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Total time: Five Weeks
“Unbelievable experience. Priceless – can’t be described in words.” Victoria Gifford. Maya Venture 2005
The Aztec Maya Venture expedition explores a wide cross-section of Central America and the range of available activities includes horse riding, mountain biking, white-water rafting, trekking, camping and even SCUBA diving! There are jungles to explore, mountains to climb and the whole of the Caribbean coast to explore; transport varies from a pick up truck to a modern long distance coach; at night you could find yourself sleeping under a no star hostel roof or on a beach under a sky of a million stars.
Colonial Splendour to Mayan Temples (Week 3) Leaving Oaxaca for the last time we turn south and head for the Cañón
del Sumidero en route to San Cristobal. The canyon was created by the
mighty Rio Grijalva and a boat journey up the river provides a spectacular
view of the vertical canyon walls soaring 700m above us. For those in
search of thrills and adventure there are kayaking and rapelling options
available. Feeling refreshed after our "city break" we are on our way again following in the footsteps of the Mayans to their temple complex at Palenque. Set in the foothills of the Tumbalá mountains, Palenque is situated on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch to the north. Perhaps it is this positioning between two worlds that gives Palenque a mystical charm; the vista of the flat plains to the north, and the misty green of the lush mountain backdrop to the south, captures the imagination of modern explorers and most certainly inspired the ancient temples' artists and architects. Our Mayan route takes us south to Belize which is the host country for
our Aztec Maya Project at the Fireburn Wildlife Reserve (weeks 5,6 and
7) After the project phase is completed we take a well-earned spot of R&R on Caye Caulker. This idyllic Caribbean island boasts white sandy beaches and the amazing experience of swimming with sharks! Back on dry land we travel west to Guatemala and the jungles of the Petén region. Deep in the jungle are the pyramids and temples of Tikal, once the largest
and most important of all the Mayan centres. It's a magical place, especially
at sunset and sunrise because the tops of the temples stick out, above
the jungle canopy. Over three days we explore the forest surrounded by
the sounds of howler monkeys, with toucans flying overhead and it's easy
to imagine how this area must have looked when inhabited by the ancient
Mayans. We finish the trek at the nearby town of Flores and take the bus
to Antigua in Guatemala to relax before starting our Spanish refresher
course. Antigua and Spanish Language Refresher Course (week 8) See Phase 1 for more info.
Mayan villages and the highest point in Central America (week 9)
The market town of Quetzeltenango is set amongst high mountains and volcanoes; this is our base for the challenge of Tajumulco Volcano. With our newly gained strength and trekking skills we hit the trail and reach for the top, 4,219m, the highest point in Central America. Honduras – Copan ruins and the Caribbean Coast (week 10) Our route back to the Caribbean is via the ruins at Copan - further evidence of sophistication of Mayan architecture. We sample life in modern day Honduras and experience the thrill of whitewater rafting La Ceiba river (grades 3 and 4) before reaching the coast. Our next port of call is Utila, the smallest of the three Bay Islands off the north coast of Honduras. A Caribbean break on Utila Island (Week 11) After the rigours of exploring the highlands of Guatemala and the magnificent temples of the Mayans, we're ready for a change: warm water, sandy beaches and a very funky Caribbean atmosphere! The population of the Bay Islands is fairly diverse and English, spoken with a broad Caribbean accent, is the main language. We plan to spend a week on the island and at this stage of the Venture, your time is very much your own. From extreme sports to serene beaches the choice is yours. All activities are optional and you should budget an extra $300 if you would like to do a five-day PADI diving course; of course, lying on the beach comes for free!
