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Rainforest Canopy Extension - 3 Days / 2 Nights
A three day zipline, hiking and waterfall adventure in the rainforests of Southern Belize
The Setting...
Belize is home to the largest tracts of unspoiled rainforests remaining in Central America. Until only recently, Belize was a forgotten corner of the Caribbean. With no plantation history and few if any economic bonanzas there were minimal incentives for settlement and development over the last 200 years. This legacy of neglect has resulted in a modern day treasure trove of virgin forests laced with mountain clear rivers. The region is characterized by moderate to heavy rainfall during the wet season (June through November) and drier, sunnier weather from December through May. The Bocawina Reserve where our trip takes place has five waterfalls within hiking distance of our lodge. The population is primarily Maya. Scattered small villages border the green hills rising into the highest peaks of the Maya Mountains. Linking the communities there is one main road called the Southern Highway. Most of the road has been paved in the last few years, bringing change to the area in the form of increased trade, electricity to villages and more small scale tourism development. |
Trip
Summary: |
Begin
From: Dangriga
End In: Dangriga
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Trip Departures & Prices: See Trip Schedule at bottom of this
page
Group Size: 2 Minimum
Guides: 1-2 Belizean Guides
Accommodations: Mama Noots Rainforest Lodge
Activities: Rainforest Zipline,
Hiking,
Mayan Ruins
Birding,
Swimming,
Photography |
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Trip
Route |
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Typical
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1: Our adventure starts at our Operations Base in Dangriga. From here we travel a short distance away from the
coast, off the grid and into the southern Maya Mountains. We have a special welcome at our rainforest lodge where
we will be staying for the next two nights. Situated within a 7000 acre rainforest park and adjacent to the world famous 100,000 acre Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve, our location is superb for adventure. You will soon discover that we are staying at a true eco -resort . Completely off the grid in the middle of the jungle, the lodge is powered by an array of solar panels with a small scale hydroelectric generating station. Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant, so you can share daily experiences with family and friends from this remote rainforest setting. We start the trip by settling in to our lodge, learning about the property and the experiences that lie ahead in the surrounding mountains and rainforest. Then we hike up slopes to the start of the rainforest canopy zipline. After a thorough safety briefing from your guides, outfitted in your safety harness, you climb to the first platform where your adventure through the canopy is about to begin!
Accommodation: Jungle Lodge Meals: L, D
Day 2: Waking up to the sounds of the tropics is a pure delight, with the chatter of parrots and parakeets flying overhead, the fresh morning air scented with tropical blossoms, and the expectation of an exciting adventure-filled day ahead. Many will want to rise with the sun to be on the grounds for first light of day emerging through the mists. There is no need to venture far to experience the heart of the jungle. Finding a quiet spot to sip a coffee with binoculars close at hand is a sure way to soak in the essence of the rainforest. After breakfast we gear up for a hike along bush trails into waterfalls and unexcavated Mayan ruins. Your guides will point out medicinal plants and bring to life the layered webs of biological diversity that make the worlds’ tropical rainforests such a rewarding experience. In the afternoon hike to nearby Bocawina Falls and swim in pristine rainforest pools.
Accommodation: Jungle Lodge Meals: B, L, D |
Day 3: Victoria peak, the highest peak in Belize, emerges early from the mists this morning. It reminds us of the many secret places that lie hidden in the swaths of green jungle, where five species of wild cats pad silent trails. and the legendary harpy eagle nests in the upper reaches of the canopy. This day is open. Stay close to the lodge or follow a trail to a favourite pool or waterfall. Return to Dangriga by van is either before or after lunch.
Accommodation: Jungle Lodge Meals: B, (if you arrived after lunch on Day 1 then lunch can be included on this day)
Travel Note:
For those making connections home on this day, international connections departing Belize should be booked for after 11:30pm. Later departures allow more flexibility. We can schedule a connecting flight for you from Dangriga directly to the International Airport at a cost of $85US per person.
Activities Overview
This trip includes a journey through the rainforest canopy on Belize’s longest zipline and a 2-3 hour guided hike to unexcavated Mayan Ruins in the surrounding jungle. You will have free time on this itinerary to do as you choose. There are nearby swimming holes, waterfalls, a small Mayan ruin and forest trails that you can explore without guides. There are also optional guided activities that can be organized at an additional cost when you are at the lodge. These include a full day hike to Antelope falls, a combination of hiking and rappelling at Antelope or Big Falls. There are a total of five waterfalls within the Bocawina National Park that can be accessed from our lodge. |
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What's Included...
