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Typical
Daily Itinerary:
Day 0: Arrival day: Island Expeditions will meet on arrival Cancun International Airport and transfer to town of Pueblo Morelos. Small hotel on the oceanfront 20 minutes from Cancun. From the time you pass through customs we will have you at your hotel within ½ hour. Transfers, hotel and Dinner included.
Day 1 : After Breakfast we travel south into the area of Yucatan Peninsula that takes us away from the mass tourism that characterizes the Cancun and Playa Del Carmen region. This day we stop at the Mayan ruins of Muyil a small and interesting site hidden away in the jungle. After exploring the ruins site with knowledgeable guides we stop enroute for lunch at Pueblo Felipe Carillio. A small traditional Mexican town for good food and a chance to experience the kaleidoscope of colour and activity in the town market. Continue the journey to the remote coastline of southern Yucatan with our final destination on the shores of the Caribbean. We settle into our accommodations on the beachfront at an exquisite small lodge. B,L,D
Day 2: Wake to fresh coffee and sunrise over the Caribbean from our comfortable and spacious rooms. Our lodge at Balamku has achieved a reputation as one of the finest small boutique lodges on the Costa Maya and operates completely off the grid powered by solar and wind and fully environmentally sensitive composting and waste management systems ( we believe that our trips must support eco conscious businesses to protect the beauty and biological diversity of the areas we travel) . This day we begin with an introduction to sea kayaking and snorkelling and then we are able to paddle directly to the main reef just minutes from our beach front c abannas. Warm waters, rich and diverse coral reefs are the focus of this day as we learn to explore these waters by kayak and with snorkel and mask. B,L, D
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Day 3: Today we paddle south along the reef system snorkelling, kayaking and if weather permits we will hoist the sails on our kayaks to harness the power of the wind as we travel along the coast. Beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and the thrill of travelling by kayak are the memories of the day. We land on a quiet beach at the end of the day and enjoy a specially prepared dinner on the beach front prepared by our Mexican hosts. Return to Balamku by van after dinner. B,L,D
Day 4: Our days activities here include a paddle in protected lagoons where we are able to see the rich birdlife have a chance to view myriad of wildlife that resides in these protected waters characterized by labyrinth like mangrove passages and clear water. With our experience of the sea and weather conditions in the area we have a number of different activities that we are able to do if we experience high winds including fabulous hiking along deserted beaches to protected snorkelling areas and your guides will organize which activities over these days are best suited to wind and weather conditions we encounter. On our last night we venture to a small restaurant in the village of Majahual for an excellent dinner, for this night we will guide you on an exploration of the range of tastes and flavours reflecting the cuisine of Mexico.. B, L
Day 5: After breakfast chance for a sunrise paddle or a relaxing morning at the lodge we leave the coast for a hidden gem in southern Yucatan near the border of Belize. Today we venture to little know Laguna Bacalar. Our hotel is located on the shoreline of an exquisite freshwater lagoon, that is known for it’s remarkable shades of turquoise blues. Our hotel is situated close to the central market square. There is much history in this area dating from the colonial area and our evening includes a wonderful dinner and an exploration of 17th century Spanish fort and unique musuem within the ancient fort that profiles the history of piracy in the area. B, L,
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Day 6: Early morning breakfast with the sunrise over the lagoon. This morning we venture out by kayaks on the lagoon to soak in the beauty of this setting. Enjoy freshwater swimming in crystal clear cool waters. After kayaking we enjoy a lunch in town before the trip finishes. From this point you have the choice of returning to Cancun or continuing the adventure by travelling by boat across the border into Belize to connect with our array of trips in Belize to the outer coral atolls or the rich and diverse rainforests, rivers, caves and Mayan ruins of Belize. B, L
Note: To allow for each person to choose their own dining variety we have not included the cost of dinner on two nights of this trip so that you may explore on an individual basis the fine culinary traditions of Mexico. We suggest a budget of 20 usd per person for each dinner that is not included in the trip.
Travel Notes: On Day 6 of the the trip (night 7) we have left options available on how and where you would like to travel after the trip. For those who are continuing the adventure on to Belize the transport by land and water taxi into Belize is included in the trip cost under our Two Country Mexico and Belize itineraries.
Belize/Mexico Combined trips
If you are returning to Cancun to fly home this day your departure needs to be 6pm or later out of Cancun, or scheduled for the following day. We can make extra hotel arrangements for you as needed
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What's
Included...
- Comprehensive pre-trip information package
- All meals, accommodation, 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 (Belizean Guides).
What's
Not Included...
- Gratuities
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International Flights and Airport Departure Tax
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Extra costs due to late Arrivals, lost baggage and other
circumstances beyond our control.
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A Note About the Ecology...
Flora...
The
ecology of the Mexian coast is a complex combination
of coral reefs, sand flats with extensive turtle grass
and mangrove ranges. The Maya 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 Maya 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...
While
traveling along the Maya Reef, we have the opportunity
to view a diverse range of sea-life and tropical birds.
Paddling along huge stretches of beach 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 Maya 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) |
Thinking
about seeing parts of Belize with Island Expeditions
Co?
The Paradise Islands 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 close to 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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Family Travel
At
IEC we enjoy traveling with families. Children lend a refreshing
perspective to the experience, which adults sometimes take
for granted. Knowing that travel budgets are especially important
we offer a price break to families with children. Not all
trips are suitable for younger children, however we find that
age is not a definite restriction; rather size and weight
of your children, experience and ability are the main determining
factors in choosing which trip is right for your family. Click here for our Children's pricing policy...
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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. With the execption of our "short trips", 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, your dinner,
and your accommodation on this night are included in the trip cost.
On the "short trips" we meet you on the day that trip begins, at a pre-scheduled time and location coordinated by our sales and reservations office. Whether we meet you at the boat dock, or in the lobby of a local hotel at a specific time, our reservation staff will make sure you have our contact information and appropriate rendezvous details. To see a list of IEC " short trips", simply click here to find out more information
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