yoga retreats featuring jungle, ocean, relaxation and adventure Belize Yoga Eco-Adventure Yoga Retreat January 9-16, 2016 Instructor: Allisun Hull Retreat Coordinator: Brad Wigh Students: Cathy, Tanya, Jeremy, Kristy, Erin, Kathy, Rebecca, Jody, Jennifer, Lucy, Heidi, Gabrielle, Jennifer and Stephen belizeyoga.com 1-812-783-9642 (voicemail) jessie@belizeyoga.com
Day 1: Saturday, January 9: Arrival Day Black Rock Lodge 2:00-4:30 pm Shuttle from BZE to Black Rock Lodge (for 12:15-1:00pm arrivals) 4:30-7:00 pm Shuttle from BZE to Black Rock Lodge (for 3:20pm arrivals) 7:00 pm Dinner, orientation Day 2: Sunday, January 10: Black Rock Lodge 6:30-7:30 am YOGA 7:30-8:30 am Breakfast 9:00-2:30 pm Xunantunich Maya archeological tour (includes lunch at local restaurant) 4:45-6:00 pm YOGA 7:00 pm Dinner Day 3: Monday, January 11: Black Rock Lodge 6:30-7:30 am Breakfast 7:30 am-5:00 pm Full Day Cave Tour: ATM or Barton Creek Cave 7:00 pm Dinner Day 4: Tuesday, January 12: Black Rock Lodge 6:30-7:30 am YOGA 7:30-8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am-4:45 pm Free Time or optional tours 12:00-2:00 pm Lunch (open) 4:45-6:00 pm YOGA 7:00 pm Dinner
Day 5: Wednesday, January 13: Black Rock Lodge and Hatchet Caye Resort 6:30-7:30 am YOGA 7:30-8:30 am Breakfast 7:30 9:00 am Checkout 9:00 2:00 pm Transfer to Placencia (includes stops for shopping and lunch) 2:30-4:00 pm Boat transport to Hatchet Caye 4:45-6:00 pm YOGA 7:00 pm Dinner Day 6: Thursday, January 14: Hatchet Caye Resort 6:30-7:30 am YOGA 7:30-8:30 am Breakfast 9:30-2:30 pm Snorkeling Tour with Beach BBQ 4:45-6:00 pm YOGA 7:00 pm Dinner Day 7: Friday, January 15: Hatchet Caye Resort 6:30-7:30 am YOGA 7:30-8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am-4:45 pm Free Time or optional tours 12:00-2:00 pm Lunch (open) 4:45-6:00 pm YOGA 7:00 pm Dinner (can checkout after dinner) Day 8: Saturday, January 16: Hatchet Caye Resort Departure Day 6:30-8:30 am Breakfast & Checkout 8:30 am Boat and ground transportation to Placencia Airstrip (1.5 hr) 10:40-11:10 am Flight from Placencia to BZE International for 1:00-2:00pm departures 12:00-12:30 pm Flight from Placencia to BZE International for 3:15pm departures* 1:00-1:30 pm Flight from Placencia to BZE International for 4:15pm departures* *later departures can explore Placencia village during extra time
Tour Selections DAY 3 ATM CAVE Ausherman, Stephen Hannigan, Cathy Hull, Allisun Johnson, Jeremy Robledo, Gabrielle Ron, Jennifer Barton creek Brownstone, Jennifer Fonner, Rebecca Gagne, Erin Humphries, Heidi Kirk, Kathy McBride, Tanya Obukowicz, Lucy Ouding, Jody Wilkerson, Kristy
What to Bring Packing Suggestions: Passport and any additional documentation as required by your nationality Sunscreen/aloe Any medications you may need Hand Sanitizer Sunglasses Hat Insect Repellent Toiletries, including shampoo Reading material/journal Reusable water bottle Daypack or satchel for tours Sturdy closed-toed hiking/walking shoes Waterproof/quickdrying hiking shoes or hiking sandals Beach shoes/flipflops Supportive swimsuit for snorkeling tours, canoeing, cave tours Strap to retain eyeglasses/sunglasses during adventures Lightweight long pants for hiking Layered, lightweight clothing Lightweight yoga clothing Yoga mat if you are not renting one from Belize Yoga Motion-sickness medication if you require for flights, boats or land transport Laptop or tablet (optional--there is free (slow) wifi in the main lodges) Camera, waterproof camera for snorkeling (optional) Battery-powered alarm clock or watch Lightweight water-resistant jacket and/or umbrella Flashlight Spending money (No ATM access during retreat--us cash accepted everywhere) Eye mask and earplugs if you have trouble sleeping in new environments Items provided for you: Snorkel gear, beach towels
Tour Preparation Clothing/Items for Mayan Ruins Xunantunich Mayan Ruins WEAR: Lightweight clothing Comfortable, closed-toed shoes Hat/sunglasses Sunscreen BRING: Water Spending money (optional, will be shopping available--souvenirs and drug/grocery store) Camera (optional) Hand Sanitizer (optional) Backpack for water, camera Insect repellent
Tour Preparation Clothing/Items for Caving Tours ATM Cave WEAR: Swimsuit Comfortable clothing over swimsuit Closed-toed water sandals such as teva, keen (ideal) or tennis shoes, non-slip shoes BRING: Water Socks (required to view final chamber in socks only) Backpack/satchel for carrying lunch, water, etc. (you will leave it outside of cave entrance) Entire change of clothing, including undergarments and footwear for the ride home (leave in van) Hand-sanitizer (optional) Small amount of spending money (optional--sometimes make a restroom/snack stop on way) Tip money for your guide (discretionary--atm guides are not part of Black Rock Lodge) Tissues (optional--restrooms may not always be stocked) **NO cameras are allowed on this tour. If you bring one you will need to leave it in the van. Barton Creek Cave/Ziplining WEAR: Comfortable clothing Comfortable, non-slip shoes (not flip flops) Swimsuit if you would like to swim at the cave entrance BRING: Water Small amount of spending money (optional) Tip money for your guide (discretionary--ziplining guides are not part of Black Rock Lodge) Camera (optional) Hand Sanitizer (optional) Backpack for water, camera Insect repellent Swimsuit/sunscreen/book (if you will be staying at the pool instead of ziplining)
Tour Preparation Clothing/Items for Snorkeling Tours Snorkeling WEAR: Swimsuit Hat/sunglasses Sunscreen (reef-safe sunscreen preferred) UV swimshirt (optional) BRING: Water Camera or waterproof camera (optional) Extra sunscreen Cover-up or dry shirt (optional) Snorkeling gear is provided, you may bring your own if you prefer. Towels and extra water will be on the boat.
