Discover, Plan & Go!

"DAY 1 : CAYO DISTRICT Receive a warm welcome at the Belize International Airport by our representative from Sam TilletIs Guide Service. Leave Belize City and drive 2 hours through the rolling hills of the Cayo District to Pook's Hill Lodge. Secreted away down a long dirt road in the middle of a 6,800-acre reserve, Pook's Hill is a fantastic location to experience the rain forest of Belize. Lounge in the expansive veranda overlooking old mahogany trees and soaring vine-covered ceibas. Listen for Howler monkeys in the middle of the night and sit in a partially excavated Maya site on the grounds, imagining what it must have been like to live among these ancient people. Secluded cabanas with en suite baths and ceiling fans feature local art. Enjoy excellent family-style meals and the hospitality of the owners who make a special point to personally greeting each guest. Upon arrival check in, have a welcome drink and explore the grounds before dinner. Overnight Pook's Hill Lodge or similar. [D] DAY 2 : CHECHEM HA POTTERY CAVE Awake early as the jungle begins to stir to join your guide for a bird and nature walk on the area's trail system. 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 return to Pook's Hill for an afternoon of tubing on the two miles of river front adjacent to the lodge. Cool off floating the gentle Roaring River, stopping along the way to abandon your tube on shore to swim in deep pools. From the river you may spot a variety of birds and butterflies. Dinner is served family-style in the screened dining room. Be sure to take the opportunity to try the local specialty that Pook's Hill offers at each meal. After dinner, take a closer look at the jungle's nocturnal activity on a guided night walk. (Be sure to bring your headlamp). Overnight Pook's Hill Lodge or similar. [BLD] The steep temples of Tikal offer great views of the surrouding rain forest. DAY 3 : CANOE THE MACAL RIVER 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. Return to the lodge and enjoy the afternoon at leisure watching the hummingbirds as you lounge in a hammock on the veranda or take another run down the Roaring River in a tube! Other optional activities (not included) are available, such as horseback riding or a visit to the nearby Xunantunich Ruins. Overnight at Pook's Hill Lodge or similar. [BLD] DAY 4 : PETEN ITZA AND TIKAL GUATEMALA Fortified from breakfast, travel west across Belize and into Guatemala. On the road to Lago Peten Itza we pass Maya villages, farms and pristine lakes. Our comfortable eco-lodge sits on the shores of the turquoise lake near the village of San Andres. Settle into your wood and rock cabin thatched with palm leaves and furnished with handcrafted lamps and beautiful Guatemalan bedspreads. Choose among several optional afternoon activities including canoeing on the lake, visiting the local market in Santa Elena and strolling the streets of the island town of Flores. Enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared with local products. Overnight Ni'tun Private Reserve and Retreat or similar. [BLD] DAY 5 : TIKAL GUATEMALA Rise early and drive an hour to the ruins of Tikal. The morning is a spectacular time to 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. At its height, the population of Tikal was estimated to be 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. Reflect on this ancient culture as you eat lunch before returning to the park to continue exploring the ruins. Overnight Ni'tun Private Reserve and Retreat or similar. [BLD] The Blue Hole is a refreshing swimming hole, completely surrounded by rain forest in the heart of the Maya Mountains. DAY 6 : CANOPY WALK AND THE HUMMINGBIRD HIGHWAY Another early morning rewards us with excellent wildlife viewing as we visit the Canopy Walk at Ixpanpajul. Keep your eyes out for toucans and howler monkeys as you traverse the system of sky bridges built right into the canopy. Feel free to stop and take a break lounging in the hammocks along the way while keeping your camera ready for the incredible vistas! Leaving Ixpanpajul, we begin one of the most scenic drives in Belize, traveling along the Hummingbird Highway through the Maya Mountains to the Caribbean coast. Arrive at Hamanasi Adventure Resort, your home for the next three nights. Kick off your shoes, step out on the beach, and enjoy the warm Caribbean Ocean or just relax in a hammock and let the fresh scent of clean salt air lull you into peaceful reverie. The 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 Hamanasi Adventure Resort or similar. [BLD] Snorkel, SCUBA dive or just relax on Belize's pristine southern cayes. DAY 7 : BELIZE BARRIER REEF Explore Belize's rich and varied marine environment on a half-day snorkel outing. Well head 30-40 minutes offshore to the Belize Barrier Reef's Southwater Caye 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 Hamanasi Adventure Resort or similar. [BLD] 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 (not included) tours offered by the resort. Overnight at Hamanasi Adventure Resort or similar. [BLD] DAY 9 : DEPART FOR USA 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] "