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Immerse yourself in Mayan history and culture on this 8-day "Belize and Guatemala Explorer" tour. Spend a day horseback riding in the jungle or visiting Xunantunich, one of Belize's most important Mayan ruins. Enjoy a relaxing tour through Barton Creek Cave or a more adventurous cave adventure, hiking through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and exploring Actun Tunichil Muknal, the Cave of the Stone Sepulchre. Here, amongst beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, see numerous cultural artifacts used by the Maya in their ritual ceremonies, and view the remains of a Maya princess as she was laid to rest centuries ago. Finish up your time in the jungle with a day trip to Tikal, the greatest of all classic Mayan cities in Guatemala. End your trip with three days at our luxurious beachside hotel on Ambergris Caye. Here you can spend your days snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and sailing. This trip is a wonderful vacation packed with jungle adventure, ruins and beach relaxation -- a tantalizing taste of what Belize has to offer along with the spectacular ruins of Tikal in Guatemala in just 8 days.
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No experience is required for this trip.
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Space is limited. A non-refundable deposit of $500 will guarantee your reservation. Full payment is due by November 24, 2007. For itineraries, more information or to register for this trip, contact our tour operator, at:
Global Adrenaline, Inc.
Email: UGA@globaladrenaline.com
or
Toll-free in USA: 1-866-884-5622
Outside USA: 1-312-863-6300
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| Monkey in the trees. (Belize) |
February 24 – March 2, 2008
double rooms – $2,595 per person
single rooms – $3,595 per person
- Global Adrenaline tour leader
- local Belizean and Guatemalan guides
- domestic Belize City – Ambergris Caye – Belize City flights
- airport transfers
- accommodation: 4 nights in jungle lodge and 3 nights at Ambergris Caye luxury beach hotel
- meals as indicated (B=breakfast is included, L=lunch is included, D=dinner is included)
- activities as indicated in the itinerary
- transportation as indicated in the itinerary
- entrance fees to national parks, historical sites and museums
- international flights (approximately $600 to $800 for USA – Belize City - USA flights)
- international airport departure tax ($20)
- optional beach tours ($35-210)
- meals not included (approximately $65)
- beverages (discretionary)
- tips and gratuities (discretionary)
- travel insurance (discretionary)
- phone calls, laundry and other items of a purely personal nature (discretionary)
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| Jaguar. (Belize) |
We will meet you at the Belize International Airport and transfer you to our rainforest lodge. Our driver will take us to our rainforest lodge (1 hour 30 minutes drive) with an optional visit to the Belize Zoo on the way. Once we arrive, we will check into the lodge. We have not planned any activities for today so we can just settle into the lodge and begin to soak in the relaxed Belizean lifestyle. We will enjoy dinner and evening activities at our rainforest lodge. (D)
Today we will have our choice of one of two rainforest adventure activities. For those interested in a more relaxing time, relaxation at our rainforest lodge is heavenly! After our day of activities, we will enjoy dinner and the evening at our rainforest lodge. (B, L, D)
- Jungle Horseback Riding: In the morning we will take a jungle horseback ride. The increased height provided by the horses creates a new perspective on the rainforest ecology. We will horseback ride for 2-3 hours through the lush jungle trails. This option is suitable for all levels of riders.
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| Xunantunich. (Belize) |
Cayo West and Xunantunich Today we begin our jungle adventure a visit to Xunantunich, one of Belize's most important Mayan ruins and a visit to another Mayan ruin named Cahal Pech. We will also have a brief tour through the town of San Ignacio and some time to shop a bit on the way back to the lodge.
Today we will have our choice of one of two different cave trips. The Actun Tunichil Muknal tour is wonderful (see description below), but is physically demanding and involves climbing over rocks, squeezing through small spaces, walking through water up to your chest, etc. If you would prefer an easier and more relaxing cave tour, the Barton Creek Cave is a better option. Both tours are magnificent, but the Actun Tunichil Muknal is much more physically rigorous and is definitely not for everyone. After a day of caving, we will enjoy dinner and spend the evening at our rainforest lodge. (B, L, D)
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| Actun Cave. (Belize) |
Actun Tunichil Muknal: If you are into adventure – this is it!! Actun Tunichil Muknal, the Cave of the Stone Sepulchre, is located near Teakettle Village in the Cayo District. The cave is an hour's drive from San Ignacio followed by a 45-minute nature hike. The hike includes three stream crossings and goes through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve which is 6,700 acres in size. Witness spectacular visions of the jungle, Maya Mountains and wildlife while trekking across rivers and remote jungle trails. Wildlife in the area includes tapir, jaguar, howler monkey and the white tailed-deer. At the cave's entrance we will gear up with helmets and waterproof headlamps. Then we will wade into the emerald colored water flowing from the cave's gaping mouth. In this remote cave we will see burial chambers with calcified remains, ceremonial vessels and much more. We will observe numerous cultural artifacts used by the Maya in their ritual ceremonies, and see the remains of a Maya princess as she was laid to rest centuries ago. The caves are full of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Because artifacts are often looted from caves following their discovery, passage through this cave remains known to only to a few select guides who have permission from the Belize Department of Archeology to take visitors into this special cave. To this day the cave has not been looted and nearly all of the cultural artifacts have remained in place as they were originally found in 1989. This tour is physically demanding and requires climbing over rocks, squeezing through small spaces, walking through water up to your chest, climbing over ledges, etc. This is not a tour for anyone with a fear of heights or tight spaces. This tour will depart at 9:00am and return at 5:00pm.
