Land of Belize & Tikal

Hola! Welcome to Belize. Your adventure begins in Belize City – the bustling former capital where the Belize River meets the Caribbean Sea – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After meeting your local leader and fellow travellers, maybe go for a group dinner to taste some local fare. If you arrive early, Belize City has plenty to discover. Check out the coastal and maritime museum housed in a beautifully restored fire station, dive into contemporary Belizean art at the Image Factory or visit Central America’s oldest Anglican church – St John Cathedral.

This morning, take a private vehicle to Carmelita where you'll board a boat along the New River to the Lamanai Archaeological Site – this is an adventure in itself, and your local guide will help you spot colourful birds along the banks. Take some time to explore the remains of unearthed temples, plazas and homes of this ancient Maya civilisation. Then, hop back on the boat to the town of Orange Walk where you’ll spend the night. Tonight, settle into your lodge and enjoy an included group dinner.

This morning, drive to the town of San Ignacio, stopping off at the San Antonio Women’s Co-op – an organisation formed by local Maya women to share skills and traditional knowledge while earning an income. Join the women for a cooking demonstration designed to preserve Maya culinary heritage before sitting down together to feast on the fruits of your labour. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you like.

Today, you’ll take a daytrip to the UNESCO World Heritage site and Maya ruins in Tikal National Park just across the Guatemalan border. Hidden among the thick rainforest are some of the most significant remnants of the Maya civilisation – plus an array of local wildlife, including coatis, howler monkeys and big cats. Join your local guide and take in the towering limestone temples while learning about the ancient city's demise. Afterwards, enjoy an included group lunch before returning to San Ignacio. Tonight, you’re free to relax at your accommodation or explore at your own pace.

Today, you have free time to explore. There are many optional activities in San Ignacio. Maybe take a hand-cranked ferry to Xunantunich – an impressive Maya ceremonial centre with intricately carved walls and panoramic views over the countryside. Perhaps take on the challenge of hiking and wading to the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal – a living museum of Maya relics, including crystallised skeletons naturally preserved by the cave for over 1400 years. Or consider a trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge area to explore waterfalls, cool down in swimming holes, wander through a butterfly garden or canoe through the Barton Creek cave reserve.

Today, take a private transfer to Belize City where you’ll board a water taxi to Caye Caulker. While there are a number of islands off the mainland, Caye Caulker is the most famous (and arguably the most beautiful). When you arrive, take a golf cart to your hotel, then join your leader on an orientation walk around the island. With no cars, the vibe is as laidback as it gets. If you fancy, it’s possible to arrange daytrips to other islands and reefs for snorkelling – just chat with your leader. Each island has its own character, but they all have the unmistakable Caribbean pace and charm. This evening, maybe tuck into freshly caught seafood or listen to reggae with a local rum cocktail.

Caye Caulker is all about taking it easy, so do as much (or as little) as you want with another free day here. Perhaps cycle around the island or explore the coast on a stand-up paddle board. If you're interested in sampling the local cuisine, Caye Caulker is known for its barbequed food – and some of the best meals are cooked on the roadside! It’s also famous for lobster – not the cheapest meal, but so (so) good. Always make sure you respect the season – lobsters can only be caught between June and February. If it's out of season, grilled shrimp is just as tasty.