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The
Setting...
On
this trip we explore an unparalleled range of natural and cultural
environments in the interior of central and southern Belize, ending
our epic journey at the seaside village of Placencia. On our first
night we stay within a tropical pine forest at the Tropical Education
Center. Then on our way to the Mayan cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal
(Cave of the Stone Sepulcher) we hike through broadleaf and cohune
palm forest. The cave itself is set amongst an area of extensive
karst and limestone geology within the Roaring Creek valley. This
landscape of rolling forested hills, punctuated with small villages
and farms, is pierced with caves that hold many geological wonders.
The caves are also natural museums with an astonishing variety of
centuries old Mayan artifacts preserved within.
As
we travel south along the coastal plain, the jagged peaks of the
Maya Mountains rise to the west, with the landscape dominated by
Victoria Peak, a 3,675 ft. granite summit capped in dark quartzite.
Victoria Peak and the Cockscomb range are believed to be Central
America's oldest geological formations, and for centuries these
distinctive peaks have been a welcoming landmark for sailors. The
lower slopes and river valleys, which are covered in lush tropical
rainforest, are part of a continuous wilderness of over 400 square
kilometers. Our area of travel encompasses a sweeping mountainside
basin draining many rivers and creeks. The area became a Forest
Reserve in 1984, and the world's first and only Jaguar Reserve in
1986. This area is known as The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
and has been protected because of the remarkable diversity and profusion
of wildlife found within. The reserve supports the highest concentrations
of jaguars (Felis onca) north of the Amazon Basin. The village of
Maya Center, at the base of the Cockscomb Sanctuary, is the staging
area for our upcoming journey into the rainforest. As guests of
the village we learn about the history of the park and the traditional
uses of the area through the eyes of Mayan villagers.
Placencia,
where we finish the trip, is perched on the tip on an 11 mile long,
sandy, palm-forested peninsula is one of the oldest continuously
inhabited villages in Belize. Placencia has an unhurried ambiance
with a colorful history. English buccaneers used the area as a base
of operations and several fierce sea battles were fought between
British and Spanish galleons, in the harbor. Even before the European
explorers, the area was used by the Maya as a coastal fishing camp.
A
Note About the Ecology...
Flora...
Tropical broadleaf forest, or rainforest, covers approximately 70%
of Belize's wooded area. The year-round growing season, heavy rainfall
during the rainy season, and untold generations of evolution have
yielded this area with the most complex and diverse range of plant-life
found on the planet. A hidden mass of roots, fungi, bacteria and
microorganisms that rapidly break down organic material make up
the forest floor. Each plant fulfils its own ecological niche, as
the continuous recycling of the decayed plant matter feeds the diverse
range of plant-life, from the huge buttress-trunked ceiba trees
to the smallest of fungi. Looking up from the forest floor, often
a 100 feet and more overhead is the unique world of the rainforest
canopy. This high canopy environment, with intense sunshine, torrential
rainfall and strong winds is habitat to many plants and animal species
that are rarely if ever seen in the shaded understory and forest
floor.
Fauna...
Perhaps
on this trip more than any other, we have exceptional opportunities
to experience the wildlife of inland Belize as we travel through
some of the most pristine rainforest wilderness in all of Central
America. The range of life we see can varies from the ubiquitous
spiny-tailed iguana (large males can reach 4 feet in length) sunning
on a riverside fig tree, to circling great black hawks, tiny red-eyed
tree frogs, and the ever elusive wild cats. We will likely see keel-billed
toucans, flying from tree to tree in search of fruit or a flock
of scarlet macaw, with their strikingly colorful plumage. There
is also an assortment of falcons and hawks that may be glimpsed
scavenging and hunting the under-story and forest floor. In the
specific areas we are traveling there are healthy populations of
forest mammals, the largest being Belize's national animal, the
baird's tapir, or mountain cow. This is an animal unique to the
tropical rainforest with a large pig-like body and a long prehensile
snout, much like an aardvark. This, along with the white-lipped
and collared peccary, the jaguar, and the puma are some of the larger
mammals which we have a chance of seeing during our trip.
