|
The
Setting...
For the adventurer, the Wild South of Belize offers an opportunity to explore one of the last
remaining untouched regions of the country. Here the rainforest covers the land and the ancient
traditions of the Maya are still strong. We travel through an area of small Mayan villages,
where traditional milpa agriculture is the way of life and the modern world is only just
beginning to make inroads. The geology is of predominantly limestone karst formations of
limestone, with jungle clad hills that rise abruptly from the coastal plain as we enter the
southern Maya mountains and the upper Moho River valley. The upper Moho is a unique
travertine river created by calcium carbonate minerals depositing out of the river and forming
ledges and pools. Not only does this create a stunningly beautiful river setting the
higher alkalinity of the water creates a unique environment where many insects cannot reproduce,
this creates a very pleasant relatively bug free rainforest environment that is very
comfortable to travel.
Where the roads end we continue with inflatable river-kayaks to gain access to the most
spectacular regions of the country as we travel by river through a region seldom seen by
travellers. On the river we are using two person inflatable kayaks which offer superior stability,
ease of handling, and are a great way to explore this pristine rainforest. Our adventure
combines an exciting river journey with a rich cultural experience. We travel into the heartland
of the Maya people with Ketchi and Mopan Mayan Guides where we have a rare opportunity
to experience their contemporary village life. |
 |
 
|
Typical Daily Itinerary:
Day 0: This is our arrival day where you will meet your group. Our meeting point is 3 pm in
Dangriga (we can help coordinate transportation to Dangriga for you from any point in Belize).
After meeting the group we travel to our Jungle Lodge in the far south of Belize. The Lodge at Big
Falls is situated on the banks of the Rio Grande river in Belize's southern Toledo District, a region
of isolated villages lying amongst an unspoiled tropical wilderness. Our location is superb. The
lodge property is located on a meander of the river with almost a mile of river frontage. There are views towards the Maya Mountains to the north west while the south eastern bank faces the small village of Big Falls.
Accommodations: (Lodge at Big Falls—www.thelodgeatbigfalls.com) Meals: Dinner is included
Day 1: Rise early in the morning to enjoy the beauty of the setting and enjoy a delicious breakfast.
In the afternoon, we drive further south from Big Falls to our put-in point on the Moho river,
stopping for lunch at the traditional Maya village of Santa Theresa. Once on the river, our guides
provide a brief boat and river orientation and we take as much time as we need to learn and practice
our new boat-handling skills, enabling us to safely navigate the rapids and pour-overs. We then
begin our journey along one of Belize’s most beautiful rivers through some pristine rainforest to
our first river camp.
Accommodations: (River Camp) Meals: B, L, D |
Day 2,3: For these next days we break contact completely with the outside world and
become a part of the mist-shrouded rainforest as we follow the Moho River through canyons
and lush rainforest. Each bend reveals the dynamic nature of the river-from calm,
meandering water that reflects the intense green of the jungle to stretches of rapids, pourovers
and spectacular waterfalls as the river descends from the Maya Mountains to the
sea. Depending on water levels, some days we may reach our bush-camp by mid-afternoon
and switch to land-based activities. Hiking through the forest, birding, plant and animal
identification, and photography are some of the many activities we engage in. During the
trip with our Mayan guides and North American leaders, we emphasize understanding the
ecology of the rainforest, learning about the habits of the wildlife and gaining an appreciation
for the rich Mayan folklore which adds so much to our experience in the jungle.
Accommodations: (River Camp) Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: As we continue our journey this day the nature of the river changes, we leave the
Maya mountains and enter the coastal plain of Belize, the river begins to meander with
quiet pools interspersed by gentle current, here it is not uncommon to see a Mayan family along the river banks or paddling
dugout canoes in the large river pools. Paddling downstream we arrive to our river pull out in the afternoon,
where we are met by IEC staff. We have a final lunch in the Mayan village of Jordan, followed by a transfer back to Dangriga.
Here, we board a domestic flight to the Belize Municipal Airport, then to our accommodations to enjoy a well
deserved hot shower.
Accommodations: (Overnight Biltmore Plaza Hotel) Meals: B, L, |

