Trotting Tropical Trails As dawn broke that first morning of my Mayan Jungle Ride in Belize and the mist slowly lifted from the valley, the sun’s first rays gently warmed the cool air left by the night. The enchanting chatter of tropical birds was pierced by the screams of distant howler monkeys. The jungle air was heavily perfumed with floral scents from the hedges and bushes surrounding our cabana. A glorious day for a jungle trail ride was beginning. The base for this ride is a small lodge built within a tropical broad leaf forest on the edge of the pristine Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, enormous caves and fantastic vistas of the rainforest are part of the riding adventure. The center of activity was the cantina where delicious home-cooked meals were served. Every morning breakfast started with fresh Belizean coffee and plentiful locally grown fruits such as watermelon, papaya and pineapple, followed by a full American style breakfast. The delicious picnic lunches were lavishly spread out before us on tablecloths covering the jungle floor. Dinners were served at the cantina while stories of the day’s adventures were shared and embellished upon. Our horses were tacked up and waiting for us at the stable every morning. A mix of Quarter Horse and local breeds, they are very much adapted to the tropical climate. Well trained with a gentle disposition, they are surefooted and reliable when it comes to negotiating some of the slippery jungle slopes. In addition, they are always ready to pick up a canter or gallop when the terrain allows. My mount for the ride was a mare named Equis whom I came to love and trust over the next adventurous days on the jungle trails. The rides were generally guided by Mel, a Guatemalan gentleman raised in this area. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he readily shared his wealth of knowledge about the flora and fauna of Belize with us. Unforgettable were both his skills with the machete, which he carried around at all times to keep the trails cleared, and his sharp eyes for spotting birds and wildlife. I was amazed by the diversity and variety of ecosystems we passed through. Mel expertly pointed out various native plants and trees and explained their traditional uses. The forest canopy is home to many bird species, and thanks to Mel we were able to observe toucans, motmots, orioles and parrots. In addition, we saw wild peccarries – actually smelling before spotting them in the thick underbrush. The ride to Big Rock Waterfall took us through dense forest to the Pine Ridge area. Sandy trails through pines and palm trees offered opportunities for canters and gallops. After experiencing the surefooted horses on the steep and sometimes slick trails along the mountain slopes, we felt confidant about picking up the pace, and our mounts eagerly obliged. During our lunch break, the horses were tied in the shade of palm trees where they waited patiently for our … Continue reading Jungle Trail Ride in Belize: Canters, Caves and Culture