Departs: Daily at 6:00 a.m.,
available with 12 hours notice
(Minimum 2 persons)

Price: US$36.00

Length: Approx. 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Terrain: Tropical rainforest, canopy to 80 ft.

We depart the Lodge at daybreak and drive a short distance to 'Toucan Sittee', a small guest house managed by a local couple. The drive will take you to areas which are home to many species of birds including parrots and toucans.

Toucan Sittee borders the Sittee River  where there are many large trees, known to attract a lot of birds. As you view the bird life here you will be served a delicious breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, juices, coffee, and fresh baked breads.

We will make our way through Sittee River Village to the site of the Serpon Sugar Mill Ruins. This mill was built in the 1860's by Confederates after the Civil War.

This site has recently been protected from encroaching citrus farms and contains some of the largest trees known in Belize.

The trail down to the Sittee River will take us through pristine rainforest, across several small streams and past giant stands of bamboo. The river is home to many species of birds, so you may want to stop here for some time to observe the proliferation of wildlife that abounds here.

Don't forget to bring: bug repellent, hat, binoculars, camera.

This unforgettable experience begins with a one hour drive up the scenic Hummingbird Highway to Caves Branch Adventure Camp. Transport to the Caves Branch River is by way of tractor cart so prepare yourself for this unique experience!

Once at the river we float a short way down the river and into a cave which opens up to a massive cavern. We continue deep into the cave (some walking is involved) to view amazing cave formations.

Once deep inside the cave, your guides will lead you up inside to view ancient Mayan fire pits, where the Mayans once held ceremonies.

The more ambitious visitor will be given the opportunity to view the Monkey God, which is carved into the rock, and was the Mayan God of fertility.

You can hike higher up into the cave, and see the more amazing cave formations before taking a break for lunch. A relaxing float back down the river will bring you back to your departure point.

We depart the Lodge at 7:00 and drive south on the new Southern Highway, passing the Jaguar Preserve on our right and proceeding across both the Sittee and South Stann Creek rivers. Within a short time we arrive at our destination, which is Red Bank Village.

In this Mayan village we will meet our guide, Geronomo, whom will lead us through his farm and into the area where the Scarlet Macaws are most prevalent.

From the valley the path turns up a steep hill, the top of which is another 20 minute hike away, and should only be attempted by relatively fit people with good foot wear.

It is from this hilltop location that these beautiful birds can best be seen in the trees feeding on a fruit which is unique to this village. These beautiful birds are an amazing sight as they soar from mountain tree tops to the lush green valleys below putting on a spectacular show of beauty and color.

Departs: Mondays.
Wednesdays, Fridays,
& Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
(Minimum 4 persons)

Price: US$48.00
(lunch and snorkel gear at
extra cost)

Length: approx. 6-8 hours

Difficulty: Easy in good weather; Moderate in bad weather

Terrain: Lagoons lined by red and black mangrove forest, coral reefs, small islands (cayes), some with white powder sand beaches

We will start by boat from the Lodge after breakfast and make our way to the Sittee River. The cruise down the Sittee River will be filled with photo opportunities. There is excellent bird life here including egrets, herons and hundreds of other species.

The Sittee River is one of Belize's largest and deepest rivers, often used by large boats seeking shelter from hurricanes. Green iguanas thrive here and you will soon learn to spot them in the jungle canopy that borders the river. Keep your eyes open for bocatura (river turtle), they love to sun themselves on fallen trees in the river, but are very shy.

The Cayes will first appear as several dark shapes on the horizon. As we get closer more and more of these shapes will appear, and you will soon see dozens of beautiful tropical islands.

Watch closely for bottle-nosed dolphins; they love to cruise this protected inner waterway and are often sighted between here and the Barrier Reef.

Our first snorkel stop will be Bread & Butter Caye. Here you have easy access to the beautiful and virgin coral gardens that thrive off the Island's northwest corner.

Then it's on to Whale Shoal, which is a tiny coral island surrounded by beautiful stands of elkhorn and staghorn coral. From here the Barrier Reef is clearly visible, as are South Water Caye and Carrie Bow Caye, which sit atop the Barrier Reef. Carrie Bow Caye is the site of the widely acclaimed Smithsonian Institute Coral Reef Research Center.

Our next stop will be Man-O'-War Caye. Even from a considerable distance you will see hundreds of frigate birds soaring high above the island. Man-O'-War Caye is a designated Bird Sanctuary and is home to large populations of the magnificent frigate birds, brown boobies and pelicans. We will slowly cruise around the Island within inches of colorful coral gardens, and give you ample time to fully appreciate this spectacular natural wonder.

As we depart Man-O'-War Caye you will see the turquoise water and snow white sands that surround Coco Plum Caye, which will be the next and final stop on our voyage. Here you will have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe and explore. Coco Plum is well known for the many glass bottles that are found here, many dating back to the age of the pirates!

The 30 minute ride back to the Lodge will give you time to reflect upon the incredible creatures and ecosystems that make up this pristine marine habitat.

Don't forget to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, underwater camera (available in gift shop), snorkeling gear, fish identification chart and a desire to be completely connected with nature!

We depart the Lodge after breakfast and head towards the Blue Ground Range, a string of mangrove cayes eight miles due east. Our first snorkel stop is here, we will observe many 'patch' corals that thrive among these protected islands.

We then cross through the cayes and head for the Belize Barrier Reef. You will see the Reef from some distance as a ribbon of white on the horizon. This is the longest unbroken barrier reef in the world, stretching some 200 miles, spanning the entire length of Belize.

We will make several stops along the Barrier Reef and allow you plenty of time to explore. Although patch corals are everywhere here, it will likely be the larger 'branch' type corals and giant multi-colored sponges that will grab your attention.

