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Helicopter Excursions EXCURSIONS Belize is definitely one of the best adventure destinations in the Caribbean and the list of things to do is never ending. Below is a partial list of excursions you might be interested in. We offer many day trips as well as overnight trips for your pleasure and can also assist in arrangements for spending a part of your trip exploring other parts of Belize. We also offer custom excursions catering to your every whim. Just let us know what you want and we’ll do our best to make it available. HELICOPTER EXCURSIONS HELICOPTER CHARTER AND REEF OVER TRANSFER This is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences of your entire trip. Once you land in Belize City, you can quickly clear customs and transfer directly to Azul Resort in the privacy of your own helicopter. After leaving from the Belize International Airport, the flight takes you directly to the exotic view of the world’s second largest reef, Belize’s Barrier Reef. See the small cayes along the reef as they drench in the midst of the deep blue waters, such as Coffee Caye, Montego Caye and Long Caye. Following the path of the reef, be amazed at the different shades of colors and look closely as you might see a manatee, dolphin or shark in the waters. You will then fly over Caye Chapel, an island made up almost entirely of one big golf course. Then, cross over the split of our sister island, Caye Caulker, and see how a past hurricane divided the caye into two separate parts. Further up the Reef you will be able to view the most popular snorkeling site in Belize, Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The flight continues further along the reef where you can be dazzled by the water view that borders our Reef until arriving to the final destination of Azul Resort, the only helipad on the island. For safety purposes, each passenger will be weighed prior to departure. For passengers and baggage exceeding the helicopter weight limit, we will transfer your bags on Tropic Air at no additional cost. Your bags will arrive approximately 1-2 hours after your arrival, so be sure to pack a small lightweight carry-on bag with your necessities until your bags arrive (bathing suit, sunscreen, shorts, etc.) NOTE: Weight limit is 725 pounds max for the Bell jet Ranger (3-4 passenger) and 1000lbs max for the Long Ranger (5-6 passenger) Private Helicopter Adventure to the Maya Mountains, Waterfalls, Mayan Ruins of Altun Ha & Lamanai plus Airboat Tour Your adventure will begin once you board your private helicopter at Azul Resort. This unique adventure will take you to see the Longest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere and the Mayan Mountains Rivers, Valleys and Waterfalls among others. As you depart you will head south down the path of the Reef where you will be able to see the most popular snorkeling site in Belize, Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The flight continues further along the reef where you can be dazzled by the water view. You will then pass over Caye Caulker where you will be able to have a bird’s eye view of the split that was caused after a hurricane in Belize. Further along you will see many other cayes, along the way keep your eyes open for sharks, stingrays, manatees and dolphins. Continuing along heading west toward the city, you will be able to see the great St. George’s Caye, a historic place where a battle took place in 1790 between the Spaniards and the Baymen. The Baymen were successful and claimed their independence from the Spanish. Next you will fly by Belize City heading to the Northern Lagoon. Then it’s out to the green pastures of the beautiful forest of Belize. On your scenic helicopter journey to Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Heliport your flight takes you over the winding Sibun River with its many twist and turns. You will then fly over Caves Branch where you will be able to see the beauty of the river as it flows through the cave system. This area encompasses 58,000 acres that are situated beneath a 100 ft rainforest canopy and is bordered by the turquoise waters of caves Branch River. Ahead of Caves Branch lays the deep forest of the Mountain Pine Ridge. You will get a bird’s eye’s view of Belize’s pristine jungles, rivers, caves, limestone arches and mountains. Your flight will then take you over the winding Sibun River with its many twist and turns. Then it’s out to the green pastures of the beautiful forest of Belize. Fly over the small but famous bathing spots such as Freetown Sibun, Butcher Burns, Cedar Bank and Gracy Rock Bank. You then fly over Caves Branch, this area encompasses 58,000 acres that are situated beneath a 100 ft rainforest canopy and is bordered by the turquoise waters of Caves Branch River. Ahead of Caves Branch lays the deep forest of Mountain Pine Ridge. Not long after your eyes start to dazzle at the sparkling water that runs from the largest waterfall in Belize and Central America; called 1000 ft falls. Even though the name suggest otherwise, this waterfall is closer to 1600 feet. You will get a view of the entire falls, which is totally unlike the ground tour where you never get to see the falls in its entirety while floating from above. Your flight then heads west as it glides over the lush unspoiled Mountain Pine Ridge where you will see up to 6 additional waterfalls. The flight heads over to the Altun Ha Maya Ruins located 31 miles north of Belize City. Altun Ha means Water of the Rock. It was here that the largest carved jade object in the whole Maya area, a Jade Head, was found. This Jade Head represents the Sun God, Kinich Ahau, and can be seen in the corner of every Belizean banknote. Altun Ha was a major ceremonial center during the Classic Period (250-900 A.D) and functioned as a vital trading center linking the Caribbean shores with other Maya centers. You will view the most visited Mayan Site in Belize from above as it looks so peaceful yet magnificent. Continuing on the journey, you will fly over a rainforest canopy that sweeps across Northern Belize and not further along is the famous Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Feel free like the birds as they flock around at the lake where they come every year for mating season. Crooked Tree is popular not only for bird watching, but also for fishing. Not long after leaving Crooked Tree you will fly over the Lamanai Maya Ruins. The meaning of Lamanai is Submerged Crocodile. It is located in the Orange Walk district on the New River Lagoon. Lamanai, being one of Belize's largest ceremonial centers, displays the more exotic features of ancient Maya art and architecture. Lamanai had one of the longest occupation spans, dating from 1500 B.C to the 19th century A.D. See it as very few have seen it flying over and around it as you get to have a first-hand air experience of one of the most ancient historical Maya Ruins. You will then land next to the New River Lagoon where a private Airboat will pick you up and launch on your way to the Mayan Ruins of Lamanai for your private tour of the site; your guide will walk you through and give you a unique insight to the details of this amazing place (lunch can be arranged at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge, before or after your private tour). Upon leaving from the heliport on your final flight, you will get a bird’s eye’s view of Lamanai, the New River Lagoon, jungles and rivers as you fly back at the end of the day. Before leaving the mainland you will fly over the Northern Lagoon in Crooked Tree. After leaving from the mainland, the flight takes you directly to the exotic view of the world’s second largest reef, Belize’s Barrier Reef. See the small cayes along the reef as they drench in the midst of the deep blue waters. Following the path of the reef, be amazed at the different shades of colors of the Reef and look closely as you might see a manatee, dolphin or shark in the waters. Further down the path of the Reef you will be able to see the most popular snorkeling site in Belize, Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The flight continues further along the reef where you can be dazzled by the water view that borders our Reef until arriving to the final destination of Azul Resort. Note: Requirements: Lunch can be arranged at the Outpost Lodge. • Wear tennis shoes (NO water shoes allowed) • Minimum Age: 8 years old Private Helicopter Adventure to The Mayan Mountains, Waterfalls, Xunantunich & Horseback Riding Your adventure will begin once you board your private helicopter at Azul Resort. This unique adventure will take you to see the Longest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere and the Mayan Mountains Rivers, Valleys and Waterfalls among others. As you depart you will head south down the path of the Reef where you will be able to see the most popular snorkeling site in Belize, Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The flight continues further along the reef where you can be dazzled by the water view. You will then pass over Caye Caulker where you will be able to have a bird’s eye view of the split that was caused after a hurricane in Belize.
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