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| Underground river running. (Belize) |
Barton Creek Cave: The trip starts with an adventurous drive towards the Mountain Pine Ridge, along the Chiquibul Road and through a picturesque Dutch Mennonite Amish farm community. Once you arrive at the cave, board your canoe and enjoy the ride. Sit back, relax and glide through a remote underground water cave system in a canoe equipped with powerful spotlights. You will marvel at the amazing formations inside the huge cave believed by the Maya to be the Underworld, "Xibalba", (pronounced SheeBALba) the kingdom of their gods. Float under stalactites, see ancient skeletons and pottery and prepare to be awestruck by cathedral-like caverns. It is believed that the Maya once used this cave for ritual burials. Your guide will point out a skull, and tell you that a skeleton was found here in the kneeling position, assumed to be a young virgin kneeling as she was sacrificed to attract the rain god. Marvel at the 5 million year old speleothems over 50 feet high as your knowledgeable guide explains the Maya's beliefs about the underworld. Speleothems are cave features created after the underground chamber has been formed. They are a result of slow-moving water, usually containing calcium carbonate, which has been dissolved from the limestone where the cave was formed. When this water enters the cave, a chemical change causes the calcium carbonate to precipitate (harden), creating all manner of cave formations and features. From the cave's entrance it is about a mile through the cave to the stopping point. There are also wonderful views of beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations and a chance to swim in the cave's cool waters by a small waterfall inside the cave. This is a great alternative if you would like a less physically demanding and more relaxing cave tour. This tour will depart at 9:00am and return at 2:00pm.
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| Tikal. (Guatemala) |
After an early morning breakfast at our rainforest lodge, we will embark upon a full day trip to Tikal, Guatemala. Tikal, the greatest of all classic Mayan cities, is located in Guatemala, about 50 miles northwest of the Belize/Guatemala border. Set in the jungle canopy, the site today consists of over 3,000 buildings, including a handful of impressively tall temples that tower above the forest. The ancient Maya began building Tikal around 600 B.C. At one point an estimated 100,000 Maya thrived in this ancient city. Tikal was one of the greatest centers of Maya culture and sprawled over 46 square miles. It was an important religious, scientific, and political center. Pyramids to honor dead kings were built, administrative buildings rose, storage houses appeared and houses for royalty were carved out of the jungle.
The site of Tikal is a national park, where the native flora and fauna still flourish relatively undisturbed. In addition to its numerous well excavated temples and pyramids, Tikal presents an excellent opportunity for animal and bird watching. Today, the pristine forest engulfing the ruined city is home to howler and spider monkeys, white-lipped peccary, brocket deer, gray foxes, coati-mundis, toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, ocelots, red coatis and the seldom seen jaguar. The combination of archaeological remains and the natural environment of the Peten Jungle makes Tikal the only place in the world that has been declared both a Natural and Cultural Heritage for Humanity. We will return to our rainforest lodge for the evening for dinner and the final night in the jungle. (B, L, D)
After a leisurely morning relaxing or enjoying a last chance at the jungle activities at our rainforest lodge, we will enjoy one last lunch in the rainforest. We will then transfer to the Belize City Municipal Airport for a 15-minute flight over crystal Caribbean waters to Ambergris Caye. After we arrive at the San Pedro Airport, we will transfer to our beach resort. Once we reach our beach resort, we will settle into this beautiful beachside hotel and relax into the Belizean spirit. We will spend our days at the beach on Ambergris Caye snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing or just relaxing on the beautiful white sand beaches. Dinner is on our own tonight. We will spend the next three nights on Ambergris Caye at our luxury beach hotel. (B, L)
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| Snorkeling. (Belize) |
Today is a free day of relaxation at the beach. At our beach resort we will find tours and activities for almost everyone. We can explore the island by bicycle, rent a catamaran or just sunbathe on the beach. We might snorkel the largest reef in the western hemisphere or travel deep into the rainforest again to explore ancient Mayan ruins. Divers may decide to book a double tank dive trip nearby – or perhaps a full day trip to the Blue Hole, North Turneffe Island or Turneffe Elbow. A full list of optional activities which can be booked in advance with Global Adrenaline is below. The island has plenty of services for daytime adventure and nighttime dining. Tonight, dinner is own our own. We will spend the night at our luxury beach hotel. (B)
OPTIONAL BEACH TOURS
Mexico Rocks Snorkeling (extra $35): One of the best snorkeling sites on the island is Mexico Rocks. Scattered coral heads are home for a variety of marine life. With shoals of snapper, wrasse and grunt adding color against a background of sea fans and vase sponges, this is a great site for underwater photography. Anemones, scallops, tube worms, shrimp and eels shelter in the coral, giving lots of opportunities for macro shots. Maximum depth 12 feet. This trip cost does not include the snorkeling equipment rental fee and park entrance fee payable on the morning of the tour. Minimum number of participants = 4.
