Jaguar Preserve Hiking and River Tour

Timetable: By request
Duration: approximately 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Departure: 8:00 am

Proceed through pristine wetlands on your way to the Southern Highway. On most days the air will be clear enough to see the majestic spire of Victoria Peak (3,675 ft.) and the distant Maya Mountain Range. Make your way to the Maya Center and the entrance of the world’s only jaguar preserve, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Stop briefly to sign in and to view the beautiful hand-carved slate plaques, baskets, clothing and jewelry made in the village by the local Mayan Indians.
Then continue into the dense tropical rainforest of the Cockscomb Basin, which has a total protected area of over 120,000 acres. The basin is also home to jaguarondis, margays, ocelots, pumas, deer, howler monkeys and tapirs. Your guide will then take you on several established trails, each with its own unique characteristics including to Ben's Bluff, which has a spectacular view of the entire basin. As you walk, the guide will interpret the flora and fauna that makes this park such an amazing place. The preserve is believed to have the world's highest density of Jaguar as well as several other cat species. As jaguars and other cats are nocturnal, it is unlikely that you will see them, but you can spot fresh tracks. With over 290 recorded species of birds this park is ideal for birders. You will return to the ranger station and rest a little before your hike to a beautiful waterfall: a great place to take a cooling swim.

Don't forget to bring: bug repellent, hat, swimsuit, towel, hiking shoes, camera, binoculars, rain jacket, bird identification book and money for souvenirs.