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Lamanai Maya Temples & New River Safari

This is one of the most fascinating tours in Belize. After an hour’s drive up the Northern Highway, you board a riverboat at Tower Hill and head up the New River. While traversing the many little creeks and lagoons, you are likely to encounter hawks, kites and falcons. You may also see dainty Jacanas lightly walking on the lily pads while the crocodiles bask in the morning sunlight. At the entrance to the New River Lagoon, the ruins of Lamanai (Maya for “Submerged Crocodile”) rise into view. While touring this site, huge masks depicting dead rulers and gods seem to materialize out of the rainforest amid the chatter of bird life and the haunting call of the Howler Monkeys. Your guide will point out the Copal and Ramon trees, which were of great importance in ancient times.

The adventure begins with a scenic drive up the Western Highway to the Cayo (pronounced Ky-o) District. Xunantunich (Maya for “Maiden of the Rock”) sits just inside the Western border of Belize. Before reaching the entrance of this ancient city, your party will board a 19th century hand-cranked ferry which takes you across the Mopan River. The ruins are actually located on one of the highest plateaus in the area and it is possible to climb to the top of “El Castillo”, the largest of the temples at this site. From this vantage point, one gains a panoramic view of the Cayo District and nearby Guatemala.

Altun Ha (Maya for Rock Stone Water) thrived as a major trading center linking the Maya on the Caribbean with the Central American mainland Maya during the Post Classic and Classic periods. The site was made world famous by Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum on his finding the largest carved Jade Head depicting the Sun God “Kinich Ahau”. Weighing in at almost nine pounds, this has been Belize’s most valuable find.

Pick-up Times: 8:00am – 8:30am, 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Departures: Daily
Duration: 4 hours (AM and PM departures)
Tour Inclusions: Transportation from/to hotel; guided tour; park fee; Bottle water.
Level of Difficulty: Low (wheel chair accessible).

Your adventure begins as you head for Belize’s wonderful natural wildlife habitat, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, which gives you the unique opportunity of viewing Belize’s prolific wildlife in one location. A sanctuary for the country’s indigenous species, the Belize Zoo was first created for animals that were injured, orphaned, rescued, rehabilitated or donated to the facility and which could not be returned to the wild. The Belize Zoo is now home to over 150 animals, representing over 45 species, including an impressive array of large cats, primates, reptiles and birds who reside beneath the forest canopy in natural settings.

Pick Up Times: 8:00am – 8:30am, 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Departures: Daily

Embark on 1 hour drive via the Western Highway to Caves Branch Outpost, your adventure headquarters for the day. The Outpost is located a few hundred feet from the Caves Branch River and its winding waterway through the ancient caves once inhabited by the Maya. Become a “Zip rider” today as you connect to a series of overhead cables criss-crossing the rainforest canopy. The zipline course features a “beginner’s zip run” of only 150 feet. Six other zip runs range in length from 200′ to 600′ between treetop platforms secured in the canopy of tropical hardwood trees. Intriguing karst limestone cliffs provide a scenic backdrop as you zip through the rainforest canopy.