Travel to Belize: Undiscovered Belize Adventure

Home  >  Destinations  >  Central America  >  Belize  >  Undiscovered Belize Adventure

Undiscovered Belize Adventure

			DAYS: 9 GRADE: I-II, Easy to moderate hiking and caving define PRICE: From $3495 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Lubaantun Blue Creek Cave Rio Blanco National Park organic cacao plantation Rio Grande kayaking Garifuna drumming performance Belize Barrier Reef Offshore caye ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Our top Belize tour, named one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler Magazine! Read more...

Venture off the beaten path to experience the fascinating natural history, rich cultural heritage and active adventures in southern Belize. Travel to Belize offshore on a beautiful caye near the Belize Barrier Reef with its extraordinary snorkeling, diving dazzling array of marine life. We investigate the Lubaantun Maya ruins "Home of the Crystal Skull" with an expert, visit the workshop of a Maya harp player, visit an organic cacao plantation to learn about their farming and fair trade, and explore the dramatic Blue Creek Cave system. Celebrate the Garifuna culture with an East Indian dinner and drumming performance. Accommodations are comfortable, native style lodges like The Lodge at Big Falls and Blackbird Caye Resort. This journey is perfect for adventurous souls who want to combine a visit to an unspoiled part of Belize not frequented by the average traveler with time spent exploring one of the world's premier barrier reefs. 

	Enjoy free time gazing out across the clear blue water.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE IN BELIZE
Upon landing you will be met by a representative from Blackbird Caye whom will transfer you out to the Turneffe Atoll. Fly or boat over azure waters speckled with mangroves and coconut tree covered islands to the Belize Barrier Reef and the western side of Turneffe Atoll. Fly over azure waters speckled with mangroves and coconut tree covered islands to the Belize Barrier Reef and the western side of Turneffe Atoll. Check into Blackbird Caye which features beachfront cabanas and immediate access to world class snorkeling and SCUBA diving for undersea enthusiasts. The cabanas offer private porches with chairs, hammock, an interior seating area, double or queen beds and a private bathroom with hot water showers. Let your cares slip away with a refreshing swim in the tranquil Caribbean water. Dinner is served in the ocean view palapa style restaurant and lounge area at the head of the main dock. Overnight at Blackbird Caye Resort in a Deluxe Cabana or similar. [D] Note: You must arrive by 3pm to Belize City on your arrival day to make the transfer to the island. Other Caribbean beach-front accommodations may be confirmed for holiday departures. Transfers may be done by small plane or boat depending on weather conditions.

The Barrier Reef off the coast of Belize teems with tropical fish and healthy corals.

DAYS 2-3 :  BELIZE BARRIER REEF
Spend your days snorkeling or diving on one of the world's premier barrier reefs. Snorkel from the beach in front of your cabana or join two guided excursions offered each day. A variety of excellent snorkel and dive sites provide opportunities to view colorful fish, beautiful coral, stingrays, eagle rays, barracuda, nurse sharks and much more. When not in the water take advantage of the other activities offered at Blackbird Caye Resort including kayaking, canoeing, and walking the trails. Keep as busy as you wish, or slow down and relax among the 166 acres that encompass the resort. (All snorkel trips are included, however dives must be purchased on site or in advance as a package.) All meals and overnights at Blackbird Caye Resort or similar. [BLD]

	The Great Blue hole is the premier site for snorkeling and diving in Belize.