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. Here we are able to
explore the surrounding savannah and pine forest through a network
of interpretative trails and wildlife viewing platforms. Onsite
is also an excellent wildlife center, which details the diverse
ecology of Belize, and is an ideal starting point for the adventure
ahead. After checking into our research center accommodations, we
enjoy a BBQ dinner and have a chance to meet our fellow travelers.
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, lodging and dinner are included.
Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Dinner is included on this night
Day
1:
We rise early to begin our remarkable journey back through time
into the dark underworld of the Maya. Our destination-Actun Tunichil
Muknal-the Cave of the Stone Sepulcher (burial vault) is reached
after driving ten miles of back roads, hiking a bush trail and fording
waist deep creeks. Once at the cave entrance we gear up with helmets
and waterproof lights, then wade into the clear, cool water that
flows out from the cave mouth. Inside the cave we follow the creek
bed to the entrance of a massive chamber that holds an astonishing
array of Mayan artifacts; our light beams illuminate ceramic bowls
and vases, stone tools, carved slate altars and eerie calcified
skeletons of what are believed to be sacrificial victims dating
back centuries to the terminal classic period of the Mayan civilization.
To the ancient Maya the caves were the entrances to Xilbalba (shil-balba),
a place inhabited by demonic 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.
In our experience the remarkable cave of the Stone Sepulcher is
one of the most profound archaeological experiences in the Americas.
At the end of this epic day we travel to the village of Maya Center
at the base of the Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve where we stay at a comfortable
village Guesthouse. This evening, after dinner, we meet our Mayan
guides and learn about the Mayan community and the Cockscomb Wildlife
Sanctuary in preparation for the next stage of our journey into
the Swasey River. Accommodations: (Guesthouse) Meals: B,L,D
Day
2-3: We rise early, driving to the trailhead
where we begin our hike into Sale Si Puede (translated: "Leave
if you can!") camp. With light packs we enter the rainforest
and for the next day and a half we hike a ridge-top trail
overlooking an unbroken rainforest canopy stretching as far
as the eye can see. While we hike, porters carry our camp
gear, so that, with light packs (15-20 lbs.) we travel lightly
and quietly, sensitive and aware to the abundance of life
all around us. By mid morning on our second day of hiking
we reach the broad river valley and our put-in. After lunch
we load our inflatable kayaks to begin our incredible journey.
Accommodations: (Camping)
Meals: B,L,D
Day
4-6:
We travel by inflatable kayak on the Upper Swasey
River. Each bend in the river brings a new discovery: wildlife,
delicate and rare orchids, flocks of scarlet macaw and schools of
feeding fish; these are sure signs that we are some of the few people
fortunate enough to have a chance to explore this unspoiled paradise.
We leave the broad, fertile valley that is the heart of the watershed
and enter into a forested canyon. The river narrows and we take
our time to apply our newly acquired boat handling skills; we navigate
sections of rapids interspersed with calm jungle green pools. Each
hour we are drawn deeper into the canyon. Without question, these
days can best be described as pure adventure: paddling, swimming
in mountain clear pools, hiking up side creeks and enjoying some
of the most beautiful riverside camps you can ever imagine.
Accommodations: (Camping)
Meals: B,L,D
Day 7:
On our last day of river travel, we exit the canyon and then it
is only a few hours being carried downstream with the current before
we
reach a small Maya village on the riverbanks. Once at our take-out,
it is a short drive and boat ride to the Placencia Peninsula where
showers, fresh linen, and a fine seafood dinner await us at a comfortable
lodge by the sea. A fitting celebration to mark the end of a grand
adventure. The next morning the choice is yours: continue the adventure
with one of our sea kayak expeditions, spend a few days in Placencia
relaxing by the sea, or fly north to the Belize International Airport
to connect with your flight home. The return flight to Belize or
to connect with your next trip is included in the trip cost.