- Comprehensive Pre-Trip Information Package
- All meals, transfers, and accommodations as described in the Itinerary
- A full zipline tour and a guided rainforest hike
- Professional guiding services
- 9% Belize Hotel Tax
- 12.5% Belize Sales Tax
What's Not Included…
- Transfer back to Belize City
- Gratuities
- International Flights
- Airport Departure Tax
- Extra costs due to late arrivals, lost baggage and circumstances beyond our control.
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A Note About the Ecology...
Flora...
The year-round growing season, plentiful precipitation and millennia of evolution has yielded this area with a tremendous biological diversity. This rich nutrient cycle supports a diverse range of plant life, where huge buttressed Ceiba trees to the smallest of fungi thrive. High above the forest floor is the enchanting world of the broad-leafed canopy. The canopy may tower 100 ft or more, with massive hardwoods like Santa Maria, Mahogany and Sapodilla trees forming a broad canopy, and in turn supporting many species of Epiphytes (air plants). This habitat provides for a unique community of wildlife, with many species spending most of their life inhabiting the roof of the rainforest.
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Fauna...
Large tropical birds are frequently sighted. We see toucans with their oversized bills flying from one fruiting tree to the next. High overhead loud squawking alerts us to the presence of scarlet macaw. Once in view, the size of the bird and the splendor of their red and blue plumage is unmistakable. There is also a multitude of falcons, hawks, and vultures scavenging and hunting from the sun bright upper canopy down to the mottled light of the forest floor. Also found in the southern Belizean rainforest are a number of bizarre mammals. The largest of these is Belize’s national animal, the Baird's tapir - locally known as the mountain cow. It has a large hippopotamus-
like body and a long snout, much like the fabled aardvark. The tapir, along with the white-lipped and collared peccary and the jaguar, are some of the larger mammals that inhabit the river valleys and forests where we travel. |
Accommodation
Throughout this trip we will be staying at Mama Noots Jungle Lodge. Our lodge is situated in the midst of the jungle and is entirely off the grid. Power is supplied by solar and small scale hydro-electricity. This is a small lodge with a total of nine rooms in various configurations. Each room has either queen or single beds, with bathrooms ensuite and hot and cold water. There is a dining room and bar on site with a satellite Wi-fi connection. There is a network of trails in the surrounding rainforest that leads to waterfalls, swimming holes and small Mayan Ruins.
Meals
Meals are served in the dining room and bar. In the morning coffee or tea is usually ready by 6 am so that guests can enjoy the early morning birding. Breakfast is served around 8 am, lunch between 12– 12:30 and dinner at 6:30 pm. We can accommodate most dietary needs, In addition to providing these details during our pre-trip process, please make sure to inform the lodge or guides on arrival.
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Thinking
about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions Co?
The Rainforest Canopy Extension is a great fit with any of our snorkelling and sea kayaking trips in Belize. Our Paradise Islands, Glovers Reef week long and Getaways fit very well, as they end in Dangriga, where this extension starts and ends.
Thinking About
Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With over twenty-five years of exploration in Belize, our
knowledgeable office staff can offer you a wealth of travel information.
However, we do recommend you read up on Belize and find what
interests you. Once you find an area of interest, give our office
a call and we can help you plan the best vacation possible!
Single Traveler Pricing
Many of our guests travel on their own. Our style of trip is ideal for single travelers combining the benefits of group camaraderie and group security with lots of individual flexibility in what you want to do each day. Single supplement options vary by trip style. Standard trip pricing is based on double occupancy. Solo guests can request either to share twin accommodations with another traveler or request single accommodations for an additional fee. If you are willing to share and we are able to match you up - no problem and no extra cost. If we cannot match you up then we have a simple, affordable $99 supplement fee for trips of 6 nights and longer and $45 for shorter trips. This fee will be applied at the time of booking, but will be reimbursed just before your departure if we are able to match you up.
Should you prefer private accommodations, we can provide you with your own room and the following charges apply.
Costa Maya Explorer - $275
Glover's Reef & River of Caves - $220
Lighthouse Reef - $250.00
Paradise Islands - $322
Ultimate Adventure - $368
Glover's Getaway -$65
Lighthouse Getaway - $65
Glover's Getaway & Kayak Rental Combo - $60
Maya Reef Explorer - Glover's - $160
Maya Reef Explorer - Lighthouse - $195
Rainforest Canopy Extension - $75
Maya World Extension - $130
NOTE: The number of single rooms available on most departures is limited, and may not be available at each location. If we are not able to provide your own room throughout the trip, we will pro-rate the supplement fee. |
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$539.00
incl $110 Gov't Fees & Taxes
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| 2013 / 2014 Season |
| Day 1 -
Arrival Date |
Day
2 -
Trip Start Date |
Day
3 -
Fly Home Date |
This trip can be done before
or after
any of our trips.
Call us to help you coordinate the dates.
Please
contact our office at info@islandexpeditions.com
or 1-800-667-1630 for availability.
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