Compare Land of Belize by Intrepid Travel vs Hike and Snorkel to Find the Mystery of the Maya in Guatemala and Belize by Road Scholar

Day 1 Belize City

Welcome to Belize! Your adventure begins in Belize City – located where the Belize River meets the Caribbean Sea, this bustling former capital is full of history and culture. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you'll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, Belize City has plenty to discover. The coastal and maritime museum is on the north side, housed in the beautifully restored former fire station. Also in the north is the Image Factory, displaying contemporary Belizean artists, the National Handicraft Centre and the oldest Anglican church in Central America – St John Cathedral, built in 1812. Tonight, why not head out on a group welcome dinner, recommended by your leader?

Day 2 Orange Walk

This morning, you’ll take a private vehicle to Carmelita, then hop on a boat towards the Lamanai Archaeological site. The boat ride is an adventure in itself, and your leader will help you spot all the colourful birds along the river. Arrive at the archaeological site and take some time to explore the remains of the ancient Mayan civilisation and its unearthed temples. After, head back up the river by boat to the town of Orange Walk, where you’ll spend the night. Tonight, settle into your lodge and enjoy an included group dinner.

Day 3 San Ignacio

This morning, drive to the San Ignacio area, stopping along the way at the San Antonio Women’s Co-op – an organisation formed by local Mayan women as a way to share skills and traditional knowledge while earning an income. Join the local women for a cooking demonstration designed to preserve their culinary heritage, then sit down together for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. 

Day 4 Tikal National Park, Guatemala / San Ignacio

Today, you’ll take a day trip to the UNESCO site and Mayan ruins in Tikal National Park – located just across the border in Guatemala. Among the thick, evergreen jungle are some of the most significant remnants of the ancient Maya civilisation – plus an array of local wildlife, including coatis and howler monkeys. Take in the towering limestone temples and other monuments while pondering the mystery of the ancient city's demise. After, enjoy an included group lunch and then make your way back to San Ignacio. Tonight is free to relax at your accommodation or explore at your own pace.

Day 5 San Ignacio

Today is yours to take on any of the many optional activities available in San Ignacio. Maybe take a day trip to Xunantunich – an impressive Mayan ceremonial centre with panoramic views over the countryside. The east side of one of the temples has a unique moulded wall surface, and the central plaza has three carved stelae (stone slabs). Getting to the site is half the fun as you'll need to take a hand-cranked ferry to cross the river. Maybe head to the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal – a living museum of Maya relics. Wade through the water until you reach the ceremonial site, where you’ll find ceramic pots and crystallised skeletons preserved by the natural processes of the cave for over 1400 years. If Maya ruins aren’t your thing, consider a trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge area to visit waterfalls and warm swimming holes, check out the butterfly garden, or canoe down the Barton Creek cave reserve.

Day 6 Caye Caulker

Today, take a private transfer to Belize City, where you’ll board a water taxi to the island of Caye Caulker. While there are a number of islands off the coast of the mainland, Caye Caulker is certainly the most famous (and arguably the most beautiful). Once you’ve arrived on Caye Caulker, join your leader on an orientation walk to get to know this tiny and laidback island. You’ll notice no cars here, making it a real pleasure to explore. If you fancy, it’s possible to arrange day trips to the other islands or to some spectacular reefs for snorkelling – just chat with your leader about your options. Each island has its own character, but they all have the unmistakable Caribbean pace and charm. This evening, why not get your hands on some freshly caught seafood, often served in causal and colourful restaurants, to a soundtrack of reggae music.

Day 7 Caye Caulker

Your time in Caye Caulker is about taking it easy, so do as much (or as little) as you want with another free day here. If you're interested in sampling some local cuisine, Belize is famous for its barbequed food and some of the best meals are cooked on the roadside! Caye Caulker is also famous for its lobster – not the cheapest meal, but so (so) good. Always make sure that you respect the season – the lobsters can only be caught between June and February. If you’re out of season, how about some grilled shrimp and a lovely rum and coke made with the local firewater?

Day 8 Caye Caulker

There are no activities planned today, and you can depart the accommodation at any time following checkout. If you would like to spend more time in Caye Caulker, just speak to your booking agent.

