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The owner of Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, Ian Anderson, has created a perfect rustic jungle hideaway and base camp for exploring the inland treasures of Belize. The lodge is located in a 58,000-acre estate, underneath of 100-foot rainforest canopy and next to the Caves Branch River.
This is not a luxurious property that will seal you away from the surrounding nature, but the real thing. While the cabanas are completely screened to keep the many rainforest bugs away, you will hear the jungle life, and it will visit the premises. Explore the jungle, the caves, the underground river and the mysterious Maya ruins with the best guides around!
The Cabanas are built three feet above the ground and sleep up to four people. Each cabana has a private veranda, a flush toilet and a washbasin. The hot-water jungle showers are located outside the cabana. The cabanas are furnished with local hardwoods and bamboo, and lit with romantic oil lamps.
The four Cabana Suites have a furnished front patio, a living room with a double futon bed, and a bedroom with a king-size bed. The private bathrooms have flush toilets and hot-water showers. The screened picture windows allow every breeze and jungle sound float right to you! Oil lamps also light these roomy suites.
The Lodge House is where all the eating, drinking and telling tall stories takes place. Here you will meet other adventurous travelers, have marvelous dinners, a cold drink or two, and check out the stars with the lodge`s telescope. Relax on the front veranda with the crackling fire and the nights sounds of the jungle surrounding you.
The best part of Caves Branch Jungle Lodge is its fabulous and exciting expeditions into the surrounding wilderness. Explore the various caves, get to know the wild on jungle treks, practice jungle survival skills, and discover ancient and mystic Mayan sites.
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Other Activities The Original River of Caves Tubing
Belize`s longest and most spectacular cave tubing float, over seven miles underground! Enter the exciting world of underground rivers as you disappear into the underworld, floating on inner tubes with only your headlamp to light your way. Float past "windows" that let in the filtered jungle light, swirl around around stalagmites jutting from the river and stalactites looming from above. Float past underground waterfalls into a crystal cathedral, a spiritual center of the ancient Maya. Some underground hiking and jungle trekking necessary. Maximum number of participants eight. Departures year around, subject to high water levels during the green season.
The Black Hole Drop
The Mother of all Caves—Actun Loch Tunich! This expedition starts off with a vigorous hike into the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The edge of the Actun Loch Tunich sink hole sits over 300 feet above the basin below, 200 feet above the rainforest canopy that grows out from the sink hole basin. The fully trained caving guides then rig a system of rappelling ropes for your decent to the basin below. The first 10 feet provides the adrenaline, the next 200 feet provides an unforgettable experience and sights to behold, the last 100 feet takes you down through the rainforest canopy. But before you start it all, it`s a long way down! The sink hole is not actually black, but you can`t see the bottom from where you start. Once you`re at the bottom, the question is, how do you get out? A return hike out of the foothills and a well deserved cold beer at camp will be waiting for you. This expedition is not for the faint of heart and all participants must be relatively fit. Maximum number of participants eight. Daily departures year around, not subject to seasonal rains.
Overnight Caving Expedition
The overnight caving expedition starts off on day one with the Black Hole Drop. Once you are in the basin of the sink hole, your guides then lead you into the incredible rim stone dam entrance of the Actun Loch Tunich river cave system. Camp is set up inside the entrance and dinner prepared. Then on to exploring the upper crystal chambers, ceremonial sites of the ancient Maya. With the campfire ablaze, you settle into a rest filled sleep as the sounds of the jungle eerily sift into the darkness of the cave and the mists of Chac, the Mayan rain god, rise from the darkness below. The next morning, after a hardy breakfast, you trek down another 400 feet along cave cliff walls on routes of the ancient Maya to the Actun Loch Tunich underground river, with over 24 kilometers of mapped passageways, exploring in the steps of the ancient Maya, past bubbling springs and an underground waterfall. At the end of the second day, the problem still exists: how do your guides get you out and to the lodge to enjoy a cold beer? When exploring the Actun Loch Tunich River Cave, you do so by trekking, no cave tubing. This expedition is not for the faint of heart and all participants must be relatively fit. Maximum six persons. Daily departures year around, seasonal rains can affect specific activities. Note: This expedition is perfect for adventurous honeymooners!
