Portfolio Category: San Ignacio Day Tours

Xunantunich Ruins & Barton Creek Cave Canoeing- San Ignacio

Xunantunich “Maiden of the Rock” a late classical city known for its continuity in development; whilst other great cities beginning to collapse such as Tikal, Caracol and Naranjo; this city was striving with a vibrant society. This city is host to the highest man made structure built in Belize, preserved by Mother Nature for over 1400 years. Hike up the mounds, into the walls of these great palaces and temples and learn about the importance of its people, ceremonies, rituals and practices performed to withstand the challenges of the collapse of surrounding cites.

Above the tallest building over 42 meters from its base, the stucco frieze was left behind by this great civilization, is interpreted by notable archaeologist to tell us the significance of this city; strategically built a top a hill. Enjoy the view that is not only sacred, panoramic but also a spiritual and divine connection with the Mayas.

+ Barton Creek Cave Canoeing

While Barton Creek is impressive for its sheer size and depth, the canoes remain on a course through the areas most traveled. Guides bring you deep into the cave so you can marvel at the shimmer from the countless crystal formations then turn the canoe around so your journey can end where it began.

As a cave, Barton Creek served as an important place of worship for the ancient Maya. Though looting was rampant upon discovery of the system, Barton Creek has nevertheless remained a place of historical significance. Archaeologists still find remnants of Mayan culture within and have found no less than 28 different human remains. Even with such a large collection of historical majesty, it’s the natural formations that make this cave truly special.

Xunantunich Ruins- San Ignacio

Xunantunich “Maiden of the Rock” a late classical city known for its continuity in development; whilst other great cities beginning to collapse such as Tikal, Caracol and Naranjo; this city was striving with a vibrant society. This city is host to the highest man made structure built in Belize, preserved by Mother Nature for over 1400 years. Hike up the mounds, into the walls of these great palaces and temples and learn about the importance of its people, ceremonies, rituals and practices performed to withstand the challenges of the collapse of surrounding cites.

Above the tallest building over 42 meters from its base, the stucco frieze was left behind by this great civilization, is interpreted by notable archaeologist to tell us the significance of this city; strategically built a top a hill. Enjoy the view that is not only sacred, panoramic but also a spiritual and divine connection with the Mayas.

Tikal Day Tour- San Ignacio

Tikal was a city of legend, rivaling even the grandeur of Teotihuacan found in the Valley of Mexico. Dominating the Mayan civilization from 200 to 900 CE, it was a powerhouse that, as of today, is the best understood of any of the lowland Mayan cities. It was awarded UNESCO protection in 1979 for its continued significance even though the ancient Maya have long passed away.

Located just across the border in Guatemala, this monument to the power of ancient man is bursting with palaces, stelae, temples and monumental plazas boasting structures so tall that they surpass even the surrounding treetops. Such grandeur is what led George Lucas to use it in Star Wars as the rebel base the Empire so desperately sought.

As it is in Guatemala, you will have to undergo a border crossing. All of this will be made easier by your guide. From there, it’s a short drive to the site where you are free to explore at your own pace and climb the ruins for a view lost to the jungle for hundreds of years.

Surrounding this Mayan paradise is 222 square miles of protected jungle, resulting in a secluded experience unlike any other. Echoing with the sounds of the howler monkeys and local birds, this impressive collection of restored limestone buildings only represent a fraction of the still uncovered remaining 23 square miles of enveloped history.

Lamanai River Safari- San Ignacio

As a nod to the crocodiles that call the New River their home, the ruins of Lamanai, or submerged crocodile, lie surrounded by jungle on one side and a beautiful river to the other. Unearthed in the 1970s, this Mayan complex proved to be one of the longest continually inhabited of the ancient cities with evidence of occupation dating back to the 1500s BCE.

Nowadays, visitors to Lamanai can enjoy the magnificence of its three major temples, each built during a different era. For the best view, climb the High Temple to peer across the vast canopy of the rainforest. For an impressive display of Mayan stone carving expertise, the giant faces of the Mask Temple and the jaguars of the Jaguar Temple are the most memorable aspects. There is also an onsite museum housing the great finds of the city, including the copper that led to the invaluable reconstruction of the history of the site.

Unlike other temples that require a bit of a hike, Lamanai truly utilizes the river it sits on. To reach the site itself, your guide will take you on a boat ride through untouched wilderness. You’ll be surrounded on all sides by sunning crocodiles, screeching howler monkeys and the enormous Ceiba trees.

Following this journey into the past, you’ll dock at the entrance to the park and enjoy a full day’s excursion, exploring each of the famed temples at your own pace, coming face to face with Belize’s marvelous history.

Caracol Ruins, Rio Frio Cave & Rio On Pool- San Ignacio

Once covering an area larger than that of Belize City and supporting a population twice as large as Belize City’s current population. It was originally discovered in 1937 and continues to be excavated to this day. Within this sprawling metropolis lies Caana, or “sky temple”. The largest man-made structure in all of Belize even to this day, it offers a breathtaking panorama of the that surrounds it. In the past, however, this forested preserve would have been cleared away for the expansive farmlands the helped the city flourish.

Beyond the Mayan influence is the natural. Because of its location within a protected forest, you’ll hear and see endangered animals native only to this region. Including Coatimundis, tapirs and jaguars, the forest keeps the area feeling as alive as it did back during the height of its power.