Altun Ha Mayan Ruins (extra $140): This trip begins with a boat ride to the mainland. You will then have a snack breakfast on board and head up the Northern River to the village of Bomba. Along the way you'll have the chance to see crocodiles, exotic birds, tropical fauna and other denizens of the jungle river environment. At Bomba, road transportation awaits for a short trip overland to the ruins of Altun Ha. Lunch and soft drinks will be served. We will return to our beach resort in time to freshen up before dinner. The cost of this tour does not include park entrance fees.
Lamanai Mayan Ruins (extra $155): This trip begins with a boat ride to the mainland. You will then have a snack breakfast on board and head up the Northern River to the village of Bomba. Along the way you'll have the chance to see crocodiles, exotic birds, tropical fauna and other denizens of the jungle river environment. At Bomba, road transportation awaits to another jungle riverboat for Lamanai. We will enjoy a served lunch at the site of Lamanai before returning to our beach resort in time to freshen up before dinner. The cost of this tour does not include park entrance fees.
Blue Hole Scuba Diving (extra $210): Come aboard the Miss Mel, our superb Pro 48 dive boat and experience some of the most spectacular diving possible at the world famous Great Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef, renowned for its sheer walls and impressive drop-offs. This trip is a full-day excursion that departs at 5:30am and returns at 5:30pm. This adventure includes three spectacular dives, breakfast, lunch and all soft drinks. Your first stop will be the Blue Hole, a 1,000 foot circular coral reef that drops 400 feet into an incredible cavern filled with stalactites and awe - inspiring natural formations. A limited variety of fish species can be found here, Lemon and Black-tip Sharks, Horse-eye Jacks and very rarely a lone Hammerhead Shark has been sighted. On your second dive you will go to Half Moon Caye Wall and marvel at the abundance of its marine life. Numerous varieties of sponge and sea fans compete for space, amongst a profusion of coral species that include Mountain Star, Giant Brain, Staghorn and Lettuce Coral. Turtles are common here and you can expect amazing encounters with many pelagics: Lemon, Black-Tip and Bull Sharks (with Pilot fish always in attendance), alongside the beautiful Spotted Eagle Rays. The surface interval between your second and third dives will be spent having a leisurely beach picnic lunch on Half Moon Caye. This Caye is a sanctuary for Red-footed Booby and Frigate birds. There is an observation tower where it is possible to see all the nesting birds and observe the behavior of some of the 98 species of birds recorded here. Half Moon Caye is one of the most beautiful marine and terrestrial sites you will ever experience. After relaxing on the palm-fringed beach, you are ready for your third dive at the Aquarium, so called because of the tremendous variety of fish found at this site, and their abundant numbers. You will be surrounded by various Angelfish and Butterfly fish, always found in pairs, flitting from coral head to coral head. Millions of minnows swim in dense cloudlike formations, occasionally being prayed upon by hungry Jacks, and single large Barracuda hover effortlessly in this fruitful hunting ground, an underwater video delight. Price does not include the cost of renting your dive equipment or park entrance fees.
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| Relax on the beach. (Belize) |
Today we will spend the day on a snorkeling excursion to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley and nearby Caye Caulker. We will start the day with snorkeling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, known to have the most prolific fish life on the reef. Nurse sharks and stingrays were originally attracted to this site where fishermen used to clean their catch. The underwater world includes sea turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks and hundreds of species of fish, coral, and sponges that create one of the world's most diverse underwater ecosystems. The maximum depth is 10 feet. We will then travel to Caye Caulker where we will enjoy time relaxing on the beach or strolling through the lobster fishing village. We will have lunch on our own on Caye Caulker. Tonight, we will have one last dinner on our own. We will spend a final night at our luxury beach hotel. (B)
After breakfast, we will relax for one last morning on the beach before departing for our transfers back to the San Pedro Airport. From here, we will fly to the Belize International Airport to connect to our flights home. (B)
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Please note that at least one participant of a registered group in the Belize and Guatemala Explorer program should have an active membership in the UGA Alumni Association. For more information about single memberships, joint memberships or life memberships, and to find out more information about the programs, services and member benefits of the UGA Alumni Association, please call 1-800-606-8786 or 1-706-542-2251, or please visit us on the web at www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni
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