The Belize Travel Specialists
Belize: Independence Celebration Tour
Special Departure Small Group Tour: 14 - 22 Sept 2002
( 8 nights / 9 days ) with optional extensions
21st Anniversary of Independence!
Come and Join the "Coming of Age" Celebrations....
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A fabulous tour which combines exploring the Emerald Mystique of the Rainforests teeming with Wildlife and mystical Mayan temples, relaxing on an idyllic Tropical Island on the Belize Barrier Reef and joining in the Independence Day Celebrations in Belize City.... |
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Day 1 - Sat 14 Sept - Off to the Rainforest! - (D)
Meet & Greet on arrival at Belize International Airport and transfer up the Western Highway to the beautiful rainforest area of San Ignacio near the Guatemalan border with a stop along the way at the small and informal Belize Zoo. 4 night stay at the San Ignacio Hotel conveniently located on the Highway to Maya History. The hotel is situated on a hill just along the Macal River in San Igancio. The 25 rooms all offer beautiful hillside views of 14 acres of Jungle Gardens, the large swimming pool and the Macal River. Balcony rooms or suites with ceiling fans, cable TV, and in-room telephones are available. Delicious meals are served in the indoor-outdoor restaurant. |
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Day 2 - Sun 15 Sept - The Temples of Tikal - (B,L,D)
Whilst Europe was deep in the "Dark Ages", the inhospitable and hostile jungles of Central America were being transformed into the home of one of the World's great civilisations. Temples, Pyramids and Palaces were built by peasant farmers and slaves without the benefit of beasts of burden or even the wheel. These were painted in the sacred colours of the Maya; red, blue, yellow and green and were ruled over by immensely powerful Kings who were regarded as living Gods by their subjects. THE TEMPLES OF TIKAL 
One of the main highlights of this tour is a fabulous day excursion over the Guatemalan border
to the magnificent Mayan Temples and Pyramids of Tikal set in the incredible jungle scenery of the Tikal National Park.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.
Listen carefully and you will hear the still-beating heart of a dying Civilisation . . . As today is also Independence Day in Guatemala this will be a great time to visit with everyone enjoying a public holiday and homes and streets festooned with banners and bunting. |
Day 3 - Mon - 16 Sept - Wildlife and Wonders of the Rainforest - (B,L,D)
Today starts with an exciting, one-mile hike down one of the most natural, meandering nature trails in all Belize. There are
interactive signs, labeled plants, and cool resting spots.
Dubbed the only jungle in town, the San Ignacio Resort
Hotel houses the very successful Green Iguana Conservation Project, located at the foothills of the trail.
A special Adopt An Iguana & Release Program. Included in the cost of your tour is your contribution so you can Adopt and Name your own Iguana, which they will then release into the wild. You will receive a Certificate and an "Adoption Option" T-shirt and leave in the knowledge that your tour has helped to sustain this conservation program. 
Next is a fascinating visit to to the Chaa Creek Natural History Centre and Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm which has been
designed to create an awareness and understanding of the diverse tropical environment. Finally, you will enjoy a relaxing end to the day, a Canoe Trip down the Macal River where you will see
iguanas sunning themselves on the overhanging branches along the river banks. Tropical birds populate the treetops, and villagers
still wash clothes along the river's bank.
CLIENT COMMENT: " Ann, Thank you so much! We had such a wonderful time in Belize! Everything was perfect.... it was a memorable vacation for all of us. The Rainforest adventures were particularly fascinating. Again, thank you so much for all your help.." Theresa Dolloff (and family) |
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Day 4 - Tues 17 Sept - More Mayan Mysteries - (B,L,D)
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| Today you will explore the realms of the mysterious Maya people as you visit two of Belize's favourite ancient Mayan sites in the company of an expert guide. Firstly, a stop will be made at Cahal Pech, once the home of a Maya Royal Family, and Xunantunich which is reached by crossing the Mopan River by hand-cranked ferry. After the guided tour there will be time to explore and climb the ruins which are great for panoramic photographs. | 
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After lunch it is time for more Mayan mysteries. An adventurous drive towards the
Mountain Pine Ridge area from where your guide will row you deep
inside Barton Creek Cave (about 1 to 2 miles depending on water
levels). Sit back, relax and direct your 1,000 candle lamp at the amazing
formations inside the huge cave believed by the Maya to be the Underworld,
"Xibalba", (pronounced SheeBALba) the Kingdom of their Gods.
