Belize – Hike The Mountain Pine Ridge, Snorkel The Belize Barrier Reef & Explore The ATM Caves

You’ll be met at Belize City airport (BZE, Philip Goldson International Airport) this afternoon at 2.pm (or you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Belize City if you arrived the day before) by your Vegan Adventure Holidays trip leader and other members of your group before heading West towards San Ignacio.

As you travel inland you’ll begin to notice that the country is made up of an impressive network of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which provide a safe haven for wildlife. You can expect to see capuchin monkeys (so cute) and howler monkeys (so noisy) on this trip.

There will be an early evening ‘meet and greet’ with your Vegan Adventure Holidays trip leader and other members of the group this evening at the hotel in San Ignacio before dinner—think perfectly cooked rice, tender black beans, lightly sauteed fresh veg and a warm breeze.

After checking to see if there’s really a Caiman in the lagoon next to the swimming pool you’ll sit down with your new friends for breakfast, feast on tropical fruits, sip on hot coffee and enjoy the calm before the action starts.

Remember to put your camera in your day bag before we set off because you’ll get to put everything you learned in the Members Club travel photography master class with the lovely Stephanie into action.

You’ll get outside today and start to see what Belize has to offer. The Mountain Pine Ridge reserve is made up of over 100,000 acres of pine and subtropical forests, wetlands, the Macal River valley—it’s an outdoor adventurer’s paradise!

This awesome and unique natural habitat is home to hundreds of birds and mammals. You’ll be hiking forest trails, swimming in deep clear pools below a 150-foot waterfall on Privassion Creek before sitting down for well deserved vegan-friendly picnic lunch.

This morning you’ll get to step inside a cave featured as the #1 sacred cave destination in the world by The National Geographic. The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (also known as the ATM caves) are not only unique geologically, but historically; the ATM caves serve as a natural museum of ancient Mayan artifacts and sacred burial place.

You’ll hike 45-minutes through the jungle before taking a journey into the Mayan underworld, along with your local guide you’ll explore an extensive underground maze of tunnels, passageways, and chambers, finishing in the ceremonial chamber where you’ll see stoneware, ceramics and the famed crystallized skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden.”

The adventure doesn’t stop there, after lunch you’re going to visit the most dominant archaeological site in Mayan history, Caracol. You’ll learn about the anthropology, archaeology, and flora and fauna of the area, including rare and endangered wildlife such as Keel-billed Motmots, Tapirs, Jaguars, Oscillated Turkeys, Gibnut (the “Royal Rat”) and Coatimundis.

If today were a movie it would be where James bond meets David Attenborough in Planet Earth—mystery, action, and conservation all rolled into one!

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll head back towards Belize City to take water taxis over to the tropical island of Caye Caulker where a no shirts, no shoes, no problem rule governs the island. You’ll get to see why this car-free tiny island which meets the Belize barrier reef is known as being an affordable paradise.

Today’s journey ends with you sipping on a virgin mojito or rum punch with your feet in the water watching the sun go down over Caye Caulker’s famous split.

Vegan sandals optional—you’ll stroll down for a laid-back island breakfast before sailing off towards the Belize Barrier reef at 10:30 this morning for an OMG, excited squeals kind of experience!

First stop is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve where you can expect to see angelfish, blue-striped grunts, schoolmaster snappers and hundreds of other varieties, it’s also known for the green moray eels living in tiny caves along the wall.

The Shark and Ray Alley are another of our stops within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, this spot is known as the shark and stingray city of Belize! You’ll get the opportunity to swim with the harmless Nurse Sharks and Southern Stingrays, this is a spot not to be missed.

The Coral Gardens are two and a half miles southwest of Shark and Ray Alley and due to extraordinary clear water you’ll be able to see the rainbow-like hues of the coral below, it’s an extremely special place.

Last but not least, our sailboat ride home; this journey takes approximately an hour and a quarter and its at the best time of the day just before sunset. Chips and salsa, rum or fruit cocktails make it a magical end to one of the highlights of this trip.

Your day will start with an island-paced Vinyasa flow yoga class (suitable for all levels), followed by a leisurely late breakfast. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please, kayak around the blue waters of the split, hang under a palm tree or dive the famous deep blue hole, the choice is yours.

After a farewell breakfast, this trip finishes with a water taxi back over to Belize City and transfer back to the airport (or hotel).

Wanting to come back as soon as possible thoughts and feelings are guaranteed, you can stay connected to your new friends in the members club and maybe plan some of your own adventures together!