12 Day Culture & Adventure in Guatemala & Belize

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Guatemala
Depart for Guatemala. Arrive in Guatemala City and transfer to Antigua, nestled in the forested hills of southern Guatemala
Overnight: Antigua

DAY 2, Sunday - Coffee Tour, Antigua's Indigenous Communities, Casa Santo Domingo
Today, get a glimpse into the history of coffee, its production, and what makes the perfect brew during a tour of a coffee farm. At the conclusion of the visit, taste a fresh cup of coffee. Then, visit indigenous communities outside Antigua, including Jocotenango, Ciudad Vieja and San Antonio Aguas Calientes. Learn about their history, culture and traditions, and savor a home hosted lunch. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Casa Santo Domingo. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by dinner
Overnight: Antigua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3, Monday - Travel to Rio Dulce, Archaeological Park & Ruins of Quiriguá
Departing Antigua this morning, head east towards Rio Dulce. Following lunch en route, visit the Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quiriguá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View the 35 foot stela, the tallest known Mayan stela. Later, continue the drive to Rio Dulce. Arrive and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Rio Dulce
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Tuesday - Discover Livingston
Begin the day with a boat ride down the river to Livingston, an Afro-Caribbean town with a unique blend of culture. Stop to visit Ak' Tenamit, a Cultural and Educational Center for indigenous Q'eqchi' Maya people. After, continue to Livingston, located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. Savor lunch prepared by the community Maya Q'eqchi'. Learn the secrets of making Tapado, a traditional Guatemalan seafood soup. Then, take an orientation tour of the town. Later, return by boat to Rio Dulce with time at leisure
Overnight: Rio Dulce
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Wednesday - Flores, Lake Peten Itza
Depart Rio Dulce this morning and travel to Flores, located on Lake Peten Itza. Board a boat to reach the small island. Then, take a walking tour of the town with its pastel-colored buildings, cobblestone streets and Central Plaza. Browse the shops for local handicrafts. Later, check into the hotel for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Flores
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday - Tikal National Park
A thrilling day of exploration awaits! Journey to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, a large archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, located at the center of a 222-square-mile national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An exhilarating jungle hike leads you through the ruins. View the impressive structures of this ancient civilization, as you visit sites that include the Twin-Pyramid complex, the Lost World Complex (where the Great Pyramid is located), and the Great Plaza. After lunch at the park, free time to explore on your own. Perhaps climb to the top of Pyramid IV, the highest of the Mayan pyramids, from which you will have a panoramic view of Tikal and its surrounding jungle. Afterward, return to your hotel
Overnight: Flores
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Friday - Yaxha National Park, Border Crossing to Belize, San Ignacio
Explore the ancient city of Yaxha, a former Maya ceremonial center, perched on a ridge overlooking Yaxha Lake. This impressive archaeological site encompasses ball courts, several plazas, multiple pyramids, stelae and altars. Opportunity to climb one of the temples for panoramic views of the area. Following lunch, travel to Melchor de Mencos. After border formalities, you cross from Guatemala into Belize, continuing on to San Ignacio. Arrive at the hotel with time to relax before dinner
Overnight: San Ignacio
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Saturday - Jaguar Paw Cave Tubing
Depart for Jaguar Paw Cave. On arrival, take a short hike along a jungle trail to reach the waters and embark on a tubing excursion. Float down the river though a series of underground caves and explore limestone stalactite formations. The ancient Mayans used this subterranean system to reach Xibalba, their sacred underworld. After a picnic lunch, return to the hotel, followed by an evening at leisure
Overnight: San Ignacio
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Sunday - Belize Zoo, Ferry to Caye Caulker Island
Morning departure from San Ignacio towards Belize City. On arrival, visit the Belize Zoo. Later, board a ferry to the island of Caye Caulker. This Caribbean island is surrounded by the biodiverse Belize Barrier Reef. Arrive at your resort hotel in time for a lunch of Belizean dishes. Spend the afternoon at leisure
Overnight: Caye Caulker
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Monday - Enchanting Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Today, take a catamaran tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, known for its coral reefs and abundant marine life. Come face to face with docile nurse sharks and southern stingrays at the feeding grounds of Shark Ray Alley. Afterward, head to Coral Gardens for snorkeling. View a maze of colorful hard and soft corals along with a variety of bright-colored fish. Continue to Sunken Barge, where you view coral and many species of fish. Lunch is included during the tour. Return to Caye Caulker. Spend time at leisure, before dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Caye Caulker
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Tuesday - Discover Belize City
After a leisurely morning, transfer by ferry in the afternoon to Belize City with its Caribbean charm. Embark on a panoramic city tour and learn about the former capital city of Belize, founded in the 1600s by the British. Afterward, check into your hotel. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your Tour Manager and share wonderful memories of your journey
Overnight: Belize City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Wednesday - Depart Belize
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast