Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample Itinerary Mayan Jungle Ride without Caracol excursion:

Day 6 Thursday: After breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and return to Belize City or the Belize International Airport.

--Subject to changes--

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Sample Itinerary Mayan Jungle Ride with the Caracol excursion:

Day 1 Saturday: You will be met outside Belize Customs and Immigration at International Airport by a driver holding a sign with your name and our logo on it.  Times may vary depending on flight plans.  Stop at the Belize Zoo on day of arrival or departure, depending on your schedule. You will arrive at the accommodations after your long day’s journey, relax and decompress to the sounds, smells, and views of our jungle valley before having a lamp-lit dinner with your hosts and retiring to your cabana for the night.

Day 2 Sunday: After breakfast, you will receive an introduction to your horse and orientation for a full day of riding to the Big Rock Falls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The trail winds through varied ecosystems and terrain while your guide points out features and explains traditional uses of rainforest plants. Enjoy a gourmet lunch and swimming at the beautiful waterfalls, relax awhile and then mount the horses for a rejuvenating ride home.  Those going by vehicle can relax awhile longer on the grounds before driving to Barton Creek.  Return to your Cabana to freshen up for dinner and lively conversation with your hosts and other guests.

Day 3 Monday: Another full day of horseback riding to Nohoch Sayab River cave at Barton Creek. The trail meanders through a village of Siete Millas, or El Progresso, where refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador are living. The trail then passes through a Mennonite community where you can observe ancient farming practices such as horse-drawn buggies, plows, and mills. As you make your way down the steep narrow road to the valley floor, you will be astounded by the size of fruit trees and tropical flora in the fertile Barton Creek valley. Arriving at Barton Creek Outpost, you will step into a canoe, and paddle upstream from the opening in the shade of a huge vine covered limestone cliff, then suddenly disappear, paddling deep into the sparking stalactite formation river cave. When you return to the mouth of the cave, enjoy a swim and a delicious lunch before returning to your accommodations.

Day 4 Tuesday: This day begins with a in a beautiful half-day horseback ride followed by lunch in the Cantina and then a vehicle tour to visit the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech and do some shopping in San Ignacio. The destination for the half-day ride is a secluded hidden valley where you will ride along a winding creek and enjoy the exotic tropical vegetation and excellent opportunities for sighting colorful rainforest birds and iridescent butterflies. After lunch back at the Cantina, board the vehicle for a drive into San Ignacio to tour the fascinating ruins of Cahal Pech. There are opportunities for shopping and experiencing the ambience of the lovely town of San Ignacio at the confluence of the Mopan and Macal Rivers where they merge into the Belize River. You will return to your accommodations for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Day 5 Wednesday: A full day of horseback riding, exploring Swallow Cave, lunch and a swim at Butterfly Falls. This ride features exploration of an ancient Mayan cave. Beside the interesting formations, you will see evidence of the Mayan culture in pottery remnants and potsherds. After the cave, refresh yourself with a cool dip in the crystal clear waters of Butterfly Falls and feast on yet a different gourmet lunch. Continue the adventure on the return trip keeping an eye out for a possible wild-life sighting. Dinner and overnight at your accommodations.

Day 6 Thursday: Rise a little earlier for a 7:30 AM departure for the magnificent ruins of Caracol in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve.  At Caracol, a knowledgeable guide will lead as you explore the site. The ruins are located in a rich jungle setting, teeming with wildlife. Come prepared for hiking and climbing the tallest building in Belize, Ca’ana. Parrots and  monkeys are seen regularly. Depart after lunch and stop along the way in the refreshing Macal River or Rio On. Return to your cabana in time for dinner and conversation.

Day 7 Friday: Half-Day ride or guided hike to the Mayan ruins of Pacbitun, eat lunch atop an ancient Mayan lookout with a view of the upper Belize River valley and the Mayan cities of Cahal Pech and Xunantunich. Riders proceed to a Mayan burial cave and return at 2:00 PM for rest and relaxation or activities of your choice.

Day 8 Saturday: After breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and return to Belize City stopping at Orange Gift Shop and the Belize Zoo as time allows. The time of departure from the accommodations will be determined according to the flight plans and needs of the entire group.

--Subject to change--

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.

Accommodations
This is a centre-based ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
Run in the family for 5 generations and still going strong, we offer a beautiful mixture of expertise guiding and hospitality. We have six deluxe rooms and four bunk rooms. Our thatched roof cabanas are constructed from local hardwoods and adobe stucco made by expert indigenous craftsman in the native style. Each room is decorated with Maya woven tapestries, locally made table & chairs, has a private bath with hot water and a deck overlooking the picturesque valley. There is no electricity in the rooms; kerosene lanterns provide lighting and an exotic ambiance. Mosquito nets are provided, though rarely needed, so you can leave your windows open and enjoy the cool evening breezes.

Room Options
-2 rooms have one queen
-2 rooms have two queens
-2 rooms are family rooms with two queens and a bunk set
-4 bunk rooms

Room Occupancy
Triple and quad occupancy possible.
If you attend as a single rider willing to share but we are unable to find another rider to share, the single supplement fee applies.

Laundry is available for $15 per load for wash and dry.

The Cantina is the center of the action. Electricity is available to charge your phones, cameras, computers or anything else you want to plug in. Limited internet service is available for no charge. This is a place to relax and enjoy the view of the mountains and the valley. 



Meals
The Cantina is also a general meeting area, bar and restaurant. We serve delicious home style cooking with local entrees; fish, barbeque, pizza, tacos, rice and beans, homemade tortillas, breads, cakes and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables many of which are grown right in the area.  Breakfast and dinner is eaten in the Cantina while lunches are a mixture of packed picnics to be enjoyed on the trail or eaten at the Cantina. Alcohol is not included with meals, but can be purchased at the Cantina.

Dietary Restrictions
We can accommodate most dietary restrictions if notified prior to arrival.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western Wintec
Horses:		Spanish quarterhorse local breed mix
Pace:		5 - 6 hours some canters ! | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 3 out of 5)    Low Intermediate+
Weight:		Max 200
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 12 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 25

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.