Xunantunich Mountain Biking
Description
Archaeotours are envisioned by Dr. Rafael Guerra as a way to enhance the visitor’s experience beyond the mainstream tour information. Dr. Guerra is the only tour guide who is also a professional archaeologist. This tour offers a chance to engage with a local archaeologist who has extensive research and exploration experience at Belizean archaeological sites, and learn more about the archaeological processes of archaeological knowledge building. Dr. Guerra started his archaeological career at Actun Tunichil Muknal in 1998 with the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project directed by Jaime Awe. In 2001, he joined the Belize Tourism Development Project (TDP) that was developing several major sites in Belize. Late in 2005, he joined the Belize Institute of Archaeology, where he helped develop a multivariate database for Belize’s Archaeological sites. In 2021, he completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology, focusing on the Maya of Belize at the University of New Mexico
Tour Options
Itinerary
Departing San Ignacio Town at 8:00 am with an hour drive to the Actun Tunichil Muknal National Park. San Ignacio town was originally named El Cayo by the Spanish. On 19 October 1904, El Cayo was officially declared a town by the government of British Honduras. In the past, a creek ran between the Macal and the Mopan rivers, one mile outside of San Ignacio, going toward Benque Viejo. Enjoy the picturesque ride while passing the different local communities and observing multicultural people in their daily lives. We can see Mennonite people riding their horse and buggy, and a different architectural house.
Teakettle Village in Belize's Cayo District was founded by British settlers in the 1800s, likely named after local teak wood, and is a mix of Creole, Mestizo, and Mayan cultures. The village is near the Belize River and is significant for its proximity to Maya archaeological sites, such as the famous Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave. While its economy is based on agriculture, recent tourism infrastructure improvements, including an ATM Facilitation Center, mark a focus on developing its tourism potential.
Archaeotours at Actun Tunichil Muknal activities were envisioned by Dr. Rafael Guerra as a way to enhance the visitor’s experience beyond the mainstream tour information. Dr. Guerra is the only tour guide who is also a professional archaeologist. These expeditions came from the realization that a percentage of the tourist population wants a bit more than just the Cacoethes loquendi of tours. This type of activity allows visitors to inquire more about the archaeological processes in the cave of archaeological knowledge building. We start our adventure with a 35-minute hike through the forest, crossing the Roaring River 3 times to get to the cave entrance. While hiking through the Jungle, Dr Rafael Guerra would explain local usage of the pants or start explaining about the general history of the Mayas. Before entering the cave, Dr. Rafael will go over the Safety of caving, instructions on how to use your equipment.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We provide complimentary hotel pick up for hotels located within San Ignacio town limits; for other hotels, we can make arrangements; a small surcharge applies. Please contact us to arrange your hotel pick up.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- It is recommended you wear comfortable closed toe shoes & Socks
- Note: difficulty level of this trip is moderate
- Minimum height to Paticipate is 40 inches for Children
- Please note: a minimum of 2 passengers is required in order for this tour to operate. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- Need to Wear either Short pants or Long Pants, T-Shirt or long Sleeve Shirt
Reviews(6)
Edgar was our amazing tour guide and motivator when biking uphill! He was extremely knowledgeable about the places we biked through in San Ignacio and we learned so much. He was patient when we asked to stop for a break or to take in the sights. Biking to and learning about Xunantunich is an unforgettable experience. Thank you so much, Edgar!
Great day biking and Mayan site seeing with Abel and Louis. Really great blokes and a lovely lunch of chicken, rice and peas
This trip was such a fun experience. We got close to 10 miles total over the 5 hours that we were out and we got to experience a lot of the country, trails, farm animals, and Myan ruins. The bikes need a little work but they’re looking to get better ones. Made the ride more interesting.
I would not recommend this trip until they get new bikes. The bikes we used were a death trap, and the only reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 0 is because our guide was EXCELLENT. He did his best to tighten the seats that kept slipping, but the derailleurs needed adjustment, tires were low, the handlebar on my friends bike nearly fell off, and his helmet was too small (only offered one size). The company provides the bikes, not the guide, so I didn’t blame him. Otherwise, the tour of the ruins was amazing and like I said our guide made up for all the mechanical and safety issues we were having. Luckily me and my friend are two young men who are just about down for anything, so we soldiered on in the rain. Selwyn was really a gem, and I hope they provide him with better equipment.
Fantastic experience with an excellent guide. Our guide knew the Mayan archeological site and local community like the back of his hand, having grown up in the adjacent village. They are still working on their fleet of bikes so don’t expect anything high end - they served their purpose though.
<p>This ride was really fun and not very technical mostly dirt road, but some potholes and roots to make it interesting. A long slow climb, then downhill into farmland next to the river. We rode across a river on a hand cranked car ferry and climbed the paved hill up to Xunantuich Ruins. What made the ride and ruins tour so spectacular, is that our guide, Selwyn Bol is a naturalist with a degree from Belize University. He had a keen eye for birds, their sounds, and where to see them. He also had extensive knowledge of the local flora there. He explained so much about the Mayan Culture and Xunantunich, that it informed our later tours of Caracol, and Cahal Pech. This was money well spent and we rode our bikes through the jungle!</p>
