N 16° 40' 00" W 82° 50' 00"
IN SEARCH OF LOST CITIES AND NATURAL WONDERS
3-15 March 2008 (MF01) • 14 days
4-17 May 2008 (MF02) • 14 days
1-14 June 2008 (MF03) • 14 days
27 July – 9 Aug 2008 (MF04) • 14 days
23 Nov – 6 Dec 2008 (MF05) • 14 days
£2750 • Leader: Alastair Rogers/Chris Minty
Aldous Huxley famously said of Belize: “If the World had ends, this surely would be one of them”.
Belize today retains this ‘frontier’ feeling whilst being a welcoming, English-speaking, developing nation. Thanks to low population densities and a strong conservation ethic, Belize still has many unspoilt wild places. These have remained uninhabited since the Classic Maya Civilisation collapsed in Mesoamerica around AD900, leaving their mysterious, uncharted ruins to be reclaimed by the dense Maya Forest that cloaks central Belize.
This is truly explorers’ country and your expedition will take you into the very heart of the unspoilt wilderness. Our ultimate goal is to reach a part of the forest where you will be the first people to walk for more than 1000 years. This is real exploration - whatever we find there will be new discoveries. Discoveries that will fill ‘a blank on the map’, adding to scientists understanding of the rainforest, and ultimately its conservation.
Our journey starts in Belize City. Founded by Baymen and pirates, this lively, bustling city epitomises Belize’s reputation as being: “The Caribbean beat in the heart of Central America” Heading inland in our expedition vehicles, we take time to acclimatise to the sub-tropical climate and to learn about the environment in which we are travelling. 
At a specially arranged visit to the Belize Zoo we identify the rare and endangered species we will be looking for in the forests. Many of these animals survive in significant numbers only in Belize.
Travelling west across open savannah into Belize’s beautiful and laid-back Cayo District, we stay at Chaa Creek jungle lodge. Here we visit the spectacular Maya ruins of Xunantunich and the local Maya village of San Jose Succotz to learn about Maya cultures past and present. A private visit to the Belize Botanical Gardens shows us how to identify important tree and plant species such as Mahogany and Black Orchids, whilst an introduction to the snakes of Belize by a local expert is a highlight of our preparations. Finally there is time for a canoe trip on the Belize river and some last minute shopping in bustling market town of San Ignacio.
The next leg of the expedition sees us driving off-road deep into the Maya Mountains. Climbing to Mountain Pine Ridge, we see where the Rio Frio plunges through rock caves and explore to cave E4, the rarely visited site of an ancient Maya stone of worship. The limestone Vaca Plateau is pockmarked by unexplored caves that the ancient Maya believed to be entrances to the underworld. Offerings to the panoply of gods they believed inhabited this dark realm have lain undisturbed for centuries – we will visit some that were discovered as recently as 2003.
Leaving the last hutted villages far behind, we head South into the Maya Forest itself. Steep walls of jungle close around the sides of the track and the 4-wheel drives really come into their own. Finally we reach our main expedition base, Las Cuevas Research Station, lying in a small clearing deep in the heart of the rainforest. This is genuinely about as remote as it gets and yet there are welcoming staff, comfortable beds, hot showers, good food and dazzling wildlife displays to watch from the balcony over a cold beer at the end of an exciting day.
At Las Cuevas we prepare for the final leg of the journey, to a camp in unexplored forest beyond the Monkey Tail River. As we prepare there is much to do and enjoy. Daily trips to the bird observation tower provide one of the worlds’ great views; dawn or dusk over hundreds of square miles of undisturbed rainforest canopy. We explore the massive Las Cuevas cave – used by the ancient Maya to collect ‘virgin water’ – and the ruined, overgrown temples that lie around it. Each night there is an opportunity for moonlight drives looking for jaguar, ocelot and puma on that tracks that radiate out in the forest.
On one day we take a canoe trip down the Raspaculo and Macal rivers. This is more or less a gentle float but the sights and sounds of the jungle flood in from both sides. Now is our best chance of seeing Central American River Otters, Tapir and Morelets Crocodiles, as well as the rare
Ara macao cyanoptera sub-species of Scarlet Macaws which nests in hollow trees along the river banks.
With our camp equipment prepared, and any final skills training complete, we head off into the bush. For the next 5 days we will be living under canvas in a ‘forward base camp’ in completely uncharted territory. Here we will be the first people for centuries to walk and explore.
Living close to unspoilt nature like this is one of life’s great experiences. The world feels as it must have done for our ancestors, and our place in it feels very different. Animals in this remote area have a curiosity about, rather than a fear of, human beings. The whole rhythm of life is dictated by nature, light and dark, weather. It is a beguiling, once-in-a-lifetime experience to live like this, albeit for all too short a time.
From forward base camp we set out to find the expedition’s goal – an unexplored ‘grid square’. No-one knows what we will discover there, what plants and animals we will see, what ruins we may find, but recording these new discoveries will be a lasting memorial of your expedition. On our return to Las Cuevas, this knowledge is added to records that help plan the forest’s conservation.
Before we leave forward base there is one last experience to be had - the opportunity to spend a ‘silent’ day, alone or in small groups, experiencing the full mix of tranquillity and vibrant life that makes up an unspoilt rainforest.
