Review: Lost World Canopy Tour

[mjt2890]

Just curious if this is the same zipline tour Belize Zipline Canopy tour it is listed here for $80

 

I just booked that on Monday! I'll letcha know on the other board (CLF)

[Indiana627]

Just curious if this is the same zipline tour Belize Zipline Canopy tour it is listed here for $80

 

No, it doesn't look like it's the same one I originally posted on.

[Monthend]

How does one rappel down. I'm a little unclear about that.

[mjt2890]

Straight down, about 85' with a double safety. It was really easy, but you wanna go fast cause it's not very comfy. I'll post some pics hopefully this week.

[Monthend]

Straight down, about 85' with a double safety. It was really easy, but you wanna go fast cause it's not very comfy. I'll post some pics hopefully this week.

 

How do you control the decent. What do you have to do? Also did you have to climb ladders as RCI claims you need to be able to climb a 20 ft ladder straight up. I'm trying to determine how strong I will need to be.

[Indiana627]

There were 2 rappels where they basically hooked you up and showed you how to hold the rope out away from you. The guy on the ground controlled your speed, you are just along for the ride. The first rappel was about 50 feet, the second was about 30 feet. We did not have to climb any ladders that I can recall. There was a lot of uneven, uphill ground to walk over at the beginning to get to the first zip line.

[Monthend]

Hi Indiana:

 

So glad you came back to the board. Your review was great and convinced me to try this but I was confused by RCI's description of a ladder. Maybe they are just trying to emphasize the condition you need to be in. It seems as if a little climbing up hill is the worst of it. I do exercise every day and am starting back on my treadmill. Hopefully I will be in strong shape by March. How large are the platforms you land on? Do you stay hooked up to the line while you are waiting your turn?

[Monthend]

One last question. Do you tip the guides?

[mjt2890]

As promised here are some pictures of us doing it on our 09/11 cruise.

 

Putting the gear on

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=8db4f2f935.jpg

 

Everyone's ready (Uncle put too much sun screen on his face, lol)

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=e70a41a0e2.jpg

 

First platform

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=6a649f3bbc.jpg

 

My uncle going first

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=e6018ef4df.jpg

 

Zipping along

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=831a5ca114.jpg

 

My turn

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=ac97d44c49.jpg

 

Next is my brother

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=93eb64d7f0.jpg

 

Time to repel down

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=16407c6248.jpg

 

Repelling in progress

http://ho5t.us/show.php?locm=df7c921898.jpg

 

Monthend,

 

There were not ladders, but steps to get to the first platforum up a hill or mountain or something, which was 85' high. It took a bit of energy to get up there, even the guides were breathing hard. I presume RCI thinks that if you can climb a 20' ladder you can do the excursion, which I probably agree with. FYI there are 2 of these zipline places in Belize according to our guide. We were at the one in Jungle Paw resort with the cave tubing next door. The other was the other way from port he said.

 

Yes you tip the guides, who are different than your driver.

 

I have more pictures that I hope to get online soon when I get more time.

[flyingb]

Hello,

 

I was in Belize last week and did the Lost World Canopy Tour. I had a lot of questions before hand but couldn't find much info posted, so I thought I'd do a review. This excursion was great! The best day of our cruise! After getting off the tender at the pier, we found our guide who was holding up a sign with our tour's name on it. He asked us to step aside while everyone else showed up. Waited about 5 minutes until everyone was there (total was about 30 people - not sure if this is the max or not, but our bus was full). After boarding the bus, our guide Derek gave us a tour as we exited the city. He pointed out a lot about Belize's history and talked about the customs, currency, wildlife, etc. We were on paved roads for about 20 miles, then had to go on a dirt road for the last 8 miles. It was rough (especially since our bus was like a school bus and not a Greyhound)! We made a brief bathroom/drink stop about 2 miles before getting to the actual place to do the tour. Bathrooms were clean, though not much running water. They had ice cold beverages in a cooler for us. After driving the final 2 miles, we arrived at a clearing in the jungle, walked up a few steps, through a short cave and then we met our tour technicians (can't think of a better description). They were all friendly and introduced themselves. Then they suited each of us up with our leg/waist harness and helmets. Then we walked up a jungle trail for about 5-10 minutes. This was the most strenous part of the day, especially with the heat and humidity. Then they did a safety demonstration, rechecked all of our equipment and then walked to the first platform. They made quick work of hooking each person up to both zip lines (I think there were 2 for safety in case 1 did break). Other technicians were ahead on the next platform and would blow a whistle when it was OK to go. The tech that hooked you up then blew a whistle and then told you to simply lift your feet and then off you went! It was awesome! You didn't go too fast, but not real slow either. There were a total of 5 zip lines like this, each varying in length. I'd say the longest one was 500 feet. Some went right through the jungle so you couldn't see much except trees and branches and leaves. Others went over a valley and you could see quite a way around you. It didn't seem to be too high, but not sure exactly how high any of them work. Between the 3rd and 4th zip line, you had to do a vertical rappel. It wasn't rappeling down the side of the hill, but rather you were hooked up and then simply lowered straight down. The tech on the ground did all the work including the braking - you were just along for the ride. I was slightly apprehensive when doing this but not too bad. The drop is about 50-60 feet. There is no other way down, so you must do this. The 5th and final zip line returns you to the area where you suited up. There is a final vertical rappel at the end, but only about 30 feet. Then they take all your gear off and have ice cold drinks in a cooler for you. Once everyone is done, you're back on the bus for the reverse ride back to town. We stopped again at the same rest stop for a small lunch they had prepared, along with more cold drinks. We were dropped off just outside the door of the main tourist shopping village.

 

This tour was fantastic! We both loved every minute of it. I felt safe the entire time. This tour was new in September 2004 and looks great. Everyone was very nice. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone! My only complaint was that it was over too quick. And that there's not a lot of opportunities to take pictures while you're doing it.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the review! Were there any senior citizens on this tour? I would really like to have this adventure, but am a senior. Very active, but still a senior citizen.

Would qppreciate your input on this.

Thanks again,

Luv's Crusin'

[Monthend]

Thanks for posting the pictures! I think the cruise line goes to the other zip line place but the pictures give a good idea of what to expect. How did you get over the side of the platform to rapel down?

[mjt2890]

How did you get over the side of the platform to rapel down?

 

That's the last platform you zip to. It has open spots where there isn't railings and the rope is pre-suspended.

[spiritkat090909]

We did the Cave Tubing through NCL, I think...and it WAS at the Jaguar Paw resort. I didn't see any of the other tours, only cave tubing. We were required to wear life vests and the food was good. In December, the water was a bit too chilly for my tastes, though. A bit off topic, but ...been there, seen that! Jaguar Paw, that is.

[Indiana627]

As promised here are some pictures of us doing it on our 09/11 cruise.

 

Just wanted to let everyone know that this is not the same tour we did. We did not have any platforms that looked like these. It also looked like we were much more in the jungle. Did you walk through a big cave to the area where they put your gear on? Maybe the different cruise lines go to different places. Or maybe the tour company has different locations. Looks like you had fun, so that's all that matters.