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Tour: Belize & Guatemala: Reefs To Ruins
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More than 200 cayes line the Caribbean coast of Belize, all the better to dip into the hemisphere's longest reef. Popular Ambergris Caye is the largest of them; but our small group will head south to the more intimate Caye Caulker, petite but still close to the famous scuba spots in this great diving region. The first half of your journey will explore Hol Chan Underwater Park, the Turneffe Islands, and the dramatic Blue Hole, only one attraction on the famous Lighthouse Reef. Meet nurse sharks, and barracuda, and moray eels peeking from the stunning coral--if you can take your eyes off the darts of color dashing by. You'll know why one spot is known simply as "The Aquarium." Top off each active day with a great seafood dinner--how fresh can you get? But your cultural journey inland is no less memorable. Over the border in Guatemala, Tikal remains as one of the largest Mayan cities, with thousands of acres of ruins surrounded by rainforest. The natural history--howler monkey cries, flashes of parrot flight, and the occasional jaguar sighting--intermingles with ancient history in a rich journey. These same echoes come from the Mayan ruin Lamanai, much smaller but no less compelling in its remote rainforest location almost twenty miles upriver. "Reefs to Ruins" will satisfy both the ecotourist and the thoughtful cultural traveler in you.
Please note: because trip highlights can be subject to change, please contact one of our trip specialists to discuss the specifics as they will pertain to your trip.
DAY 1 | WELCOME TO BELIZE! -- CAYE CAULKER
Upon arrival at Belize City airport, the adventure begins. We take off from the Marine Terminal for a forty-minute boat ride to our home base for the next few days. Caye Caulker is the second largest of Belize's isles off the Caribbean coast--only four miles long--and a prime jumping off point for some of the region's best diving. We will settle in to the Anchorage Resort, with its great water views, before we feast on fresh local seafood at the Sandbox restaurant. Overnight at Anchorage Resort. [B,L,D]
DAY 2 | IT'S A DOUBLE DIVE DAY -- CAYE CAULKER
We'll take full advantage of the hemisphere's longest reef with two major dives today. Tico, of Big Fish Dive Shop, will be our guide--local lore has it that he's the best divemaster on the caye. We head first to the Hol Chan Underwater Park and Marine Reserve. The deep canyons (ranging to 35 feet down) and colorful coral draw a beautiful array of fish species, including large groupers and barracuda; moray eels lurk among the rock formations. After a good dose of exploring, we head over to the Sand Bar, more commonly known as Stingray Alley, for snacks. Sit back and gaze in awe at the congregation of rays and nurse sharks. The shallow depth--only eight feet--sets you up for great photos. Our second dive today explores another portion of Hol Chan, and its amazing array of fish life. But we'll also get another chance to spy a sea turtle. Our day will wrap up back at the resort, with more local fare, this time at Sobre las Olas, complemented by stories of sightings. Overnight at Anchorage Resort. [B,L,D]
DAY 3 | DIVING AN ATOLL -- CAYE CAULKER
Our diving tour of Belize today alights at the Turneffe Islands (about an hour?s boat ride) to dive the famous walls of the atoll. This spot is known for its black coral and fish found nowhere else in the area. The coral is on the lee side of the islands, so the conditions are outstanding. There is the occasional shipwreck, as well, to add some drama. We'll stay long enough for two dives before heading back to our caye. The Happy Lobster will serve up our seafood dinner this evening, with the requisite hanging out before and after. Overnight at Anchorage Resort. [B,L,D]
DAY 4 | DIVING THE SPECTACULAR BLUE HOLE OF BELIZE -- CAYE CAULKER
This is the diving treasure of the week--The Blue Hole. We'll leave especially early this morning to see as much as possible of the famous Lighthouse Reef, with a total of three dives. We'll start with world-famous Blue Hole of Belize, a limestone sinkhole in the middle of the sea that was once a cave. We enter a world of cavern stalactites at roughly 130 feet down. This is a short but dramatic dive (just ten minutes); likely we'll see gray reef sharks here and unusual sightings--all will stick with you forever. Next, we head to the atoll Half Moon Caye where we'll dive the Wall. Lunch will be on the Caye, site of Belize's first national park. We'll spend some time wandering around the red-footed booby sanctuary, one of the few nesting locations in the world for these unusual birds. (The funny names come from their rather unwise lack of fear approaching early settlers.) Our longest dive is after lunch, along Long Caye. Our dive site here is simply called "Aquarium"--enough said. But besides the abundant and colorful fish population is the chance to see hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (both nest on Long Caye's beaches). If we can pull ourselves away, we'll motor back to Caye Caulker in time for our farewell island dinner at the Sandbox. Overnight at the Anchorage Resort. [B,L,D]
