Rainforest Wonders, Mayan Mysteries, and Caribbean Snorkeling

Belize & Tikal

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Our active journey in beautiful Belize brings us a bounty of natural history adventures: we explore the rainforests of legendary Chan Chich, haunt of the elusive jaguar, hike, wade, and climb through an ancient ceremonial cave in the Maya Mountains, and savor an overnight at spectacular Tikal, where giant pyramids soar out of a vast jungle reserve alive with the calls of birds and monkeys. All three of our wonderful lodges put us in incredible settings within walking distance of Mayan ruins and surrounded by rainforests with an utter abundance of rare avifauna and tropical wildlife. Our post-trip extension brings us out to Belize’s famous barrier reef, the longest in our hemisphere, for unbelievably rich snorkeling in a wondrous underwater universe.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-4
Lamanai / Chan Chich

From Belize City, we head to Orange Walk for a launch ride to Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, the ruins of a Mayan city. Lush jungle vegetation crowds the riverbanks on the snaking New River, and along the way, we look for herons, iguanas, and perhaps a caiman or two. After exploring the temples, we continue to wonderful Chan Chich, one of the most delightful rainforest retreats in the world, with a unique setting encircled by 130,000 private acres of prime forest in remote northwest Belize. This is a famed birding location, with an avian list that tops 350 species, including colorful toucans, parrots, and hummingbirds, and a butterfly count of over 150 species. All five species of jungle cat—jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi—are here, with jaguars seen at the rate of about one per week, a record unmatched anywhere else. We explore on foot and by 4WD. Our evening treks are especially rewarding as we look for nocturnal animals and night birds such as owls, potoos, and nightjars.

Days 5-6
Maya Mountains / Actun Tunichil Muknal

We head up to the rich subtropical forests of the Maya Mountains. Right from our lodge, set on the edge of a 9th century Mayan complex, we hike trails beneath giant mahogany trees and learn about the fascinating medicinal plants of the rainforest. On our full-day adventure at nearby Actun Tunichil Muknal, we hike, swim, and wade as we follow a clear turquoise stream deep into a mystical cavern that was used for centuries by the Maya for ceremonies. We venture through this limestone cave system amid stalactites, stalagmites, altars, and Mayan sacrificial chambers, then climb a ladder to peer into the resting place of the Crystal Maiden. Our lodge, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, has private nature trails and a peaceful rainforest setting on a 300-acre private reserve.

Days 7-8
Tikal

The sheer scale of Tikal is impressive, its steep-sided pyramids towering 12 stories above a vast jungle reserve. We climb the pyramids, explore the ballcourts, and look for toucans and monkeys in the treetops. Our bungalows adjacent to the ruins allow us to savor the dusk and dawn serenade of the Petén rainforest that surrounds us. Depart on Day 8, or join our Turneffe Island Extension.

Turneffe Island Extension Days 8-12

Thirty miles offshore on a beautiful coral atoll, Turneffe Island lodge offers easy access to dazzling snorkel sites just a 5- to 10-minute boat ride from the lodge, plus the legendary Blue Hole. The ocean floor plunges over a thousand feet here in a meeting of sheltered lagoon and open ocean, resulting in an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem.

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Tour Costs $3295 (9-12 members) $3595 (4-8 members) Single supplement: $680 Internal airfare: $325 (subject to change) Turneffe Island extension 4-day pre-trip: $1690 5-day post-trip: $1990 (includes the Blue Hole) *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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