Some excerpts from the website of Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Jungle Lodge that might be useful
Prices in effect December 15, 2008 thru December 14, 2009. All prices are quoted in $US. Taxes are not included in the prices. All
room charges are subject to the 9% hotel tax. Expeditions, meals,
transfers and other miscellaneous charges are subject to the 10% sales tax. Gratuities are not included in any charges. We do not add gratuities to any bill. Gratuities are, however, appreciated by all staff but we prefer to leave tipping to the individual. Caves Branch reserves the right to adjust pricing without notice before any reservation is confirmed, but once a reservation is confirmed, all pricing is guaranteed final. A minimum stay of 3 nights is required for all advance reservations. We offer 3 through 7 night all inclusive packages. Children 9 and under incur no charge for accommodations, meals and
trips as long as the
trips are ones offered on our property. For
trips such as the Zipline, Snorkeling(diving also), Horseback Riding and Tikal, children will be discounted at 20% off. A special discounted price is provided for all packages for kids. We accept both Visa Mastercard (credit cards) at the lodge for payment of your invoice balance,
trips,
rooms and other services. When you make your reservation, we will send you a credit card form which you will need to fill out and return by
fax to us. Please note that your credit card will be charged at a rate of $2.04 BZ to $1.00 US. This is stated on the form that you will sign. Although we can take credit information over the
phone, we would prefer to have your signed authorization of the charges as well as your acknowledgement of our policies using the form that is sent with all invoices. We do not except American Express or Discover cards. Treehouse
Suites: (
one bedroom). $225.00 per night, single or double occupancy Additional persons over age 16, $30.00 each Children age 16 or younger, no charge. Treehouse
Suites: (
two bedroom). $285.00 per night, single or double occupancy Additional persons over age 16, $30.00 each Children age 16 or younger, no charge. $185.00 per night, single or double occupancy Additional persons over age 16, $20.00 each Children age 16 or younger, no charge. $165.00 per night, single or double occupancy Additional persons over 16, $20.00 each Children age 16 or younger, no charge. $98.00 per night, single or double occupancy Additional persons over 16, $15.00 each Children age 16 or younger, no charge. $15.00 per person/night. $5.00 per person/night. All Jungle
Rooms are fitted with power ceiling fans. All meals served family
buffet style. Note: All full day expeditions include
lunch at no additional charge. The River of Caves Cave Tubing. $95 per person (minimum 4 people required July-February). River Cave Expedition. Waterfall Cave Expedition. Mayan Ceremonial Cave
Tours. Jungle
Tours and Treks. Overnight Caving Expedition. Overnight Jungle Expedition. Jungle Quest Expedition. Actun Tunichil Muknal. ($30 surcharge per person will be charged on packages). $95 per person (minimum 2 people). River of Caves Tube Float and Zipline Combo. ($55 surcharge per person will be charged on packages). $155 per person (minimum 4 persons required July-February). $75 per person (minimum 4 persons). Full Day: $85 per person Overnight: $250 per person. Morning: $35 per person Full Day: $90 per person. Jungle Safari After Dark. Tikal Maya Ruins ($75 surcharge per person will be charged on packages). Cahal Pech and Xuanantunich Maya Ruins. Belize Zoo and Baboon Sanctuary. Snorkeling Day
Trips. Diving the Barrier Reef. In Search of XIBALBA (8 days). Contact us for details costs. Maya Mountain Expedition (9 days). The Lost World Expedition (7 days). The River of Caves Tube Float and Zipline Combo, and the Snorkeling Day
Trips are only offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Lunch is not included on the Snorkel or Diving
Trips. The Tikal day
tour is offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Honeymoon 5 Night Package. $2146.00 per couple $2428.00 per couple. Cabana: Bungalow:
Suite: Treehouse 1: Treehouse 2: Students 10-16: $483.00 $574.00 $601.00 $656.00 $738.00 $294.00. Cabana: Bungalow:
Suite: Treehouse 1: Treehouse 2: Students 10-16. $672.00 $794.00 $830.00 $903.00 $1012.00 $416.00. $775.00 $928.00 $973.00 $1064.00 $1200.00 $466.00. Cabana: Bungalow:
