The jungle canopy blocks out the sky as magnificent caves hold treasures of Mayan artifacts and hidden waterfalls. Your vacation is customized to immerse you in the spectacular natural features and ancient sites of Belize and Guatemala, providing breathtaking excursions and exhilarating cultural significance. Stalactites and stalagmites turn a cavern into a cathedral; magnificent pyramids highlight the ingenuity and grandeur of past civilizations. Protected jaguars and leaping spider monkeys embody...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
San Ignacio – Arrive in Belize
Your flight lands at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City and your private transfer meets you upon arrival. While descending, you noticed the divide between the jade canopy and the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Outside of the airport, the trees shade the roadway as a wide canal runs alongside the airport, feeding into the water. Traditional villagers utilize the canals for traveling and fishing. Homes and small restaurants composed of wood panels continue to line the waterways, housing canoes, paddleboats, and overlooking smaller vessels.
Stop first at the Belize Zoo for an introduction to Belizean wildlife. The zoo offers visitors a chance to see animals that forage in the wilds of the country, yet are not always visible to people passing through. Each exhibit provides the animals with ample space and preferred habitat. Nine tapirs, a tropical relative of the rhino, graze in jungle underbrush; scarlet macaws flutter their wings around an aviary, their long tail feathers trail behind them like streamers.
Wild iguanas wander along the footpaths and perch on high handrails. The zoo encompasses 29 acres and continues its mission of protecting injured, orphaned, and endangered animals endemic to the region. Junior Buddy, a rescue jaguar, was abandoned by his mother as a cub. As a rescue animal, Junior Buddy became familiar with people due to his interactions with the zoo staff and has since become friendly with all visitors as an ambassador to teach people about the true nature of the species.
What's Included:
Day 2
San Ignacio – Explore the Jungle by Canoe and on Horseback
Day 3
San Ignacio – Traverse the Unique Cave Networks in the Maya Mountains
Day 4
San Ignacio – Visit the Mayan Ruins at Caracol
Day 5
San Ignacio – Discover the Beauty and History of Cayo District at Leisure
Day 6
Tikal – Relish the Adventure of a Sunset Tour at the Mayan City of Tikal
Day 7
Flores – Explore the Vast Lagoon of Peten Itza and Visit Mayan Villages
Day 8
Flores – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Witness the former grandeur and continued mystique of Mayan cities and the Mayan culture at the Ruins of Caracol in Belize and Tikal in Guatemala
- Float down a subterranean river on an inner tube discovering geological treasures and secluded Mayan artifacts inside Mountain Pine Ridge
- See indigenous animals at the Belize Zoo, which specializes in protecting injured, orphaned, and endangered animals of the country
- Meander through the jungle trails on horseback exploring a vast resort property and protected wildlife area in the Cayo District
- Enjoy a private boat excursion on the second largest lake in Guatemala, Lake Petén Itza
- Learn about the ancient history and prehistory of Central America, along with the local medicinal plants that villagers in Belize use to fight sickness
Detailed Description
The jungles of Belize and Guatemala have their distinct allures, filled with lush rainforest and pine savannahs, lakeside marshes and staggering temples. Your 8-day expedition has you feeling like an adventurous archaeologist, traversing cave networks and natural pools, discovering the farthest reaches of ancient Mayan cities. The adventure begins with your arrival at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City. Your private transfer meets you at baggage claim and takes you to the Belize Zoo. The animals in the zoo showcase the indigenous species of Belize and have all been rescued. Continue your travels to western Belize in the Cayo District and settle into a luxurious resort near the banks of the Macal River.
The next day, float down the Macal River on a canoe to view the birdlife and wildlife on the property. In the afternoon, mount a horse for a guided tour through the jungle brush. Travel next to the Maya Mountains, specifically in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Hike the trails to a cave mouth and inner tube on the calm subterranean river to find geological formations and Mayan artifacts. Next, explore the largest Mayan city in Belize at Caracol with a full day tour that takes you through time and space, including to the top of the tallest building in the country.
With a day to visit the Cayo District and Belize at your leisure, visit the Natural History Museum at your resort or relish a zip line excursion. You could even spend a full day snorkeling at the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest Barrier Reef in the world. Cross the border into Guatemala to tour the famous Mayan ruins at Tikal. At sundown, climb to the top of a pyramid and watch the light fade behind the jungle canopy. Then, take the time to relax on the lake-island of Flores or explore the expansive shores of Lago Petén Itza on a private boat trip to visit the surrounding villages. Finish as your private transfer escorts you to Mundo Maya International Airport to begin your journey home.
Starting Price
$4,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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