Jungle Safari After Dark
Departing the Jungle Lodge after dinner, local guides will lead you through the jungle in search of many of the elusive animals that feed under the cover of darkness—howler and spider monkeys, gibnuts, kinkajous, wild boars, deer, quash, armadillo, tarantulas, scorpions, leaf-cutter ants and of course, snakes! On a number of outings even the elusive jaguar has been sighted as close as two minutes from the lodge itself. An exciting and enthralling experience for all. Nightly departures year round, full moon negatively effects possible number of animals seen.
River Cave Expedition
Combined cave tubing and cave exploration to explore this incredible river cave system where ancient Mayan ceremonial sites, pottery, artifacts, altars and actual footprints of the priests are still seen. Spectacular crystal formations over 5 million years old cast eerie shadows into the black abyss as you experience the most sacred areas of the Maya. Massive cathedral size chambers with wall of river-sculpture rock dwarf explorers as you pass on foot and inner tubes. Subject to high water levels during green season.
Waterfall Cave Expedition
Hundreds of feet under the limestone mountain ridge above, explore this rive cave with a total of six waterfalls. Spectacular crystal formations loom above and ancient Mayan ceremonial centers are hidden in side chambers. At the end of the day, a three-kilometer hike through the jungle to reach transportation back to the lodge. This is a strenuous expedition, please be reasonable fit. Subject to high water levels during green season.
Mayan Ceremonial Cave Expedition
Enter into the world where the ancient Mayan priests performed important rituals. Feel the presence of history as you explore the spectacular crystal chambers that hold the ceremonial centers. Fire pits, charcoal, ash, pottery, relics, altars, wall carvings, glyph writings, and actual skeletons from 2,000 years ago are found in these centers. These are dry caves, not tubing. Not subject to seasonal rains.
Lost Mayan Ruin Expedition
With local indigenous people as your guides, search for the lost Mayan ruins located in the area. Walk across unexcavated ceremonial plazas, and stand on the palaces of the kings and priests. Not subject to seasonal rains.
Rock Climbing
This is not gym wall -- practice time is over, now it`s the real thing! Under the canopy of the tropical forest, limestone cliffs faces are up to 200 feet high. There are two specific rock faces set out to challenge you. One for beginners, only 40 feet high, and the second much more demanding. All equipment, except climbing shoes, is provided. You must be relatively fit. Seasonal rains will effect scheduling.
Jungle Treks
Spend a full day in pristine jungle with indigenous people as you guides. Learn many jungle secrets—natural medicines still in use throughout Central America, ancient ruins and burial sites. Explore the Blue Hole River as it surges from below a 250-foot cliff and enjoy the opportunity for a refreshing dip in its aqua blue waters.
Bird Watching
As the night sky turns opaque and the jungle comes to life, you`ll start your walk down the road that shares three different and distinctive bird habitats. It is not unusual to spot over 100 species over a couple of mornings! Birding tours run from first light until 8:00am.
River Kayaking
One of the best rivers for kayaking in the country, Sibun, has a full variety of waters and is narrow enough to see all the wildlife on its banks. Take your time to stop and enjoy the surroundings on this beautiful 8-mile run. Guide by natural history guides for your utmost enjoyment. Overnight trips are also available!
Jungle Biking
It`s called mountain biking everywhere else in the world, but at Caves Branch it`s called jungle biking. 100 feet below the rainforest canopy, lush tropical greenery surrounding you, you`ll experience cliff faces and breathtaking vistas. Guided by jungle survival guides. Overnight trips are also available!
Overnight Jungle Expedition
Two full days and one night deep in pristine jungle—just what every adventurer needs to experience! Local indigenous people will take you out and teach you how to survive in the jungle on this mini survival trek. Tents? Nope! Learn to build your own shelter. Food? Well, we`ll bring a bit, but most of it you need to learn to find in the jungle, and then learn how to cook it. Upset stomach? It`s all possible! Special herbs and barks make a great medicinal tea to treat any symptoms. All participants must provide own full-size backpack and must be relatively fit. |
