Of the park's 222 square miles only 10 square miles of central Tikal has been mapped and over 3,000 separate buildings have been revealed: temples, shrines, ceremonial platforms, residences, ball courts, terraces, causeways and plazas.

Overnight at the Jungle Lodge Hotel situated right within the Tikal National Park and only a short walking distance from the Main Plaza - ideal for watching the sun set from the top of Temple II.

Day 5 - Tue 13 Nov - Lake Peten Itza / Island of Flores - (B,L)

After breakfast we will be driven to the island of Flores situated on Lake Peten Itza. The island is reached via a short causeway. After lunch on the shores of the lagoon there will be time for shopping for Guatemalan goodies in the many tiny craft shops and a boat trip on the lake.

Overnight at the colonial style Hotel La Casona de la Isla situated at the waters edge.


Day 6 - Wed 14 Nov - Lovely Lake Izabal - (B)

After breakfast we will drive down one of the most scenic roads in Guatemala to lovely Lake Izabal. Overnight stay in the rustic but comfortable Hotel Catamaran on a privately-owned Island in the middle of Lake Izabal. The individual wooden cabanas overlook the lake and have private bathrooms. There is also an open-air dining room, bar and a swimming pool.

Day 7 - Thurs 15 Nov - Rio Dulce / In the Path of the Pirates! - (B)

After breakfast we will travel up river to visit the historic Castillo San Felipé which was built in the 1600s by the Spaniards in a vain attempt to stop the maurading British pirates from plundering the gold and other treasures collected by the Conquistadors. This beautiful little fort, in a tranquil setting on the banks of the lake, was restored to it's former glory in the 1950s and is the only one of its kind in Guatemala. It is an exciting place to explore with its maze of dark chambers.

Next we will enjoy a fabulous boat trip down the dramatic Rio Dulce which flows through spectacular deep gorges with tropical vegetation and vines clinging to sheer cliff faces before reaching the Bay of Amatique on the Caribbean Coast. Along the banks are a strange mix of the luxurious homes of wealthy Guatemalans and the simple huts of the local families who by night fish the river that is their only link with the outside world. Civilisation seems a long way away...

A short stop will be made at the Chocón Machacas Wildlife Reserve, home of the shy and endangerd Manatees. A little further along there is a hot spring which bubbles directly into the river and makes a steaming natural jacuzzi - an ideal place for a swim!

Our destination is Livingston - a Garifuna village overlooking the water located at a point where the river empties into the Amatique Bay on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. It's an ideal place to relax. Small restaurants and bars line the streets offering their main dish, seafood. Sunsets at Livingston are spectacular. Groups of birds fly high over the ocean waves as the sky show begins. Overnight at the Hotel Tucan Dugu.

Day 8 - Fri 16 Nov - Back to Belize / Garifuna Culture - (B,L,D)

This morning we will need to clear Guatemalan customs before continuing by boat to Punta Gorda in Southern Belize.

Transfer to the local airstrip for the flight to Dangriga which takes its name from the local Garifuna language, loosely meaning "here, the sweet water is close at hand." It lies peacefully along the banks of the North Stann Creek River, whose water is legendary. The town's drinking supply is arguably the best tasting in Belize.

We will check into Pal's Guest House for an overnight stay. This evening we will all go out to a local restaurant for dinner.

Day 9 - Sat 17 Nov - Barrier Reef Bliss - (B,L,D)

Early this morning a boat will be waiting to whisk us to one of the most idyllic tropical islands of Belize, Tobacco Caye for 2 full days of fun in the sun. Overnight stay at Ocean's Edge Lodge in Belizean-style island accommodation situated on a beautiful beach overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Southern Belize Barrier Reef.

The island falls within the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve which has been designated a World Heritage Site.

MEALS: Three delicious meals including fresh seafood, fresh fruit and home baking.
NON-DIVERS : Sunbathing, Swimming, Snorkelling or lazing in a hammock with a Caribbean Rum & Coke!
SCUBA DIVERS: 2 days diving x 2 boat dives on each diving day including tanks, weights & belts.

All boat dives are drift dives because this section of the barrier reef is without any permanent moorings due to the small number of divers who are able to visit these private islands in the South.

The Southern Belize Barrier Reef offers access to some of the most spectacular wall dives, ocean drop-offs and amazing marine life anywhere in the world. Wall dives range from 30 to 120 feet with water visibility averaging 80 to 100 feet and water temperatures between 75 to 85 degrees year around.

     


Day 10 - Sun 18 Nov - Eve of Garifuna Carnival - (B,L)

Another full day to scuba dive or relax on Tobacco Caye before our sunset sail back to the mainland and another two nights at Pal's Guest House where we will be in the heart of the Carnival action!

An African Voice on the Caribbean Breeze!

Tonight is the Eve of the Garifuna Carnival when everyone takes to the streets, and drumming and Punta dancing go on most of the night. The Garifuna are friendly and relaxed and there are none who more truly live the Caribbean creed. But when the drums commence and the women chant their history in a distant tongue, hips swaying, conch shells wailing, one senses the strength of their African heritage.


Day 11 - Mon 19 Nov - GARIFUNA CARNIVAL DAY

Today we will join in all the fun and festivities of the Garifuna Carnival in Dangriga Town

A brief history:

Garifuna history began more than 300 years ago when two ships filled with African slaves were wrecked on the Caribbean's Windward Island of St. Vincent. The next century saw their intermarriage with the Carib Indians, creating the Garifuna. Their mixed blood children developed fishing, hunting and farming skills but they were staunchly independent and resisted colonization by both the Spanish and British for several decades. In 1795, the Garifuna chief was killed by an English soldier's bullet and his conquered people were rounded up and shipped off to the inhospitable Bay Islands off Honduras.

On November 19th 1823, a large group of Garifuna from the Bay Islands joined about 200 others who had settled at the mouth of Stann Creek some 20 years earlier. They had left Roatan in dugout canoes with a few meager necessities to start a new life in a new land.

The date of this mass landing is celebrated each year when everyone waits on the bridge early in the morning for the first sighting of the canoes as they re-enact the arrival of their forebears.


Day 12 - Tues 20 Nov - Departure

Unfortunately it is time to pack our bags. Transfer to the local Dangriga Airstrip for the short flight back to Belize International Airport for homebound flights.

La Isla Bonita - 4 night / 5 day Optional Extension

Those with a little more time to spare can add on a 4 night stay in San Pedro which was recently featured on the TV Series "Temptation Island". On arrival in Belize City we will fly direct to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye - made famous by Madonna in her song "La Isla Bonita" ("The Beautiful Island") for a touch of "R & R".

Spectacular aerial views of the Belize Barrier Reef en route. Relax and unwind during our 4 night stay at the beachfront Mayan Princess Hotel.

We have not included meals so that you can have the freedom to choose from the many excellent island restaurants.

Enjoy a Belikin Beer in any number of beachfront hang-outs and thatched roof bars or a gourmet dinner in a first class restaurant.

Non-Divers: Swim, snorkel, shop or relax in a hammock with a rum & coke!
Scuba Divers: 3 days of local two tank dives with the opportunity to upgrade one day to Lighthouse Reef Atoll and the Blue Hole and another day to the Turneffe Atoll