DAY 1 Arrive BelizeInternationalAirport, the adventure starts right here!You'll be met by members of the ADVENTURETREXstaff, then be transferred a short distance to the riverbank where your motorized jungle riverboat will be waiting to take you up the Belize River to your first overnight stop which is a secluded jungle riverside lodge. There will be a strong possibility of spotting much of the jungle wildlife that includes, Crocodile, Manatee, Iguana, Snakes, Monkeys and maybe even a Dolphin along with many of the 550 bird species that call this habitat home, all giving you a first hand a taste of the adventure and surroundings through which you will be driving in 'your' LAND ROVER during the next five days. During the approximately one hour river journey it will be mile after mile of jungle on either side of the ever narrowing river. Mile after mile of trees rising from the very edge of the water, their branches quaking with movement of wildlife that you'll be challenged to identify. There will be a gathering following dinner to outline the expedition andADVENTURETREX staff will carry out the familiarization of ?your? LAND ROVER and its equipment, plus there will be an informative presentation of the Maya History in Belize. Following this, spend the rest of your evening checking out 'your' LAND ROVER, relaxing, and taking in the night sounds that will be with you throughout your Central American jungle adventure!
LAS CUEVAS JUNGLE CAMP!
DAY 2 An early start is called for today, following breakfast you head out in 'your' LAND ROVER traveling a short distance on semi-paved roads until we enter an area known as the Yalbac Hills, which consists of conservation areas and huge tracts of very private jungle that we feel privileged to drive through. Jungle growth comes right up to the road’s edge on both sides, making an interesting drive for you to get the ‘feel’ of the LAND ROVERas we head toward the Cayo District. We’ll cross the Macal river by way of hand cranked ferry and then by way of very remote roads/tracks, not your typical tourist route, venture ever deeper into the Maya Mountains through the area known as Mountain Pine Ridge, which is part of the premier jaguar reserve area in Central America, over half million hectacres, sharing an environment that is also 'home' to numerous indigenous species of the rainforest. Driving conditions will depend on the weather, but anticipate high levels of euphoria as many of the abandoned roads/tracks you'll be driving were only ever used by the long gone logging industry equipment, for the removal of the timber they harvested. These roads can best be described as 'challenging'!
Destination for the night is our jungle explorer’s base camp located deep in the Chiquibul Rainforest. After a good shower, (yes, they are available at this stopover), and a most enjoyable dinner, why not spend this evening exploring the trails with local guides on a night time jungle 'walkabout'?
DAY 3 Our driving adventure route today in 'your'LAND ROVERwill involve crossing a major river, some creeks, navigating along some very remote jungle tracks, we'll experience close encounter jungle growth on this day, be prepared for trail clearing with machete, chainsaw and snatch ropes, depending on weather conditions, roads in the jungle may be very muddy and possibly there will be some winching required, as we make our way deeper into the Maya Mountain area where the wildlife is abundant. More than 95 mammal, 45 reptile, 18 amphibian and 112 fish species have been recorded in the area. Some of the endangered species we might see this day include: Jaguar, Harpy Eagles, Bairds, Tapir, Scarlet Macaw, River Otters, Maya Tree Frogs, Morelets Crocodiles and Black Howler Monkeys. The MayaForest area alone has more than 400 species of birds such as Toucans, Parrots, Motmots, Trogons, and Hummingbirds. Have your cameras loaded, and be ready to shoot!
Achallenging day completed, will bring us to our overnight stop right in the heart of the Chiquibul Rainforest! The fourth largest in the world. We'll be sleeping 'under the stars' in hammocks hanging right off the vehicles and trees, experiencing up close and personal the amazing jungle night time sights and sounds. 'Bucket Showers' only this night!
ACCOMODATIONS
DAY 4 Following our leisurely jungle breakfast, and the ritual start of an every day 'vehicle check', you'll head off in 'your'LAND ROVERagain along jungle 'tracks', crossing more rivers and creeks, thick rainforest environment, cutting back jungle overgrowth, there could well be more winching involved today, and as always there will be the heat & humidity! An arduous drive in all conditions and weathers, but the reward will be enormous. We will be emerging, eventually, close to Caracol, where the largest of the ancient Maya Cities in Belize is located. Settled around 300 BC, this glorious Maya city grew to 200,000 residents by ASD 650-700. After it's decline, the city slept silently in the jungle for a thousand years, until rediscovered in 1937. Archeologists now count 36,000 palaces, pyramids, courtyards, ball courts, and other buildings - the largest ancient site in Belize. Currently in the state of excavation and restoration Caracol is the largest known Maya center in Belize. The largest pyramid in Caracol, "Canaa" (Sky Place), rises 143 feet high, making it is the tallest man-made structure in all of Belize. Since Caracol is located in the Chiquibul Rain Forest, there is a plethora of flora and fauna to enhance the true beauty of this magnificent Maya center We'll take a break here to view and tour this amazing structure that is shrouded in the mysterious past of the magnificent Maya nation. At the foot of the colossal temple, you might be daunted by the height of the giant stairway that rises steeply to the platform on top. We?we'll encourage you to make the ascent, as we are confident that you will be grateful you did. From your spine-tingling vantage point, serenaded by all the raucous noises of the jungle, you?you'll look out over a dense sea of age-old treetops?. And wonder if these last few days have all been a wild and wonderful dream.
Photo opportunities abound just like every other day. On again, driving skills being continually tested, making our way to our well earned final overnight stop at a charming rustic jungle lodge, located the Cayo area.
Always remember: 4 x 4 Wheel Driving at best is 'Brain not Brawn'.
'CLICK' FOR SOUNDS!
DAY 5 Today is the final day of your jungle adventure, the adventure is coming to an end, one more Belizean breakfast accompanied by those ever present sounds of the jungle.Then it?s into your LAND ROVER, more dirt roads and tracks to conquer, onto Belize City& civilization?.We will endeavor to make good time getting back to the riverbank boat loading point that will to take us down river to your final destination in Belize, the departure area at our InternationalAirport. You will return home with your heads in the stars, enriched by the human experiences and the discovery of this country which in spite of the trials and tribulations of history, has still kept it?s unique magic. Until next time, BON VOYAGE!