|
Note: No river experience is required to participate on this trip, you guides will provide thorough instruction on river travel
and boat handling skills at the beginning of the trip. The Wild South takes place in remote rainforest river valley in southern
Belize and involves navigating rapids and pour-overs as we descend the Moho River. Weather conditions can greatly affect water
levels and may increase the level of difficulty.
What's Included…
- Comprehensive Pre-Trip Information Package
- All meals, accommodations, transfers described in the tour
- Unlimited use of our Equipment
- Use of waterproof dry bags during river trip
- Accommodation on the day before the trip ('Day 0') and the final night • Professional Guiding Services
- Domestic flight DGA to TZA
- Belize 9% Hotel tax
- 12.5% Belize Sales Tax
What's Not Included…
- Gratuities
- International Flights
- Extra costs due to late Arrivals, lost baggage and circumstances beyond our control
Accommodation...
On 'Day 0: we will be staying at The Lodge at Big Falls in the southern Toledo district. Our accommodations
beside the banks of the Rio Grande river are spacious cottage-style cabanas within
a rich tropical setting. The cabana roofs are traditionally thatched with bay-leaf palm. The floors
are beautifully tiled, and each fully-screened room has a ceiling fan and full en-suite bathroom providing
hot and cold water. The carefully landscaped surroundings have been designed to attract
birds and butterflies close to the cottages, where guests can comfortably enjoy the view from their
own private verandah.
On Days 1,2,3 we are camping along the riverbanks of the Moho River in Southern Belize. We
practice minimum impact camping to ensure that the pristine state of the wilderness remains for
future visitors. We will be keeping our weight and volume to a minimum, carrying our gear in the
kayaks from camp to camp. We stay in comfortable and roomy MSR Tents, which provide ample
room for two people and gear. All camping gear is provided including tents and sleeping pads
( participants need to bring their own light sleeping bag or cotton sheet and fleece blanket) As we
travel down the river, we use organized camping areas to minimize our impact on the forest floor,
but give ourselves the flexibility to adjust our schedule for different conditions.
On Day 4, we fly on a chartered flight to Belize City and spend the last night at the Biltmore Hotel.
This is a clean and comfortable hotel with a lovely inner courtyard and swimming pool outside
the city center and within 20 minutes of the International Airport. |

|
 |
A Note
About the Ecology...
Flora...
We begin our trip into the inland of Southern Belize, immersing ourselves into the magical world of the tropical rainforest. Broadleaf rainforest covers approximately 60% of Belize's
wooded area. The year-round growing season, plentiful precipitation during the rainy season (May- November) and millennia of evolution has yielded this area with a complex and tremendous
diversity of plant life. Each plant fulfills its own ecological niche, as the continuous recycling of the
decayed plant matter fuels new growth. With this rich nutrient cycle a diverse range of plant life,
from the huge buttressed ceiba trees to the smallest of fungi thrives. High above the forest floor is
the enchanting world of the broad-leafed canopy. The canopy may tower 100 ft and more, with
massive hardwoods like santa maria, mahogany and sapodilla trees forming a broad canopy and in
turning supporting many species of Epiphytes (air plants). This habitat provides for a unique community
of wildlife and many species will spend most of their life inhabiting the roof of the rainforest.
Fauna...
In the rainforests of Belize we have great opportunities to view wildlife. Hiking
or paddling we see iguanas resting in the branches of fig trees, we may hear the grunts and snuffling
as a herd of peccary (wild pigs) passes close by. Large tropical birds are frequently sighted.
We see toucans with their oversized bills, flying ungainly 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
often bizarre mammals, the largest being 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. |
Thinking
about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions
Co?
Ultimate Adventure combines well with a trip into
the remarkable Mayan Ruins of Belize. The Maya World Extension
gives you a great opportunity to visit some of the largest,
excavated, Mayan ruin sites in Belize and explore the remarkable
wildlife of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
Thinking
About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With close to two 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!
|
4 Days / 5 Nights |
$1129.00USD

incl $140 Gov't Fees & Taxes
|
2011 / 2012 Season |
|
Day
1 -
Trip Start Date |
Day
4 -
Trip End Date |
Day
5 -
Fly Home Date |
29-Nov-11
06-Dec-11
13-Dec-11
20-Dec-11
27-Dec-11
03-Jan -12
10-Jan-12
17-Jan-12
24-Jan-12
31-Jan-12
07-Feb-12
14-Feb-12
21-Feb-12
28-Feb-12
06-Mar-12
13-Mar-12
20-Mar-12
27-Mar-12
03-Apr-12
17-Apr-12
24-Apr-12
|
30-Nov-11
07-Dec-11
14-Dec-11
21-Dec-11
28-Dec-11
04-Jan-12
11-Jan-12
18-Jan-12
25-Jan-12
01-Feb-12
08-Feb-12
15-Feb-12
22-Feb-12
29-Feb-12
07-Mar-12
14-Mar-12
21-Mar-12
28-Mar-12
04-Apr-12
18-Apr-12
25-Apr-12
|
03-Dec-11
10-Dec-11
17-Dec-11
24-Dec-11
31-Dec-11
07-Jan-12
14-Jan-12
21-Jan-12
28-Jan-12
04-Feb-12
11-Feb-12
18-Feb-12
25-Feb-12
03-Mar-12
10-Mar-12
17-Mar-12
24-Mar-12
31-Mar-12
07-Apr-12
21-Apr-12
28-Apr-12
|
04-Dec-11
11-Dec-11
18-Dec-11
25-Dec-11
01-Jan-12
08-Jan-12
15-Jan-12
22-Jan-12
29-Jan-12
05-Feb-12
12-Feb-12
19-Feb-12
26-Feb-12
04-Mar-12
11-Mar-12
18-Mar-12
25-Mar-12
01-Apr-12
08-Apr-12
22-Apr-12
29-Apr-12
|
|
|
|
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. |