Belize is a small country on the east coast Central America just south of Mexico, their main asset apart from the beautiful people are its varied ecosystems. The second largest coral reef in the world lies off its coast. The interior of the country is 75% untouched with wetlands, savannah and tropical forests that are home to a vast array of wildlife including 603 species of birds, the Keel-Billed Toucan being the national bird and 5 species of big cat including the Jaguar.
We wanted to introduce this jewel and immersive our guests into this unique environment while raising money for our causes. The country’s environment is under threat from a number of sources including climate change, rising seas and human destruction of ancient forest partly due to extensive beef farming. We believe the Belize story needs telling, so as a first step we organized a six day, immersive eco tour and raised $24,000 for our causes on the ground. Hopefully this will go some way to showing the participants and locals, there is more prosperity in protecting the jungle rather than cutting it down. Obviously this is a beginning, but “Great oaks from little acorns grow”.
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL
On arrival in Belize City, we transferred to the small town of San Ignacio and your first accommodation – Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge. Sitting on the banks of the Macal River, the lodge is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and is the perfect place to settle in, acclimatize and explore.
DAY 2 - ON YOUR BIKE
Rise early and kayak downstream on the Macaw river and stop for a traditional Belize BBQ lunch After lunch pick up your bike and cycle up to visit a Cocoa Farm and the local women owned potteries
That afternoon, we arrived at the beautiful and secluded Eco Lodge, MET. we had some delicious homestyle cooking before spending the night in a native-style thatched cabana lit with gas lamps.
DAY 3 - EXPLORE
Today we did a horse back ride through lush foliage and rainforest habitats to a hidden riverine valley. Spotted the native birds and wildlife: howler monkeys, jaguars, puma, tapir and many more beautiful species call this valley a home. That evening we enjoyed a presentation from the students from Virginia Tech on the work the are doing Belize with the Jaguars.
DAY 4 - ON YOUR BIKE...AGAIN
After breakfast, we jumped back on the bikes and journeyed up the Mountain Pine Ridge. Explored the area including the 1000ft falls. We finished the ride by the Blue pools and took a refreshing dip in the network of lagoons, while keeping an eye out for unfriendly wildlife.
That afternoon, we arrived at Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge. After a rest and a session in the Waterfall Spa, we shared some sundowners from the top of the Pine Ridge, looking out for eagles, birds and other wildlife. That evening, dinner was served with delights from the private organic garden.
DAY 5 - INTO THE JUNGLE, CONNECTING WITH NATURE
The drive started early and took us deep into the Chiquibul National Park. First we took a boat ride up the Macal river, keeping an eye for the majestic scarlet macaw. After lunch, we traveled to Caracol – the most jaw-dropping of all ancient Maya archaeological sites.
DAY 6 - DEPARTURE
After a leisurely morning enjoying the lodge, we departed by private plane from Blancaneaux air strip to Belize City and the International Airport for flights home.
The trip was fantastic, many memories were created and many new friendships forged. The $24,000 we raised will be put to good use by our partners in Belize.
This experience can be replicated or modified, if you work for a corporate or any organization looking for a team building exercise, or a bunch of friends looking for a unique vacation, please contact us.
But, in around forty years the forest will be gone, the corals will be dead and the ecosystem destroyed. Belize could be but a legend. The country is heavily exploited, with illegal logging, over-fishing, wildlife poaching and coastal development destroying the ecosystems at a staggering rate.