Travel to Belize: Belize Tikal Adventure

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Belize Tikal Adventure

			DAYS: 9 GRADE: I-II, Active adventure define PRICE: From $2795 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Tikal Chechem Ha Pottery Cave Cayo District Caribbean Beach and Reef ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Our premier natural history trip in Belize is an active, in-depth fully guided exploration of Mayan ruins, contemporary culture, rainforest wildlife and snorkeling or diving the barrier reef of the Caribbean Coast.  Explore the rivers and caves of the Cayo District, investigate the ancient kingdom of Tikal with an expert Mayan guide, and discover the unspoiled, underwater world snorkeling off the barrier reef.  Soak in the Creole, Maya and Garifuna (African) cultures as you encounter the people and cuisine of this small Caribbean country.  Accommodations include charming rainforest lodges and breezy beach-front cabanas featuring native materials and local handicrafts. Our local naturalist guides are outstanding in their knowledge and ability to relate to adults as well as children. Wild and friendly, Belize is an exciting land of discovery and adventure.

	The interior of Belize is the perfect mix of lush verdant forests, enthusiastic adventure, and quite relaxation.

DAY 1 :  CAYO DISTRICT

Receive a warm welcome at the Belize International Airport by our guide. Leave Belize City and drive 2 hours through the rolling hills of the Cayo District to Black Rock Lodge. Secluded away down a long dirt road, Black Rock Lodge is in a fantastic location to experience the rainforest of Belize. Lounge in the expansive veranda overlooking the Macal River and the surrounding rainforest foliage, old mahogany trees and soaring vine-covered ceibas. Explore the network of trails around the lodge on foot or bike, graded from casual to strenuous, or grab a tube and float down part of the Macal River right beneath the lodge. Listen for howler monkeys in the middle of the night, or walk the trails tracking down many of the over 200 resident species of birds. Upon arrival at your lodge check in and explore the grounds before dinner. Overnight Black Rock Lodge or similar. [D]

DAY 2 :  NATURE WALK AND CAVE TUBING

Awake early to catch the jungle at its liveliest. Our guide will lead you on a mild hike spotting native and migrant bird species as well as pointing out medicinal plants along the way. After lunch head out for an afternoon of cave exploration by inner tube. A gentle hike along the river side will lead you to the mouth of a expansive limestone cave system, created by water slowly eroding through the uplifting of cretaceous age sea floor. With headlamps on, float on the mild waters into the eerie blackness of the cave where our guide will point out stalactite formations hanging from the ceiling, and bats hidden in the recesses. Overnight Black Rock Lodge or similar. [BLD]

Mayan ceramics await your discovery in the depths of the vast limestone cave systems of Belize.

DAY 3 :  CHE CHEM HA POTTERY CAVE

After breakfast, journey to the Vaca Plateau and Chechem Ha to meet our Maya guide, Antonio Moralez or his son William. They share their wisdom and local knowledge as they lead a hike through the rain forest to the Chechem Ha Cave, a discovery they made several years ago. The cave contains numerous pieces of ancient Maya pottery representing 2000 years of history. Listen to the stories and learn more about Maya beliefs and culture.  Enjoy lunch in nearby San Ignacio and discuss the option of continuing on to the Classic Mayan site of Xunantunich or returning to Black Rock Lodge. After dinner, take a closer look at the jungles nocturnal activity on a guided night walk. (Be sure to bring your headlamp). Overnight Black Rock Lodge or similar.   [BLD]

DAY 4 :  CANOE THE MACAL RIVER AND YAXHA SUNSET

Continue to explore the rainforest ecosystem paddling a canoe on the nearby Macal River. Look for trogans, motmots, toucans and other forest species as you travel the river learning about the rainforest flora and fauna from your knowledgeable naturalist guide.  After lunch drive across the border to the remote site of Yaxha. Make your way to the Temple of Bats, climb the temple steps, and bask in the glow of the setting sun overlooking the lagoon. While watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon, we look out over the mostly unexcavated ruins and imagine what it must have been like for the first adventurers to set foot on Mayan soil. We complete our long journey arriving Tikal in time to settle into our cabana for the evening.  Overnight at Jungle Lodge in Tikal or similar. [BLD]

Note: Please ask about the optional upgrade to Nitun Ecolodge on Lago Peten Itza.

The steep temples of Tikal offer great views of the surrounding rainforest.

DAY 5 :  TIKAL

Rise early and catch the park at it's liveliest. Tikal National Park is not only known for its stunning Mayan temples, but also for its abundance of wildlife. Observe parrots, toucans, guans and oropendulas flying over the canopy and monkeys cavorting in the awakening rain forest. Over 285 species of birds have been identified here including toucans, hawks, motmots and parrots.  Frequently seen are Howler and Spider monkeys, coati, peccary and deer. The elusive jaguar and ocelot also survive in this pristine rain forest habitat. Investigate the ancient ruins of Tikal, a Classic Maya site which at its height supported a population upwards of 100,000 individuals residing over a 25-square-mile area. A local Maya guide will illuminate the archeology and culture of Tikal as you explore pyramids soaring above the jungle canopy and innumerable multi-leveled palaces, ball courts, plazas, temples, terraces, shrines and carvings. As you eat lunch with your guide, reflect on this ancient culture and the sheer immensity of this famous Mayan city-state. Choose to continue exploring the ruins on your own or with the accompaniment of your guide. Take a break and cool off with dip in the pool conveniently located at your lodge which is within close proximity to the Museum and main entrance of the park. Overnight at Jungle Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  PETEN ITZA AND THE CARIBBEAN COAST

Bid your guide farewell before boarding an early morning flight to the Belizean coast. Arrive at the beach, kick off your shoes, and enjoy the warm glow of sunset on the Caribbean ocean. Relax in a hammock and let the fresh scent of clean salt air lull you into peaceful reverie. A Caribbean style resort is the perfect place to enjoy multiple adventures (not included), such as hiking and tubing through Mayan caves and jungles, reef and fly fishing, sailing, and SCUBA diving (instruction and certification available). Overnight at The Inn at Robert's Grove or similar. [BLD]

	Snorkel, SCUBA dive or just relax near Belize's pristine southern cayes.

DAY 7 :  BELIZE BARRIER REEF

Explore Belize's rich and colorful marine environment on a half-day snorkel outing. Well head 30-40 minutes offshore to a deserted Caye on the Belize Barrier Reef where we have plenty of time for beachcombing and snorkeling right from the Caye. Impressive arrays of fish are frequently spotted including angel and parrot fish, sergeant majors, barracuda, eels, and occasionally stingrays or the harmless nurse shark.  More bizarre life forms include brain and hydrocorals, sea fans, feather plumes, sponges and colorful sea cucumbers.  A snack on the beach is included before we arrive back at Hamanasi for lunch. Choose from a variety of optional activities this afternoon or simply relax! Overnight at The Inn at Robert's Grove or similar. [BL]

DAY 8 :  FREE BEACH DAY
You are on your own to do whatever you like! Relax, soak in the sun, read a book and swim in the ocean. Or if you are feeling energetic, snorkel or dive with whale sharks, paddle the Belize waterways in a kayak, grab the binoculars and go bird watching or head out on another of the optional tours (not included) offered by the resort. Lunch and dinner are free today so you can venture out to try local cuisine. Overnight at The Inn at Robert's Grove or similar. [B]

DAY 9 :  DEPART FOR HOME

Drink in the warm ocean breeze as you enjoy breakfast, before flying back to Belize International Airport in time for your international departure. (Local flight included.) [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Grettel Calderon 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453