Due to Caracol’s remote location, the drive there is an adventure all to itself. The journey begins with a trip along dirt roads surrounded by Mayan villages much smaller in size than the final destination. After passing through gorgeous countryside, you’ll find yourself face to face with an impressive testament to the power of even ancient man’s ability to thrive and prosper

Cave Tubing, Zip Lining & Xunantunich Temples- San Ignacio

Two memorable and unforgettable tours the Zip Line /Ariel Trek and Cave Tubing Tours begins with a short getting acquainted, tour of our Beautiful Jewel namely, Belize. Our capable and reliable drivers head in the Westerly direction to our destination. As we travel along this highway your friendly and competent guide entertains you with a rich history and culture of Belize.

Upon our arrival at the great “Nohoch Chen Archeological Site” you will be directed to the changing facilities available for your conveniences. All right guys and gals this is where we learn who the screamers are. We then make our way down the zip lining boulevard to zoom across the highest Ariel Trek Site in Belize. This baby consists of ten (10) platforms , seven (7) runs, here is the exciting part the run is well over six hundred feet(600) guess what the highest elevated area is over one hundred and fifty feet (150).

+ Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

Whether or not the legend is true, a journey to Xunantunich is a journey into a place of mysticism. As the Mayan empire crumbled across the Yucatan, Xunantunich’s power grew. It became such an important center that it even managed to construct the second tallest man-made structure in Belize, El Castillo. Excavations also show that it was completely deserted during the Classic Period due to some sudden catastrophic event theorized to be an earthquake.

Cave Tubing & Zip Lining- San Ignacio

Two memorable and unforgettable tours the Zip Line /Ariel Trek and Cave Tubing Tours begins with a short getting acquainted, tour of our Beautiful Jewel namely, Belize. Our capable and reliable drivers head in the Westerly direction to our destination. As we travel along this highway your friendly and competent guide entertains you with a rich history and culture of Belize.

Upon our arrival at the great “Nohoch Chen Archeological Site” you will be directed to the changing facilities available for your conveniences. All right guys and gals this is where we learn who the screamers are. We then make our way down the zip lining boulevard to zoom across the highest Ariel Trek Site in Belize. This baby consists of ten (10) platforms , seven (7) runs, here is the exciting part the run is well over six hundred feet(600) guess what the highest elevated area is over one hundred and fifty feet (150).

Now you’re probably wondering what you will need for this awesome ride, “Not to Worry My Friends” Orchid Belize Adventures Cares for all your needs, equipments for this rocket ride is provided. Come and join many others who have been brave enough to go-sky-high with the trees and catch a foretaste of what our rainforest looks like from this height. We have now experienced a hand on memorable adventure from way up high as we get our breath back we will venture deeper yet into the forest as we hike once more for twenty minutes to relax in the cool refreshing water of the Sibun River.

This slip and slide floating experience in the water is a journey through the underworld of ‘’Xibalba.” It is now time for us to shake of the cooling water and, I’m sure our tummies are begging for some delicious snacks, as we have certainly worked up a healthy appetite.

Cave Tubing at Cave Branch- San Ignacio

Cave tubing the most exciting tour adventure in Belize an experience thru the jungles, caves and river like the famous Indiana Jones. Arrive at the national park of Nohoch Chen, and get geared up with your headlights, inner tubes and life vests and start your hike thru the lush rainforest as did the ancient Mayas into the abyss of Xibalba (caves). Enjoy a bath in the sacred river of caves branch and prepare your journey thru the underworld as you defeat the nine lords and exit into a new form of life as the native Indians believed. As, you tube down the river look at the mysterious art work in the caves that Mother Nature has done; and enjoy the scenic view of the open river with the beautiful flora and fauna that surrounds you.

Black Hole Drop Cave Rappelling- San Ignacio

Imagine lowering yourself slowly into a seemingly black abyss. As you descend, the trees vanish, the air cools and the light grows dim. What once looked like a black hole with no end in site is now clearly the forest floor.

At the Black Hole Drop, you don’t have to imagine. Known as the mother of all caves, the Actun Loch Tunich sinkhole formed long ago as the weak limestone underneath the rainforest gave way to geological changes that caused the collapse. Though it looks pitch black from the starting point, there’s enough light that filters in to make sure you see every foot of your descent.

This adventure is for the physically fit due to the fact that getting there requires a 45 minute long hike up through the Maya Mountains until you reach the edge of the sinkhole. Once there, you’ll take a short break and then begin suiting up into full safety gear. As soon as your harness is secure, you’ll begin your slow descent. By 200 feet down, you’ll have reached the canopy. From there, it’s only another 100 feet until you reach the forest floor. After another rest, all that remains is a hike out of the foothills and a short journey to your hotel.

Barton Creek Cave Canoeing- San Ignacio

As a historically important site, Barton Creek Cave is a sprawling system with a recorded 6,400 meters of passages and an estimated 8 kilometers more. Unlike many of the other caves through Belize, it’s the calm creek flowing through it that makes this adventure the least difficult of all the cave tours.

Done entirely in canoes, visitors are gently whisked into the cathedral-like entrance with its towering stalactites and gorgeous structures only to soon find themselves immersed in the dark of the cave system with only the lights on the boats to reveal the mysteries inside.

While Barton Creek is impressive for its sheer size and depth, the canoes remain on a course through the areas most traveled. Guides bring you deep into the cave so you can marvel at the shimmer from the countless crystal formations then turn the canoe around so your journey can end where it began.

As a cave, Barton Creek served as an important place of worship for the ancient Maya. Though looting was rampant upon discovery of the system, Barton Creek has nevertheless remained a place of historical significance. Archaeologists still find remnants of Mayan culture within and have found no less than 28 different human remains. Even with such a large collection of historical majesty, it’s the natural formations that make this cave truly special.