Transfer and Other Options:

Itinerary:

Day 1 Saturday: You will be met at the International Airport in Belize at 4:00 p.m. (times may vary depending on guests’ flight plans) by our representative for your transfer to the lodge (2 hrs). You cross various types of terrain, from the flat marshlands of the Belize City peninsula to the Pine Savannah of the Belize River valley. As you begin climbing the Maya Mountain foothills, you will notice a change in vegetation to the more dense tropical rainforests. You will arrive at the lodge where you can relax, enjoy the scenery and get settled in before dinner with your hosts. Your accommodations are thatched-roof Mayan styled cabanas which are spacious, cool and comfortable. Each room has its own deck, private bath, and Queen Size beds. (Visit the Belize Zoo on day of arrival or departure, depending on your schedule). Dinner with your hosts and overnight.
 
Day 2 Sunday: After breakfast, you will receive an orientation to the tour and your horse. Your first ride will take you to the Big Rock Waterfalls in Mountain Pine Ridge. A picnic lunch and swimming are on the agenda for the next couple of hours. Enjoy riding through vibrantly rich tropical forests. Some areas of the trail are better suited for walking, and others are perfect for an exhilarating canter through the woods. Return to the lodge via a different route for refreshments prior to dinner.

Day 3 Monday: The destination will be a full day horseback ride or half day by vehicle to the Cave known as Nohoch Sayab at Barton Creek. This spectacular river cave combines underground streams into a confluence, then sends them out as one river. The untouched colorful limestone formations are preserved and easily observed as you float by them at least a mile into the cave. The water is pure and clean and you will enjoy this refreshing way to experience caving. Equally interesting is the actual trip to the cave. You will travel through the Barton Creek Mennonite community and observe their primitive methods of farming. You may pass by the children as they make their way to school or watch a farmer plowing his field with a horse-drawn plow. In order to respect the wishes of the Mennonites we ask that you refrain from taking their pictures. Afterwards return to the lodge for refreshments and dinner in the evening.

Day 4 Tuesday: Half day horseback ride then vehicle tour to the Mayan City of Cahal Pech and shopping in San Ignacio. Your ride today will take you to the captivating Vega, a secluded river valley. Explore the shady creeks and see a lovely waterfall. Enjoy inspiring vistas of the sunken valley from the top of an unexcavated Mayan ruin. This is a superb bird watching location. Waiting for you upon your return to the cantina will be a delicious lunch. After lunch, change into your shorts for a vehicle tour to visit the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and Cahal Peck, both presently under restoration. Shopping in San Ignacio or Melchor, Guatemala is available. If you wish you may visit the Rainforest Medicinal Trail at the Ix Chel Tropical Research Center. The entrance fee, which is not included in the tour price, is $5 US. (Note: It is not possible to do all of the above in one day, and guests may decide as a group what they wish to do this day.) Return via San Antonio, Cayo and enjoy a tour through the Garcia Sisters museum where you will see present day Mayan's doing the slate carvings of their ancestors. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5 Wednesday: Full day horseback ride. Today you will ride along "Palm Lane, where you have an excellent chance of sighting the iridescent Blue Morpho butterfly. You can choose between swimming at the beautiful Vaquero's Falls, or exploring Mai Cave. You will find the caves full of beauty and wonder as you explore various rooms full of limestone formations. The ride will take you through several different habitats and ecosystems within the tropical rainforest and pine forest and offers ample opportunities for trots and canters. You will see orchids, butterflies, tropical birds, and sometimes, wild animals. All along the way are incredible sights, sounds, and fragrances.

Day 6 Thursday: Today the six-day itinerary ends with a stop at the Belize Zoo before departing at the airport.

The 8-day itinerary continues on with an early, 6:00 a.m., departure for a full day vehicle tour to Tikal, driving time about two hours. Tikal is unquestionably important in the Maya World because of extensive renovations and significant contributions to knowledge of the Mayan people since it was discovered in 1848. Tikal also offers the ultimate experience for the lover of bird watching and wildlife sightings. The endangered Ocellated Turkey is practically tame, strutting around the grounds as if he owns the place. You might see Howler Monkeys or Spider Monkeys but you will definitely see and hear parrots and numerous other exotic birds. Lunch is served on the grounds and you will leave Tikal around 4:00 PM and arrive back at the mountain lodge in time for Dinner.

Day 7 Friday: half day ride to the Mayan ruins of Pacbitun, eat lunch atop an ancient Mayan lookout with view of the upper Belkize river valley and the Mayan cities of Cahal Peck and Xunantunich. Then proceed to a Mayan burial cave and return around 2 p.m. for rest and relaxation or actives of your choosing. Enjoy the sounds of this magic tropical paradise. If you haven't done so by now, go on a Night Walk and see another world going on in darkness. Relax under the stars and exchange stories with our other guests. You will meet the most interesting people while traveling in Belize so take advantage of an easy opportunity to make new friends from far away places.

