Our 8-day adventure tour through Belize begins in the cultural and commercial center of the country; Belize City. An interesting mix of British colonial architecture and small-town ambiance, Belize City may not be the capital, but it is without doubt the heart and soul of Belize. We wander past small canals and through narrow streets fringed by modern stores and wooden shacks and enjoy the unique diversity of a destination that displays a distinct blend of Caribbean and Central American influences.
Awe-inspiring legacies of the ancient Maya civilization lie strewn around the countryside; amazingly enough, the number of Mayan houses left standing near Caracol after three millenniums is greater than the number of modern houses in the whole of Belize. We visit spectacular intricately-carved temples and archeology sites, where we learn about one of the greatest and most-famous civilizations of the Americas and we admire nature at its finest with visits to sanctuaries teeming with wildlife and soaking up the tropical rays as we investigate iridescent barrier reefs offshore.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Belize City. Today we arrive to Belize City, an interesting mix of British colonial architecture and small-town ambiance. Belmopan may be the de facto capital but Belize City is the cultural and commercial center. Overnight in Belize City. Dinner if required.
Day 2: Belize City - Crooked Tree - Altun Ha - Belize City. Today we travel to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Managed by the Belize Audubon Society, this is an exciting bird watching habitat for novice and avid birdwatchers alike. Tens of thousands of migrating birds gather here for the winter, joining numerous resident tropical species including jabiru storks, snowy egrets, boat-billed herons, ibis, and kingfishers. Howler monkeys, crocodiles, and other wildlife are also spotted. The sanctuary is a large reserve covering inland waterways, logwood swamps, and lagoons. We return to Belize City in the afternoon via Altun Ha, an important ancient trading center as well as a religious ceremonial center. We see a concentration of structures including plazas surrounded by palaces and temples. Over 300 jade pieces have been discovered including the largest Mayan jade carving, Kinich Ahau, the sun god, found in the Temple of the Green Tomb. Overnight in Belize City. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3: Orange Walk - Lamanai Archaeological Reserve - Belize City. Today we explore one of the many temples or palaces of Lamanai. Traveling via the Northern Highway, we pass through rural villages and lowlands to Tower Hill, where we board a riverboat and head up the New River. While traversing the many little creeks and lagoons, it is easy to encounter birdlife including hawks, kites and falcons. Overnight in Belize City. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4: Belize City - Belize Zoo - San Ignacio. Early this morning we visit the world famous Belize Zoo. A highlight of any visit to this little country, the zoo allows us not only to see some of the rare creatures of Central America but the zoo is actively involved in conserving habitat for these species and part of our entrance fees go towards ensuring that the wild relatives of these now caged animals can live free. Overnight in San Ignacio. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5: San Ignacio - Caracol - San Ignacio. We have a full day excursion to Caracol, the largest site in Belize and once the most densely populated site in Mesoamerica. This is the largest site in Belize and once home to over 150,000 Mayans. This extensive site is one of the most interesting to visit in Central America; after all, Caracol once ruled over the mighty city of Tikal. The number of Mayan houses found in the countryside around Caracol is greater than the number of modern houses standing today in all of Belize. Overnight in San Ignacio. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6: San Ignacio - Xunantunich - Belize City - Cay Caulker. This morning we visit Xunantunich, a Classic-period ceremonial center. Its name means "stone maiden." Overnight in Cay Caulker. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7: Cay Caulker. On early British maps the island's name is spelled "Cay Corker." Known historically for its plentiful supply of exposed fresh water at La Aguada, one theory holds that this island was a favorite stop for sailors to replenish and cork water bottles. The Spanish name of the island is Cayo Hicaco, which means "the island of the cocoplum." "Caye Caulker" could be an anglicized pronunciation of Cayo Hicaco. Overnight on Cay Caulker. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8: Cay Caulker - Belize City - Departure. Today we fly to Belize City to connect with our onward flights. Departure from Belize City. Land only clients: Your flight out of Belize City, the tour end point, should take into account the trip from Cay Caulker. Those with morning flights may have to overnight in Belize City at an extra cost. Breakfast. Bon Voyage!!
Price Includes:
- Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and local restaurants)
- All transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, hotel porters (if available)
- Airport transfers for land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses, however, we can book flights from virtually every city.
Price Excludes:
- Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable)
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers
- Optional trip cancellation insurance
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on not included meal costs, shopping, and locally paid departure taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Belize
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
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