Moho River Expedition

Adventure Paddling & Living Maya Culture

Deep in the rainforests of southern Belize, the Moho River offers a rare expedition-style journey that is both adventurous and accessible for families seeking meaningful travel. Paddling the calm, clear waters of this emerald river is an opportunity to explore one of Belize’s most remote and culturally rich regions—at a pace that allows for curiosity, connection, and discovery.

The Wild South of Belize remains one of the country’s last largely untouched landscapes. Here, dense tropical rainforest covers the land and the living traditions of the Maya continue to shape everyday life. Our journey travels through small Ketchi and Mopan Maya villages, where traditional milpa farming is still practiced and children grow up deeply connected to the land. Traveling through this region offers families a rare chance to experience a culture that is both ancient and very much alive today.

As we move inland, jungle-covered limestone hills rise sharply from the coastal plain, marking our entry into the southern Maya Mountains and the upper Moho River valley. The upper Moho is a unique travertine river, formed by calcium carbonate deposits that create natural steps, pools, and gentle cascades—an engaging and beautiful environment for paddlers of varying ages and abilities. The river’s naturally alkaline water also limits insects, creating a comfortable, low-bug rainforest setting ideal for multi-day exploration.

Where the road ends, we continue by inflatable two-person river kayaks, allowing safe, stable access into areas rarely seen by visitors. These kayaks are easy to paddle, highly maneuverable, and well suited for both first-time and experienced paddlers, making them ideal for families and expedition travelers alike.

This journey blends adventure paddling with deep cultural immersion. Guiding with Norm are, Venancio and Pedro, local Ketchi and Mopan Mayan guides, who welcome guests into their homeland where you are invited to learn about contemporary village life, traditions, and relationships to the river. For families, this is an inspiring educational experience—one that fosters curiosity, respect, and a lasting connection to both place and people.

This is a great add on trip for those of you who are coming down to Belize to experience our Coral Islands adventure or our new Lighthouse Reef trip. The Moho River Expedition in 2027 will take place after our Coral Islands trip and before our Lighthouse Reef trip which make it an easy add on to either of those expeditions. This is a special opportunity to enjoy the adventure of paddling a Belizean River and to connect to the Mayan traditional way of living along the rivers edge in the tropical jungle. Norm has been working with Mayan co guide, Venancio Ack for years on their Coral Islands trip and a plan was made to eventually join him on a river expedition and the chance to meet his family and learn more about the Mayan way of life. 

Check out this interview with Island Expedition founder Tim Boys. He highlights why this trip down the Moho River in southern Belize is so special . 

Upon arrival from Dangriga we will travel to Bocawina Rainforest Lodge located in the Mayflower National Park located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Tonight we dine in the rainforest at the acclaimed Wild Fig restaurant after a hike on one of the local jungle trails. 

From Bocawina we travel south, into the Mayan homeland of Belize, an area of rich indigenous culture and stunning scenery. Your guides teach the skills you need to confidently paddle your inflatable kayak in moving water before starting our journey down Belize's most beautiful rainforest rivers. 

For these next days we break contact completely with the outside world and become a part of the mist shrouded rainforest as we follow the Moho River through canyons and lush rainforest. Each bend reveals the dynamic nature of the river - from calm meandering water that reflects the intense green of the jungle to stretches of rapids, pourovers, and spectacular waterfalls as the river descends from the Maya Mountains to the sea. Depending on water levels, some days we may reach our bush-camp by mid-afternoon and switch to land-based activities. Hiking through the forest, birding, plant and animal identification, and photography are some of the many activities we engage in. 

During the trip with our Mayan guides we emphasize understanding the ecology

of the rainforest, learning about the habits of the wildlife, and gaining an appreciation for the rich Mayan folklore which adds so much to our experience in the jungle.

In the morning, as we descend out of the Maya Mountains the river changes its nature, widens and begins to meander into the coastal plains. On route back to Dangriga we stop for lunch at the ancient Mayan city of Lubaantun, a beautiful ridgetop site overlooking the Columbia River Valley. From Dangriga you can take a short flight back to Belize City or you can carry on with your Belizean adventures.