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The
Setting...
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The
Barrier Reef, which runs the full length of the Belizean
coastline, is considered one of the richest marine ecosystems
on earth. The 185 mile long reef runs from 10 to 25 miles
offshore, and is the longest continuous reef in Caribbean;
the second longest in the world. Along the Barrier Reef
are over 225 cayes, ranging from small sand-fringed islands
perched along the reef's edge, to larger islands of partially
submerged mangroves. Historically, ships avoided this
area of the Caribbean because of inaccurate charts and
the difficulty of navigating the shallow reef-strewn waters.
Teeming with brilliantly-colored fish, sea grass beds,
and patch reefs, the reef systems have not seen nearly
the level of human impact as witnessed in Mexico to the
north and Honduras to the south. We travel in the less-developed
southern regions of Belize's Barrier Reef which remains
a near-pristine marine ecosystem and is unparalleled in
the Caribbean. It is in this region that we find the best
sea kayaking and snorkeling. Our base of operation, in
the southern coastal community of Dangriga, is the ideal
launching point for us to explore this spectacular region.
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The
Mayan archaeology cave, Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the
Stone Sepulcher), is set within lush tropical rainforest on
the boundary of the Cayo District. The region is characterized
by mature karst geology carved by the flowing creeks and rivers
in the area. The cave contains large broken pottery, two slate
stelae in front of which Mayan elites performed ritualistic
bloodlettings. Using obsidian blades they would cut themselves
and collect their own blood as an offering to the gods. Calcite
solidifying from the drip water has encased many of these
artifacts over the centuries, including the calcified remains
of a young woman who researchers believe was sacrificed to
the rain god, Chaac, during a prolonged period of drought.
"This trip was magical, it was perfect, not too hot and the ocean a perfect temperature. The 9 days seemed like 2 weeks, snorkeling was fun, paddling didn't kill me. I was a little worried. I've always wanted to stay on an island and see what it would be like to be a pirate. I loved it. Arrh! The Guides were fantastic. The paddling was fun. I loved the Sailing, too."
Gail Hoffnagle
Portland, OR
Coral Islands & Mayan Caves
Mar 25, 2007
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Typical
Daily Itinerary:
Day
0 : Arrive at the Belize International
Airport where you will be met by an Island Expeditions
representative and transferred to the Tropical Education
Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo. After settling into
our forest cabanas we have a chance to meet our fellow
travelers over dinner. At the Tropical Education Center,
we have a chance to explore the surrounding savannah
forest through their network of interpretative trails
and wildlife viewing platforms. There is also an interpretative
center, which details the diverse ecology of Belize,
and is an ideal starting point for the adventure ahead.
This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts,
meet your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new
tropical environment. Transfers from the airport, dinner
and lodging are included.
Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Dinner |
Day
1 : We rise early to start today’s extraordinary journey, which takes us deep into the Mayan underworld known as Xilbalba (shil-balba), a mythical realm inhabited by spirits and powerful gods, an underworld of untold fears and dreams where Mayan shaman, in supposition to the gods, ventured into darkness to conduct their secretive rituals. As we venture underground into the caves, we learn from our guides how the caves played an important role in the ancient Maya civilization and about ongoing archaeological research taking place underground in Belize. After our jungle and cave adventure, we travel through the Maya Mountains along the Hummingbird Route to meet up with our motor boat charter awaiting to take us to the barrier reef from the coastal town of Dangriga. This 45 minute trip takes us to our island lodge perched on the eastern edge of the southern Barrier Reef. We arrive at in time to settle in, have dinner and plan our next days on the barrier reef.
Accommodations: (lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day
2 : Perched north over the water, we rise early to the sounds of the sea. After breakfast and an island orientation your guides teach you beginner to advanced snorkelling and then the remainder of the morning is snorkelling from the caye. Then in the afternoon guides begin with kayaking fundamentals, and go over ocean touring techniques with the whole group, including how to pack our boats. After a short paddle, we arrive to our first camp already set-up, giving us time to settle into our accommodations, enjoy a fine meal cooked by your guides, and instruction on the finer points of horizontal hammock surfing.
Accommodations: (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day
3-5:
We sail and paddle south along the barrier reef camping on idyllic tropical cayes, usually traveling five to ten miles each day along the reef (with some lay-over days). We have plenty of time to snorkel, fish and enjoy the scenery and marine life of the Caribbean. We explore many different regions of the reef including the inner and outer walls, patch and fringing reefs, mangrove ranges and protected lagoons. Our traveling routes often cross those of the fishermen who make their living from the sea and with this inter-action we gain good company and an insight into a way of life that is very different from our own. Each night we camp on small cayes along the barrier reef.