DAY 5 | GOOD-BYE REEFS, HELLO RUINS! -- FLORES, GUATEMALA
Our water taxi will jet us from Caye Caulker to Belize City for breakfast at the famous Fort Street Guest House. Then off to the Guatemalan border. Once clearing customs, we push on to Flores, Guatemala, a lovely, friendly colonial island town in the middle of Lake Peten Itza. Once we get situated in our hotel, La Casona de la Isla (complete with air-conditioning and lake views), we'll cruise the lake awhile. Then a bit of shopping, and a relaxing dinner at the restaurant Luna nearby. (Laundry service is available here for those who need it.) Overnight at La Casona de la Isla. [B,L,D]
DAY 6 | EXPLORING TIKAL NATIONAL PARK, GUATAMALA
If the reefs were dramatic, the Guatemalan tropics are equally so. Tikal National Park, Guatemala's first, is a world-famous Mayan site of the classic period. A four-hour tour with our Guatemalan guide will give you a good sense of this rich culture, but the ruins aren?t the only attractions. The tropical rainforest is home to flocks of birds in a rainbow of colors (the quetzal would be the star of your life list!) matched only by the orchids, coatamundi, howler monkeys, and the elusive jaguar. Stroll the two museums on site after lunch, then we'll head back to Tikal for one last look--with thousands of acres and more than 4,000 ruins in the archaeological site alone, there's much to see. We'll have the evening in Flores for shopping and dinner. Overnight at La Casona de la Isla. [B,L,D]
DAY 7 | BACK TO BELIZE -- ORANGE WALK TOWN
Our drive back to Belize will be an adventure in exploring all in itself. We head along the scenic Western and Northern Highway through heart of the sugar cane district (and rum making!). There is much to discover on the route, and some surprises will be in store: we may hit yet another Mayan ruin, Yaxha, or stop at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary on our way through Belize. Crooked Tree, run by the Belize Audubon society, is a world-class birding spot made up of swamps and a long network of inland waterways. Home to egret and ibis, and the rare Jabiru stork, it's also a sanctuary for iguana, turtles, crocs, and howler monkeys. More culture, more critters--the group can determine the stops along the way. The Victoria Hotel is our home in Orange Walk Town; we'll enjoy a Belizean buffet meal prepared by The Diner after our day of travel. Overnight at Victoria Hotel. [B,L,D]
DAY 8 | RIVER BOAT TOUR AND LAMANAI -- ORANGE WALK, BELIZE
Our last full day in Belize combines nature and culture. With our Audubon wildlife guides, Antonio and Wilfredo, we will cruise the New River in speedboats to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai. Up the river 18 miles through rainforest chock full of with orchids, waterfowl, monkeys, and crocodiles, with Antonio and Wilfredo making sure we ferret out every highlight along the way. Upon arrival in Lamanai (which translates, by the way, to "submerged crocodiles"), lunch will be served Mayan-style by our guides. Lamanai, dotted with crocodile carvings and assorted imagery, is an important ruin, with one of the tallest buildings in the Mayan world--the site from its promontory is breathtaking. We'll spend the afternoon roaming the site, and an adjoining old English sugar mill abandoned in the 1800�s. We then head back downstream to Orange Walk and our farewell dinner at the Diner. [B,L,D]
DAY 9 | FAREWELL FOR NOW! -- BELIZE CITY-HOME
After breakfast, we have a morning of packing and organizing before our departure by nine. After our final luncheon at Belize City's Fort Street Guest House, we bid our farewells to Belize...until next time. [B,L]
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8 Nights / 9 Days
Min. group size: 6
Max. group size: 10
Price:
From $0.00 PP/DBL.
No single supplement.
Please call us for the price!
Comfort level: 3
Physical difficulty: 3
This trip is best suited for:
Most everyone
Departure Dates:
Please call us with your travel dates to arrange your departure.
Rates include
Accommodations
Meals as indicated
Activities as indicated
Ground transportation
All dives and equipment
Rates do not include
International airfare
Departure taxes (Belize and Guatemala)
Alcoholic beverages
Key attractions
Chan Marine National Park
The Blue Hole
Maya ruins
Lamanai
Tikal National Park
Riverboat tour
Key activities
Hiking
Walking
Nature Exploration
Birding
Scuba diving & snorkeling
Wildlife Viewing
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