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Belize: Multisport Fun from Rainforest to Reef

Multisport in Belize with Explorer's Corner LLC

Highlights

  • Kayak tropical cays and snorkel over the world's second-largest barrier reef 
  • Imagine you're Indiana Jones as you hike among the treasures of extraordinary Actun Tunichil Muknal cave
  • 1 night forest cabana, 4 nights simple hotel, 2 nights eco-lodge

Full Description

The Ultimate Caribbean Eco-Adventure!

Belize is a tropical wonderland, an idyllic montage of turquoise sea, white coral beaches and emerald jungle. Two of nature’s most productive and diverse habitats—the rainforest and coral reef—reveal their interconnected wonders as we explore them via hiking, rafting, kayaking and snorkeling.

 

This multi-faceted trip offers a range of exciting active adventures: inland, we’ll glide down subterreanean rivers through dimly lit caves, explore spectacular Mayan ruins above and below ground, and listen to the pulsing sounds of the rainforest while we keep watch for toucans in the trees.

 

Out on the cays (pronounced “keys”), we island-hop by kayak and stroll pristine beaches of fine coral sand, pondering tales of pirates from the days when Blackbeard himself sailed the Caribbean. Between the mainland and the barrier reef lie 20 miles of underwater canyons and submerged mountains, whose tops form the more than 225 cays along the reef. Many are capped with mangroves and support abundant birdlife. Below the surface, we snorkel through an endless underwater garden of colorful sponges, sea fans and and huge schools of tropical fish, gliding through some of the clearest aquamarine water on earth. We have three days to snorkel and kayak our hearts out as we consort with brilliant parrotfish, angelfish, trumpet fish, damselfish and rays.

 

Belize also has a rich and alluring human history: an amalgamation of cultural infusions including indigenous Maya and Creoles descended from black Africans brought in as slaves to provide the backbone of the logging trade. The mid-1800s saw the coming of indentured servants, Confederate expatriates escaping the victorious Union, Mennonites from Europe, Mestizos fleeing Central American wars and British expatriates—particularly Scots. The result is a contemporary mélange of many customs, traditions and flavors, as varied and captivating as Belize’s natural landscape.

 

You won’t believe all the beauty and excitement you can pack into a week-long escape in this Caribbean slice of paradise—come with us to find out!

 

Includes:

  • Expert leadership and support personnel
  • All accommodations as noted
  • Meals as noted (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • Land excursions and sightseeing as noted
  • All kayaking and canoeing gear, and safety equipment

 

Excludes:

  • International airfare to/from Belize City
  • Internal Flight: $100
  • Insurance of any kind: mandatory evacuation insurance or suggested cancellation insurance
  • Visas
  • Fishing licenses
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Airport or departure taxes
  • Medical immunizations
  • Extensions or optional add-ons
  • Items of a personal nature (clothing, sodas, liquor, snacks, laundry, etc.)
  • Optional tipping of guides, porters or drivers

 

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Our representative will meet you at the Belize airport in the early afternoon and transfer you to the small plane going to Placencia. An amazing forty five minute flight along the coast gives you a “birds-eye” view of the Maya Mountains on one side and the hundreds of beautiful cays dotting the azure Caribbean below on the other. We settle into our cozy beach cabanas located close to the edge of the water. During the group dinner we’ll have a welcome orientation by our guide and staff. Welcome to Paradise! D. Seakunga Resort

Days 2-4

After an early breakfast we take a two hour power boat ride to the edge of the barrier reef and the remote southern cays. There, our kayaks await us and we’ll set out for a short orientation paddle. Before us stretches a sparkling turquoise sea kayaker’s wonderland of crystal white cays, crowned with emerald mangroves and royal green palms. The reef has the effect of lifting the entire coast and cordoning it off from the depths. Beneath the surface stretches an oceanic basin blooming with a living explosion of coral gardens inhabited by a dazzling multitude of neon creatures. Our sea kayaks are ideal for jumping off to snorkel when we see something of interest. There are a lot of different places to paddle and explore on the cays off the coast. We’ll even have an opportunity to snorkel over an 80 ft long sunken ship run aground here at the turn of the last century. The old hull provides an ideal environment for the reef life – expect myriads of colorful wildlife, among them rays, turtles and, if we’re lucky, even dolphins. When we’re on the outer cays we’ll stay in a rustic but charming island lodge. B, L, D. Lime Cay Island Lodge

Day 5

Today, a two hour boat ride will return us to Seakunga resort. We may stop along the way to do some snorkeling. Perhaps we’ll even find manatees as we visit the usual haunts of these large slow moving mammals commonly called sea cows. When we return to Seakunga Resort – It’s time to relax after our outer reef adventure and in the evening we’ll have a party and even dance to some local music! B, L, D. Seakunga Resort

Day 6

This day is dedicated to one of the best adventures Belize has to offer. After an early breakfast, we’ll gather at the put-in for the Caves Branch River and board our rafts to paddle down this jungle river. We float downriver for a few miles before entering the underworld of the ancient Maya. We’ll float for five miles with only our headlamps to light our way. This is a very special journey, floating past side windows that filter the jungle light through the mist as we swirl around stalagmites jutting from the river and stalactites looming from above. We’ll pass by underground waterfalls then into the crystal cathedral, a spiritual center to the ancient Maya. B, L, D. MET Lodge

Day 7

Today we’ll travel by horseback (or jeep, if you prefer) up to the Barton Creek Cave entrance. From here, we glide through a remote underground water cave system in canoes equipped with powerful spotlights. It’s believed that the Maya once used this cave for ritual ceremonies. While canoeing through the cave we’ll see large and colorful formations, skeletal remains and other cultural artifacts left behind by the Maya centuries ago. B, L, D. MET Lodge

Day 8

Early this morning we return to Belize City. If we have time before our departing flights, we’ll stop by the Belize Zoo, known for resembling the habitats of the different local species it hosts. B.