After a final day at Las Cuevas, we head back for civilisation via the magnificent ruins of Caracol, a lost city only re-discovered in the 1950’s and still in the process of being explored and mapped.
Back in Belize City the expedition formally ends with our farewell dinner. Splitting up a group that has shared so many wonderful, shared experiences is never easy but friends will have been made for life.
For those keen to continue exploring, we offer an optional extension that takes you out to stay on a private island on Belize’s fabulous coral barrier reef.
Travelling South to Dangriga, you transfer by boat to your picturesque, beach-side, rustic chalet. Catered and looked after by local Garifuna people, life on this ‘caye’ is totally peaceful. There are no bars or nightlife; drinks are from your own cold box and conversation is the best evening entertainment. During the day you can swing in a hammock or swim off the beach in total peace and quiet, or take a boat trip out to dive with the amazing array of wildlife that populates the reef. For those seeking total relaxation with a hint of adventure - this is the place to be.
Day 1: Belize City – arrive by self-arranged flights (Belize International Airport has scheduled daily flights to and from Miami, Houston and Dallas) at the Expedition rendezvous at Belize City hotel (one night). Meet Expedition Leader for introductory briefing and guided walk round the old city. Dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 2: Cayo – Met by expedition 4 wheel drive vehicles and guides for drive to Chaa Creek Jungle Lodge (2 Nights). Visits to the Belize Zoo, JB’s ‘Middle-of-Nowhere’ bar, and San Ignacio for shopping. Dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 3: Cayo – Visits to Xunantunich ruins, San Jose Succotz village, Natural History Centre at Chaa Creek and Belize Botanical Gardens. Optional canoe trip on Belize River or guided horse trek 
through the reserve. Dinner bed and breakfast.
Day 4: Mountain Pine Ridge, Vaca Plateau and Chiquibul Forest – drive to Las Cuevas via Mayan villages, Rio Frio caves, Rio On pools and lunch at Guacamallo Bridge (optional swim). Late afternoon arrival Las Cuevas Research Station deep in the Maya forest (3 nights) for orientation briefing, visit to the Bird Observation Tower and night-time ‘Jaguar drives’. Full Board.
Day 5: Maya Forest, Las Cuevas – explore Las Cuevas cave system and Maya ruins, jungle orientation and training,visit science projects. Dawn and dusk visits to the Bird Observation Tower and night-time ‘Jaguar drives’. Full Board.
Day 6: Maya Forest, Las Cuevas – dawn visit to Bird Observation Tower, canoe trip on the Macal River, rough picnicking en route and ending with a campfire supper at Guacamallo Bridge. Jaguar drive back to Las Cuevas after dark. Full Board.
Day 7: Maya Forest, Base Camp – establishing ‘forward base’ tented camp (5 nights) beyond the Monkey Tail River, travel by vehicles as far as possible then on foot, exploring overgrown Maya ruins en route. Full Board.
Day 8: Maya Forest, Base Camp– finish camp, explore local area and establish trails. Full Board
Day 9: Maya Forest, Base Camp – locate and explore ‘grid square’, recording flora, fauna and any archaeological discoveries. Full Board.
Day 10: Maya Forest, Base Camp – further exploration, recording and mapping finds. Full Board.
Day 11: Maya Forest, Base Camp – silent day spent alone or in small groups on the river or in the forest. Full Board.
Day 12: Maya Forest, Las Cuevas – return by foot and vehicle to Las Cuevas (one night) for a welcome clean-up and wind-down, dusk visit to the Bird Observation Tower and night-time ‘Jaguar drives’ if required. Full Board.
Day 13: Chiquibul Forest, Belize City – leaving early to visit Caracol ‘lost city’ ruins en-route to Belize City hotel (one night) and Expedition Farewell Dinner. Dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 14: Belize City – morning at leisure or shopping before either making own arrangements to return to the airport for your flight home, or leaving for the Optional Extension.
Optional Extension (4-6 nights)
Day 14: Dangriga – travel on the Hummingbird Highway across the coastal savannah to the Garifuna town of Dangriga, transfer to private island by speedboat. Dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 15 – 17/19: Southwater Caye - relaxing on the island or exploring the barrier reef (additional costs apply). Full Board.
Day 18/20: Belize City – transfer back to Belize City by plane or road from Dangriga to meet flight departure.
2008 Price - £2750. This cost includes all the meals, accommodation, transport, activities, admissions, services of leader and guides as per the above itinerary, and your special expedition insurance. It does not include personal expenses, optional extras, occasional lunch meals, tips, taxes, drinks or your international travel to and from the Expedition.
Insurance - included (see Insurance for details)
Single Occupancy Supplement Payable - £250.
Optional Extension (5 or 7 days) – please call us for latest prices.
How Strenuous? This Expedition involves long periods of off-tarmac road travel in Landrovers or similar vehicles, walking through streams and dense rainforest, carriage of rucksacks containing personal and camping equipment for short hauls, and, by choice, open ‘Canadian-type’ canoeing and non-technical caving. The pace is adjusted to that of the slowest person and frequent rests are taken – and options exist for leaving out parts of the itinerary that don’t appeal. The climate is often hot and humid, although it can be cold at night. Some insects do bite but actually there are very few mosquitoes in the Maya Forest itself.
Expedition Group Size This Expedition operates with between 6-14 participants plus a Leader and one or more local Guides.
