Classic Belize & Tikal

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Cross the border into Guatemala and continue on to Flores. Notice the difference in culture, with the heavy Mayan influence and Spanish language. Enter Guatemala at the northeast jungle Petén region. The descendants of the Maya of Chichén Itzá migrated to the Petén area several centuries after the collapse of the great Mayan cities in the Yucatán.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Tikal archaeological site. Return to Flores and choose to relax or go for a swim in Lake Petén Itzá.

• Swimming: Grab your bathing suit and go for a refreshing swim.

Cross back into Belize and the town of San Ignacio, and enjoy a free afternoon to explore or choose from optional activities like a visit to the nearby ruins of Xunantunich.

• Xunantunich Visit: Hike to the top of this impressive 9th-century Maya centre, set high on a natural limestone ridge, and admire the view of the Mopan River, Cayo District and neighbouring Guatemalan countryside. The tallest temple, El Castillo, is partially excavated and explored and there’s a unique stucco frieze on the east side of the structure. Discover why Xunantunich is Belize’s most visited site with intricately carved stellae, 25 temples, and well-preserved palaces.
• Horseback Riding: Choose from one of the 45 horses at Hannah's Stables and ride over farm trails and forested paths, all the way along the river to the Mayan site of Xunantunich. Enjoy a short guided tour of the site before taking a different trail back to the stables. Watch for native birds, including toucans and parrots, listen for howler monkeys, admire orchids and fruit trees and breathe in the fresh air of the Belize countryside.

Take a free day to choose from a long list of optional activities from San Ignacio. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal, check out Barton Creek Cave, Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, or the visit the ancient ruins of Caracol or Xunantunich.

• Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Visit: The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave has only been open to the public since 1998. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see up to 1400 artifacts, including pottery, tools and vessels used by the Maya for a thousand years. Hike 45 minutes to the cave entrance, wade/swim through deep pools, past calcite formations, to explore this damp, dark place of ritual and sacrifice. With a helmet and headlamp, see the skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden,” a young girl whose bones have calcified over the past 1,100 years, making them appear to sparkle.
• Xunantunich Visit: Hike to the top of this impressive 9th-century Maya centre, set high on a natural limestone ridge, and admire the view of the Mopan River, Cayo District and neighbouring Guatemalan countryside. The tallest temple, El Castillo, is partially excavated and explored and there’s a unique stucco frieze on the east side of the structure. Discover why Xunantunich is Belize’s most visited site with intricately carved stellae, 25 temples, and well-preserved palaces.
• Barton Creek Cave Canoeing: Strap on a headlamp, step in the canoe and paddle along an ancient Mayan waterway inside the Barton Creek Cave. Bring your camera to take memorable photos of cathedral rock chambers, stalactites and stalagmites. Upon return, opt to swim at Big Rock Falls.
• Caracol Ruins Tour: Set within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, prepare to be wowed by Caracol. It’s the largest known Maya site in Belize and was once home to an estimated 180,000 people. The site was discovered in the 1920's by a logger looking for mahogany. One of its pyramids, Canaa or “Sky Place”, built in 800 AD and standing 43m (143 ft), continues to be the tallest man-made structure in the country. Bring your walking shoes, water and a sunhat because there’s lots to see here. Tombs, temples, altars, carved stelae and other stone monuments – it’s well worth the effort and easy to be impressed.
• Cave Tubing: Hike through the lush subtropical forest to the entrances of remarkable limestone caves within the mountains. Jump into crystal blue waters, tube down stream, enjoy a cool swim in refreshing therapeutic cave waters in a natural pool formed between two cave entrances, float through some rapids, view sparkling cave formations and learn of cave geology and Maya history during the tour.
• Horseback Riding: Choose from one of the 45 horses at Hannah's Stables and ride over farm trails and forested paths, all the way along the river to the Mayan site of Xunantunich. Enjoy a short guided tour of the site before taking a different trail back to the stables. Watch for native birds, including toucans and parrots, listen for howler monkeys, admire orchids and fruit trees and breathe in the fresh air of the Belize countryside.