DAY 4 :  GREAT BLUE HOLE AND HALFMOON CAYE

An all day excursion by boat takes us to some of the most premier dive spots and barrier reef environments in all of Belize. Our first stop this morning is the Great Blue Hole, one of the most astounding dive sites to be found anywhere on earth. In the center of the Lighthouse Reef atoll, this large, circular sinkhole hole is approximately mile across and 480 ft deep creating the dark blue color. Experienced scuba divers descend into its depths to ancient caves among giant stalactites and stalagmites formed 15,000 years ago. The most lush and abundant marine life is found in the shallow waters surrounding the outer rim and among the many coral heads of the reef. Snorkeling is exceptional here with angelfish, butterfly fish, groupers and other fishes swimming among elkhorn, staghorn, and finger coral formations.  We anchor-up to enjoy a Belizean style BBQ on the sandy shores of Half Moon Caye and visit the bird sanctuary to see Red-footed boobies and frigate birds, and land iguanas. En route back to the lodge we stop at another special snorkeling or dive location to see the frenzied feeding of yellow snapper and the impressive barrel sponges. Overnight at Blackbird Caye Resort or similar. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  TOLEDO DISTRICT
Transfer from Blackbird Caye to the Belize Municipal Airport and board your short flight to Punta Gorda, Belize's southern most town located on the Caribbean Coast. In Punta Gorda, receive a warm welcome and introduction to one of the centers of Maya culture, the undiscovered Toledo District. Drive 30 minutes inland to The Lodge at Big Falls, your home for the next four nights, which is situated on a meander of the Rio Grande. Arriving in time for a refreshing swim in the pool, enjoy a drink and brief orientation of the lodge before dinner is served in the softly lit thatched-roof restaurant. Overnight at The Lodge at Big Falls or similar. [BD]

The ancient Maya world comes to life as you explore the ruins, temples and plazas.

DAY 6 :  MAYA RUINS AND CULTURE
Investigate the Lubaantun Maya ruins with the warden, Santiago Coc, who has more than 20 years experience at the site and has been involved in numerous excavations. Mr. Coc enjoys bringing the ancient temples, plazas and ball courts to life and relaying the story of the 1926 discovery of the Crystal Skull. Savor a picnic lunch in Rio Blanco National Park and a swim beneath the waterfall before exploring the natural history of the riverside with a local Maya guide. Visit the home of Florencio Mes, a Maya harp player who not only makes his own instruments from tropical cedar wood but has represented Belize at music festivals throughout the world. Overnight at The Lodge at Big Falls or similar. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  EXPLORE THE BLUE CREEK CAVE SYSTEM
Grab your hiking shoes and bathing suit for an exploratory day investigating the Blue Creek Cave system. Swim upstream into the cave to a point where the river emerges as a waterfall from the cavern wall. Check out the interesting formations as you hike through a dry cave. Feeling really energetic? Climb 1,375 feet up the valley side to a peak and be rewarded with magnificent views over the rainforest to the sea. Another option includes learning about medicinal plants found in the rainforest and the cave system and a visit to your Mayan guides home. With the aid of your guide choose among the variety of activities in the Blue Creek area. Level of fitness, desire for adventure and season of the year influences the day's activities. At the end of the day return to the lodge to relax in a hammock, take a dip in the pool or play a game of ping pong. Overnight at The Lodge at Big Falls or similar. [BLD]

	Swimming into Blue Creek Cave for a full day of adventure.

DAY 8 :  KAYAKING AND CACAO
Hop in a kayak and travel downstream on the Rio Grande from San Miguel village. Watch for iguanas falling into the river from the overhanging branches and kingfishers, herons, cormorants, sungrebes and other riparian bird species. Keep on the lookout for river otters and turtles before paddling back to the lodge for lunch. Relax on the lodge grounds before driving to San Felipe, a Kek'chi Maya village, to meet Juan Cho who manages his own organic cacao plantation. Learn about Juan's organic farming methods, drying and fermenting techniques and how his beans are used to produce the signature Mayan Gold chocolate bars, the first Fairtrade product. Conclude this experience sipping a cocoa drink with Juan's family in his home. See another side of Belize as you experience the Garifuna (Afro-Indian) culture with a special dinner in Punta Gorda. Feast on typical East Indian dishes while being entertained by a group of Garifuna drummers. Overnight at The Lodge at Big Falls or similar. [BLD] Note: There must be a minimum of 6 travelers to confirm the Garifuna drummers.

DAY 9 :  DEPART FOR HOME
Linger over breakfast, before your flight transfer from Punta Gorda back to the Belize International Airport. Board your international flight home with wonderful memories of relaxing beach time, invigorating adventures and fascinating cultural experiences. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Grettel Calderon 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453