Accommodations: (Lodge / Hotel)
Meals: B,L,D
Special
Note:
This
trip takes place in a remote wilderness region of Belize. There
is a 15 mile hike to the put-in point on the Upper Swasey River.
Participants should be able to hike with a light pack (10-20 lbs.)
into the river, and need to be ready for the unexpected. Weather
conditions can greatly affect water levels and access into the river
and may increase the level of difficulty. We also believe that the
remoteness and variability of conditions are what make this trip
the best of its kind. Trip itineraries can vary significantly depending
on water levels.
What's
Included...
-
Comprehensive
pre-trip information package
-
All
meals, accommodation, and transfers described in the tour
-
Unlimited use of our Equipment
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Use of waterproof bags for the river portion of the trip
-
Accommodation on the day before the trip ('Day 0') and the night
after the trip ends
-
Professional Guiding Services (both North American Leaders and
Local Guides)
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Transportation
back to Belize City after the trip
What's
Not Included...
-
Alcoholic Beverages
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Gratuities
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International
Flights and Airport Departure Tax
-
Personal Equipment
-
Extra costs due to late arrivals, lost baggage and other circumstances
beyond our control
Accommodation...
On
'Day
0'
, we will be spending the night at the Tropical
Education Center, in a rustic lodge accommodation. The Education
Center harbors Belize's largest collection of tropical animal specimens,
a fantastic interpretative center, and has a great network of cut
trails and wildlife viewing platforms, perfect for exploring the
pine savannah setting.
On
day
1
, we will be staying at a comfortable Guesthouse
in the village of Maya Center; here we have a unique opportunity
to interact with the contemporary Maya people in their traditional
community.
On
days
2 to 6
, we will be camping in the remote wilderness
of the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve in the Stann Creek District.
We are practicing minimum impact camping to ensure the pristine
state of the wilderness remains for future visitors. We will be
keeping our weight and volume to a minimum, carrying our gear by
porter or in our kayaks from site to site. We will be staying in
three person Walrus tents, which provide more than enough room for
two people and our gear. As we travel down the river, we use pre-determined
camping areas to minimize our impact on the forest floor. However,
we also give ourselves some flexibility to adjust our schedule to
different conditions.
The
final night of the trip is spent in the seaside village of Placencia
at a comfortable hotel. Here, we enjoy the comforts of a soft bed
and bathroom and shower.
Getting back
to Belize City...
Included
in your trip cost is a connecting flight from Placencia to Belize
City or the transportation required to connect you to another Island
Expeditions trip. Your return flight to Belize City is automatically
scheduled for the morning of the day after your trip. If you decide
to stay longer in Placencia you may use this flight at anytime after
the trip as long as we are notified prior to your arrival in Belize.
Please remember that you must request us to reschedule your return
flight to Belize City at least one week prior to the trip commencement
if you plan to stay in Placencia beyond the morning of the day following
trip completion.
Thinking
about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions Co?
The
Cockscomb Whitewater Expedition combines very well with a trip exploring
the barrier reef and atolls. The Glovers Reef & River of Caves gives
you a flexible itinerary, with a multi-sport basecamp, from which
you can explore the atoll. The Coral Islands offer a 7 day classic
sea-kayaking tour, traveling from cay to cay, exploring the many
patch reefs and the inner and outer walls of the barrier reef.
Thinking
About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With
over 15 years of exploration in Belize, our knowledgeable reservations
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 international office
a call, and we can help you plan the best vacation possible!
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| 7
Days / 8 Nights |
$1699
USD
*Candians Call
for Pricing* |
| 2005
/ 2006 Season |
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Day
1 -
Trip Start Date |
Day
7 -
Trip End Date |
Day
8 -
Fly Home Date |
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Call |
Call |
Call |
Call |
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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.
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Our
Trips in Brief
Glover's
Reef & Mayan Caves
Coral
Islands
Coral
Jaguar Expedition
Ultimate
Adventure
Paradise
Islands