Travel by bus and boat to beautiful Caye Caulker, where "go slow" is the island's motto. Later, explore the island on the G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Enjoy tons of optional activities that will keep you busy here for days.

• Sunset Sailing Boat Tour: Set sail just before sunset. Relax with reggae music and rum punch, snack on shrimp ceviche and snap a few photos as you sail around the island as the sun sets to the west of Caye Caulker.

With free time today, choose to snorkel in the vibrant waters of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to colorful coral and marine life, or simply unwind and soak up the laid-back Belizean vibe.

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve Day Tour: Explore the oldest marine reserve in Belize with a full-day tour filled with snorkelling and sightseeing. The tour includes stops at three popular snorkelling destinations – the Hol Chan Channel, Shark and Ray Alley, and Coral Gardens. Stop at two additional viewing spots to marvel at tarpon and manatees. Expect to see an abundance of angelfish, blue-stripped grunts, schoolmaster snappers, and hundreds of other varieties of species in their natural surroundings. Keep your eyes peeled to see green moray eels poking out from their tiny caves. Tour Includes: snorkeling mask, fins/flippers, lunch, assortment of tropical fruit, water, and other snacks.
• Sunset Sailing Boat Tour: Set sail just before sunset. Relax with reggae music and rum punch, snack on shrimp ceviche and snap a few photos as you sail around the island as the sun sets to the west of Caye Caulker.
• Fishing: Cast a line and see what you can reel in. Fish for snapper, barracuda, horse-eye jack and more. Bring your catch to any local restaurant and have them gut and grill it just for you. Buy the rest of dinner and some drinks and enjoy! It doesn’t get any fresher than this. (250-450 USD per person)
• Bike with Purpose Rental: Rent a bike from the G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose project on Caye Caulker and cycle around the island out to the split and back. It's a great way to get some exercise and see the sights on this laid-back island. Don't forget to bring water and wear lots of sunscreen. (1-30 USD per person)

Continue to explore Caye Caulker and its water or land-based activities during free time.

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve Day Tour: Explore the oldest marine reserve in Belize with a full-day tour filled with snorkelling and sightseeing. The tour includes stops at three popular snorkelling destinations – the Hol Chan Channel, Shark and Ray Alley, and Coral Gardens. Stop at two additional viewing spots to marvel at tarpon and manatees. Expect to see an abundance of angelfish, blue-stripped grunts, schoolmaster snappers, and hundreds of other varieties of species in their natural surroundings. Keep your eyes peeled to see green moray eels poking out from their tiny caves. Tour Includes: snorkeling mask, fins/flippers, lunch, assortment of tropical fruit, water, and other snacks.
• Bike Rental: Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.
• Guided Kayak Trip: Follow a guide on a sea kayak tour around the southern portion of Caye Caulker. Paddle around the mangroves and try to spot some of the unique wildlife in the area. (15-20 USD per person)
• Fishing: Cast a line and see what you can reel in. Fish for snapper, barracuda, horse-eye jack and more. Bring your catch to any local restaurant and have them gut and grill it just for you. Buy the rest of dinner and some drinks and enjoy! It doesn’t get any fresher than this. (250-450 USD per person)
• Sunset Sailing Boat Tour: Set sail just before sunset. Relax with reggae music and rum punch, snack on shrimp ceviche and snap a few photos as you sail around the island as the sun sets to the west of Caye Caulker.

Depart at any time.

This trip finishes on Caye Caulker, which is located 1 hr by water taxi from Belize City (an additional 30 min by taxi to the airport). There are frequent ferry departures between 7:30am and 5pm. You can purchase your return ferry ticket easily once you get to Caye Caulker. If flying out of Belize City today, please ensure to book your departure flight after 11:30am to allow for enough time to reach the airport.