Float under stalagtites, see ancient skeletons and pottery and
prepare to be awstruck by cathedral-like caverns. Marvel at the 5 million
year old crystalline structures over 50 feet in length as your friendly
guide (affectionately known as "Dave the Cave") shares his
incredible knowledge with you about the Maya's beliefs about the underworld.
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| Day 5 - Wed 18 Sept - "Temptation Island" - (B) |
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After breakfast transfer back to Belize City to connect with a short
(15 minute) air taxi with spectacular aeriel views of the Belize Barrier
Reef en route to San Pedro on the lovely island of
Ambergris Caye - made famous by Madonna in her song "La Isla
Bonita" - "The Beautiful Island".
Relax and unwind during our 3 night stay at the lovely Sunbreeze Beach Hotel in San Pedro which is laid-back and friendly. We have not included meals as there are so that you have the freedom to choose from the many great restaurants in San Pedro. You can enjoy a Belikin Beer in any number of beachfront hang-outs and thatched roof bars or a gourmet dinner in a first class restaurant. |
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Optional Dive Package:
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| Day 6 - Thurs 19 Sept - "Barrier Reef Bliss" - (B) |
Rest & Relax on the ReefSwim, sunbathe, shop, read a good book or snooze in a hammock! Do it all or do nothing at all on this sun-drenched island where even the palm trees sway to the beat of Punta Rock and Reggae music! |
| Day 7 - Fri 20 Sept - "Underwater Wonders" - (B) | |
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This morning we have included a fascinating half day snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark-Ray Alley where you can swim with the sharks and manta rays! Scuba Divers will do this trip in the afternoon after their morning dives. |
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San Pedro featured on Fox Tv's Temptation Island series. Late afternoon we will take a lazy "Temptation Island Boat Trip" up the coastline, stopping at a couple of bars along the way - Mata Chica (where the girlies in the TV show stayed) and Captain Morgan's Retreat (where the guys stayed). The tour ends at Capricorn Resort for an optional delicious dinner or you can return to San Pedro if you would prefer to make your own dinner arrangements. |
| Day 8 - Sat 21 Sept - BELIZE INDEPENDENCE DAY - (D) |
| Today we will transfer back to the mainland so that we can take part in all the fun and festivities of the Independence Day Celebrations including street processions and Belizean "Jump Up" followed by our Final Night Gala Dinner at the renowned Fort Street Restaurant. Overnight stay at Colton House or The Great House - both real Colonial treasures, located in the historic Fort George area just 100 yards from the Caribbean Sea. |
| Day 9 - Sun 22 Sept - Departure |
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Unfortunately it is time to go home! Transfer to the Belize International Airport to connect with your homebound flights.
NOTE: For those who would like to see more of Belize and have more time to spare, this tour has been designed to be added on to our Colonial Treasures Tour. Those booking both tours will save 10% on the cost of each tour. |
A Place of Yesteryear's History, Today's Hospitality and Tomorrow's Hope.
| September Celebration Tour - 8 nights / 9 days | |
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| Double Occupancy | 1,385 per person |
| Single Occupancy | 1,785 per person | Includes: |
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Not Included: |
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Please contact us for further information:
| Global Travel Club | |||
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Tel: +44 (0)1268 541732 | |
Fax: +44 (0)1268 541363 |
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E-mail: info@global-travel.co.uk | |
http://www.global-travel.co.uk |
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