Accommodations: (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 6 : We end our journey on an island along the inner channel of the barrier reef, and are transferred to the mainland by motor charter. Back in Dangriga, we settle into our accommodations, and have a chance to shower, dress and relax before our evening celebration at a local family’s house for dinner. Trip finishes in Dangriga the following day. Our office can help you make whatever travel arrangements you need from this point.
Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
"Having the Mayan cave adventure ATM & staying at the TEC was absolutely perfect to begin our immersion to the pace and world of Belize. The guides were pleased to talk about flora & fauna & culture for as long as we asked & never be came impatient with our questions & curiosities. The night tour of the zoo was a special treat. Thank you to the whole team."
Margaret Fryatt
Vanderhoof, BC
Coral Islands & Mayan Caves
Mar 25, 2007 |
What's
Included...
- Comprehensive Pre-Trip Information Package
- All meals, hotels, lodges, and transfers described in the tour
- Unlimited use of our Equipment
- Use of waterproof dry bags during kayak trip
- Accommodation on the day before the trip ('Day 0') and the final night
- Professional Guiding Services (both North American Leaders and Belizean Guides)
- Southwater Caye Marine Park Fees,
- Belize 9% Tour Tax
- Belize 10% Sales Tax
What's
Not Included...
- Transfer back to Belize City
- Gratuities
- International Flights and Airport Departure Tax
- Extra costs due to late Arrivals, lost baggage and circumstances beyond our control
Accommodation...
| On
Day 0,
we overnight in our forest cabanas at
the Tropical Education Center (TEC). Here we are able
to experience first-hand the wondrous tropical wildlife
of Belize at the Belize Zoo and at the TEC there is also
a fantastic interpretative center with a network of trails
and wildlife viewing platforms, perfect for exploring
the pine savannah setting. |
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While
out on the cayes, we are practicing minimum impact camping,
to ensure the pristine state of the wilderness remains
for future visitors. We will be keeping the weight and
volume of a gear to a minimum, carrying our gear in our
kayaks from site to site. We will be staying in expedition
quality tents, which provide more than enough room for
two people and gear (some single tents are available on
each trip). As we travel from cay to cay, we use predetermined
camping areas to minimize our impact on the islands. However,
we also give ourselves considerable flexibility to adjust
our schedule to different conditions encountered as we
travel. |
On
the final night we will be staying in Dangriga. Our accommodation
is at Chaleanors Hotel, a Belizean-style hotel within the
town. On this final night, we have a barbecue on their rooftop
terrace prepared for us to celebrate our trip and invite some
local musicians to join us, and perform their traditional
Garifuna drumming and dances.
We enjoyed a wonderful trip. The guides took excellent care of us. They prepared great meals. We were never too busy and never bored. Our guides on the water were very good at handling our diverse group. Tactfully but giving people space to enjoy the trip. When unexpected situations came up, there was always a plan b that was proposed to the group. We always supported their proposal and were always glad we had. The campsites were just the right level of development for comfortable camping. Tents boats lifejackets were in good condition. In Summary, the trip surpassed our expectations.
Ian Robertson
Calgary, AB
Coral Islands & Mayan Caves
Apr 1, 2007 |
A Note About the Ecology...
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Flora...
The
ecology of the Belizean coast is a complex combination
of coral reefs, sand flats with extensive turtle grass
and mangrove ranges. The Barrier Reef, second largest
in the world, extends 185 miles (300 km) along the coast.
This reef structure shelters the Belizean coastline from
the rougher open waters of the Caribbean sea. The Barrier
Reef acts as a huge breakwater, holding in the sand and
protecting the coastline from the incoming seas. From
this action, we get beautiful islands forested with coconut
palms, sea grape and coco plum and remarkable protected
reef structures. Also from the 'breakwater' action of
the barrier reef, we have protected waters which allow
the diverse ecosystems of the mangrove and turtle grass
to flourish. These tangled partially-submerged forests
provide essential feeding and nursing habitat for hundreds
of species of fish, shellfish, reptiles, marine mammals,
and birds. |
Fauna...
On our journey to Actun Tunichil Muknal,
we travel through broadleaf, semi-deciduous forest.
