Belize Highlights,
From A Jungle Retreat

This tour is no longer active, Sorry. (Nov.2005). Visitors are unable to get in contact with the hosts. Hosts: Peter & Lilly Cross When: All Year Round . The winter is the the best for snow birds and all others who want to get away from the cold because it is  always just right in Orange walk, around 70 to 80 degrees fahrenheit and nights are breezy .The summer is the best to see and experience the tropical rain forest and the rain and mud and the bird life. The picture here shows the cabaña in which you can stay, atop one of the ruins, at Kichpan Ha. Length of tour: Average stay is three to five days, but longer visits are certianly encouraged Fee charged: $100 to $200/ day per person for all inclusive tour. Much less if you just want to hang out and explore around Kichpan Ha and the lagoon and spend the night. Retreat and Farm: Kichpan Ha Resort, the dining room of which is shown above, is a jungle retreat splendid with Mayan Ruins and unspoiled lagoons, rich in bird and wildlife.  The resort is located in the north of Belize just 45 miles south of the Yucatan peninsula and 20 miles west of the Caribbean Sea.   50 miles north of the retreat is the Mexican city of Chetumal..  Kichpan Ha was a major craftsman site for the making of obsidian tools and spears.  Obsidian is a volcanic crystal which was brought to the lagoon in giant, hollowed log canoes called "paraguas" from the volcanoes in Guatemala and southern Belize. Because of the unique geographical position of Kichpan Ha the environments of the hardwood tropical forest, the savanna, the plains, the tropical rain forests and that of the aquatic environments of the  lagoon and surrounding wet lands all merge at Kichpan Ha (mayan for sweet water) and as a resut the bird life is awesome. Plus, we have many species of migrating birds bringing the total to around 500 species found in Belize.   One of our favorites at the lagoon is the large Jabiru Stork. We have many tropical fruit trees which bring all the parrots and toucans.  It is always a challenge to do anything at all and not have some effect on the environment. so we try very hard at Kichpan ha to do things in the most environmentally friendly way we can.  We now have a solar system that will power all our electrical needs with no noise and no pollution.  We also have Sunday Bar-B-Q's  with the local families.  This is a excellent time to meet local folks. Guests at the retreat will be able to set up home in one of our mayan ruins.  A female jaguar and her cubs have been spotted around the ruins. They used to come down to the boat dock to drink at night. We also have a good abundance of some very large crocodiles. It  turns out they are the Morriot crocodile, a protected species which is only known to exist in a few surrounding lagoons. At the farm we have several  small boats to go out and observe the lagoon.   There are many species of fish and shell fish that are among the many reasons Kichpan Ha was settled and remained under settlement for thousands of years by the Maya. The main objective of our tours is to show our guests pristine natural environments of Belize and how and why the should be preserved as such and how ecotourisim and land sensitive farming can co exist.  We like to point out and demonstrate farming methods utilizing an integrated system of aqua culture and horticulture wherein all effluent is utilized by hydroponics and ground crops.  This method produces organically grown crops in an environmentally sound system based on the ancient mayan method of farming using knowledge of various plants and crops to control weeds and insects rather than using chemicals. Kickpan Ha  farm grows much of the  fruits and vegetables that it uses. SEVEN-DAY ITINERARY: DAY 1: Host will pick up guests at the Belize International Airport  and take them to Kich pan Ha Resort and farm on Ketz Lagoon, which is about fifty miles north of the airport and a few miles from the sea.  Kick pan Ha is the name of the mayan center located at Ketz Lagoon.  Relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the jungle.  Take a walk and relax to the sounds and sights of the jungle and  farm life.  Dinner will be served in the dining room  overlooking the lagoon where guests will enjoy a beautiful sunset. DAY 2: Visit the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha some 25 miles south of Kich pan Ha.  Altun Ha flourished as a mayan trading city that linked the Caribbean shores with other interior trading centers until it was abandoned in 900 AD. The famous "jade head" was discovered there.  Do some sight seeing as we drive through small villages where descendants of the Maya live their lives similar to that of their ancestors. DAY 3: Host will take you south to Belize's famous Baboon Sanctuary at Bermuda Landing.   Visit the museum information center, then experienced  professional guides will take you on a walk along the river where you will encounter troops of Black Howler monkeys in the wild overhead in the forest canopy. DAY 4: Travel to the maya ruins of Lamanai, an ancient ceremonial site.  This jungle river trip takes you up the New River where bird watchers can get a look at numerous birds including parrots, toucans, and the rear Jabiru Stork.  Enjoy the scenery of the many trees and the wild flowers, including the blooming orchids.  Lamanai exhibits exotic features of ancient Mayan art and architecture and you will get a breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle from atop the tallest temple. Optional:  Visit Orange Walk Town, a small town rich in Mayan culture. DAY 5: Visit the Belizean Zoo.  Stop at JB's. Optional:  Fly to the beautiful island of Caye Caulker.  Take your shoes off and relax.  Enjoy the taste of fresh seafood, go diving, fishing, sailing, snorkeling along the Belizean barrier reef and observe the abundance of marine life and corals. (meals not included) DAY 6: Travel to the Mexican city of Chetumal and visit it's famous museum of the Mayan Civilization.  Also, enjoy some shopping at the "mercados", local food and drinks.  On the way back to Kich pan Ha visit maya ruin in the town of Corozal. Optional:  Take a boating tour through the lagoon and estuaries along the Caribbean Sea, or a trip to Bacalar Chico on the outer banks on the southern tip of Mexico. DAY 7: Visit the wildlife bird sanctuary in Crooked Tree Village.  Afterwards, return to the Belize International Airport.