Optional Activities on Utila Island: SCUBA Diving: The reefs surrounding the Islands form part of the second largest barrier reef in the world, and Utila provides the perfect opportunity to take a scuba diving certification course. A four-day course will get you an Open Water certificate which allows you to dive anywhere in the world to a depth of 60 feet. There is quite a bit of theory to get through before you get into the water, and then lots of exercises in shallow water before you get into the deep, but it is more than worth the effort. Sea Kayaking/Snorkelling: The reefs of Utila are ideal for snorkelling or free diving, and coastal waterways are ideal for an afternoon of kayaking; there are red mangroves forests that provide home to an array of wildlife, the most thrilling of which being the freshwater crocodile. Further exploration of the island reveals secluded beaches for sunbathing or snorkelling. Horseback Riding/Freshwater caves: If you would like a break from water sports you could explore Utila's bush covered wilderness on horseback or by bicycle. Aladdin's cave is a popular destination with a large freshwater pool inside for cooling down during your mounted trip. Much of the coast here is covered with fossilized corals and rocks but there are still plenty of good sandy spots for relaxing or snorkelling. The surrounding hills are riddled with caves, one of which is the spacious Brandon Hill Cave, and local myth has it containing Pirates Treasure from centuries ago. Iguana Research and Breeding Station: If you need a break from diving this makes for an interesting expedition. Watch the several different species of bizarre looking swamp creatures feed and wander around their natural habitat. The station has several species of iguana including Ctemosaura baberi found only in the mangrove swamps of Utila. Water sports: Windsurfing, water skiing and wakeboarding are all common activities to those who would rather spend some time on the water instead of under the water. The prevailing easterly wind provides ideal conditions on the south side of the island for any windsurfing enthusiast. The Eastern Harbour Bay can play host to the perfect setting for water skiing and wake boarding, or for those looking for more of a challenge the waves off Iron Shore would make for some more serious action. Adventure in Honduras and Costa Rica (week 12) We cross the border from Nicaragua to Costa Rica and make our way to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most famous conservation areas in Central America. A cloud forest is a highland forest characterized by nearly 100% humidity throughout the year. Here in Monteverde, warm North-Easterly trade winds, filled with moisture, blow in over the Atlantic. As the winds sweep up to the continental divide, they cool and condense to form clouds, bathing the forest in a constant soft mist. The Monteverde cloud forest receives an incredible four meters of rain every year- that's almost twelve feet! In Monteverde we can explore the elevated ecosystem of the rain forest canopy, a luxuriant and little-known realm that is home for most of the jungle's plant and animal species. It has only been in the last two decades that biologists have begun to seriously study the canopy, using such varied devices as mountain climbing equipment and construction cranes, and we now have the opportunity to follow them into that biological frontier. Suspended from "Zip wires" we glide through the air enjoying
a monkey's-eye view of the rain forest canopy, where thick branches serve
as platforms for an incredible diversity of smaller plants, and such animals
as tree frogs, vine snakes, sloth's and hundreds of bird species. Journey's End – San Jose and the possibilities of onward travel Arrival in San Jose signals the end of the Venture. 12 weeks after arriving in Mexico you'll find yourself reflecting on the experiences and challenges that you have met throughout Caribbean Jungle Venture; you will go home feeling enriched by these experiences and appreciate the great contrasts between life in Latin America and the one to which you are returning. It goes without saying of course, that you will have had the time of your life! The group flight returns to London from San Jose in Costa Rica. However,
our flight tickets are flexible and we can tailor-make your return flight.
There are many possibilities for onward travel in Central America and
Costa Rica especially has many options for the independent traveller.
For more information on these and other travel options please contact
the VentureCo office (01926 411 122) Afterwards Life can seem very tame when you return home from a place like Central America. It's important to retain contact with your fellow Venturers to help put your travel experiences into context. VentureCo host an annual reunion party every September to help you achieve this. The event is open to all Venturers, past and present and is an important date in the social calendar! Where else do VentureCo operate in South America?
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home
Chiapas and Tabasco 
Nicaragua
is nicknamed "The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes" for very good
reasons - fifty eight volcanic peaks dominate its dome-marked landscape,
six of these volcanoes remain active whilst some of the low-lying extinct
craters have turned into deep aquamarine pools of water. Travelling from
North to South, our route leads us along the volcanic chain to Lake Nicaragua
and the tranquillity of Ometepe Island. On the island the twin peaks of
Concepción and Maderas Volcanos present a trekking challenge. After
savouring the 360-degree view of the vast inland lake from our final summit
it's time to throttle back, relax and think about the local beach scene!