This is not only one of the largest reefs in the world, it is also one of the most pristine, and remains largely unexplored. The colors and textures of the reef and it's many inhabitants are truly amazing and make the coral reef one of nature's most amazing creations.

We will stop for lunch at South Water Caye and have plenty of time to beachcomb. Avid snorkelers will find great snorkeling just off the beach.

After a relaxing afternoon we will slowly begin our journey home winding through the cayes and eventually back to the Lodge.

Don't forget to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, and underwater camera (available at gift shop).

After breakfast we set out from the Lodge in a four- wheel drive vehicle. The first mile of road is through pristine wetlands rich in birds and amphibians. (Watch for crocodiles on the side of the road!) On most days the air will be clear enough to see the majestic spire of Victoria Peak (3,675 ft.) and the distant Maya Mountain Range. Sedge marsh turns to orange groves, and the settlement of the Sittee River Village.

Within a few minutes we reach the Southern Highway and cross over the Sittee River. We soon arrive at Maya Center and the entrance to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve We stop briefly to sign in and to view the beautiful hand-carved slate plaques, baskets, clothing and jewelry made in the Village by the local Mayan Indians, who have formed an arts and crafts co-operative.

We then continue into the dense tropical rainforest of the Cockscomb Basin, which has a total protected area of over 100,000 acres.

You will want to check out the Education Center that details the topography, geology, plant and animal life that make up this incredible rainforest. Our guide will then take us on several established trails, each with its own unique characteristics. As you walk, the guide will interpret the flora and fauna that makes this park such an amazing place. The preserve is believed to have the world's highest density of jaguar as well as puma, ocelot, margay and jaguarundi.

We will return to the ranger station for lunch and rest up for a hike to a beautiful waterfall; a great place to take a cooling swim. By late afternoon we will begin our journey back to the Lodge.

Although Cockscomb is famous for its cat species, it is also a good place to see other mammals. Black howler monkeys have recently been reintroduced to the preserve and are sighted regularly by our guests along the forest trails. Large groups (up to 40) of white-lipped peccary are sometimes heard and sighted here feeding on cahune nuts.

Don't forget to bring: bug repellent, hat, water bottle, swimsuit, towel, hiking shoes, camera, binoculars, rain jacket, bird identification book and a zest for adventure!

We depart the Lodge after breakfast and make our way north and onto the Hummingbird Highway. Our drive up this scenic roadway drive takes us through a major citrus growing area and small Mayan villages, and to an area known locally as 'Caves branch', it has many limestone caves, some of which contain Mayan pottery and evidence of their ceremonies.

At The Blue Hole National Park we sign in at the Ranger Station and make our way up the path to the entrance of St. Herman's Cave.

The cave gradually descends into the earth and there are trails which lead you deep inside the cave. Look out for bats and cave formations as you journey deep into the earth. Your guide will lead you ever deeper in this fascinating cave and will bring you out of the cave through another opening almost a mile from where you entered.

We then begin our hike along well maintained paths to the Blue Hole, which is a sinkhole or cenote fed by an underground stream and in it's crystal clear blue waters you will find an ideal place to take a cooling swim. The water enters the pool from a cave, forms a small river and then disappears underground again.

Take all the time you like to enjoy the refreshing waters and peaceful environment, knowing that you have the scenic drive back down the Hummingbird Highway to look forward to!

Departing after breakfast we proceed through Hopkins Village and connect with the Southern Highway.

We then head towards the Maya Mountains, visible in the distance. Orange groves turn to banana plantations, which give way to dense tropical rainforest. Giant haliconia plants can be seen growing alongside the road as we proceed deeper into the jungle.

Once at our destination, we traverse Silk Grass Creek and venture into the jungle. A short walk brings us to what is believed to be the largest of 16 structures comprising the ancient Mayan City of Mayflower.

A stone wall is clearly visible and runs for over 100 feet, forming the base of the pyramid known as "Manzanune". The structure is terraced, a design used in the very oldest of the once thriving cities. The Ruin is believed to be over 1000 years old, built during the Classic Period (300-900 A.D.).

Our guide provides a tour over the structure and will show you where it has been trenched by archaeologists. Mayflower is currently undergoing a major survey and excavation by several U.S. based archaeologists from Tulane and Yale Universities, and is expected to take 5 years to complete.

After we tour the ancient burial grounds we split into two groups. One group will depart for Hummingbird Falls, the easier of the two optional extensions of the tour, and the second group will depart for Antelope Falls for a 30 minute hike through dense forest and up steep banks. We will use ropes at one spot to provide that extra level of safety and comfort.

The hike to the top is truly worth the effort, as you will be amongst the first non-Mayans to see the spectacular Antelope Falls. The falls drop some 100 feet above your head and cascades down a massive rock face, forming small pools ideal for swimming.

You will want to cool off in the falls and enjoy their refreshing waters. It is believed that this waterfall had some sort of religious significance to the Maya, as the Mayan city was built at it's base.

After admiring the falls and its peaceful ambiance, we head back down Silk Grass Creek. After a relaxing lunch we hike to Hummingbird Falls, several miles deeper into the jungle, and this time our walk is much easier with just a few small inclines and narrow paths to negotiate.

Hummingbird Falls, though not as large as Antelope Falls, is a beautiful wall of water which empties into a large pool, ideal for a cooling swim. Feel free to head further up the path to explore the myriad of waterfalls and swimming holes that are prevalent above the main falls.

Don't forget to bring: bug repellent, hat, long pants, swimsuit, towel, camera, binoculars, sturdy hiking shoes.