Jungle and Reef Adventure

Please Note: This Day to Day itinerary can be changed slightly depending on the time of year you visit. Additional activities can be added upon request. We want to ensure that your vacation meets all your expectations. Changes or additional activities may affect package pricing.

Day 1:Arrive in Belize

You are personally greeted at the Belize International Airport by a representative of Adventures in Belize. Your representative will direct you to the van used to transport you to Caves Branch Lodge. Transfer time is approximately 1.5 hours. A stop at the zoo can be arranged if time permits (zoo entrance fees are not included) Arrive at the lodge, and check in at the front desk. You are then shown to your accommodations. Buffet Dinner at the lodge that evening. At this time, you will meet the guide manager who will assist you with your tour organizing and go over the adventures in more detail.

Day 2:Full Day Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins Tour

Sip on a hot cup of coffee or tea and enjoy being in a different place, after breakfast you will take off to Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. Xunantunich, also known as the “Maiden of the Rock”, is the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. It stands 130 feet high to give a panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala and the Mopan River. The site has been largely excavated and is reminiscent of some of the largest Mayan temples found in Tikal and Copan and has a great on site museum. You will then have lunch in San Ignacio and proceed to the Cahal Pech Mayan ruins, meaning “Place of the Ticks”. Cahal Pech is located 15 minutes on the outskirts of San Ignacio, and was home to a Maya Royal Family. You will then return to the lodge for a complimentary glass of wine with dinner. Buffet Breakfast at the lodge.

Day 3:The Black Hole Drop Expedition

After a full nights rest, wake up to the sound of nature, birds chirping, river flowing and a relaxing breathe of fresh jungle air, go up to the lodge and have a healthy breakfast, then return to your room and prepare yourself for another spectacular moment in the jungle. Today you will be doing the famous Black Hole Drop expedition. This expedition starts off with a vigorous hike into the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The edge of the Actun Loch Tunich sink hole sits over 300 feet above the basin below, 200 feet above the rainforest canopy that grows out from the sink hole basin. Our fully trained caving guides then rig a system of rappelling ropes for your decent to the basin below. The first 10 feet provides the adrenaline, the next 200 feet provides an unforgettable experience and sights to behold. the last 100 feet takes you down through the rainforest canopy. You then have lunch within the jungle, then a return hike out of the foothills and a well deserved cold beer at camp. This expedition is not for the faint of heart and all participants must be relatively fit. Dinner at the lodge follows at 6 pm.

Day 4:Morning Birdwatching – Afternoon Explore the Blue Hole National Park

Wake up at 6 am to the calm sounds of birds you will be seeing on this mornings birding tour. After a delicious breakfast, your guide will take his time and point out some of the exotic birds that inhabit the area of Caves Branch. On any given morning, avid bird watchers can identify as many as 165 species of birds along our 1 km entranceway, which passes through 3 distinctive bird habitats. We have lots of hummingbirds and killed-billed toucans in the area.

This is a free afternoon – you can visit the Blue Hole National Park and visitors center, a short walk from the lodge, or take a swim in our river passing in front of the lodge area. Lunch and dinner are included in the day even if you do not do a tour.

Day 5:Full Day Reef Snorkel Trip

Buffet breakfast at the lodge. Leave from Caves Branch to San Pedro where you will spend the day exploring the reef from the comfort of a boat that will take you to a variety of snorkel sites on one trip. It takes approximately 35 minutes to the first snorkel site. Snorkel the channel at Tobacco Caye where tarpon and permit are often seen or the patch reef of Whale Shoal where you will encounter a variety of colorful reef fish, cleaner shrimp and stingrays. The weather influences our choice of snorkeling sites. When we snorkel the northern part of the Southern Barrier Reef, we usually make a stop at Man-of-War Caye where you can see a variety of nesting birds like frigates and brown boobies. On this trip entry and exit are directly from the boat, as opposed to the island based snorkeling where you can wade into the water from the beach. This trip is ideal for agile and experienced snorkelers. Return to the lodge around 6 pm. Relax and wait for dinner at the lodge.

Day 6:Horseback Ride Through The Jungle

Buffet breakfast at the lodge. Today’s adventure will take you to the Blue Hole Horse Trails, a branch of the grand equestrian lodge of Banana Bank. This adventure offers you the opportunity to see the jungle in the most unique way – on horse back. You will have as your guides cowboys who enjoy teaching even the most inexperienced and first time riders the basics in riding techniques. This trip is a lot of fun!! Enjoy lunch at the lodge afterwards. Bring along your bathing suites for a swim in the river or at the Blue Hole swimming area just down the driveway. Your driver will pick you up in the early afternoon and bring you back to Caves Branch. Dinner that evening is at the Caves Branch lodge.

Day 7:River Cave Expedition

Buffet breakfast at the lodge. The River Cave expedition is always the favorite tour chosen by families. This tour is a combination of cave tubing and hiking inside the main chamber, with exploration of the higher chambers in the cave which contain Maya artifacts, pottery and ancient Maya fire hearths. Your guide will describe a Mayan ceremony for you to better imagine the old inhabitants of the cave. This tour is a full day tour and includes lunch. Return to the lodge and relax. Buffet dinner at the lodge.

Day 8:Departure

Buffet breakfast then check out from the lodge. You will be transferred to your next exciting destination in Belize.