Day 1 Arrive Belize City, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Belize City

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Orientation followed by Welcome Dinner. Participants must book flights that arrive into Belize City, Belize no later than 4:30 p.m. on this day if they plan on attending the program orientation. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

We will arrive at the hotel in the afternoon. After we check in, we’ll take some time to freshen up and rest before Orientation. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.< br> Transfers to and from program activities will be by air conditioned bus, unless specified otherwise.< br> Meals on our program feature local cuisine. In many cases, they will be plated and served set meals; in others, we will have buffets with multiple options. Beverages include coffee, tea, water; other beverages are usually available for purchase.< br> Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.< br> Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At leisure.

At the hotel restaurant, we will enjoy a plated welcome dinner with fish, pork, or chicken options, with rice, salad, and vegetable sides. Coffee, tea, water included.

Day 2 Boat Ride on the New River, Exploring the Lamanai Ruins Belize City

This is a very full day. Activities include boat and bus transfers and considerable walking in potentially hot/humid conditions. From the hotel to the boat dock is about 52 miles, 1-1.5 hours. The scenic boat ride to Lamanai is about 31 miles, approximately 1 hour.

We will transfer to the New River dock and embark on a scenic boat ride of about 31 miles upstream to the Mayan ruins at Lamanai. While navigating the calm waters of the New River, we’ll try to find and identify some of the many bird species found in the area, including black-collared hawks, mangrove swallows, olive-throated parakeets, and American pygmy kingfishers, to name a few. If lucky, we may even catch a glimpse of the rarely seen Jabiru Stork! As we get close-up views of mangroves and virgin forests flanking the narrow waterway, let’s try to spot the colorful orchids that grow along the river banks. We’ll disembark at Lamanai for a walking exploration of the more than 50 impressive structures found at the archaeological reserve. This large Mayan ceremonial center is set in a tropical forest on the banks of the New River Lagoon in the north central region of Belize. Some of the site's highlights include the Jaguar Temple, the High Temple, and the Mask Temple. A beautiful panoramic view of the lagoon and surrounding jungle can be seen from the top of the High Temple. It is believed that the ancient center was occupied during more than 3,200 years, and as recently as in the 18th century.

We’ll continue exploring the archaeological complex. In addition to protecting many fascinating Maya buildings, the reserve at Lamanai provides shelter to a large number of animals. Visitors are sometimes caught off-guard as the rainforest comes alive with the loud, guttural calls of howler monkeys perched high in the forest. Other animals occasionally spotted at the site include agoutis, jaguarundis, woodpeckers, toucans, aracari, trogons, and armadillos. We’ll transfer back to Belize City by boat and bus to return to the hotel.

At leisure. Prepare luggage for check out the following morning.

At the hotel restaurant, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet with fruits, cereal, different type of eggs, and local food plus coffee, tea, water, juice.

At the ruins, we will enjoy a lunch of local creole food like Belizean chicken, rice and salad.

Hotel restaurant plated meal.

Day 3 Belize Zoo, Transfer to Guatemala, Ixpanpajul Nature Park Tikal/Peten Region

Total driving today approximately 4 hours. Sloped terrain with several stairs of varying heights in Ixpanpajul and hanging bridges are demanding. Rocks are slippery during the rainy season. Please wear good walking shoes and you may also opt for a walking stick to assist with balance.

After check out, we’ll board our bus and head in a southwesterly direction in preparation for our field trip to the Belize Zoo. Upon arrival we’ll accompany our Group Leader on a walking exploration of the zoo and its education center, located on 29 acres of tropical savanna. The Belize Zoo was founded in 1983 as a safe haven for rescued animals representing more than 40 different species native to Belize. Afterwards, we’ll begin our transfer to the Peten region in Guatemala, with a brief stop at the Belize/Guatemala border for an examination of group documentation.

