| Mayan Journeys
Trips and
Tours
General Information
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Journeys
Background Information |
Lib, Manny, Yoli, Maya
and Uncle Julio Saqui |
Mejen Tz'il's Lodge:
Owned and operated by Yoli and Lib Saqui. Lib (Liberato) completed his education in the United States and
returned to his home at Maya Centre Village to become the school principal there.
Yoli and Lib have two children, Emanuel (Manny)
and Maya. Lib is also a guest lecturer on Mayan languages at the University of
Belize. |
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| Mejen Tz'il's Lodge is
named after Manny, and means "The Son's Lodge" in Mopan Maya. It has 4
rooms, which can be arranged with double beds or bunk beds to suit guests' needs.
All rooms are screened and have fans. Hot showers and restrooms are provided in a
separate building. |
Mejen Tzi'l's Lodge |
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Julio Saqui |
Julio Saqui: Julio
Saqui grew up in Maya Centre Village and the surrounding Cockscomb Basin rainforest, and
has over twelve years of professional experience as a licensed guide and trainer. Because
of his background, Julio is able to introduce his clients to sights and experiences which
are often overlooked by non-indigenous guides. Julio is also active in indigenous political and cultural affairs.
He represents Stann Creek District to the Toledo Maya Cultural Council, publisher
of The Mayan Atlas, and coordinated the collection of traditional Mopan Maya oral history,
music, folklore, art, dance, medicinal, domestic and other practices for the Atlas.
Julio lives and works in Maya Centre Village, where he also operates a small pub and shop. |
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| Nu'uk Che'il Cottages:
Nu'uk Che'il is owned by Ernesto and Aurora Garcia Saqui. Ernesto is the
Director of the Cockscomb Sanctuary for the Belize Audubon Society and is particularly
knowledgeable about area birds. He is also the Village Council Chairman of Maya
Centre Village. Aurora is an apprentice of her late uncle, Don Eligio Panti, who
also trained Rosita Arvigo. In addition to the Cottages, Aurora has established a
traditional jungle medicine trail on the grounds of the Cottages. |
Aurora Garcia Saqui
and Slate Carvings |
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Nu'uk Che'il Cottages |
Nu'uk Che'il has two
thatched buildings each with two rooms (a double room and a single room in each
building). Restrooms and showers are in a separate building. A special dining room is also available for large groups. |
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 Cockscomb Basin Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (formerly known as Jaguar
Jungle): approximately 150 square miles of protected broadleaf subtropical rain
forest surrounded by the Maya Mountains. Its name comes from the cockscomb profile
of the nearby Maya Mountains. Researchers believe that the ruins of a minor
ceremonial site (Chucil Baalum) in the Sanctuary indicate that the first human inhabitants
of this area were the ancient Maya. Present are over 250 kinds of orchids, tree ferns, air plants and
vines, almost 700 varieties of trees, more than 300 species of birds, five species of wild
felines and the two highest peaks in Belize, Doyle's Delight (3,688 feet) and Victoria
Peak (3,675 feet). The endangered Ocelot, Margay, Baird's tapir and Scarlet Macaw
are among the wildlife that live in the Cockscomb jungle. The Reserve habitat is
broadleaf forest and its Holdridge Life Zone is mainly Subtropical Wet with some
Subtropical Lower Montane Wet to the west and Tropical Moist to the east.
Cockscomb
Birding: Of the over five hundred bird species identified in
Belize, nearly three hundred can be found in the Cockscomb Basin, the Cockscomb Sanctuary
and in the area around Maya Centre Village.
Following are samples of some of
the more dramatic species which may be sighted:
- Large Birds: Crested
Guan, Great Curassow, Great Tinamou, Blue Ground Dove
- Birds of Prey:
Gray Headed Kite, Plumbeous Kite, Bat Falcon, Laughing Falcon, Collared Forest Falcon,
White Hawk, Roadside Hawk, Gray Hawk, Black Hawk Eagle, King Vulture
- Elegant Birds:
Slated Tailed Trogon, Citreoline Trogon, Keel Billed Toucan, Collared Aracari Toucan, Blue
Crowned Motmot, Amazon Kingfisher, Pale Billed Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Barred Ant
Shrike, Red Capped Manakin, Fork Tailed Flycatcher, Northern Royal Flycatcher, Fan Tailed
Flycatcher, Oropendola Montezuma, Orange Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Blackbird
- Hummingbirds:
Violet Sabrewing, White Necked Jacobin, Long Tailed Hermit, Little Hermit
- Macaws, Parrots:
Scarlet Macaw, Maroon Fronted Parrot, Red Crowned Parrot, Red Lored Parrot, Yellow
Headed Parrot, Red Crowned Parrot
Cockscomb Wildlife
In addition to the Jaguar, the
Cockscomb Basin's diverse ecosystem protects a sizable percentage of Belize's animal and
reptile species, including the Puma, Ocelot, Margay, Jaguarundi, Baird's Tapir, Tayra (a
10 to 15 lb weasel-like animal), Otter, Kinkajou, Brocket Deer, White-lipped and Collared
Peccary, Paca (Gibnut), Anteater, Armadillo, lots of lizards (including Old Man Lizard),
Howler Monkeys, 44 species of butterflies (including Prepona dexamenus), an amazing number
of frogs (including Smilisca cyonostica and Gastrophyrne elegans), Agouti, snakes and
Coatimundi.
Cockscomb
Flora. Among the trees present in the Reserve are Banak Waika
Swivelstick, Quamwood, Yemeri, Negrito, Santa Maria, Trumpet Tree, Rosewood, White
Mahogany (San Juan), Rubber Tree, Cohune Palm, Wild Custard Apple, Hog Plum, Spanish
Elder, Star Apple, Copal, Iron Wood (Wild Tamarind), Cecropia and Wild Glue.
Cockscomb medicinal plants important in the Mayan pharmacy include Cowfoot (Obel),
Ixtucultil, Lianos (Ak or Bejuco), Basket Tietie (Bayal), Contribo, Stair Case Plant
(Costa Plant), Tree Fern (Helecho) and Philodendron (Mutuzai). Vegetiation is dense,
medium height forest as a result of thin soils, rugged terrain and the effects of
hurricanes.
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Gear and Packing Suggestions:
- Insect Repellant (Deep Woods Off)
- Lightweight long slacks and long-sleeved shirts
(for jungle trips)
- Sunscreen (waterproof, minimum 15 SPF)
- Hiking shoes
- Rain gear
- Flashlight
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Hat
- Swimsuit
- Water bottle
- Shorts, T-shirts
- Small backpack
- Bird identification book
- Regularly taken medications (primarily for
overnight trips)
- Sunglasses (polarized if possible)
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