Adventure Day Tours

LAMANAI

Lamanai means “submerged crocodile” in the Maya language and it’s also the name of the third largest, and possibly the most interesting, archeological site in Belize.

 Located in the Orange Walk District, the Lamanai temple complex sits atop the western bluff of the New River Lagoon and is surrounded by pristine tropical forest.

Set in tropical forest and providing amazing views from several of itslarge temples, Lamanai provides a unique experience into the culture of the Maya and the biological variety of the tropical forest. Although hundreds of ruins are said to remain excavated in the nearby jungle, three of the most impressive temples have been renovated: the Jaguar Temple, named for its boxy jaguar decoration; the Mask Temple, adorned by a 13-foot stone mask of an ancient Maya king; and the High Temple, offering visitors a panoramic view from its peak.

A two and half  hour drive brings  you to 49 ½ miles Northern Highway, Lamanai Ecotours Ltd, where you board a riverboat and head up 26 miles on the New River. While passing through many little creeks and lagoons, explore the unusual sightings Belize has to offer river fauna, majestic trees with overhanging air plants and colorful Orchids. The up-river ride is a wonderful opportunity for wildlife spotting. Along the way see crocodiles floating near the river’s edge, turtles, camouflaged bats and the “Jesus Christ Bird” walk on water. At the entrance to the New River Lagoon, the ruins of Lamanai rise into view. The boat will dock at Lamanai Welcome Center where your exploration will begin with your guide.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, also known as the “Maiden of the Rock” which is the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. It stands 130 feet high to give a panoramic view of the Cayo District, nearby Guatemala and the Mopan River

. The center of Xunantunich occupies an area less than a square mile. The center is composed of six major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The large pyramid, El Castillo, is well known for the frieze or band of stucco decoration which at one time extended around the entire temple.

 We highly recommend that you make the steep, but short, climb to the top of “El Castillo.” This vantage point provides a breathtaking, 360 degree, panoramic view over the jungle canopy of the Mopan River valley, as well as a vast area of the border towns of Benque Viejo del Carmen in Belize and Melchor De Mencos in Guatemala , which is only a few miles away. You will also get a close look at the restored portions of two unique stucco friezes, which appear on the east and west sides of the upper portion of the pyramid.

Tikal

Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest and best understood ancient lowland Mayan cities.  It is located in the Petén Basin of Guatemala and contains numerous excavated temples and palace ruins.  Archeologists believe that some of the architecture dates back to the 4^th century BC.  There is evidence that the city was conquered in the 4^th century AD and later abandoned in the 10^th century.  Tikal was rediscovered in 1848, but it was not until 1955 that the University of Pennsylvania began an archeological project to investigate the ruins and open them to tourists.  Today, Tikal is visited by thousands of people each year and continues to be the site of modern-day Mayan ceremonies.   

Your day trip to Tikal will begin bright and early at 4:00am with a 2.5-hour drive through the Yalbac rainforest and to the western border of Belize.  Once you cross the border into Guatemala, you will enjoy a scenic 2-hour drive through the Petén Basin to the Tikal National Park.  For your 4-hour exploration of the ruins, you will have an extremely knowledgeable guide with over 25 years experience.  You will have the opportunity to climb the temples and soak in the spectacular view of this ancient city nestled in the heart of the tropical rainforest.  Most of the hiking will be on jungle trails, which will give you ample opportunities to view birds, monkeys, and other types of wildlife.

After your adventure is complete, a delicious lunch will be waiting for you at Comedor Tikal Restaurant.  You will then return to the Belize border and at Central Farm airstrip you will take a 20-minute charter flight to Gallon Jug.

ATM Cave

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is one of Belize’s most popular Mayan caves, rated #1 by National Geographic for Central America.  This archeological site contains skeletal remains, ceramics, and stoneware left behind by the ancient Maya during their ceremonies.  The most famous artifact is the “Crystal Maiden,” the calcified skeletal remains of a teenage girl who might have been sacrificed.

You will begin your trip with a one hour drive through the Yalbac Rainforest to meet an experienced guide from Belize Magnificent Mayan Tour Company.  Your guide will then take you on another one hour drive to the ATM Cave Welcome Area.

From there, you will go on a 45-minute hike on a jungle trail to the entrance of the cave, wading across a river several times.  The tour inside the cave alternates between swimming and hiking for 5 kilometers, giving you a unique opportunity to experience ancient history in a whole new way.  Your three hour exploration of this Mayan site will conclude with a picnic lunch outside of the cave.