  Day 01: -
Morning departure from Belize City up the Western Highway to visit the Belize Zoo
historic wildlife habitat. Continue on the Western Highway to
the Maya site of Xunantunich (you are hand-cranked
 across the Mopan
River by a 19th Century ferry). Tour the site and view the
breathtaking scenery of untouched jungles. Xunantunich, an ancient
Mayan temple believed to have been used for sacrificial ceremonies.
The site has a major Maya ceremonial center built atop a hill and
panoramic views of the Cayo district along with distant Guatemala.
Accommodations: Cayo area resort - L,D
Day 02: - Full day tour to the Mountain
 Pine Ridge
Forest Reserve, 1000 ft. Hidden Valley Falls, Rio Frio Caves, Rio
on Pools. Morning departure to Mountain Pine Ridge where you will have a
chance to see the natural beauty of this reserve. Acres of citrus,
scenic vistas, then a ranger station welcomes you to the reserve.
Hundreds of needle-like pine stretch heavenward as you rumble along
red-tinted roads reminiscent of Georgia's red clay. Amazing natural
attractions lie ahead. Anticipation builds on the short walk to Rio
Frio Cave. Your jaw may
 drop upon first seeing the cave's
65-foot-high mouth. Eerie light spills over boulders and stalactites
at the half-mile-long cave. Cool off in mini pools and soak up
scenery at close by Rio On Pools, equally as impressive. An
eye-boggling 1,000-foot splashdown can be found at Hidden Valley
Falls-also know as Thousand Foot Falls-in the Mountain Pine Ridge
area. (road conditions permitting) Watch water disappear into the
jungle from a mountain top viewing area.
Accommodations: Cayo area resort - B,L,D
 Day 03: - Tour of the Panti Trail
(there is a bounty of wildlife to observe). The Panti Medicinal Trail begins at
Ix Chel Farm. Learn the healing powers of its herbs and trees, like the
cocolmecca plant (wild yam) which the American Academy of Sciences estimates
will yield 17 new medicines in the next decade. You will also tour the Macal
River and Cahal Pech Maya site enroute to Belize City. - B,L
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