The Caribbean’s best kept secret, Belize has it all—sun drenched beaches, cayes, jungles, mountains, Mayan ruins and really friendly people. This trip explores many interesting facets of Belize, including snorkeling in crystal clear waters, enjoying the unique Garifuna culture, visiting modern day Mayan villages, and experiencing some of the best wildlife areas left in the New World, including a Jaguar preserve and a place to see Scarlet Macaws in the wild. In addition to hiking and snorkeling, you’ll paddle into the Mayan underworld, known as Xibalba, and learn about this fascinating culture that has been extinct for 1,100 year—or has it? You’ll also travel to Guatemala and experience Tikal, the largest Mayan ruin. Set in an undisturbed jungle park in Guatemala’s Peten Province, Tikal will certainly impress you—you will understand why it is referred to as the New York City of the Mayan empire.

Sample Itinerary

Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.

Day 1 - Arrive Belize City by 3pm, meet your trip mates, and ride to San Ignacio and a great little jungle lodge right by the river. San Ignacio is a beautiful town with great shopping and friendly people. Relax with a banquet by the river.

Day 2 - Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and lots of good coffee, then ride to part of the Chiquibul cave system where you will canoe into the Mayan underworld known as Xibalba (shebulba). This cave is HUGE, and contains sacrificial remains, as well as spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. You will see the footholds carved by the Mayans over 1,500 years ago. Enjoy lunch, then drive over the border into Guatemala, and experience an immediate change in culture from English-speaking Belize to Spanish-speaking Guatemala. Stay at a beautiful lodge near Lake Itza in the town of Remate. Enjoy dinner at this fabulous eco-lodge.

Day 3 – Rise early and make the dawn trek to Tikal. The scope and scale of Tikal will impress you; it has over 17,000 stone buildings, most of them unexcavated. Our guide has a wealth of knowledge about Tikal and the Mayans—he literally helps you hear the roar of the crowd as the Mayan king comes out for the ball game. From the famous scene from Temple V in “Star Wars” to the growl of the Howler Monkeys, Tikal offers an experience like no other. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a nice dinner on the shore of Lake Itza, and contemplate the meaning of Tikal and the Mayan civilization. What really did happen to the Mayans?

Day 4 – Leave Guatemala and drive to the lovely village of Hopkins, Belize. On the way, we will stop for barbeque chicken and “Bib’s”, and a short hike around Guanacaste National Park. If it’s hot we’ll take a swim in “Roaring Creek” before we proceed down the beautiful “Hummingbird Highway” and through the Mayan Mountains on our way to Hopkins. Settle in to our beach house on the shore of the Caribbean in Hopkins, and prepare for a night of Garifuna culture on the beach—drumming, great seafood, and very friendly people.

Day 5 -- Rise early and go to the Mayan village of Red Bank to see Scarlet Macaws. This is one of the last wild places these majestic parrots live in the wild. The adventuresome can hike up into the mountains for a look. Others will tour the scenic village of Red Bank, a friendly place where modern day Maya live. Everyone will enjoy a picnic feast by the river before heading back to chill out on the beach in Hopkins.

Day 6 – Enjoy a morning visit to the famed Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve for a guided tour of the jungle. Run by the Belize Audubon Society, the Cockscomb Basin is one of the last refuges for the Jaguar, as well as many other species of birds and animals. After hiking to a scenic vista, everyone can enjoy a swim in a crystal clear pool at the base of a waterfall. Enjoy great shopping at a Maya crafts center, then an afternoon paddle on Sittee River—a bonfire on the beach caps off a perfect day.

Day 7 – Sail the Caribbean in a catamaran and enjoy some of the finest snorkeling on the planet in South Water Caye Marine Reserve. The barrier reef of Belize is pristine and huge. You will need lots of sunscreen for this day as you explore the fascinating and colorful world of the reef. Enjoy lunch on a small mangrove island, snorkel in the afternoon, and then return to the Sittee River. That night we will enjoy our farewell banquet. You will be amazed at how fast a week can go by, and how many wonderful memories you will have.

Day 8 – Enjoy a tropical breakfast and then drive to Belize City for flight home. Best to schedule flights after 11 AM. Say good-bye to the wonderful country of Belize!

Travel, Terrain, Etc...

TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: This trip is a hikers' dream, with a variety of levels of challenge. Trails are rustic in most places, and they can be narrow and rocky and sometimes require fording a stream. Good hiking footwear is essential. You will also snorkel and paddle.

TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: Travel is primarily in a mini bus, by canoe and catamaran, and by foot.

BORDER AND CUSTOMS ISSUES: You will need a passport to enter Belize, and they require that it be valid for another 6-months after your visit ends. This trip does cross into Guatemala, and you will need your passport there as well. No visas are required.

WEATHER: Temperatures between January and March can range from 60 F at night to 95 F during the day at the coast and from 50 F at night to 85 F during the day in the mountains. Rainfall can vary, and you should expect some rain during portions of several days.

LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: Throughout the trip we will be staying in small local hotels, B & B's, and lodges. Our hotel accommodations will be simple yet comfortable. Belize hotels and other public facilities typically make very few accommodations for people with disabilities. As always, WI staff will assist participants who require additional help in every way possible. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness.

MEALS: Kick back and relax while all meals are made for you. You'll indulge in typical Belize fair, including fresh fish, chicken, and lots of fruit. The water in Belize is almost always safe to drink right out of the tap. When it is questionable bottled water is readily available.

GROUP SIZE: The group size ranges from 8 to 12 participants, plus 2 Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities.

CAMP CHORES: There are few to no camp chores on this trip. We stay in hotels and lodges and take our meals at restaurants and local eateries.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a water bottle. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear that can usually be arranged.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: This trip does involve hiking, but no previous experience is necessary to complete this trip. If you use a wheelchair and are interested in going please call to discuss the trip with us. Some of these areas are not very accessible for chair users but accommodations can be made. We would love to have you join us!

Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.

[ Dates & Fees ]      

Formerly British Honduras, Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America. It is an interesting mix of cultures, predominantly Mayan and Garifuna. In the 1700 and 1800's, ships carrying slaves from Africa wrecked on the reefs off Belize. The survivors came to shore and met the Carib Indians, and formed what we now call Garifuna culture. It is fascinating, and very friendly. You will enjoy the drumming!

Often referred to as Mother Nature’s best kept secret, Belize has not been developed to the same extent as some other popular destinations in the region. The landscape encompasses coastal mangrove forests, lush tropical rain forests, offshore cays and the MesoAmerican Reef—the second largest coral reef system in the world. The unspoiled rain forests and savannas of Belize are well known homes to jaguars and other large cats, spider and howler monkeys, tapirs, peccaries and nearly 350 species of birds, many of which migrate between Belize and the United States. To complement the botanically rich world of these rain forests, Belize’s bountiful coastal waters stretch along the coast for over 185 miles, harboring manatee, dolphin, whale sharks, hawksbill turtles, crocodiles, iguanas, shorebirds and diverse fish populations.

Belize’s tropical rainforest covers 93% of the country and is home to more than 4000 species of native flowering plants, including 250 species of orchids and 700 trees. Some parts of this subtropical climate receive over 190 inches of rainfall per year sustaining its intense levels of biodiversity. The marine areas are breeding grounds for declining commercially important fish species, including grouper and snapper, conch and lobster, and sport fish species including permit, bonefish and tarpon. Commercial and subsistence fisheries and marine ecotourism depend on these waters, and the region is critical to maintaining the marine productivity of southern Belize and neighboring countries to the north and south.

Country Facts

Capital: Belmopan
Population: 249,183
Language: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Total Area: 8,865 sq. mi.
Coastline: 240 mi.
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)
Terrain: Flat, forested, wet coastal plain; low mountains in south
Environmental Issues: Deforestation; water pollution from sewage, agricultural runoff; solid waste disposal
Major Industries: Tourism, agriculture (citrus, banana, shrimp, sugar), food processing, construction

 

For more information, visit these links:

Learn more about the village you will stay at on the beach

Belize ecology

Learn more about Tikal

See the reefs of Belize

[ Dates & Fees ]

2011 Dates		Fee
01/29/2011 - 02/05/2011		$1695
02/05/2011 - 02/12/2011		$1695	Register Now
Transportation Meet your group at Philip S.W.Goldson International airport in Belize City(BZE). To make your travel arrangements for this trip we recommend that you consult with our travel agency, Travel One (800-245-1111). They are very familiar with our trips and can help you make the best flight connections at the best prices. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip.
Meeting Places:		Additional Round-trip Fee:
Belize City		$0 (No charge)