| Advertise on this Site |
 |
| Bookmark this page |
| Email this page to a friend |
|
9 Days 2008 Belize & Tikal, Rainforests, Reefs & Ruins Tour Package
Tour Itinerary Day 1 U.S. / Flores / La Lancha Depart for Flores, Guatemala, where we are met and transferred along the shores of Lake Petén Itzá to Francis Ford Coppola’s newest small luxury lodge, La Lancha. It’s in a beautiful location on a lush, forested hillside above the lake. Winding paths lead down the slopes to secluded guest casitas, each furnished with handcrafted Guatemalan furniture, fabrics and art. This exclusive lodge has only ten rooms. La Lancha is our home for the next three nights and our base for exploring the monumental Mayan city of Tikal. Dinner tonight is in La Lancha’s open-air dining room with its spectacular view of the lake. (D) Day 2 We spend an extraordinary day exploring Tikal. The sheer immensity of its structures makes Tikal a powerful experience. Believed to have covered 25 square miles, the population of the ancient city reached 75,000 to 100,000. Pyramids soaring over 200 feet, plaza complexes, ball courts, terraces and temples are surrounded by the wildlife of the tropical rainforest. Huge, overgrown ancient reservoirs and multilevel palaces give us a unique opportunity to view the canopy wildlife at eye-level. There are 285 species of birds, including toucans, motmots, parrots and ocellated turkeys. Other wildlife we regularly see includes howler and spider monkeys, peccaries, deer, jaguars, ocelots and pumas. The park itself is 222 square miles and includes 3,000 separate constructions within the six square miles of ruins that have been investigated thus far. Good walking shoes are important today because we will be covering about five square miles of excavated sites. (B,L,D) Day 3 After breakfast we travel to Ixpanpajul, a private nature reserve and environmental center not far from Flores. It covers an area of 450 hectares and has over 150 species of birds, about 40 species of mammals and over 200 species of trees. A group of Guatemalan conservationists founded Ixpanpajul to conserve forests and provide environmental education to teachers, students and visitors. Here we explore the different layers of the rainforest by walking along a canopy walkway, which gives us a bird’s-eye view of life in the rainforest. Later we continue by vehicle a short distance to Flores, capital of the Petén, where we have lunch. There is time for a pleasant stroll and shopping in this colonial town, located on an island in Lake Petén Itzá. Then we return by boat to La Lancha, crossing the lake and arriving back at our lodge in the late afternoon. (B,L,D) Day 4 In the morning we visit the important Mayan archaeological site of Yaxhá, known for the influence of the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan in its style and ornate stelae (commemorative standing stones). There is a spectacular view of the jungle and lakes of Yaxhá and Sacnab from the top of temple 216. After a picnic lunch, we continue to the Belize border, and then travel into the Mountain Pine Ridge to Blancaneaux Lodge. The property overlooks the gentle rapids and shimmering waterfalls of the Privassion River, where the flora of both the jungle and pine forest intertwine in a stunning landscape. This was the first of Francis Ford Coppola’s three lodges, and in the beginning, Coppola’s family and friends used it as their private retreat before it was expanded and opened as a resort. We settle in and enjoy dinner this evening at our leisure. (B,L,D) Day 5 This morning we travel through the Mountain Pine Ridge to the moist, tropical, broadleaf forest of the Vaca Plateau, which adjoins the Maya Mountains. Then it’s on to the sprawling Mayan ruins of Caracol, located deep in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, which extends south to the Maya Mountain Divide. Caracol rivaled even Tikal for its power and architecture, and the ruins are outstanding. This Classic Period site is noted for the rare use of giant date glyphs on circular stone altars. Wildlife here includes emerald tocanets, blue-crowned motmots, howler monkeys and more. After our exploration of the ruins and a picnic lunch, we return by way of Rio Frio Cave with its enormous arched entranceway. The Rio Frio flows in one end of this cave and out the other helping create smooth limestone walls and sharp stalactites. We are back at Blancaneaux this afternoon with just enough time for an optional appointment at the spa, a walk on the trails or just to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. (B,L,D) Day 6 We have the morning at leisure to just relax or to enjoy any number of interesting activities. As always, our guide will lead a morning walk for birding, but this could also be a great time to sleep in or to hike the trails to other waterfalls. Among other options are a visit to the Waterfall Spa, horseback riding or a two mile canoe excursion into a remote cave once used by the ancient Mayans as a burial site and ceremonial locale. Arrangements for the spa, horseback riding or the trip to Barton Creek Cave are not included and must be made directly with the lodge’s concierge. After lunch we leave Blancaneaux Lodge, travel on the Hummingbird Highway across Belize, and continue on the Southern Highway to the coastal village of Placencia. Our accommodations for the next three nights are at Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn. Located on a sweeping bay of white sand, the resort faces due east and is surrounded by tall coconut palms. The restaurant and pool are gorgeous. Each Balinese inspired cottage has a spacious wooden screened deck, featuring a roomy hammock and comfortable chairs as well as having its own private walled garden with outdoor shower. (B,L,D) Day 7 We have two great days ahead of us on the nicest beaches and snorkeling locations in Belize. There is time for an easy snorkeling activity to become familiar with our equipment. We then set off for the pristine coral reefs of Laughing Bird Caye National Park. A World Heritage Site, Laughing Bird Caye has waving coconut palms and mangroves as well as amazing reef life. Some of the fascinating fish we are likely to see include rainbow parrotfish, Nassau grouper and spotted eagle ray as well as brilliantly colored small fish, such as angelfish, butterflyfish and wrasse. After enjoying a picnic lunch on one of the many small islands, we find another great spot to snorkel. This afternoon we have the opportunity to snorkel among the mangroves at a terrific location in protected waters close to Placencia. Mangroves are nurseries for many species of marine life and this particular location is truly amazing. There are several interesting local restaurants in the village where fresh seafood is the specialty, so dinner tonight is on our own. (B,L) Day 8 Today we have the luxury of a completely free day to relax and enjoy the amenities of Turtle Inn. There are plenty of options for those who want other activities, and these can be arranged directly with the concierge at the hotel. If there are those interested in scuba diving or fishing, this is an excellent day for it. Others may wish to enjoy the Sunset Spa at Turtle Inn or have a more active day excursion to the Jaguar Preserve or Monkey River. Placencia, with its sand streets, friendly people, small local restaurants and waterfront pubs, offers a laid-back and genuine tropical experience, but enjoying a good book in a hammock under the palms or beside the pool might be appealing as well. Lunch is on our own today, but tonight we enjoy a special farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 9 The early morning is available to enjoy a walk on the beach, finish up some last-minute shopping or prepare for the journey home. We fly from Placencia to Belize International Airport where flights back to the U.S. depart in the afternoon. (B) Highlights
Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Belize vacation specialist. Contact : Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 11/08 |
|
Belize Vacations Search here for your Vacation, Tour or Cruise
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