FAQs (you may also visit www.belizeyoga.com/faq) Electricity: Same as the U.S. Our lodges create their own electricity and ask that you not use energy-hungry appliances such as hair dryers and electric shavers. Computer/camera chargers are ok. Internet & Cell Phone coverage: Wireless internet is available at the main lodge of both resorts--but is slow, so do not plan to conduct work or social media. Resorts are remote and cell phone coverage is spotty. There will be international charges for calls/data. Currency: Fixed rate of $1US=$2BZ. US dollars are used all over Belize, change will be given in Belize dollars. You do not need to exchange any money into Belize dollars. V/MC widely accepted. Water safety: At Black Rock Lodge, the tap water is mountain stream water and is safe for bathing, but purified water is provided for drinking. At Hatchet Caye Resort, the water is purified desalinated water and is safe to drink. Time Zone: Belize is on Central Time prior to March 8/Mountain time beginning March 8 Costs not included in retreat: Gratuities, alcohol, sodas & drinks not included with meals, laundry, phone, non-mealtime food or off menu ordering, spa, additional tours or transfers not included in package. Gratuities: Gratuities are discretionary and while not required are customary and appreciated by the staff at the resorts. You may tip throughout the retreat but most choose to tip in bulk during checkout at each resort, or to personally hand something extra to a particular staff member and the end of the stay. If you choose to tip in bulk, you can also specify if you would like to divide it in any particular way. Some things to consider: At Black Rock Lodge and Hatchet Caye, your package includes a small service charge that is divided amongst regular staff (housekeeping, kitchen, grounds, etc) but you may certainly tip additional for great service. Please note that guides are not included in the general tip pool so you would want to tip them directly if you appreciate their tour. If you have any additional questions, please consult your group leader.
Contact Info Arrival Info A Belize Yoga representative will greet you upon your arrival at Belize International airport. We will be monitoring for flight delays. Please contact Belize Yoga if you miss any leg of your flight or if you are on a different flight than originally scheduled. Prior to your flight, please be sure you have your passport and any additional documentation ready, and remember to check with your airline regarding baggage limitations, as you are responsible for any additional fees. Contact Info Belize Yoga: 1-812-783-9642* or +501-637-4109 (Jessie) or +501-632-9585 (Brad) Belize Yoga email: jessie@belizeyoga.com or brad@belizeyoga.com Black Rock Lodge: +501-820-4049 Hatchet Caye: +501-533-4446 *This US phone number connects directly to voicemail, which is then emailed to us. For immediate assistance, please call one of our direct Belize lines.
Cave Tour: ATM or Barton Creek Actun Tunichil Muknal a caving expedition unlike anything else in the world. Strap on a hardhat and a headlamp and explore a wet cave used by the Mayans for ancient rituals. You ll explore burial chambers with calcified skeletal remains and ceremonial pots. View glorious stalactites and stalagmites up close. Time: Approximately 10 hrs (includes hike, cave tour, lunch and travel time). Drive time: 1.75 hrs each way Details: hike 45 min each way to arrive at cave, crossing a river three times. In cave, venture 1/3 mile into cave. Water depth in cave varies from ankle- to swimming-depth, but is mostly calf-thigh depth. Must climb over large slippery rocks and up a ladder. Activity level: Difficult Barton Creek Canoeing + Zipling (ziplining portion is optional)--begin this tour by gently gliding though a Mayan ritual cave in your canoe. You ll see lovely formations while your guide explains the history and traditions of the Mayans, and how they used caves in their spiritual practices. Finish the day with an exhilarating zip though the jungles of Belize! If you prefer not to zipline, you can enjoy some pool time instead. Time: Approximately 8 hrs (includes cave tour, lunch, ziplining and travel time). Drive time: 1.5 hrs each way Details: Barton Creek Cave is easily accessible, requiring only a brief walk to arrive at canoes. Ziplining involves some hiking and ladder climbing. Pool is available for those who prefer not to zipline. Activity level: Barton Creek (Easy)/Ziplining (Moderate)