7 Night / 8 Day Tikal Non-Riding Adventure Package

Our Non-Riding Package is specially designed to work well for those couples where one is a non-rider with different preferences for horseback riding or for those that desire less riding.

All meals are included and all rates are per person and are in U.S. Dollars.

Day 1: Times at International Airport may vary depending on situation and flight plans within the group. We will confirm time of departure from airport before you arrive.  The two hour drive allows you the opportunity to observe the mangrove swamps near Belize City and the transitional landscape through coastal savanna.  The road climbs up into the hardwood tropical forests through villages with names like Roaring Creek and Teakettle.  In Georgeville, the road leaves the Western Highway for 8 miles of gravel road to the entrance to Mountain Equestrian Trails. Depending on your time of arrival, you will stop at the Belize Zoo either on the day of arrival or the day of departure.  Check in at the Cantina and meet your hosts, move to your room and get ready for dinner in the Cantina. You will arrive at MET after your journey to relax and decompress to the sounds, smells, and views of our jungle valley, before having a lamp lit dinner with your hosts and retiring to your cabana for the night.  Following is an example of the itinerary.  We may change the order of activities depending on circumstances.

Day 2: After breakfast, take a walk around the grounds and look for birds and butterflies. You will join the riders at the Big Rock Falls for lunch.  Expect a steep descent into the river valley.  This will require the ability to walk over granite boulders.   Enjoy a gourmet lunch and swimming at the beautiful waterfalls.  Then hike back to the vehicle and proceed on to Rio On and the Rio Frio Cave.  Return to your Cabana to freshen up for dinner and lively conversation with your hosts and other guests.

Day 3: Today’s activity allows you to experience local culture as you travel to Nohoch Sayab River cave at Barton Creek. The trail meanders through a village of refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador and through a Mennonite community where you can observe ancient farming practices such as horse-drawn plows and buggies.  As you make your way down the steep narrow road to the valley floor, you will be astounded by the size of fruit trees and tropical flora in the fertile Barton Creek valley.  Arriving at Barton Creek Outpost, you will step into a canoe and paddle upstream in the shade of a huge vine-covered limestone cliff and then suddenly disappear, paddling deep into the sparking stalactite formation river cave. When you return to the Outpost, enjoy a swim and a delicious lunch before returning to MET.

Day 4: You have a choice between a morning half-day horseback ride and a half day hike to a secluded hidden valley with exotic tropical vegetation and excellent opportunities for sighting colorful rainforest birds and iridescent butterflies. After lunch back at the Cantina, board the vehicle for a drive into San Ignacio to tour the beautiful ruins of Cahal Pech.  There are opportunities for shopping and experiencing the ambiance of the lovely town of San Ignacio which is situated at the confluence of the Mopan and Macal Rivers where they become the Belize River.  You will return to MET for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Day 5: Meet riders for exploration of an ancient Mayan cave we call Swallow Cave.  Beside the interesting formations, you will see evidence of the Mayan culture in pottery remnants and potsherds.  After the cave, refresh yourself with a cool dip in the crystal clear waters of Butterfly Falls and feast on yet a different gourmet lunch.  Continue the adventure on the return trip keeping an eye out for a possible wildlife sighting.  Back at MET enjoy dinner and conversation with the other guests and your hosts.

Day 6: Rise early for a 6:30 AM departure for the magnificent ruins of Tikal in Guatemala.  The drive takes about two and a half hours and allows you the opportunity to see how modern Mayas live as you travel along the road to Tikal.  At Tikal, you will be led by an expert guide as you explore one of the most studied Mayan cities in the world.  The ruins are located in a rich jungle setting teeming with wildlife. Parrots, Howler & Spider Monkeys are seen regularly. The ruins are significant for two basic reasons.  The techniques and aesthetics of the buildings are so remarkable that they rival most other Mayan sites. Second, the ruins have undergone extensive restoration and consolidation for more than twenty years. The results are that we can see many buildings in almost the same state they were in during their heyday. The site is huge, covering about six square miles, and more than 2,800 buildings have been explored. Tikal is a definite "must" for the Mayan enthusiast.  Depart in the late afternoon for the return to MET in time for dinner and perhaps retire early after your long but very interesting day.

Day 7: Half-Day ride or guided hike to the Mayan ruins of Pacbitun, eat lunch atop an ancient Mayan lookout with a view of the upper Belize River valley and the Mayan cities of Cahal Pech and Xunantunich. Riders proceed to a Mayan burial cave and return at 2:00 PM for rest and relaxation or activities of your choice.

Day 8: After breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and return to Belize City via Belize Zoo if you did not visit the zoo on the day of your arrival.  The time of departure from MET will be determined according to the flight plans and needs of the entire group.  The zoo is a “must-see” destination, as you will have the opportunity to see the wildlife you may have missed in large natural habitat enclosures.  The zoo offers educational and conservation-related messages for locals and tourists alike.