On Horseback to Mayan Ruins in Belize

Setting Off From Hanna Stables in San Ignacio

In the upcountry Cayo District of adventurous Belize, I chose a wild adventure involving a half-day trek by horseback to the great Mayan ruins of Xunantunich (pronounced shoo-nan-too-nitch), meaning “Stone Maiden.”  I arranged my unconventional tour of this great ancient Mayan ceremonial center through Pacz Tours in San Ignacio in eastern Belize.

We set off from Hanna Stables on San Lorenzo Farm in the upcountry Cayo District in eastern Belize with horseman Santiago Juan, a Belizean of Lebanese and British descent whose family had settled here in the 1920s.  We passed through the pasturelands of his family’s 400 acres where they run cattle, run a dairy and grow corn and beans.  As well as horse breeding.

Soon we enter a fairyland of rainforest, surrounded by butterflies, orchids, and chattering birds.  This jungle trail gave way to the Mayan village of San Jose Succotz on the banks of the Mopan River.

The Hand-Cranked Ferry Across the Mopan River

Riders and horses had to board this ancient, hand-cranked ferry to ford the river and head up to the limestone ridge where Xunantunich stands.  No worries, though, because of Santiago’s expert horsemanship, our mounts quietly stepped aboard.

Our noble aquatic equine companions took this hand-cranked river fording in stride.

 

Magnificent Xunantunich

We head up a steep, 1 mile track to the limestone ridge where Xunantunich stands.  After dismounting amid the roar of howler monkeys in the canopy above, we climbed up to the main plaza to take in the Mayan splendor.

This important religious center has stood on this flattened hilltop on a limestone ridge since 400 BC.

Don’t ascend this Mayan monument if you have any fear of heights.  The steep climb rewards your ascent with panoramic views of the Mayan monuments and the Mopan River Valley.

Atop El Castillo, Belize’s second highest pyramid, we can see across the rainforest into Guatemala.  Belize and Guatemala are unfriendly neighbors because Guatemala had always believed that Belize is a part of that country.  But Belize, the former British Honduras, strongly disagrees.

A visitor’s center built by the Getty Foundation covers the Mayan magnificence of the famous hieroglyphic frieze that used to circle El Castillo, depicting jaguar heads, human faces, and royal religious rituals.  There’s also a scale model replica of Xunantunich as well as exhibits on its history as a power player in Mayan politics.

Back to San Lorenzo Farm

Those howler monkeys were still roaring as we remounted and headed back to Hanna Stables.  We rode back through the Mayan village of San Jose Succotz, about seven and a half miles west of San Ignacio, which is the adventure center of the Cayo District and the Mayan Mountains.

Take This Equestrian Adventure in Belize

This half-day excursion on horseback to Xunantunich costs US$65.00 per person.  For more information, contact:

Pacz Tours
San Ignacio, Belize

Email: pacztours@btl.net

www.PaczTours.net 

For more equestrian adventures in Belize, contact Santiago Juan at Hanna Stables:

www.HannaStables.com

 

Got another great way to experience the wonder of Belize?  Let everyone know in the Comments section.