Jungle Explorer

Introduction
Interior Belize
Nestled in a quiet jungle setting, in the midst of colourful singing birds and tropical wildlife, this jungle resort ranch features delightful accommodations that blend with the lush landscape and local culture. Situated on the Mighty Belize River and central to all of Belize, this ranch is a place where the horses roam free and huge iguanas laze in the branches.

The lands here are surrounded by evidence of both the ancient Maya and a historic logging tradition. You will find a variety of activities - daily horseback riding, a float trip on the mighty Belize River or visiting tours to the nearby Mayan sites. Home to the finest Equestrian center in Belize, we will give you something different than the tired tourist horses you will find elsewhere and in a setting perfect for eco-exploration. If you've ridden over mountains, prairies and parkland we know your expectations are high. Can the tropics show you anything you haven't already seen? Every day you will awaken to the shimmering glow of dawn materializing through the tropical haze. Horses grazing beneath the palms trees.  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 tropical breezes, flocks of parrots, saturated sunsets, delicious meals, friendly people, and exotic surroundings will truly sooth your soul and quench your thirst for adventure!

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


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so nights will be spent in the same location.

Description
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 local landscape and culture. You will stay in standard rooms in the main lodge or in cabanas with roofs made from jungle bay leaf thatch and are uniquely designed. Built by local craftsmen with fine Belizean woods, they are, in themselves each works of art. All standard rooms and suites are equipped with A/C for your comfort (we also have some rooms in the cabanas with A/C). The cabanas and chalet rooms are equipped with ceiling fans and / or standing fans. On site you'll enjoy a swimming pool, bird sanctuary, and 14" Meade telescope for star gazing at night. Wireless is available at the front desk/reception area of the lodge and in the Chateau Brio building. Laundry is also available.


Standard Rooms
Beautiful stained glass windows and solarium bathrooms make theses all delightful places to stay. The unique use of sea shells in a bathroom mirror, Carolyn Carr art, artistic tiling, local arts and crafts, honor the Belize culture and beauty in these designer rooms. Rooms are air-conditioned and have a reading desk, comfortable easy chair, as well as a queen bed, and most of them have a single bed as well. Four of our standard rooms are in the lodge which has a communal sitting area, adjacent to a patio that overlooks the river. The other two standard rooms are in our Chateau Brio. The building features curved stairs with beautiful banisters and amazing masonry around all the windows. On the second floor there is a large patio where evening conversation can be enjoyed. Inside the rooms you can relish the view of the beautiful landscaping and pool through arched, stained glass windows.


Cabanas
With roofs made from jungle bay leaf thatching are uniquely designed. Crafted by the Banana Bank 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 room with a queen size 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.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory if you are traveling as a single rider.
Triple occupancy is possible.



Meals
All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day are included.

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 cook up some of the best local cuisine found in Belize.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding
Your Belize horseback riding vacation will be unlike any other vacation you have had before. We offer the best horseback riding in Belize with miles of jungle trails combined with years of experience, on the 4000-acre property. Allow us to show you the thrill of riding through the tropical broad leaf forest as we point out birds, wildlife, trees and medicinal plants. Learn about the culture and the beauty of Belize.

Pace
Rides can vary from 2-hour rides to 4-5 hours in the saddle. For the all-day rides we offer two options. You can either go out to ride in the morning – come back to the lodge for lunch – and then continue the ride in the afternoon, or, you can carry a picnic lunch with you and go a further distance riding. With so many trails and activities, it is all up to you!



Horses
About a hundred horses of thoroughbred mixed with quarter horse breeds are found at our farm. Years of careful hands on training from when they are foals, provide trustworthy but agile mounts that will easily carry you through the jungle trails. We train our horses as per horse whispering concepts and methods. We are experts at matching horses and riders.

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

Staff
Our cowboys are eager to meet you and take you on memorable rides throughout the many trails. Cesar, Sherman, John and Chico will show you the joy of riding through the jungle. All our cowboys not only conduct the rides, but they train as per horse whispering methods and John Carr horsemanship practices, all our born and bred horses.
 

