The Jaguar Temple, Tikal, Guatemala

The mystery and power of Mayan civilization is embodied in the jungle-draped temples of Tikal. Our journey includes an overnight at Tikal Jungle Lodge, just a 10-minute walk from the temples of this royal city, as well as nature walks in the Chan Chich rainforest and lush Maya Mountains.

Photo by Christian Ziegler / Danita Delimont Agency

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Belize and Tikal route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $3195   see pricing
Length: 8 days
Arrive: Belize City, Belize
Depart: Guatemala City, Guatemala
Lodging: 1 night in hotel, 6 nights in wildlife lodges describe
Meals: All meals included
Activity: Snorkeling, Wildlife & Natural History, Walking, Archaeology
Trip Level: Rainforest hikes, night walks, river swims
2 explain

Highlights

  • Enjoy nature hikes at Chan Chich amid the greatest concentration of wildlife in Central America
  • Explore the ruins of Lamanai and the forests of the Maya Mountains, with their secret Mayan caves
  • View the towering pyramids of Tikal
  • Extensions to the Barrier Reef and Guatemala Highlands


Great trip. Loved the variety with the jungle, the reef, and the Maya ruins.Judith A.—Hillsdale, NJ

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

Our active journey in Belize showcases 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 experience the wonder of spectacular Tikal, where giant pyramids soar out of a vast jungle reserve alive with the calls of birds and monkeys. Hand-selected lodges place us in incredible settings within walking distance of Mayan ruins and deep in the midst of an utter abundance of rare birds and tropical wildlife. Our trip extensions include the chance to experience unbelievably rich snorkeling in the wondrous underwater universe of Belize’s famed Barrier Reef and explorations in the Guatemala Highlands, including the lovely colonial town of Antigua.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-2
Lamanai / Chan Chich

After an overnight in Belize City, we boat along the New River to Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, with its “lost city” atmosphere. Lamanai’s massive Late Pre-Classic temple, the tallest known Pre-Classic structure, rises ten stories out of the forest, offering phenomenal views across the ancient Maya world. In the afternoon, we head to Chan Chich, one of the most delightful rainforest retreats in the world, encircled by 130,000 private acres of prime forest.

Days 3-4
Chan Chich

A famed birding location, Chan Chich has an avian list that tops 350 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 vehicle, with evening walks to look for nocturnal animals.

Days 5-6
Maya Mountains / Actun Tunichil Muknal

We head to our lodge in the subtropical forests of the Maya Mountains for nature walks, swimming, and tubing in the Roaring River. At nearby Actun Tunichil Muknal, we hike, swim, and wade as we follow a clear turquoise stream deep into a mystical cavern used for centuries by the Maya for ceremonies.

Days 7-8
Tikal / Guatemala City

The sheer scale of Tikal is extraordinary, its steep-sided pyramids towering 20 stories above a vast jungle reserve. We climb the central stairways of the pyramids, explore the ball courts and great plazas, and search 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 surrounding us. Depart on Day 8 via Guatemala City, or join one of our extensions.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate. We enjoy moderate nature hikes of two to three hours on several days. On the Barrier Reef extension, both novice and experienced snorkelers will enjoy the snorkeling excursions, and there is plenty of time for swimming and relaxing.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

Departures

Dec 18-25, 2010

Tour Costs

Prices are for 2010
$3195 (9-12 members)
$3495 (5-8 members)
Single supplement: $650
Internal airfare: $395 (subject to change)

Extension Costs
Turneffe Island Resort Extension
   from: $1215
Guatemala Highlands Extension
   from: $1030

more on pricing

Tour Cost Includes:

  • expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
  • accommodations as noted
  • welcome and farewell dinners and most meals as specified in the Full Trip Brochure
  • sightseeing, tours, and airport transfers as indicated in the Full Trip Brochure

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, internal flights, transfers for independent arrival or departure, any meals not specified in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors; pre-trip expenses of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation Fee Schedule

Minimum fee: None
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of tour cost
45 days or less: 100% of tour cost

Radisson Fort George Hotel

Day 1 (1 night), Belize City, Belize

Set on the Caribbean coast, the Radisson Fort George Hotel has an excellent location—it’s close to everything! With two swimming pools, ...
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Chan Chich Lodge

Days 2 to 4 (3 nights), Chan Chich, Belize

Chan Chich, one of the most delightful rainforest retreats in the world, is encircled by 130,000 private acres of Central America’s prime ...
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Pook’s Hill Lodge

Days 5 to 6 (2 nights), Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, Belize

Pook’s Hill Lodge, set on the edge of a 9th century Maya complex, is located within a private 300-acre reserve of primary rainforest bordering ...
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Tikal Jungle Lodge

Day 7 (1 night), Tikal National Park, Guatemala

Ideally situated within Tikal National Park, this lodge offers the closest accommodations to the temples and pyramids—it’s just a ...
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Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Client Comments

Great trip. Loved the variety with the jungle, the reef, and the Maya ruins. Judith A., Hillsdale, NJ I enjoyed the trip immensely and saw and experienced things I couldn’t had I tried to do this trip on my own. Debbi K., Eugene, OR
A wonderful trip! We were very pleased and recommend WT highly. Marcie H., Westfield, NJ