A Three Day Adventure into the Mayan Ceremonial Caves and Ruins of Western Belize
Trip Highlights
The Cayo Caves & Temples Extension travels inland to explore the Che Chem Ha Pottery Caves and the Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich
Situated in the Belizean town of San Ignacio in the Cayo District
- Stay two nights at Cahal Pech Village Resort - a picturesque lodge with a grand vista overlooking the town of San Ignacio and rolling hills of Western Belize.
- Hike into the jungle to the entrance of Che Chem Ha cave, then strap on helmets and headlamps for a subterannean adventure with an authentic Mayan guide.
- Visit the Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich and climb to the top of 'El Castillo' - still the second tallest building in Belize.
Trip Itinerary
Meals: Dinner is included on this night
Arrive at the Belize International Airport, where you are met by an Island Expeditions' representative and transferred to the town of San Ignacio. Before arriving at our hotel we explore the famous San Ignacio market, and stroll the pedestrian-only Burns Avenue. We follow a meandering road up to Cahal Pech Village Resort - a picturesque lodge with a grand vista overlooking the town of San Ignacio and the rolling hills of Western Belize. This is an ideal starting point for the adventure that awaits.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
A full day of adventure and exploration. Our first mission is to explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich. We cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry to ruins which are situated on the banks of the river. Here, we travel back through centuries to the ancient world of kings, temples, plazas and ball courts of this spectacular Maya city.
The next adventure is the underground geology and archaeology of the Che Chem Ha cave system. We hike through the rainforest and up into a multi-chambered series of caves rich with geological formations, ancient ceremonial altars, Mayan artifacts and relics. After an hour and a half in the cave, we continue to a spectacular setting overlooking the Macal River Valley where lunch is served.
In the evening, choose to stroll into San Ignacio town, meet the local people and enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
We wake up to a cup of coffee, grab our binoculars, and make a short walk to the Maya Ruins of Cahal Pech, a stone's throw from the lodge. Birdlife and wildlife abound, mornings are the most active at this time of day, and we spend an hour touring the ruins and looking for wildlife.
If you are flying home on Day 3, the transfer time from San Ignacio to the Belize International Airport is about 2 hours and your departure from San Ignacio can be coordinated to connect with your international flight.
Note: If you are adding this extension onto an existing Island Expeditions trip, transport to one of the rendezvous points in Belize City or Dangriga needs to be arranged in advance with our office. If you arrive late or depart early, we will make arrangements to fit the activities in this itinerary.
The Places We Stay
For two nights we stay at Cahal Pech in the heart of the Mayan world, this casual award-winning hillside resort has stunning views over the town of San Ignacio and the surrounding countryside. Amenities at the resort include a casual restaurant and bar, as well as a day spa and 3 outdoor pools.