Suite: Treehouse 1: Treehouse 2 Students 10-16: $ 965.00 $1148.00 $1202.00 $1311.00 $1475.00 $ 588.00. $1155.00 $1368.00 $1432.00 $1559.00 $1750.00 $ 710.00. Prices above are per person based on double occupancy. Packages for single travelers, add 50% to above per person pricing. No packages are available in the bunkhouse. Honeymoon Package prices listed is per COUPLE, not per person. Hotel and Sales tax figures are not included in the above prices. Actual Invoice upon confirmation of reservations will have these taxes added. Training and Student Adventure Packages contact us for further details. Belize Instituted of Tropical and Wilderness Training Course. Caves Branch: The Jungle Lodge is located 12 miles south of Belmopan, the capital city, on the Hummingbird Highway and can be reached in 3 accessible ways. Your Own Automobile using the Hummingbird highway from Belmopan. Daily Bus Services that run from Belize City to Cayo and on to Southern Belize. You can take any of the busses heading in the direction of Dangriga or Punta Gorda and come all the way to the lodger, with a drop off at the lodge driveway entrance. Ask to be dropped off at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch, then walk in 15 minutes along our driveway to the Lodge. Private
Transfers: The following prices are one way
trips to or from the stated cites to Caves Branch and are provided by private vehicle and driver. The prices are per vehicle
trip, not per person, with each vehicle being able to carry up to 4 persons per vehicle
trip. The more people, the less per person.
Transfers from individual resorts outside these areas may slightly change the price and will be specified upon booking the
transfer. Private
Transfers Prices (based per
trip, not per person). Belmopan San Ignacio Belize City Dangriga Hopkins Placencia. $ 35 (up to 4 persons) $ 75 (up to 4 persons) $130 (up to 4 persons) $120 (up to 4 Persons) $145 (up to 4 persons) Contact us for arrangements. Helicopter
Transfers to Caves Branch: $ 1350 for a group of 1-4 $ 2025 for a group of 5-6. Click here for a description of this service. Click here for costs to other Belize destinations
Given the nature of the environment and the type of
tours and adventures offered thru Caves Branch, we will not compromise the
safety of our guests at any time. The policies identified below are taken very seriously and are not negotiable. No Tiva's, Flip-Flops, Sandals, Dive Booties or any type of open skin footwear are allowed on any expedition!!!!!!! ALL RIVER CAVE EXPEDITIONS: Hiking boots, shorts and t-shirt. ALL DRY CAVE EXPEDITIONS: Hiking boots, long pants and long sleeve shirt. ALL JUNGLE EXPEDITIONS: Hiking boots, long pants, long sleeve shirt and mosquito repellent. ALL OVERNIGHT EXPEDITIONS: Hiking boots, long pants, long sleeve shirt, mosquito repellent, minimum one full change of clothes, full size back pack and flashlight. Caves Branch Lodge guests need to bring mosquito repellent and a flashlight or headlamp with them. Non lodge guests participating in day
trips only, should bring a full change of clothes to get changed into at the end of the day before returning to their hotel. If your footwear is determined by Caves Branch to not be up to standard to provide a
safe trip, we will rent hiking boots at a nominal charge of $5.00 per day, however, we only have a limited supply of various sizes. Due to
safety concerns, those not prepared with mandatory clothing will not be allowed to participate on any activity. Participation Policy. GUARANTEE OF PARTICIPATION cannot be made in advance for any person even if they have made a reservation and or made a deposit or made payment in full for any activity. Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, the management and their staff have the right to refuse participation of any person at any time for any reason due to their concern that the person's
fitness or actions might put that person, or others, in harm's way. All decisions are final and not arbitrated. Our concern for your
safety is our primary mandate. Alternative activities will be recommended or if you prefer, payments made to Caves Branch will be refunded in full if we feel that it would be better for your
safety if you did not participate on a specific
trip. CHILDREN under the age of 14 will not be guaranteed participation in any activity unless the staff of Caves Branch approve their participation. Age is not necessarily a deciding factor but our concerns are strictly for your child;s
safety. CANCELLATION OF
