Belize and Tikal

Arrive Belize - to Lamanai Outpost

arrive Belize e.g. on Delta 703 from Atlanta at 12.00 noon You will be met on arrival at Belize International airport and transferred to Lamanai Outpost Lodge where you stay for three nights on their full package basis (includes all meals and choice of twice daily excursions). The lodge is situated on the shore of a 28 mile long, spring fed, New River Lagoon amid the ruins of a Mayan city.

visit Lamanai Mayan ruins

Today we recommend you visit the Lamanai Maya ruins. This Maya site was occupied for 3,500 years (from 1,500BC to 1700 AD). It comprises over 700 structures of which the most notable are the Ball Court, Jaguar Temple, Mask Temple which has a 13ft stone carving of a Maya King's head at its base and High Temple. Perhaps climb the steep stone staircase to the summit of the High Temple - 33m (108ft) tall for panoramic views across the jungle canopy as far as Guatemala and Mexico. Depending how long you spend at the ruins you may have time to fit in one of the lodge's late afternoon/evening activities later.

your choice from a list of local excursions

Full day based at Lamanai Outpost on their full package basis allows you to choose two tours from the lodge's list of local activities (at no extra cost). Currently the choice is: Jungle Dawn, Sunrise Canoe Expedition, Lamanai Maya Ruins, Maya Medicine Trail, Sunset Canoe Expedition, Nature Walk, Caiman tag and release, horse & cart with Menonite family etc (two standard activities are included per night's stay).

to Chan Chich Lodge for your choice of local excursions

after a final early morning based at Lamanai you will be collected and transferred overland (2h 10 mins) to the remote Chan Chich Lodge near Gallon Jug. Chan Chich is in the midst of a large area of protected forest and is the most reliable site in all of Belize for viewing large mammals e.g. tapir and big cats including Jaguar. Here you stay on this eco lodge's "Discovery package" basis for three nights. This includes all meals, beer, soft drinks, and a choice of two local activities each day - daytime guided nature walks and a choice of excursions by vehicle to Laguna Seca, Laguna Verde, The Escarpment, Sylvester Village, Gallon Jug Farm or Coffee Plantation.

your choice of local excursions at Chan Chich

Full day based at Chan Chich on a Discovery package basis - with your choice from a list of local activities nature/culture included.

your choice of local excursions at Chan Chich

Full day based at Chan Chich on a Discovery package basis - with your choice from a list of local activities nature/culture included.

to Tikal, Guatemala

Today you will be transferred from Chan Chich Lodge by road to the South Western Border with Guatemala at Melchor de Mencos (approx 2.5h). Once you have proceeded through the border crossing formalities (usually take approx 30mins) you will be met on the other side by a Guatemalan guide who will meet you at the exit door, you will then be transferred by road (approx 1h 45mins) to Tikal. You stay for two nights at a lodge situated within the Tikal National Park - part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve (the largest Neotropical rainforest north of the Amazon basin). In easy walking distance to the entrance to the archaelogical site - a full 70km (1hr drive) from the town of Flores where most holiday makers stay. Staying here within the national park is ideal for nature lovers you have good oportunitites to spot local wildlife and enjoy some birdwatching at dusk and dawn - Over 400 bird species have been reported in this area with target species for many including the rare Orange-brested Falcon, Pheasant Cuckoo. The rather magnificent, irridescent, near endemic, Ocellated Turkeys which strut about around the entry to the archaelogical site should make for a relatively easy start. As the ruins stay open until 18.00h you might want to take a sneek preview of the complex in the late afternoon, prior to your tour tomorrow.

Tour of Tikal Mayan Ruins

Today you have a tour of the Tikal archaeoloical site. Entry to the ruined ancient city is possible from 06.00am so you might choose to be back inside the temple complex for the dawn chorus even before it is light enough to birdwatch amid the antiquities. You then have a guide escort you around the complex. While you then explore the temple plazas, palaces, grain stores and ceremonial pyramids you may also see Agouti, Coati, Spider monkeys and hear the roar of Black Howler Monkeys in the surrounding forest. It is very hot so be sure to take water.

return to Belize, to Black Rock Lodge on the Macal River in the Maya Mountains

After a final dawn for local wildlife spotting at Tikal you will be transferred back to the Belize border, after passing through the border formalities you will be met by a Belizian guide and transferred to Black Rock Eco-lodge situated beside the Macal River on the edge of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

day at Black Rock

Free day based at Black Rock Lodge. On-site there is a choice of guided hikes, guided birding, mountain biking, river tubing, canoeing, hike to Flour Camp Cave where Mayan potshards and artifacts can be seen inside amid stalactatites and stalagmites, guided night hike, guided night drive all at sensible, affordable prices (range from $17-$61pp inc tax). Complimentary use of mountain bikes, self-guided trails and a yoga deck for clients' own independent practice.

to Placencia - southern coast

This morning you will be transferred from Black Rock down to Placenia on Belize's south coast. It is a very beautiful (3h35 - 4h) drive down the "Hummingbird Highway" to the coast at Dangriga where local Garifuna people have a Caribbean heritage (african drumming and dances) then south past Hopkins and Seine Bight to Placencia. Here you stay for four nights at a small beachfront lodge where you can "play house" using the kitchenette facilities to make your own breakfasts and other meals if you wish. Placencia village is at the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula, known for its palm-lined beaches. Between the peninsula and the mainland, Placencia Lagoon is home to manatees and saltwater crocodiles. Offshore, there are dive sites on the coral Belize Barrier Reef.

relaxing at the beach

Free day to relax by the pool or enjoy the sun, sand and beach. Optional snorkeling opportunitites are available locally and involve taking a speed boat far out to sea where the off-shore reef is located. We can arrange such a trip in advance, either on a shared or private basis, if you wish.

relaxing at the beach

Free day to relax by the pool or enjoy the sun, sand and beach, shooting the breeze in the village with locals and fellow holiday makers alike.

relaxing at the beach

final day for relaxing at the beach

return to Belize City for international flight home

early a.m. transfer to the local airstrip at Placencia Fly by shared, scheduled light plane from Placencia PLJ to Belize airport BZE e.g. on Tropic Air 08.40/09.10 in time for your chosen onwards international flight e.g. Delta DL695 to Atlanta departing at 13.00h

Arrive back in the UK