All around us are signs of life, from the tropical birds
high in the canopy like the keel-billed toucan and mot-mot's
to the mammals that inhabit the forest floor, including
Belize's largest herbivore, Baird's tapir.
While
traveling along the Barrier Reef, we have the opportunity
to view a diverse range of sea-life and tropical birds.
Paddling from cay to cay in areas rich with patch reefs
and sea grass beds we have many opportunities to view
bonefish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, eagle rays,conger,
moray eels, goatfish, just to name a few. Trailing a
fishing line from our kayaks, we also may get a strike
from a barracuda, or grouper or snapper. Over our heads,
we will see bird-life, such as osprey (the Billy hawk),
sea gulls, brown-footed & white-footed boobies, frigate
birds, hawks, mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons.
Also, throughout the Barrier Reef and along the coast,
there are nesting sites for loggerhead, green and hawksbill
turtles. If we're lucky, we may see them while out snorkeling.
We will definitely sample one of the main staples for
Belizean fishermen, the queen conch and spiny lobster(in
season) |
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Getting
back to Belize City...
We will make arrangements for you to return
to Belize City the day after the trip ends, unless you have
made other arrangements with us. We will book a domestic flight
from Dangriga to Belize City. The cost of this flight back
to Belize City (25 minutes) is approximately $60.00 USD per
person or you can travel overland by bus (2-3 hours) for approximately
$7.00 USD
Thinking
about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions
Co?
The Coral Islands & Mayan Caves combines well with an inland
exploration. The Maya
World extension offers an exploration of the rainforests,
wildlife, rivers and Mayan ruins of the interior of Belize.
Thinking
About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With over 2 decades of exploration in Belize,
our knowledgeable office staff can offer you a wealth of travel
information. However, we do recommend that 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!
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| 6
Days / 7 Nights |
$1499.00 USD & CAD
incl $85 Gov't Fees & Taxes
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Day
1 -
Trip Start Date |
Day
6 -
Trip End Date |
Day
7 -
Fly Home Date
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Apr 18 / 08
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Apr 19 / 08
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Apr 24
/ 08
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Apr 25
/ 08
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2008 / 2009 Season |
Dec 19 / 08
Dec 26 / 08
Feb 13 / 09
Feb 20 / 09
Mar 6 / 09
Mar 13 / 09
Mar 27 / 09
Apr 03 / 09
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Dec 20 / 08
Dec 27 / 08
Feb 14 / 09
Feb 21 / 09
Mar 7 / 09
Mar 14 / 09
Mar 28 / 09
Apr 04 / 09
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Dec 25 / 08
Jan 01 / 09
Feb 19 / 09
Feb 26 / 09
Mar 12 / 09
Mar 18 / 09
Apr 02 / 09
Apr 09 / 09
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Dec 26 / 08
Jan 02 / 09
Feb 20 / 09
Feb 27 / 09
Mar 13 / 09
Mar 19 / 09
Apr 03/ 09
Apr 10 / 09
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When
Planning Your Trip...Think of "Day 0"
With
Island Expeditions Co. a seven day trip means seven days in the field, not 2 days
of airline travel and 5 days of vacation. So on all IEC adventures we meet you
the day before the trip is scheduled to begin. This is "Day 0" and has
been conceived for your convenience and comfort. "Day 0" is your day
to arrive in Belize before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers, and to
acclimatize to your new tropical environment. From there be it a short flight
or a boat charter, your transportation to meet up with your group on this day
and your accommodation on this night are included in the trip cost. |
Our
Trips in Brief
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Coral Islands & Mayan Caves
Paradise
Islands
The
six day Coral Islands & Mayan Caves multi-sport trip is the perfect
combination of vacation and adventure in the tropics.
As we paddle and sail from cay to cay, traveling over
20 miles along the southern Barrier Reef of Belize, the
itinerary will stimulate the active person yet still leave
us ample time to relax and enjoy island life. Try world
class snorkeling,camp on postcard-perfect tropical cayes
and explore secluded mangrove islands, or kick back in
a hammock while guides prepare delicious meals of seafood,
Caribbean vegetables, tropical fruits and fresh baked
bread. After six glorious days on the water, we cross
back to the mainland returning to
the village of Dangriga for an evening of camaraderie
and fun, where the beat of skin drums, along with traditional
dances and songs bring to life the history of the Garifuna
people of Belize. 
