Belmopan Market (Belmopan is the smallest capital in the world) then out toward the Roaring River to explore caves and spend a little time with your horse in the water. Back to the lodge at around 4:00-4:30pm.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
In case you didn't get enough riding in, you may choose to do a short ride (we hate to say goodbye). If there's time you can stop for a tour at the Belize Zoo on the way back.
Meal included: Breakfast



Optional Tour - Tikal (4-5 hours)
There is an option to visit Mayan Temples of Tikal (Guatemala) during the week or we can add a day for you.
There is an extra charge (145 USD pp, *subject to change) and we will need a minimum of 3 participants. 

Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is located in the archaeological region of the Petén Basin in what is now northern Guatemala. Tikal was the capital of a conquest state that became one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya. Though monumental architecture at the site dates back as far as the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period, ca. 200 to 900 AD. During this time, the city dominated much of the Maya region politically, economically, and militarily, while interacting with areas throughout Mesoamerica such as the great metropolis of Teotihuacan in the distant Valley of Mexico.

Tikal is the best understood of any of the large lowland Maya cities, with a long dynastic ruler list, the discovery of the tombs of many of the rulers on this list and the investigation of their monuments, temples and palaces. An early breakfast prepares you for a 'must see' trip to visit the Temples at Tikal in Guatemala. Your English speaking guide will lead you through the 5 major temples built around 700 AD - he dominant features of the city, identified only by numbers. Two of them stand in the middle of the square which can be viewed only from the top of the temple number 2. The top of this temple reaches the height of 38 m. Temple number 1 is not accessible, for safety reasons. The north acropolis stands among these temples. Archaeologists uncovered layers of earth, and thus proved that the Maya had lived here before Christ. The current appearance of the acropolis comes from the 8th century AD. Nowadays, Tikal has become a part of the Tikal National Park , and in 1979 it has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
 


Optional Tour - Caracol (full day)
There is an option to visit Mayan Temples of Caracol during the week or we can add a day for you.
There is an extra charge (130 USD pp, *subject to change) and we will need a minimum of 3 participants. 

Join your guide into the incredible history of the Maya in Belize. Caracol is embedded in the lush jungles of the Mountain Pine Ridge. You will learn of CAANA (Sky House) and the important role of it's king - Lord Can ll. Caracol is credited with the conquest of Tikal and Naranjo in AD562.

                                                Belize City area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	83	84	86	88	89	89	89	89	89	87	85	83
Average Low Temperature (°F)	68	70	72	75	77	78	77	77	76	75	72	70
Average High Temperature (°C)	28	29	30	31	32	32	31	32	32	31	29	28
Average Low Temperature (°C)	20	21	22	24	25	25	25	25	25	24	22	21
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	12	6	4	4	6	11	14	13	14	15	13	11

Source: NOAA

Belize weather features a temperate climate with 2 distinct seasons, the rainy and the dry.  The rainy season occurs between June and November with rainfall averages ranging between 60 inches/1,524mm in the north to 160 inches/4,064mm in the south. The rainfall is variable from year to year.

Remember that you are in a subtropical climate so dress lightly - we recommend cotton clothing rather than synthetics.
A poncho, in case of rain, will be provided. Riding helmets are provided but please feel free to bring your own to guarantee the fit.

For the horseback riding, jeans (single seamed) and light boots or ankle high shoes are most suitable.

You don't need electrical adapters if coming from North America!
Plenty of water will be provided to you. Bring a bottle or camel-back if you wish.
In San Pedro, the streets are sandy and unpaved so be sure to leave your fancy clothes and high heel shoes at home! 

This list is only general a guideline for you...

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Riding boots + Minichaps

Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pajamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Light summer jacket

Comfortable shoes/sneakers

Swimsuit

Bandana

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Camera and enough extra films

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

 

Average ratings from 25 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date rose torres 6/10/2019 heather stein 6/16/2016 janis riven 12/5/2014 mari-lou ziegenhagel 3/6/2014 isabel spagis 3/4/2014 samantha frith 2/27/2014 sharon holmes 2/24/2014 jim hagedorn 2/5/2014 amanda boyers 5/5/2013 louis blair 4/2/2013 laure arnoff 8/28/2011 lona bradbury 8/24/2011 laure arnoff 8/21/2011 gabrielle nickel 1/17/2011 laura howenstine 1/16/2011 esther kan 10/16/2010 marc freedgood 2/24/2010 susan paddock 8/24/2009 lauren sevrin 8/15/2009 doug mccarthy 4/7/2009 adam zgagacz 1/21/2009 shelly lucero 6/3/2008 lisa reynolds 4/22/2008 sharyn klimko 12/31/2006 susan kennedy 1/5/2006

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so nights will be spent in the same location.

Description
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
With roofs made from jungle bay leaf thatching are uniquely designed. Crafted by the Banana Bank 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.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory if you are traveling as a single rider.
Triple occupancy is possible.



Meals
All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day are included.

The dining room has an exotic feel to it. The tone is set by the soaring thatched roof. Carved banisters, pink gypsum stonewalls, and rich local hard wood paneling make this a beautiful place to enjoy. Our meals are served family style and are widely reported to be some of the best in Belize. The family atmosphere provides a setting for lively discussion between guests from different parts of the world and diverse interest. Menus vary but center around the kind of home cooking we call "grandma's food" although our girls cook up some of the best local cuisine found in Belize.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western Wintec, some English saddles on request
Horses:		Spanish quarterhorse local breed mix
Pace:		Moderate with lots of opportunities for canters and gallops - according to riding level. | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(2.5 to 4 out of 5)    Low to Strong Intermediate
Age:		Min 3	Max 90
Weight:		Max 350 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 12 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 45

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.
 

Passports

Passport valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay required by all nationals referred to in chart.



Passport Note

All travellers are required to show evidence of sufficient funds (minimum £50 per day) and proof of return or onward ticket at the point of entry.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above and nationals of their overseas territories for stays of up to 30 days except:

1. nationals of Bulgaria and Romania.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy/high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).



Types of Visa and Cost

Single-entry: £60; Multiple-entry: £110. Handling fee of £5 for all applications.



Working Days Required

Most visas are issued the next working day. Some applications may require authorisation from the Director of Immigration and the Nationality Service in Belize; this will take up to four weeks. 

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No/1
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.