Slickrock is pleased to announce an itinerary we created due to popular demand, a visit to Caracol, Belize's largest Mayan ruin. Caracol has recently received a great deal of attention as the site of major discoveries that have contributed greatly to new understanding of the Mayan civilization. We combine our visit to Caracol with touring in the Mountain Pine Ridge area, including hikes to the Rio Frio Cave, the Rio On Pools, the Thousand Foot Falls and Butterfly Falls. This trip is run in conjunction with Hidden Valley Inn (photo above by Mark Gardner.) 

Day 2: We begin with a vehicle tour of Hidden Valley Inn's 18,000 acre private reserve, visiting three waterfalls along the way: Thousand Foot Falls, King Vulture Falls, and a stop at Tiger Creek Lookout to view Tiger Creek Falls. You may choose to hike down to Tiger Creek and Tiger Creek Pools above the falls. Your native guide is very knowledgeable on birds and plants of the area and will point out passing birds and other wildlife which can include parrots, orioles, toucans, king vultures, hummingbirds, tapir and even occasionally jaguarundi. We return to the Inn for lunch. After lunch you will be dropped off at the trail head of Butterfly Falls. A moderately strenuous hike down the creek, through broadleaf forests and over primitive bridges, affords access to a clear blue pool at the base of this 80-foot waterfall, a fantastic swimming hole. This round trip hike takes the rest of the afternoon. Dinner is again at the Inn. 

Day 3: After breakfast at the Inn, our vehicle travels to the Vaca Plateau, arriving at the Caracol National Monument. After a two-hour guided tour of the ruins with our excellent Mayan guides, we have lunch at the ruins. Driving back down along the same route, we stop along the way to explore the Rio Frio Cave. We complete this busy day with a refreshing swim at the Rio On Pools and return to Hidden Valley Inn in time for dinner. 

Day 4: After breakfast, we are driven back to Belize City. If you prefer to remain in the San Ignacio area, your driver will take you into town instead, at no additional charge.

Rio Frio Cave: A pebbled trail through the jungle takes us to the mouth of Rio Frio Cave, the largest known river cave in Belize which extends for one-half mile through a solid limestone mountain. Centuries ago the tunnel was used as a ceremonial center by the Maya, but all artifacts have long since washed away. There are enormous arched entryways at either end of the cave, and Mayan stone steps are still visible when entering. The cave's interior displays razor-sharp stalactites and other odd formations; light filters in through the large entrances so no flashlights are necessary. 

Rio On Pools: On the return from Caracol, the road crosses the Rio On, a tributary of the Macal River. Cascading down the Mountain Pine Ridge, the Rio On twists through a maze of giant granite boulders and chutes. The warm, deep pools formed by these enormous rocks are up to 15 feet deep and many natural water slides await adventurous swimmers. 

Thousand Foot Falls: The most famous waterfall in Belize, this waterfall is believed to be the tallest waterfall in Central America. Also known as Hidden Valley Falls, it actually plunges 1600 feet to the valley floor below. Viewed from across a great ravine, this spectacular cascade dives over a granite precipice into a deep jungle canyon. The distance is so great that the bottom of the waterfall becomes lost in mist and green foliage. On a clear day, the capital buildings of Belmopan shimmer on the horizon, visible from the lookout of the falls.. 

King Vulture Falls: The unique aspect of these falls is its occupants: the mountainside here is etched with trenches ruled by King Vultures, which nest here in throngs. 

Butterfly Falls: Arguably more beautiful than even Thousand Foot Falls, this charming cascade falls 80 feet into a jungle pool. Here butterflies float across a creek and travel up the waterfall (the photo above is of Butterfly Falls).