Day 8 Saturday: After breakfast, say goodbye to the staff and transfer by vehicle to Belize City. Visit the Belize Zoo along the way if you were unable to so on the way up. The Zoo is unique in its presentation and environmental message so don't miss it! We will transfer you to your predetermined departure point at the appropriate time. 

--Subject to change--.

Subtropical with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. High annual temperatures and humidity. Dry and hot climate from January to April, with rainy season from June.

Temperatures in Belize range from 50°F to 95°F with an annual mean of 79°F. November to January are traditionally the coolest months with a 75°F average and May to September are the warmest at about a 81°F average. The overall climate of Belize can be described as sub-tropical. The humidity while high, is seldom oppressive for long and is most noticeable along the coast.

The number of rainy days varies considerable from place to place. Many of these rainy days are insignificant though, with early morning showers (called "night rain" by the locals" blossoming beautiful rainbows. These "night rains" are caused by cool air moving down from the mountains which cools the air along the cost causing a light rain.

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.

For any explorations on foot, we recommend tennis shoes or hiking boots with a good tread.

Casual dress is the order of the day and evening, with shorts acceptable everywhere, and you may need a light jacket during the months of June-August, and November-March, preferably waterproof.

Do not forget to bring swimming gear for the rivers and beaches.

Beware of the sun! Use a UV factor 15 or better sun block and a cap or hat and sunglasses

We also recommend that you bring along insect repellent. Please use care when using the repellent. It is best to spray repellent on while outside. Please do not take food into your room. Bring a flashlight and additional batteries (there’s no electricity).

• We provide fresh/pure water for our guests. No need to take water filters/purifiers.
• We can provide saddle bags.
• No charge to store passport, extra money in our safe.
• We can put a few small items in our refrigerator for you. (food bars, snacks) no charge.

During your Mayan Jungle Ride you will spend nights at the headquarters of the Mountain Lodge. The Spanish style stucco cabanas with thatched roofs are spacious, cool and comfortable, with private baths and hot and cold water. With Mayan decor, kerosene lighting, a hammock, and deck for every room, the atmosphere is relaxing. There is no electricity in the rooms but they will gladly recharge batteries for you. The Cantina is the focal point and acts as bar, restaurant, and leisure area.

The mountain lodge is a small lodge built within moist tropical broadleaf forest at the base of the immense and largely pristine Mountain Pine Ridge escarpment. It offers an appealing combination of thatched roof cottages at the main lodge, or safari style tents set carefully under rainforest canopy along the side of a mountain. Each room has its own deck, private bath, and Queen Size beds.

Cabanas - The cabanas are made of stucco & hardwoods, native-style thatched roof. Each room offers Maya woven tapestries, hammocks, and private baths, hot water, and a deck with table and chairs for every room. There is no electricity, and lighting is provided with kerosene lamps. Mosquito nets, though rarely needed, are provided, so you can leave your windows open and enjoy the cool evening breezes. A shower in each Cabana.

Cantina
The Cantina is the center of action, being a general meeting area, bar, and restaurant. We serve delicious home-style cooking with local entrees, fish, barbeque, pizza, tacos, rice & beans, homemade tortillas, breads, cakes and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, many of which are grown right in the area.

Amenities
Gift shop, Horseback riding, Nature trails, Safari-style camping, knowledgeable tour guides, caving, bird watching, butterfly-watching, wildlife sightings. No electricity in rooms, but electricity available for charging batteries. Within walking distance are caves, Maya ruins, swimming, and rainforests. Lush landscaping with tropical flowers and fruit trees. Night walks, babysitting, unguided hiking with map. Day or overnight trips to Maya ruins including Tikal in Guatemala.

Tack:		Western Wintec
Horses:		Spanish quarterhorse local breed mix
Pace:		5 - 6 hours some canters ! | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 out of 5)    Low Intermediate+
Weight:		Max 200
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 12 riders

A pre-ride orientation will give the rider important information concerning our particular trails and horses. We take care to match the rider (by obtaining height, weight, and riding ability) with the most suitable horse and tack. Rain gear, water bottles, camera bags, and gourmet picnic lunches are provided.

During planning, 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. It is important that riders wear riding boots, hiking boots, or tennis shoes (with socks), and long (preferably single-seamed) trousers or jodhpurs. Our half day and full day rides include breaks for swimming, caving, and picnic lunches.

Riders MUST be comfortable at a walk, trot and canter. Due to the distance traveled each day, there will be trots and canters to complete the routes. The group will determine if there will be gallops or if the overall pace will be slower. 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. It is important that riders are capable of strenuous uphill hikes in order to reach the waterfall and caves.

Horses and Tack

A mixture of quarter horse and regional stock, the horses are owned and maintained 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.

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.