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You Better Belize It: A Family Adventure

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Detailed Trip Description

When families join Journeys guide-extraordinaire Luis Godoy for this nine-day trip packed with activity, adventure and surprise in magnificent Belize, participants of all ages are always thoroughly delighted. Not only does Luis have complete comfort in the rain forest, encyclopedic knowledge of the orchids and tropical birds and reptiles, and total command of Mayan lore, but he communicates these with an energy, passion and joy rarely matched by guides anywhere. He makes everything fun. The itinerary below was designed as a labor of love by Luis and Journeys specialists Florine Herendeen and Lene Minder. All activities can be adjusted for the skills and interests of the group. First, spend four nights at one of the greenest, most family friendly nature lodges in Cayo District, canoe or tube on the Macal River, explore Barton Cave, ride horseback in the rain forest and climb Maya pyramids at Xunantunich and Tikal. For a striking contrast, transfer to Punta Gorda on the Caribbean coast, far from other tourists. Snorkel the reef, spend the day with a family on their cocoa plantation, and jump into the waterfall pools at Rio Blanco National Park.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Belize City

 
Welcome to Belize!
Private Car Service

Upon arrival in Belize City, you will be met by your guide and transferred a short distance (approx. 2 hours) to your rain forest lodge where you will spend the next few days.

Belize City Private Car Service picture
Food and Dining

Arriving in the late afternoon, you will have some time to freshen up before dinner to take in the spectacular natural surroundings of your lodge.
Meals: Dinner


Day 2 - Belize City

 
Xunantunich - River Tubing or Canoeing.
Sightseeing

Recent discoveries show that Xunantunich, a Mayan archeological site also known as the Stone Woman, survived the collapse of the Classic Mayan Period by up to 200 years. This morning you will get to climb the towering heights of the tallest ruin and see the panoramic view from the top. But, watch your step - the stairs are very steep!

Belize City Sightseeing picture
Canoeing

Grab a tube or canoe this afternoon and float down the river. Look for the basking iguanas and fluttering parrots overheard as you drift along.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 3 - Belize City

 
Horseback Riding - Barton Creek Cave.
Horseback Riding

Saddle up at the Equestrian Center and enjoy a two hour morning horseback ride through the rain forest’s stunning scenery. Teak trees, iguanas and many species of birds will catch your eye. *Routes are available for all levels of riding experience*.

Belize City Horseback Riding picture
Food and Dining

Stop for lunch at the ranch lodge.

Canoeing

In the afternoon, transfer deeper into Belize to the river and cave entrance at Barton Creek. With canoes and spotlights, you will float through beautiful cave formations where you can see remains from ancient Mayan rituals.

Hotel

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 4 - Tikal

 
Sightseeing

Once the grand capital of the Mayan world, Tikal may be the most impressive site in all of the Americas. In Guatemala, just two hours from your Belize lodge, these famous ruins lie in a vast rain forest sanctuary rich with bird and animal life.

Tikal Sightseeing picture
Historical and Educational Tours

Wonder at the Great Plaza, the 200-foot temple pyramids, the mazes of courtyards and tiny rooms and extensive areas of ruins still under jungle cover. Fifteen hundred years ago, the population here was 100,000, but in 900 AD, the civilization collapsed.

Hiking

Hike, climb or just meditate on the mesmerizing structures. You’ll learn a tremendous amount, and leave pondering the same questions that engage archaeologists and scholars today.

Hotel

Return to your lodge by evening.
*For those not wanting to go to Tikal, other activities will be available.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 5 - Punta Gorda

 
Commercial Flight

The flight to Punta Gorda will allow you to see Belize’s amazing landscape below. Marvel at the vast blue waters of the ocean or the beautiful green foliage that seems to extend beyond the horizon.

Punta Gorda Commercial Flight picture
Hotel

Upon arrival in Punta Gorda, you will be met by a representative of the lodge who will transfer you to your accommodations for the next four nights. Once you check-in, you can relax and enjoy lunch with views of the rain forest canopy and the surrounding area.

Kayaking

In the afternoon, work off your full belly with a kayaking or tubing trip on the river.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 6 - Punta Gorda

 
Port of Honduras - Snorkeling the Reef.
Sailboat & Yacht Charter

Board a local boat this morning for a trip down the Rio Grande (approx. 1 hour) into the Port of Honduras, which is a protected area on the Caribbean coastline. Once out at sea, travel another half hour to the reef. Along the way, you will see Caribbean marine life, inner coastal coral formations, and possibly even turtles and manatee.

Punta Gorda Sailboat & Yacht Charter picture
Snorkeling

Here, you will enjoy snorkeling and a picnic lunch on a small Caye (island). All day you will be able to spot different species of rare birds and other animals both on land and amongst the coral reefs, which are the largest in the western hemisphere.

Hotel

Return to the lodge for your overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 7 - Punta Gorda

 
Chocolate Tour - Blue Creek Cave.
Sightseeing

Introduce yourself to the makers of chocolate at a family run farm in a Kek’chi Maya Village. Your host for the day, Juan Cho, is a trained tour guide as well as owner of an organic cocoa plantation. Juan sells his beans to the Toledo Cacao Growers Association which ships the beans to Green & Black in the UK. There, they are used to produce Green & Black’s signature Mayan Gold chocolate bars, the very first fair trade product.

Punta Gorda Sightseeing picture
Sightseeing

You will be taken to visit the plantation on the banks of the Moho river where Juan will explain his organic farming methods and you may help in the tasks of the day.

Hiking

This afternoon, you will put your headlights on for a cave experience like no other! Hike along the river over rocks and boulders to the entrance of this wet cave. With your guide and headlamp, you will swim into the cave and observe the sparkling mica-studded stalagmite and stalactite formations.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 8 - Punta Gorda

 
Rio Blanco National Park - Lubaantun.
National Parks

Located in the Maya Mountain Reserve, Rio Blanco National Park is a family fun favorite. With an impressive 100 foot wide, 20 foot high waterfall as your backdrop, jump off of a 25 foot high cliff into the deep pool below.

Punta Gorda National Parks picture
Hiking

Hike the nature trails and look for the residential and migratory birds, terrestrial mammals, and some interesting insects.

Sightseeing

After a picnic lunch, head to Lubaantun Ruins. Believed to have been an administrative, religious, and political center, Lubaantun was mainly used for occasional festivals, ball games, and other ceremonies. Wander freely though the site and imagine how it would have been hundreds of years ago.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 9 - Belize City

 
Punta Gorda - Belize City - Onward.
Airport Transfer

Sadly, say goodbye this morning to Belize and your guide. Then you will be transferred to the Punta Gorda Airport for your flight to Belize City and your international flight home.
Meals: Breakfast

Belize City Airport Transfer picture

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