Itinerary


4 day/3 night Sample Itinerary - subject to changes
 
Day 1: Arrival
You'll be met at the Airport for your transfer to our lodge. After check-in, you can tour the grounds and get acquainted with our own local wildlife. Soon dinner will be served family style, providing perfect time and setting to meet your hosts and the other guests.
Meal included: Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 2: Choose between Crystal Cave Tubing, Zip-lining & half-fay Crystal Cave Tubing, Actun Tunichil Mucknal, or Barton Creek
- Crystal Cave Tour: Tubing along underground waterways, cave walls glistening, showing off their stalactites, stalagmites crystal formations. The Mayans used these caves a thousand years ago and fascinating artifacts remain. You will be in awe at the very immensity of the cave itself. Full Day tour (4 to 5 hours in cave)
- Zip-lining & half-day crystal cave tour: Aerial Trek Canopy Tour offers the adventurous spirit an exhilarating opportunity to soar through the jungle,  high above the broadleaf forest floor. The canopy tour involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 80 feet above the ground. Then head on over to the crystal caves to tube under gleaming stalactites and stalagmites. This is a fun-packed day and great way to experience the jungle and caves if your time is short on the mainland.
- Actun Tunichil Mucknal: The cave of the Stone Sepulchre, displays some of the most spectacular limestone solution dripstone formations. We will walk for 45 minutes through the jungle before reaching the cave. At the entrance of the cave there’s a short swim. (life jackets are available).
- Barton Creek: The trip starts with a drive through the picturesque Mennonite farm community to the Caves. Board a canoe and your guide will row you deep inside Barton -Creek Cave. Sit back, relax and direct your candle lamp at the amazing formations inside the huge cave believed by the Maya to be the Underworld. Great Swimming spot. Lunch and then on to Green Hills Butterfly Ranch 
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 3: Jungle Horseback & Blue Hole Combo
Today, you will experience the inland Blue Hole National Park. Optional 1 – 2 hour ride in the morning. A picnic lunch is optional. Spend the afternoon swimming at the pristine Inland Blue Hole.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 4: Departure (optional stop at Belize Zoo- entry fee not included)
In case you didn't get enough riding in, you may choose to do a short ride (we hate to say goodbye). On your way to the airport, if there is time, you can stop for a tour of the Belize Zoo: see Kinkajous, Monkeys, Ocelots, Peccary, Tapirs, Birds including the Jabiru Stork, and many other exotic native animals of Belize. (Cost for half day - $50.00 pp).
Meal included: Breakfast



3 day/2 night Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Non riders are welcome on this trip.

Day 1: Arrival
You'll be met at the Airport for your transfer to our lodge. After check-in, you can tour the grounds and get acquainted with our own local wildlife. Soon dinner will be served family style, providing perfect time and setting to meet your hosts and the other guests.
Meal included: Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 2: Xunantunich, Horseback Riding, Zip-lining, or Cave Tubing
You can make any of these activities full day, or combine two half-day versions.
- Xunantunich: The day starts with a visit to Xunantunich. This unique site is quite impressive! Following is a wonderful lunch and shopping or you may wish to visit the Butterfly Farm or Spanish Lookout.
- Horseback ride: Horseback Ride through the 4000 acres of Banana Bank.  We are experts at matching horses & rider. Trails suitable for all levels of riders. Your day can be divided into a morning ride and afternoon ride with coming back to the lodge for lunch, or you can take your lunch with you picnic-style and enjoy all day out on the longer trails (4-5 hours total).
- Zip-lining: Aerial Trek Canopy Tour offers the adventurous spirit an exhilarating opportunity to soar through the jungle, high above the broadleaf forest floor. The canopy tour involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 80 feet above the ground.
-Cave tubing: Tubing along underground waterways, cave walls glistening, showing off their stalactites, stalagmites crystal formations. The Mayans used these caves a thousand years ago and fascinating artifacts remain. You will be in awe at the very immensity of the cave itself.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Lodge

Day 3: Departure (optional stop at Belize Zoo- entry fee not included)
In case you didn't get enough riding in, you may choose to do a short ride (we hate to say goodbye). On your way to the airport, if there is time, you can stop for a tour of the Belize Zoo: see Kinkajous, Monkeys, Ocelots, Peccary, Tapirs, Birds including the Jabiru Stork, and many other exotic native animals of Belize. (Cost for half day - $50.00 pp).
Meal included: Breakfast

Please note that these are sample itineraries and you can ride as often or little as you'd like.

Rates and Dates for Jungle Explorer

Dates Note: Daily departures available

Other Info
Meeting: Belize City
Airport: Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE)
Transfer: Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) or Belize City Municipal Airport (TZA)

Climate:
                                                Belize City area