TRIPS AND EXPEDITIONS: The management and staff will use every resource available to determine if weather will effect the
safety and welfare of
trip participants. If we feel that the weather will adversely effect any
trip, that
trip will be cancelled. Sometimes advance notice of this cancellation is not possible. In the event of a scheduled
trip being cancelled due to weather conditions, refunds will not be made on those
trips. We will, however, provide alternative
trips for guests which are not affected by the weather. Waiver and Release of Liability Policy. A Waiver and Release of Liability form must be signed by each participant on every expedition while on sight at Caves Branch. All participants must acknowledge and accept responsibility that expeditions offered by Caves Branch contain a large element of risk and danger to ones well being. Caving, jungle and river activities, in themselves, due to the nature of the environment, may result in injury or death.
Belize Cave
Tours and Cave Tubing Adventures. Come and experience the mystery and
beauty of the caves and caverns of Belize. The Caves Branch team are unsurpassed at guided cave exploration and invite you to share in these exciting adventures, on foot or by water. All cave
tours depart daily and may be subject to high water levels during the rainy season. All adventures are full day unless otherwise stated. River of Caves Cave Tubing. This is where it all started! Ian Andersons first and still Belizes longest and most spectacular River of Caves cave tubing float.. over 7 miles underground. Enter the exciting world of rivers disappearing into the underworld as you float on inner tubes with only your headlamp to light your way. Floating past side windows that filter the jungle light through the mist as you swirl around stalagmites jutting from the river and stalactites looming from above. Float past underground waterfalls then into the crystal cathedral, a spiritual
center to the ancient Maya. Since Ian introduced Cave Tubing to Belize tourism, Cave Tubing has become Belizes most popular adventure
trip. The original and full 7 mile River of Caves tube float is only available through the Caves Branch Adventure Company. Some underground hiking and jungle trekking is necessary. Subject to high water levels during the rainy season. This
tour is only available during the rainy season since the river levels get very very low during the dry season. This
tour is usually not available from Feb-June. Please contact the lodge for availability and details. During this dry period, may we suggest our River Cave Expedition below. Click here to find the current rates for this Belize cave tubing adventure. River Cave Expedition - Cave Tubing. More underground rivers.. This time combine cave tubing and cave exploration to explore this incredible river cave system where ancient Maya Ceremonial centers, pottery, artifacts, altars, obsidian blood letting blades, jade and the actual footprints of the Shaman and priests dated to 400 A.D. are still seen. Spectacular crystal formations over 5,000,000 years old cast eerie shadows into the black abyss as you explore and experience the most sacred area of the ancient Maya. A living museum where the past can still be experienced in its historical and natural location. Massive cathedral size chambers with walls of river sculptured rock dwarf explorers as we pass on foot and inner tube. Imagine the experience as we float through a cathedral and you turn off our lights leaving you with the sensation of floating in timelessness. Subject to high water levels during the rainy season. Click here to find the current rates for this Belize caving adventure. Waterfalls.. waterfalls.. and more waterfalls. Hundreds of feet under the limestone mountain ridge above, explore this river cave with a total of six waterfalls that must be challenged and conquered before days end. No cave tubing today. Spectacular crystal formations loom above and ancient Maya ceremonial centers are hidden in side chambers as you explore this mist shrouded kingdom. At the end of the day, a three kilometer hike through the forest where a driver will be waiting to bring you back to the lodge. This expedition has a very high difficulty level and all participants must be fit and agile. Mayan Ceremonial Cave
