This classic Belize tour offers you the perfect balance between jungle and beach and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the diversity of Belize’s wildlife, Maya ruins and stunning beaches. You will venture into National Parks, visit ancient Maya sites and explore the Belize Barrier Reef; the 2nd largest in the world! This trip is suitable for any traveller, from families to couples and from the chillers to the more adventurous. This itinerary is an example of how you can spend your time exploring the amazing variety of sites in beautiful Belize.
A warm welcome awaits you at Belize International airport and a short transfer will bring you to your first adventure; a stunning boat ride through the New River lagoon to your first hotel. This is a fantastic way to start a holiday, with the chance of spotting wildlife en-route while your guide fills you in on the local flora and fauna. Perhaps you’ll see a flamingo, crocodile or keel-billed toucan! Settle in to your comfortable cabana and relax with a drink overlooking the lagoon.
Today you will have the chance to tour the Lamanai Maya site, which is right on your doorstep, with a knowledgeable local guide who will talk you through the fascinating history. You will also have plenty of time today to venture on any other tour or excursion that takes your fancy as each night stay at your lodge includes two off of their tour menu! Choose from guided hikes, guided boat rides, fishing, canoeing and a sunset cocktail cruise!
Today is at your leisure, which once again leaves you to choose from the amazing range of activities on offer. Your location is ideally suited to explore the verdant jungle, teeming with wildlife and also the vast lagoon. The bird life here is just astounding and you’re never far from an attentive guide who can talk you through species and their behaviours.
Today is an adventure day and another chance to delve deeper into the fascinating Maya history in the Belize jungle. The Xunantunich ruins are only an hours drive from your hotel so it won’t be long before you find yourself in front of the impressive 7th century AD Maya city, but not before you have successfully crossed the Mopan River in a hand-cranked cable ferry! After an informative and fascinating tour, you will be taken on to your final jungle lodge. Check in and then enjoy dinner as darkness sets in on the Elijio Panti National park, your home for the next 3 nights.
Wake up and enjoy breakfast with the most mesmerizing view of the river valley below, jungle and cliffs of the Elijio Panti National Park. Your time here will make a bird lover out of you, even if you didn’t know your parrot from your pigeon. The bird life is absolutely incredible and you don’t even have to make an effort to see toucans, hummingbirds and a favourite; the red legged honeycreeper! Spend the day relaxing, tubing down the spectacular Mopan River with rapids and all, explore one of the many trails, swim in the pool and take in the breathtaking views.
After another delicious breakfast, your guide will whisk you off for a moderately challenging hike into the National Park. The trail will lead you up to a summit which conveniently you can spot from the lodge (so you can see just how far you hiked whilst you sip on a cold drink that evening!). En-route, your tremendously knowledgeable guide will point out the flora and fauna of the lush and diverse jungle that surrounds you. After the well deserved views from the top, you will descend via a particularly unique and special swimming spot so you return to the lodge refreshed. Put your feet up, relax and enjoy another cosy evening before returning to a good nights jungle slumber.
After an early morning guided bird walk and a tasty breakfast, a private car will collect you and take you east, towards the Caribbean sea. Your 3 hour journey through the changing landscapes of Belize will be broken up by a tour of Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, arguably the most renowned attraction in Belize. These caves were once a ceremonial site for the Maya and still today hold relics from time passed. After, you will arrive at your beach retreat in laid-back Hopkins village. Take your shoes off and enjoy the barefoot luxury of a beachfront room in a gorgeous boutique hotel. Walk along the beach to find your scrumptious seafood dinner; spoil yourself with a local favourite; grilled lobster or conch and prawn curry.
A short stroll along the beach and you will find a delicious and luxurious breakfast with breathtaking sea views. Spend the day relaxing in a hammock on the beach or by the pool and unwind. Take advantage of your choice of activity; paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking and cycling all at your own leisure. Explore Hopkins village and overload your taste buds with the local dishes, like Huddut, of this Garifuna town. The Garifuna people are of African, Arawak and Carib Indian heritage and first arrived in Belize 200 years ago after fleeing the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. The unique Garifuna culture can be seen, heard and felt in Hopkins through the drumming, dance food and fishing.
Pack your snorkel and venture out to the Belize barrier reef with an experienced local guide. Explore the wonders of the underwater world in the world’s second largest barrier reef system. Stop off at an idyllic, remote atoll (island surrounded by coral reef) for lunch and luxuriate in your own slice of paradise. Head back to Hopkins and unwind into the evening.
Spend your last day exactly how you want to on this, your last day before heading home. If you’re feeling adventurous, a wide variety of trips can be arranged including fishing, drumming and Garifuna culture, cooking class or even zip-lining through the jungle canopy! Want to relax? Then melt into your beach hammock and get stuck into your book.
Enjoy your last breakfast and swim in Belize and then head off in a private transfer to Dangriga airport for a local flight back to the international airport for your flight home.
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