Belize: The Caribbean - New Trip!

• Easy tropical sea kayaking, rafting and canoeing
• Easy day hikes and snorkeling
• 8 days, 7 nights hotels / eco-lodges

Belize is a kayaker’s tropical wonderland of turquoise blues, emerald greens and coral whites. Two of nature’s most productive and diverse habitats—the magical tropical rain forest and abundant coral reef—are waiting to reveal their

interconnected wonders. We’ve been looking forward to launching in this dynamic area for years and are excited to finally share the experience with our fellow explorers.

During our stay we’ll listen to the pulsing sounds of the rainforest overhead as we glide through secluded rivers and caves. Help spot a keel-billed toucan in the jungle canopy!

Out on the cays, we island hop, walk pristine coral beaches, paddle sparkling blue waters and snorkel through an endless underwater garden of colorful sponges and tropical fish.

What better way to visit the barrier reef, which runs the entire length of Belize’s 185-mile coastline?  As the largest reef in both the Western and Northern Hemispheres, it is second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.  We will visit a variety of spots to explore different habitats.  The area inside the northern reef has a level bottom of grassy beds and patch reef. The southern reef takes on more relief with natural pinnacles, tiny atolls and sink holes.

We’ll also have inland adventures into the jungle to paddle secluded tropical rivers and cool off in sparkling waterfalls. Belize has a rich and alluring human history: an amalgamation of cultural infusions including indigenous Maya and Creoles descended from black Africans brought in as slaves to provide the backbone of the logging trade. The mid 1800s saw the coming of indentured servants, Confederate expatriates escaping the victorious Union, Mennonites from Europe, Mestizos fleeing Central American wars and British expatriates—particularly Scots.

A treasure trove of Mayan archeological sites stretches the breadth of the country, giving us a great excuse to go hiking. And speaking of treasure, the intricate reefs and cays (pronounced keys) that make for such great snorkeling and sea kayaking were once the ideal hideout for the real pirates of the Caribbean, including Blackbeard himself.

Belize is such a dynamic country to visit that this adventure will become a “not to be missed” Explorers’ Corner classic.

Our trip starts in Belize City where we’ll board a small plane for a jump south to Placencia. This paradise spot has sixteen miles of natural sandy beach, a virgin mangrove-fringed lagoon and a wonderland of coral-studded cays. Nearby jungle rivers and pristine rainforest, Garifuna, Creole and Mayan cultures and ancient Mayan ruins make Placencia the ideal location for the adventure traveler!

Between the Placencia peninsula and Belize's barrier reef lie twenty miles of underwater canyons and mountains -- the tops of these mountains create the extensive range of cays. Many of the cays are capped with mangroves and support abundant bird life.

We have three days here to snorkel and kayak our hearts out!  Swim with the many varieties of tropical fish in the warm Caribbean waters, including trumpet fish, angelfish, damselfish, rays and beautiful parrotfish.

After returning to the mainland, we venture inland to explore the Caves Branch River which runs off the Maya Mountains. This river goes underground for five miles so we don our headlamps to venture through this wonderful natural limestone cave. A must do!

We’ll also take a morning horseback ride to the Barton Creek Cave and after lunch we paddle into the cave -- a sacred sacrificial and ritualistic place for the ancient Mayans culture.

2009 Dates
Dec. 20 - 27

2010 Dates
Feb. 14 - 21
Mar. 14 - 21
Dec. 19 - 26

2011 Dates
Feb. 13 - 20
Mar. 13 - 20

2009 Land Cost
Group Size 9-12 members: $3,090
Group Size 4-8 members: $3,290

Internal Flight
$100

Single Supplement: $500 per person

Minimum: 4 people on trip or trip subject to cancellation.

*Price does not include international airfare or mandatory trip insurance. Prices are given in US Dollars.