Trailblazer Jungle Ride

Introduction
Interior Belize

Situated on the Mighty Belize River and central to all of Belize, this ranch is a place where 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 resort features delightful accommodations that blend with the local landscape. Home to the finest Equestrian Center in Belize, we will give you something different. If you've ridden over mountains, prairies and parklands we know your expectations are high. Can the tropics show you anything you haven't already seen? You awaken to the shimmering glow of dawn materializing through the tropical haze. Horses are roaming freely and grazing in green pastures surrounded by 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 itinerary to participating in structured 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. 

You will have the opportunity to participate in a hands on experience with the horses. In the arena and round pen, communication between horse and rider begins to meld. These concepts of natural horsemanship, as presented by John Lyons and Pat Parelli, two of the most popular horse clinicians in the United States, are the basis for horsemanship at our ranch. Key words are communication, trust and discipline. Of course you may just opt for just some exciting trail riding instead.

A variety of activities can include barrel racing, gymkhana events, and overnight rides.  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!

Accomodation

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 put on some of the best cuisine found in Belize.

The Lodge
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 landscape. You will stay in Cabanas with roofs made from jungle bay leaf thatch are uniquely designed. Crafted by local 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 with queen 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.

Club House - The pool was designed by Carolyn Carr with the idea of giving a person a sense of oneness with a natural setting, a truly relaxing environment that has a sense of nature or nurturing, something like being enveloped in a peaceful lagoon.  We have one such place here in Belize to use as a model, the Inland Blue Hole. The shape and color were the inspiration for the pool. The shape of the pool is also in respect to the divine porportion. There is a relationship that can be proven with numbers that gives rise to a series of shapes and dynamics that appear throughout nature and which can be directly translated into rules of proportion to be used by designers. This principle of harmony has been acknowledged as a fundamental spiritual truth for centuries and its relationship as relates to our daily lives is seen in the proportion of our very own bodies. It is expressed numerically in an equation that is called Phi. The numbers prove the proportions are in harmony with proportions that are used over and over in our world, in nature, the Parthenon, the Great Pyramids and the chambered nautilus just to name a few.  Roses, hurricanes and the Ark of the Covenant were designed using the Divine Porportion.

**There is a 14" Meade telescope for star gazing at night.

Room Options

Caracol Room - The soft rounded shape of this room with it's creamy rose color, stained glass windows, bamboo ceiling and solarium bathroom make this a delightful place to snuggle in. The unique use of sea shells in a stunning mirror is another feature that lets you know this is a designed room. It has the option of a ceiling fan or air conditioning. The room has a reading desk, a tea kettle for that hot cup of late night tea and a comfortable easy chair. This room has only a queen size bed.

Maya Room- This room is a tribute to the Maya heritage of Belize. There is a Maya fresco in the bath and a solarium tub with stained glass windows. Maya pottery, carvings and paintings decorate the room. There is a ceiling fan or optional air conditioning. A tea kettle is included. This room has a queen size and a single bed.

Creole Room- With dark burgundy lace curtains and bed spreads, the mood is set for the sensual mystery of the creole culture. Authentic accent pieces, a hand hewn paddle, a rice beater, and whisky crock take you back to the logging era. The beautiful hand carved mahogany headboard clearly expresses why so many struggled so hard to harvest this precious wood. The solarium bath with the stained glass windows and delicate curves is a work of art. A tea kettle is included. There is the option of ceiling fan or air conditioning. The room has a queen sized bed and a single bed.

Sunshine Room- The minute you enter this room you know you are in a special place. As the name implies, it is joyous. The large bath is a molded artistic expression of curves and stained glass . Rich fabric and carved furniture complete the feeling that all is right with the world. There is the option of ceiling fan or air conditioning. In this room is a queen sized and a single bed.

Chateau Brio - A 3 story building, houses our newest accommodations. These units will satisfy the guest that prefers to be above the jungle floor, in an environment less organic. Presently there are 3 rooms, more will follow in the next 6 months. Things are always changing and we invite your inquires to help us meet your specific needs.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

While we mostly ride western, we also have two sets of English saddles and tack for your use

We have over 80 horses bred especially for our terain and climate and we train them using natural horsemanship. Their quarter-horse mix blood-lines make them suitable for all levels of trail riding. Our specialty is Jungle Horseback riding.

Itinerary

DAY 1 (Saturday): We will meet you at the Municipal or International Airport and transfer you to the lodge. If you arrive early enough you may choose to take a leisure boat ride on the Belize River where you may see howler monkeys, iguanas and water birds or just stroll around our beautiful grounds where you will see spider monkeys, macaws, toucans and other exotic birds and of course Tikatoo our resident Jaguar. Dinner is served ! (6:30...ish)

DAY 2: After breakfast, you can select and be introduced to the horse you will partner with for the next few days. We have over 30 horses to choose from, for all levels of riding. The morning is spent getting to know your guides and your horse, including a short ride before lunch. An afternoon ride will give you a more ample introduction to the estate’s 4000 acres of jungle, teak plantations, orange groves and farmland, winding up at dusk at the lagoon and bird watching tower. Bring your binoculars to see some of the 210 species of birds!

DAY 3: Today you will explore beyond the state’s borders. The Maya Trail takes you through the jungles to the local village named Valley of Peace, a community created by the UN for refugees from El Salvador and Guatemala in the 80’s. You will have lunch in the village and then continue to Tom’s Place. Here you will leave your horse for the night and return tomorrow to continue on to Cara Blanca. Return to your comfortable accommodations or stay for an optional overnight jungle camping experience.

DAY 4: A nice relaxing ride takes us to Cara Blanca with its 22 pools and lakes, (bring your swimsuit!) hills and caves. Archaeological finds indicate that this was a sacred area for the Mayans as the caves and pools were considered portals to Xibalba – the Underworld. You will explore the area on horseback and have the opportunity to swim below the waterfalls. Then in the afternoon you will head back to the ranch.

DAY 5: Today you may choose from several non riding activities. You may go on any of our cave tours (there are 4 options), zip-line, river tubing or kayaking, visit the Belize Zoo, Caracol or Xunantunich Maya Site. (Upgrade to Tikal available). If you prefer – you can of course have more local horseback riding.

DAY 6: Today is and endurance ride. We take you down the Tiger Creek Trail, across the Belize River towards the Roaring River Trail. This ride goes through the jungle and past a cave before you end up at a swimming spot. Refresh with lunch and a swim, before heading on towards Belmopan – the smallest capital in the world. You will then travel back to the lodge right before dinner.

DAY 7: Today your adventure will take you to mountain & rainforest terrain at the inland Blue Hole National Park area horseback. Ride in the morning then enjoy a picnic lunch. Spend the afternoon swimming and exploring the pristine inland Blue Hole.

DAY 8: This is your departure day. If you were not able to do your boat ride on your arrival day and time permits, this is a perfect opportunity. After your goodbyes we transfer you to your airport (International or Municipal).

Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Trailblazer Jungle Ride

Dates Note: Available every week from Saturday to Saturday.

Other Info
Meeting: Belize City
Airport: Belize City
Transfer: Belize City

Climate:

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 mean annual humidity is 83%, but many days the humidity is masked by the cooling sea breezes. The Belize coastal area is exposed to southeast tradewinds averaging 10-13 knots and attain an uncanny consistency during the month of July.

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. Location is a big factor for temperature as Cayo to the west can be several degrees colder then along the coast and during November at night, temperatures can fall to a beautiful 46°F in Cayo. In the mountains, the coldest days and nights might seem relatively very cold and blankets will definitely be needed at night. However, the mean annual temperatures on in the mountains is a perfectly comfortable 72°F.