5 Night Turf Riding Package

This package includes 6 days, 5 nights and 4 full days of riding through tropical broadleaf forests, exploring rivers, caves and Mayan ruins. Everything you can't see from your rental car in an 8-hour day tour with 5 to 6 hours in the saddle. Also included are transfers to and from Belize City, a visit to the Belize Zoo and a tour of the Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech and opportunities for shopping in San Ignacio. The 7 night Turf and Tikal package adds 2 more nights, another ride, and a day trip to the magnificent ruins of Tikal in Guatemala. Following is an example of the itinerary.  We may change the order of activities depending on circumstances.

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

Day 1: 4:00 PM pickup at International Airport (times may vary depending on flight plans), a visit to Belize Zoo on day of arrival or departure, depending on your schedule.  You will arrive at MET after your long day’s journey, 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.

Day 2: After breakfast, you will receive an introduction to your horse and orientation for a full day of riding to the Big Rock Falls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The trail winds through varied ecosystems and terrain while your guide points out features and explains traditional uses of rainforest plants.  Enjoy a gourmet lunch and swimming at the beautiful waterfalls, relax awhile and then mount the horses for a rejuvenating ride home.  Return to your Cabana to freshen up for dinner and lively conversation with your hosts and other guests.

Day 3: This is another full day of horseback riding to Nohoch Sayab River cave at Barton Creek.  The trail meanders through a village of Siete Millas where refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador are living.  The trail then passes through a Mennonite community where you can observe ancient farming practices such as horse-drawn buggies, plows, and mills.  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, 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: This day begins with a in a beautiful  half-day horseback ride followed by lunch in the Cantina and then a vehicle tour to visit the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech and do some shopping in San Ignacio.  The destination for the half-day ride is a secluded hidden valley where you will ride along a winding creek and enjoy the 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 ambience of the lovely town of San Ignacio at the confluence of the Mopan and Macal Rivers where they merge into the Belize River.  You will return to MET for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Day 5: A full day of horseback riding, exploring Swallow Cave, lunch and a swim at Butterfly Falls. This ride features exploration of an ancient Mayan 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.  Dinner and overnight at MET.

Day 6: 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 is an important tool for education of conservation-related messages for locals and tourists alike.