Tour. If You Dare...enter into the world which was believed by ancient Mayan priests to be the ENTRANCES TO THE UNDERWORLD.. the Realm.. the Domain.. The Kingdom of their Gods.. XIBALBA. Fighting the forces of the spirits left from a civilization lost, walk the actual steps that Mayan Shaman walked as they entered.. Xibalba. Feel the presence of the ancient Gods as we explore spectacular and awe filled crystal chambers that hold 2,000 year old Maya ceremonial centers. Fire pits, charcoal and ash, pottery, bowls, relics, alters, wall carvings, glyph writings and actual skeletons of sacrificial victims are found in various ceremonial caves. These caves are dry caves.. no cave tubing. This adventure starts off with a 40 minute hike through the jungle which is considered to be challenging. If you are not up to long hikes or strenuous activities, then we do not recommend this activity to you. Once at the site of the cave entrance, you must be somewhat agile in order to enter the cave. All participants must be relatively fit. Click here to find the current rates for
tours of these Mayan caves. It's now tried and tested and the results.. SPECTACULAR, INCREDIBLE, A RUSH LIKE NO OTHER!!! The Mother of all Caves.. Actun Loch Tunich! This expedition starts off with a vigorous hike into the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The edge of the Actun Loch Tunich
sink hole sits over 300 feet above the basin below, 200 feet above the rainforest canopy that grows out from the
sink hole basin. Our fully trained caving guides then rig a system of rappelling ropes for your decent to the basin below. The first 10 feet provides the adrenaline, the next 200 feet provides an unforgettable experience and sights to behold, the last 100 feet takes you down through the rainforest canopy. But before you start it all.. you might just throw up! The
sink hole is not actually black, but you can't see the bottom from where you start. Once you're at the bottom, the question is.. How do we get you out??? Then a return hike out of the foothills and a well deserved cold beer at camp. There is the Actun Loch Tunich river cave.. but no cave tubing. This expedition is not for the faint of heart and all participants must be relatively fit. Not subject to high water levels during the rainy season. Click here to find the current rates for these cave adventures. Overnight Caving Expeditions (2 days / 1 night). Starting off on day one with the Black Hole drop. Once you are in the basin of the
sink hole, your guides then lead you into the incredible rim stone dam entrance of the Actun Loch Tunich river cave system. Camp is set up inside the entrance and
dinner prepared. Then on to exploring the upper crystal chambers, ceremonial sites of the ancient Maya. With the campfire ablaze, you settle into a rest filled sleep as the sounds of the jungle eerily sift into the darkness of the cave and the mists of Chac, the Mayan rain god, rise from the darkness below. The next morning, after a hearty
breakfast, you trek down another 400 feet along cave cliff walls on routes of the ancient Maya to the Actun Loch Tunich underground river, with over 24 kilometers of mapped passageways, exploring in the steps of the ancient Maya, past bubbling springs and an underground waterfall. At the end of the second day, the problem still exists how do we get you out ? Regardless, we will still have a cold beer waiting for you back at the Lodge! When exploring the Actun Loch Tunich River Cave, you do so by trekking, no cave tubing. This expedition is not for the faint of heart and all participants must be relatively fit. Click here to find the current rates for this adventure to the Belize caves and caverns. Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave
Tour. This cave is one of the most popular Mayan burial sites in Western Belize. The cave contains four skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware left by the Maya. The most famous skeleton inside the cave is that of a young girl, the bones of which have been completely covered by the natural processes of the cave, leaving them with a sparkling appearance. The cave itself is several kilometers long with several chambers. This adventure leaves Caves Branch Jungle Lodge around 8:30am. The hike from the starting point to the cave entrance includes three stream crossings and passes through the 6,700 Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The hike is approximately 45 minutes in duration. This adventure is challenging and a good level of physical
fitness is required. The ability to swim is a plus as again you must cross water at three different points. River of Caves Tube Float and ZIP Line Combo Adventure