Depart our dock via boat to the mainland on a private ferry. A private van will then take you to the Orange Walk district where you will board a boat that takes you down the New River to Lamanai. Along the way you will encounter a variety of wildlife such as birds, bats, monkeys, river dolphins and crocodiles. After lunch in the pristine rain forest that surrounds the ancient Capital of Lamanai tour the majestic ruins that date back to 1500 BC.
Mainland Excursions
As you follow the paths to various temples you will view and hear the howler monkeys as they welcome you to the rainforest. Tour departs at 6:45am and returns at 5:00pm. Cost is US$175 per person and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and drinks. Does not include a US$12.50 park fee.
Ask us about our flight option to Lamanai also.
We have a private guide on the mainland that we use for the below listed jungle adventures. You have the option of doing one, two or three of the following tours:
- Cave Tubing
- Aerial Zip Line
- Belize Zoo
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
- ATV (add US$15 per person)
1 tour = US$225
2 tours = US$265
3 tours = US$310
For these tours, we fly you over to the mainland where our guide meets you with private transportation to the various locations. Flight departs at 8am (one or two tours); 7am (for three tours) and returns approximately at 2:30pm (one tour); 4:30pm (two tours); 5:30pm (three tours).
When combining ruins with two other tours, our guide will travel to Altun-Ha instead of Xunantunich.
Above rates include round trip local flights to/from the mainland, private transportation, guided tour, lunch, drinks and park fees. (NOTE: During high and peak season, we will try to avoid cruise ship days for these tours.
Cave Tubing
Take a short flight to the mainland where your guide will take you to Nohoch Che’en National Park for a 30 minute light hike through the jungle to the cave system. Put on your headlamp, splash into the cool waters and tube through the crystal cave systems where the Mayans once worshipped. Ask us about our extended cave tubing excursion which includes added time tubing and a full tour of the crystal caves.
Aerial Zip Line
The zip line consists of ten platforms and seven runs, with the longest run well over six-hundred feet and the highest elevated area over one-hundred and fifty feet. There’s nothing quite like soaring over the jungle canopy. The feeling is exhilarating. If you’re afraid of heights, don’t look down.
The Belize Zoo
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center was started in 1983, as a last ditch effort to provide a home for a collection of wild animals which had been used in making documentary films about tropical forests. Shortly after the backyard “zoo” began, it was quickly realized that its Belizean visitors were unfamiliar with the different species of wildlife which shared their country. This very aspect fomented the commitment to develop the little zoo into a dynamic wildlife education center. Today, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center is settled upon 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 150 animals, representing over 45 species, all native to Belize. The zoo keeps animals which were orphaned, rescued, born at the zoo, rehabilitated animals, or sent to The Belize Zoo as donations from other zoological institutions. A visit to the zoo is the best way to get an introduction to the animals of Belize, and to understand why it is important to protect the habitats that sustain them. A very unique experience – and not like any other zoo.
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
Xunantunich in Maya means “Stone Woman” or “Maiden of the Rock”. The site consists of three ceremonial plazas enclosed by house mounds, pyramids and palaces, the largest decorated with friezes and masks of the Classic period. Xunantunich is believed to have been the longest established Mayan archaeological site in Belize. The most prominent structure is the pyramid “El Castillo” (The Castle) which rises 130 feet above the plaza. “El Castillo”, which has been partially excavated and explored, was the tallest man-made structure in all of Belize until the discovery of “Canaa” at Caracol. The most notable feature on “El Castillo” is a remarkable stucco frieze on the east side of the structure. Three carved stelae found at the site are on display in the plaza.
ATV Jungle Tour
Travel through a jungle trail via ATV with stops along a river while enjoying the local flora and fauna. Tour lasts approximately 60 – 70 minutes.
One of the most impressive and artifact-rich Maya ceremonial caves ever found, containing rare bloodletting altars used in sacrifices by Maya royalty and over 1400 catalogued artefacts as well as sacrificial human remains. The ATM Cave is home to the famous “Crystal Maiden” the intact skeleton of a young female that, due to a covering of calcium carbonate, sparkles eerily in the lamp light.
After a 1-1/2 hour drive from Belize City, there is a 45 minute hike that includes three stream crossings before you arrive at Actun Camp for lunch.
The ATM Cave is a wet cave – you swim into the mouth and then wade through ankle to chest high water before climbing to a labyrinth of dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 meters in length and 50 meters wide and filled with artefacts and sacrificial remains. After this another climb takes you to the stone sepulchre (after which the cave is named) where the Crystal Maiden lies. This section of the tour takes approximately 3-1/2 hours.
Degree of Difficulty: Challenging – A good level of physical fitness required. Ability to swim is a plus.
Clothing: Shorts and T-shirts are suggested along with a good pair of tennis or hiking shoes (no sandals allowed) as well as a PAIR OF SOCKS (A MUST HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WHERE THE CRYSTAL MAIDEN LIES!). You will be getting wet so bring along extra clothing and a towel.
Cost is US$310 per person includes flights, guided tour, private transfers, lunch and park fees.