We’ll continue our transfer to Flores, in the Peten region of Guatemala. En route, we’ll stop at Ixpanpajul Nature Park for an expert-led forest walk on trails and hanging bridges. The Ixpanpajul Natural Park covers an area of 9 square kilometers and has more than 200 species of trees, 150 plus species of birds and about 40 species of mammals. A walking trail with six hanging bridges provides multiple angles from which to observe and admire the park's abundant flora and fauna. We’ll learn about the layers of a tropical forest while walking on trails and hanging bridges that eventually lead to the summit of Miramás Hill and its rewarding views of Lake Peten Itza. We’ll then transfer to the hotel for check-in.

At leisure.

Hotel restaurant buffet.

At a local restaurant in San Ignacio, we’ll enjoy a plated meal based on beef or chicken with rice and vegetables, with vegetarian options available; coffee, tea, water included.

At the hotel restaurant, we will enjoy a meal, plus coffee, tea, water.

Day 4 Tikal Ruins, Views of Lake Peten Itza Tikal/Peten Region

Tikal activities include climbing steep stone and wooden staircases, and walking on irregular forest trails. Participants should wear sturdy walking shoes with good rubber tread, lightweight pants and t-shirt that are comfortable and allow freedom of movement. Also bring insect repellent/sunscreen. See packing list for more handy items.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the ruins at Tikal with our Group Leader and local expert. This site, with its massive temples rising above the rainforest canopy, conjures images of an Indiana Jones adventure. Once swallowed by the rainforest, Tikal is one of the largest excavated Mayan sites, with more than 4,000 structures. It also features some of the tallest temples in the Mayan world. An impressive network of causeways, aqueducts and canals, which not only served as an irrigation system but also provided drinking water for the city, are displays of some masterful engineering. Underground tunnels and new structures are still being discovered and excavated.

We’ll learn more about Tikal and its mysteries as we continue our visit after lunch. Afterwards, we’ll transfer back for a late afternoon arrival to the hotel.

At leisure. Prepare luggage for our check out tomorrow morning.

At the hotel restaurant, we will enjoy a meal with coffee, tea, water included.

At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a plated barbecue meal with rice, vegetables, and fruits, plus coffee, tea, water.

Hotel restaurant.

Day 5 Yaxha National Park & Ruins Cayo Disrict

The drive to Yaxha is about 1 hour, to Belize about 2 hours. The terrain is flat, paths of dirt and grass. No handrails to climb temples. 2 hour loop walk at Yaxha.

Today we’ll enjoy a field trip to Yaxha National Park, located approximately 45 miles from Flores. The Yaxha ruins are part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve along with the sites of Nakum and El Naranjo. Findings indicate that the city was occupied throughout the pre-classic and post-classic periods and that it was allied to Tikal. Yaxha has more than 500 buildings, including a twin pyramid complex not seen anywhere else save in Tikal.

We’ll begin our transfer to the Cayo District in Belize with a stop at the Guatemala/Belize border for inspection of travel documentation. Late-afternoon arrival at the lodge. Check into rooms and freshen up before dinner.

At leisure.

Hotel restaurant.

At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a plated meal, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At the lodge restaurant, we will enjoy a plated meal with coffee, tea, water, local juice included; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 6 Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Adventure, Free Time Cayo Disrict

1 hour drive to cave. Walk/hike about 45 minutes to river. Wear a bathing suit under comfortable, older clothing, closed-toe shoes, and old socks that can get wet and dirty. Arrive at cave entrance after 45-minute jungle hike, swim a short distance through the mouth of the cave to enter site. Cave floor is mostly wet and rocky. Some wading in ankle-to-shoulder-deep water required. In fragile sections, participants will need to remove shoes so as not to damage the cave floor and/or artifacts.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to the starting point for our exploration of Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave. This arduous, rewarding activity will begin with 45 minutes of hiking that includes river crossings and wading in knee-high water. Once at the cave entrance, we will swim through the opening and start a 3.5-hour journey in the cave. This activity will require endurance, strength, agility and balance. The “ATM Cave,” Actun Tunichil Muknal, is an important archaeological wonder of the Mayan world. This living museum full of important artifacts is a fragile system which requires strict instruction for the preservation of this site and for the safety of all participants.

We will return to the lodge. Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure.

At the lodge restaurant, we will enjoy a meal with eggs, toast, ham or bacon, and fruits, plus coffee, tea, water, juice included.

