Belize and Guatemala

2 nts Antigua, 2 nts Lake Atitlan, 2 nts Tikal, Guatemala, 3 nts Cayo District, 5 nts Ambergris Caye

Overview

This itinerary starts at the beautiful colonial town of Antigua where you will tour the sights before visiting the stunning Lake Atitlan where you will have the opportunity to visit two fascinating Mayan Villages on the lake. You can see a demonstration of back weaving at the women's cooperative in San Juan village and experience the Mayan culture in Santiago.

Next you will fly to Flores in the northern Peten region of Guatemala to visit the highly excavated Tikal Mayan Ruins which are set within protected rainforest. Climb temple IV at the early hours of the morning to witness the sun rising above the temples and listen to sounds of the parrots, toucans and howler monkeys as the jungle comes alive. Travel across the border into Belize to stay at one of the premier eco-lodges in Belize and experience stepping back into the Ancient Mayan world by visiting Actun Tunich Muknal a cave once used by Mayans for ceremonial purposes including sacrifice.

The latter part of the holiday provides the opportunity to relax on the beach, dive the barrier reef or snorkel the fascinating corals at the protected Hol Chan Marine Reserve on Ambergris Caye.

Price Guide

14 nights from £3,895 per person based on double occupancy

These prices are excluding international flights. Average flight prices vary depending on time of year and can be considerably more expensive at peak times (Christmas, Easter, Summer). Flight routes vary, please contact us for accurate flight pricing for your timings and place of departure.

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Day to Day

Below is an example day by day itinerary

Day 1

Fly from to Guatemala City. Transfer to Antigua on arrival and overnight in the centrally located Meson de Maria. This lovely character hotel has little terraces including a roof terrace with stunning views where you can view the surrounding volcanoes of Agua, Fuego, Acatenango and Pacaya. The hotel serves breakfast and is walking distance from restaurants. Overnight Meson de Maria (B).

Day 2

Enjoy a guided half day walking tour around the cobbled streets of Antigua visiting the La Merced church, the cathedral and the ruins of the San Francisco monastery that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. Overnight Meson de Maria (B)

Day 3

Today you will transfer to Lake Atitlan stopping on the way to visit Chichicastenango market,this highland village is famous for its huge traditional market. Overnight Hotel Atitlan (B)

Day 4

Take a scenic boat ride across the lake and visit the villages of San Juan and Santiago. Santiago is the larger village of the two and your tour will take you through the lively market and give you an opportunity to learn about the Mayan culture and their mix of catholic and mayan beliefs. San Juan is a smaller village also with a scenic location on the lake and you will visit the women's cooperative that create beautiful textiles by hand weaving using wools that are hand dyed with natural dyes. Overnight Hotel Atitlan (BL).

Day 5

Return to Guatemala City and fly to Flores in the northern region of Guatemala. Transfer by vehicle to the Jungle Lodge which is located in the Tikal National Park, walking distance from the ruins. Overnight Jungle Lodge (B).

Day 6

Up early accompanied by your guide to climb the steps of Temple IV and witness the sunrise over the Tikal Mayan Ruins. As the jungle comes alive you will hear the sounds of the howler monkeys and parrots and may see toucans, coatimundis, monkeys and parrots. After breakfast you will continue a guided tour of Tikal. Overnight Jungle Lodge (BL).

Day 7

Transfer across the Guatemalan and Belize border on to Black Rock Lodge. Enjoy the onsite activities at the lodge that could include night walks, river tubing or canoeing on the Macal River. Overnight Black Rock Lodge (BD).

Day 8

Guided tour of Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, follow your guide across several streams and the swim across a small pool of water through the hourglass entrance of the cave, where you will clamber across rocks, past stalactites and stalagmites until you climb higher to a cavern to witness ancient mayan ceremonial artefacts left as originally found and the calcified skeleton of a young girl left as sacrifice. Overnight Black Rock Lodge (BLD).

Day 9

Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Macal River and Black Rock gorge as you hike the grounds with your guide. Overnight Black Rock Lodge (BLD).

Day 10

Transfer from San Ignacio to Belize City and then take a short propeller flight across the reef to the island of Ambergris Caye where you will be staying at the luxury resort Victoria House (B).

Day 11

Relax on the beach or in one of the two pools. Excursions could include diving, snorkelling or fishing on the nearby Barrier Reef. A highlight for any stay at Ambergris Caye is to visit Hol Chan Marine Reserve where you can snorkel and see a variety of tropical reef fish, diverse corals and get up close to stingrays, turtles, moray eels and nurse sharks.