About The Operator:

Explorer's Corner LLC

Headquarters:

Berkeley, CA

Established:

November 2000

About Explorers’ Corner

Explorers’ Corner is a high-end, specialty adventure company offering unique destinations and experiences, custom adventures and “old-world” one-to-one customer service. We stand firmly behind our slogan: Real Explorers Wanted - True Adventures Guaranteed!

Explorers’ Corner was founded in November of 2000 by Olaf Malver. After working in the travel industry for over 15 years, Olaf felt strongly that there was a market of travelers whose “true adventure and exploration” needs were not being met. At a time when the meaning of adventure is being watered down in travel, Explorers’ Corner is dedicated to fostering a community of curious and driven travelers that dare to make their travel dreams come true - only limited by their imaginations. We will provide the leaders and the safety and your participation will enhance the experience.

Explorers' Corner's passion has been to pioneer real adventures that provide an authentic experience rather than buffer you from what these places are all about. If, for example, you join us in an expedition to the Antarctic or to Greenland you’ll be expected to pitch in and do your part to make for a safe and successful journey for all. The reward is that you will have a true and direct experience, which you play an integral role in creating.

Real explorers are flexible and team players: for instance, if the weather changes to the worse then you might have to pitch your own tent, help the team haul your kayak out of the water, and lend a hand with the other camp chores. In a place like the Douro River of Portugal you might have to jump in and get your feet wet, not in the river, but stomping grapes to help the locals with the crush! An authentic experience means making the efforts to get up before the crack of dawn to be the only ones at a Galapagos landing site to watch a Pacific Green Sea Turtle returning to the ocean after a night of laying eggs.

True adventure is seeking out and safely experiencing the fullness of what the world has to offer on its own terms, not terms dictated to it. We say “real explorers wanted, true adventure guaranteed” because we mean it.

Custom Adventures

Making travel dreams a reality is a closely held philosophy at Explorers’ Corner. Therefore, creating and making custom adventures come true for our clients is a large part of Explorers’ Corner’s business. Explorers’ Corner will customize any one of our listed adventures to create a special event for families, groups of friends, or business associates. Guests can request special departure dates, custom activities, or extra accommodations as part of their group adventure. We will work with you to make your ideas come to fruition -- as long as they are seasonally appropriate and your group meets the minimum person requirement.

Explorers’ Corner can also custom design an adventure for our clients to any new place (on Earth, at least!) that only they have imagined exploring — again, providing the trip is seasonable and the minimum persons requirement is met. Bring us your dreams and our travel specialists will work to make your trip a reality. We love to travel, and we love to send travelers to any of the world’s most wonderful destinations.

Explorers’ Corner Founder

Dr. Olaf Malver—CEO, Chief Exploratory Officer. Olaf founded Explorers’ Corner, a boutique adventure travel company, 7 years ago. He, his guides, and his staff have since taken like-minded adventurous folks to far-flung corners of the world. In addition to running Explorers’ Corner, Olaf is a passionate eco-tourist activist working for the United Nations to help promote sustainable tourism in developing countries in the quest to save the world’s natural habitats.

Olaf is a true explorer who has sea kayaked, climbed mountains, dog sledded, and hiked in more than 100 countries spanning 35 years. He's led trailblazing expeditions to diverse locations such as South Georgia, Kamchatka, Antarctica, Pakistan, Nepal, Greenland, Indonesia, Vietnam, Panama, the Nicobar Islands, Zanzibar - and many other "frontier destinations”. Olaf claims many "firsts" in the world of high adventure, such as sea kayaking in Irian Jaya, Burma, North Vietnam, Panama, French Polynesia and British Guyana. He also led the first dog sled crossing across the Northern Brooks Range in Alaska and soloed around Zanzibar in a Hobie Cat. He is a lifetime fellow of the world famous Explorer’s Club, in recognition of his “true” explorations. Olaf is a living proof that the world of modern day exploration is still infinite and only limited by our lack of imagination and dreams! And Olaf is not alone. We have attracted some of the best adventure guides in the world.

Explorers’ Corner Guides

Our guides have more than 80 years of collective guiding experience and have been to over 150 countries, safely leading hundreds of travelers to unique destinations via kayaking, hiking, boating, and biking. They naturally carry with them the mission of Explorers’ Corner—to experience unique destinations and make travel dreams come true. Explorers’ Corner’s seasoned guides include Olaf Malver, Dave Mention, Mick O’Shea, Nancy Moore, Baldvin Kristjansson and many more.