On site, we will enjoy a self-serve meal; select from a variety of ingredients to create your own kind of burrito.

Lodge restaurant plated meal.

Day 7 Black Hole Hiking & Rappelling Adventure False Sittee Point

Driving total approximately 3 hours. Black Hole activities require a high level of physical fitness. 2 hour uphill hikes on dirt trails, repelling 300 feet into a sink hole, rock climbing and ladder climbing. Weather is usually hot, sunny and humid and trails can become muddy when there is rain. Participants should wear sturdy walking shoes with rubber tread, lightweight pants, t-shirt that allows freedom of movement. Also bring insect repellent/sunscreen. See packing list for more handy items.

After check out, we will start the day with a transfer to Cave Branch for a full day of hiking and rappelling activities at Black Hole. Upon arrival at Cave Branch, we’ll take part in an instructional session before driving to the base camp and starting our 1.5-hour hike. The hike comes to an end at the hilltop at the edge of an enormous sink hole. After donning harnesses and receiving the necessary instructions, we’ll rappel into the 300-foot sink hole. Once at the forested bottom, we can reward our efforts with a well-deserved break for lunch. Those who do not wish to take part in the Black Hole hike/rappelling will have the option to participate in a moderately strenuous river cave expedition. The cave activity begins with a 15 minute drive to a drop off point at the river's edge. Sit in a rubber inner tube and float through the entrance to the cave. Continue floating through the dark chambers, enjoying views of the sparkling mineral formations overhead with the aid of headlamps. Once the water becomes too shallow, put aside the inner tubes and set off on foot. The cave floor is rocky and wet and at times it will be necessary to climb over rocky formations.

We’ll continue to explore the sink-hole floor as we make our way back to the camp site. The hike takes approximately 45 minutes. Once at the camp site, we will have the opportunity to clean up before we begin our transfer drive to the Caribbean coast. We will arrive at the lodge by late afternoon for check-in.

At leisure.

Lodge restaurant meal.

On site, we will enjoy a meal of self-prepared burritos with many options for ingredients.

At the lodge restaurant, we will enjoy a plated meal with coffee, tea, water, local juice included; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 8 South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Free Time False Sittee Point

Boat ride is approximately 45 minutes to the snorkeling site. Snorkeling equipment will be provided on-site.

We’ll board a boat from the lodge's docks and enjoy a 45-minute ride out to South Water Caye Marine Reserve. The morning will be spent snorkeling around reef patches. We’ll then return to the lodge.

After a brief rest, we will travel to nearby Lebeha Drumming Center in Hopkins Village for an introduction to local Garifuna culture. A local expert will introduce us to the importance of drums and music, and expert drummers will treat us to a performance. Then we will have the opportunity to learn some drumming skills and dance moves ourselves. We’ll return to the lodge for dinner.

At leisure.

At the lodge, we will enjoy a meal with coffee, tea, water included.

At the lodge, we will enjoy a meal with coffee, tea, water included.

At the lodge, we will enjoy a meal with coffee, tea, water included.

Day 9 Return to South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Free Time False Sittee Point

Boat ride is approximately 45 minutes to the snorkeling site. Snorkeling equipment will be provided on-site.

We’ll board a boat from the lodge's docks and enjoy a 45-minute ride out to South Water Caye Marine Reserve. The morning will be spent snorkeling around reef patches we didn’t explore the day before. We’ll take a boat ride back to the lodge for lunch.

Free time to enjoy the lodge's facilities or explore local sites.

At leisure.

Lodge restaurant.

Lodge restaurant.

At the lodge, we’ll talk about our week with new friends during a farewell dinner of off-menu options or buffet selections including fish, beet, chicken and vegetarian dishes. Coffee, tea, water and one glass of wine included.

Day 10 Transfer to Belize City, Program Concludes In Flight

Hotel check-out by 7:50 a.m. The 30-minute flight to Belize City is expected to arrive at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport at approximately 10:30 a.m. Participants making their own international flight arrangements should book flights departing after 1:00 p.m. to ensure good connection times.

After an early check out, we’ll drive 45 minutes to the Dangriga airstrip and catch a 30-minute flight to Belize City's Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Early, at the lodge restaurant.