Guatemala and Belize tailor made holiday

country:	Belize, Guatemala
departures:	Available all year. This suggested itinerary can be modified entirely to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used and how long you spend in each destination.
price:	From £4400 (21 days) excluding flights
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

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Tailor made cultural tours here

Guatemala holidays here

Belize holidays here

the amazing things you'll be doing

Guatemala and Belize have so much to offer the traveller, both on a cultural and geographical level; the traditional highlands, the hot and humid jungles, varied marine and land wildlife, colonial cities and the majestic Mayan temples.

The trip begins in the former capital of Guatemala, Antigua. Surrounded by volcanoes and coffee plantations, this colonial city is said to be the most beautiful in the Maya region. You will continue the journey to The Highland region visiting the traditional villages, magical Lake Atitlan and colourful markets where you can see the locals' intricate costumes, indicative of the indigenous culture still thriving today. Spend some time off the beaten track in the stunning pools at Semuc Champey and the caves of Lanquin before driving further north to the impressive Mayan site of Tikal. The temples pierce through the jungle canopy giving you unparalled views over the lush countryside and into Mexico.

Belize is only a hop away and soon you will experience a new culture, a real melting pot of people from Creole, Garifuna and Hispanic backgrounds. The lodges in the Mountain Pine area offer a chance to explore more ruins and caves either by foot, car or horseback. Your next stop inland is at Big Falls, in the south of Belize. Enjoy the morning bird walks with your guide spotting Toucans and Macaws. No trip to Belize would be complete without a stay on the coast, some time to relax and to experience the beautiful and vibrant coral reefs in the Caribbean sea.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Upon arrival in Guatemala City, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the beautiful colonial city of Antigua.
Day 2:	Walking. Half day walking tour of Antigua.
Day 3:	Explore Antigua. Enjoy the day exploring the local villages around Antigua.
Day 4:	You will be transferred to Lake Atitlan, visiting the very famous market at Chichicastenango en route. Every Thursday and Sunday this community comes alive with the hundreds of market sellers from all over the country who come to sell their wares. You will see a real mixture of colourful costumes and well crafted textiles.
Day 5:	Hike and kayak in Santiago Bay. A fantastic way to see the locals at work in the fields and also experience the lake from a kayak.
Day 6:	Today you will be taken to Totonicapan, from Lake Atitlan where you will stay with a local family and experience life in a real Guatemalan home.
Day 7:	Antigua. You will drive through the highlands back to Antigua.
Day 8:	Today you travel north to Lanquin. The road between Antigua and Coban is long, taking almost 6 hours. However the scenery you pass through is beautiful, often alpine-looking cloudforests which then change into lush jungle. Before you reach Coban in the Baja Verapaz region, you will stop off and visit the Biotopo del Quetzal reserve. The reserve is a humid patch of protected forest thick with ferns and lichen. It is extremely rare to spot a Quetzal bird, however there is a huge variety of other species, about 87 other species in fact.
Day 9:	Day trip to Semuc Champey caves and pools. Once you have had time to get ready for your day at the pools, you will travel to the area of Semuc Champey which is about 10km from the town through rough roads. You pass next to villages and poor houses, relying on the maize and small coffee plantations that surround their land. The pools at Semuc Champey are a stunning blue and green colour, perfect for a dip. There is also a mirador where you can walk up to for a stunning view of the pools below.
Day 10:	You will be driven north to Flores and the Tikal area. Arrive at your jungle lodge.
Day 11:	Tikal. Full day sightseeing tour of the impressive archaeological site of Tikal.
Day 12:	Belizean border. You will be picked up and taken over the Belizean border to your hotel in the Mountain Pine area where you can enjoy the many walks in this area.
Day 13:	Caracol. Travel through the scenic Mountain Pine Ridge National Park on your way to the famous Mayan site at Caracol. At Caracol enjoy a private guided tour of this impressive site which is the largest Mayan site in Belize. On the way back to the hotel stop and visit the Rio Frio Caves and pools enroute.
Day 14:	Activities. Enjoy the many local activities at your forest lodge.
Day 15:	Punta Gorda. You will be taken to the airstrip in Belize City. From there your flight will take you further south to Punta Gorda, the heart of Garifuna culture. Once you arrive in the town your hotel representative will pick you up and take you to your lodge.
Day 16:	Relax/excursions. Either relax or take advantage of the hotel's possible excursions such as bird watching or river tubing
Day 17:	Mayan communities. Enjoy a full day tour of the local area, visiting Mayan communities and peaceful parks.
Day 18:	Belize coast. Travel to the coast of Belize.
Day 19:	Jaguar Sanctuary. You will visit the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Sanctuary in the day and relax by the coast.
Day 20:	Relax. Relax on the coast and enjoy the snorkelling.
Day 21:	Depart. Travel back to Belize City and fly home on your overnight flight.
Day 21:	Arrive in the UK.

tailor made holidays

This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

how this holiday makes a difference

Environment:
Unlike many trips through Central America, this holiday takes you off the beaten track to really witness the true life of Guatemala and Belize. The lodges that we recommend actively protect the local wildlife and environment.

Moving into Belize, the lodge at Pook's Hill is a small nature lodge set in a 300 acre private nature reserve of primary rainforest. It's located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains and borders on the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, a 6,800 acre rainforest sanctuary which is home to colourful toucans, butterflies, hummingbirds, howler monkeys and jaguars. Many of the guests here are researchers, birders and individuals looking for adventure. The lodge offers a range of activities from swimming in the Roaring River to horse riding in the Belize forests. Pook's Hill is an important player in promoting wildlife protection and the onsite naturalist is available to explain the many species residing here.

Community:
Many of our suggested excursions involve interacting with locals where you can contribute to the local economy.

The homestay at Totonicapan is a fantastic way to experience a day in the life of a Guatemalan family. They are proud to show off and share everything from their cooking techniques to the music they listen to, and play! It is a truly authentic experience which directly contributes to the local economy.

Moving up to the lesser-known area of Alta-Verapaz, the itinerary takes you into the lush and beautiful village of Lanquin where the turquiose pools of Semuc Champey are found. Tourism is a brand new and slowly growing source of economy for the locals here. They are benefiting from this new industry, with small yet basic lodges and family-run restaurants springing up in the town of Lanquin. The reaction of locals here is one of curiosity and a willingness to help.

The Lodge at Big Falls, situated a short drive away from Punta Gorda, is a family run accommodation set in beautiful surroundings. The owners have not only provided a peaceful haven for travellers to relax in, but are also contributing actively to two community-based organizations (NGOs), a local high school and the local primary school. They work with Ya’axche Conservation Trust by promoting a scholarship program. At present four local students are being sponsored through their high school education by previous guests at the Lodge. The program offers continuing education for children from the poorest families who would otherwise be unable to continue their studies. The lodge has also been supporting a local organisation which encourages local tourism projects in the Toledo district. By staying at the lodge you can visit the projects as well as enjoying the abundant bird life on the lagoons surrounded by forested hills.

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