Compare Guatemala Adventure with Copan Ruins (Honduras) by SmarTours vs Belize Reef & Ruins by Exodus Travels

Day 1: USA/Guatemala.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Barcelo Hotel

Your exciting journey to exotic Guatemala and Honduras begins today with a direct flight to Guatemala City, the vibrant capital of Guatemala. Upon arrival you’ll be welcomed to the “land of eternal spring” and escorted to your centrally located upscale hotel. Later join your tour director for a briefing and welcome dinner.

Day 2: Yaxha & Topoxte Excursion.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Villa Maya (2014) or Camina Real Tikal (2015)

Early this morning board a short flight to Flores, in the Petén region, and travel by road into Guatemala’s northern rainforest. Here you’ll explore two significant but less visited Mayan sites. First discover Yaxha, a pre-Columbian city and ceremonial site for the Maya civilization. Excavations to unearth the magnificent ancient structures, including the only twin-pyramid complex found outside of Tikal, started some 10 years ago and are still ongoing. Proceed to the western part of Lake Yaxha and visit Topoxté, an island in the Yaxha Lagoon, where you’ll witness examples and learn how the Maya lived and defended themselves. Later arrive at your hotel. Villa Maya for 2014 departures and Camino Real Tikal for 2015 departures

Day 3: Tikal Excursion.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Villa Maya (2014) or Camina Real Tikal (2015)

Today travel back more than 2,000 years in time when you visit the ancient city of Tikal. One of the largest archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, Tikal was inhabited from 600 BC. to 869 AD. A local expert will introduce you to some of the jungle-clad ruins of palaces, temples, ball courts, and ceremonial platforms. Marvel at the impressive Twin-Pyramid complex, the Lost World Complex where the Great Pyramid is located, Temple III, the Palace of the Windows, the Great Plaza, the Pyramid of the Grand Jaguar, the Pyramid of the Masks and the Palace of the Nobles. You’ll also visit Pyramid IV, the highest of the Mayan pyramids, from which you may enjoy spectacular views of Tikal and the surrounding jungle. Return to your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax

Day 4: Rio Dulce.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Catamaran Hotel

After breakfast journey to Rio Dulce bridge, and board a scenic cruise of Rio Dulce, the “Sweet River”. While your motorboat navigates the river, savor the beautiful natural surroundings of thick forests and listen to the sounds of the howler monkeys and the aquatic birds. You’ll also see the enchanting Castillo de San Felipe on Lake Izabal, at the entrance to the Rio Dulce.Built in 1604, the castle was a Spanish colonial fort designed to prevent pirates from entering the lake from the Caribbean. Later arrive at your resort hotel located on a small river island and surrounded by exuberant tropical rainforest vegetation.

Day 5: Quirigua/Copan (Honduras).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Clarion Hotel

Your first stop today is the Mayan city of Quiriguá, located at the crossroads of several ancient trade routes. Marvel at the largest stone columns in the Maya world and ponder the ancient mysteries of this small city as you view the well-preserved portraits and texts on the columns that tell the fascinating story of a ruling dynasty once in competition with nearby Copán. This afternoon travel to the border and cross over to neighboring Honduras where your destination is the town of Copan. Clarion Hotel (B)

Day 6: Copan Ruins Excursion.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Clarion Hotel

Today tour the renowned pre-Columbian ruins of Copan, long protected by the jungle and often referred to as the “Athens of the Maya world”. The amazing complex, which flourished from the 5th to the 9th century AD consists of majestic temples and imposing plazas built on multiple levels. Witness the cultural achievements of the ancient Maya as you view the elaborate stone sculptures with detailed carvings and the well-preserved stone columns called stelae. As you walk into the dramatic expanse of the Great Plaza, you’ll encounter the greatest collection of Maya sculptures in Central America.

Day 7: Guatemala City/Lake Atitlan.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Porta Hotel del Lago

Copan this morning and re-enter Guatemala. Voyage through the breathtaking scenery of Guatemala’s central valley dotted by small Indian villages, lush pine forests and picturesque lakes and ascend the highlands region towards the capital, Guatemala City. Enjoy a guided orientation tour of the city before continuing by road to Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. With its crystalline-azure waters and gorgeous vistas of several area volcanoes, Lake Atitlán is the ideal place to experience Guatemalan folklore. The lake shore is inhabited by a dozen indigenous villages whose inhabitants still preserve their Maya heritage, customs and culture. Arrive at your ideally located lakeside hotel.

Day 8: Chicicastenango Excursion.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Porta Hotel del Lago

This morning travel to the nearby whitewashed town of Chichicastenango and visit the most picturesque and colorful open-air market in Guatemala. Hundreds of Indians from the surrounding area gather to sell handicrafts, textiles, candles, food, flowers and pottery. Spend some free time browsing the market for unique items and souvenirs. Later, witness the captivating ancient Maya ceremonies held on the steps and inside the 400-year old Church of Santo Tomás, built on a pre-Columbian temple platform. After lunch at a local inn return to your hotel at Lake Atitlan where the balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 9: Solola Market Excursion.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Porta Hotel del Lago

Today you’ll be treated to a visit that few foreigners experience, to the vibrant and authentic Sololá Market. The colorful market attracts every Friday locals from the surrounding villages, mostly Cakchiquel Indians who proudly retain their heritage. It is one of the few places where both men and women routinely wear their traditional Mayan dress that varies in fabric, color, pattern and the amount of embroidered motives. Women often carry their wares in the traditional Mayan market basket, balancing vegetables from their garden, tortillas, textiles or even a chicken that they hope to sell at market. The common blue plastic pans are scales used to compare the weight of different products. After time to explore at your own pace, return to your hotel at Lake Atitlan and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

Day 10: Antigua.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Villa Colonial Hotel (2014) or El Meson de Maria (2015)

After breakfast journey by road to nearby Antigua, arriving mid-morning. The most important and enchanting city of colonial Guatemala, Antigua was founded by the Spaniards in 1543 and is one of oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas. It is sure to mesmerize you with its wide cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings and beautiful natural setting. Your guided tour of the city includes a visit the Central Plaza that is surrounded by the 18th century Cathedral, the Municipal Government Building and the Palace of the Captains General. You’ll also see colonial churches and monasteries, primitive foot-looms where colorful textiles are woven and a jade workshop. The balance of the day is at leisure to discover Antigua’s hidden treasures at your own pace. This evening, your tour director hosts you and your fellow travelers for a sumptuous farewell dinner at a famous local restaurant. Villa Colonial Hotel for 2014 departures and El Meson de Maria for 2015 departures

Day 11: Antigua/USA.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning you’ll be escorted to nearby Guatemala City’s airport for your return flight home. Your memorable journey ends as you arrive Miami airport later today.

Day 1 Journey to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

Arrive in Belize and travel to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, named for the ‘crooked’ cashew trees that grow around the lagoon. Wetland areas weave throughout, providing a habitat for some 286 bird species, the migratory jabiru stork being the most famous. Crocodiles, monkeys, otters and freshwater turtles also reside here. It’s a peaceful destination with an interesting community and history; the village of Crooked Tree is thought to be the earliest European settlement in Belize. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge (or similar)

Day 2 Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary hike and sunset cruise

Wake up fresh to beautiful bird songs. In the morning, we join our guide to explore the on-site hiking trails, looking for the birds and other amazing animals that live here. Back at the lodge, we have lunch and relax. Later this afternoon, our wildlife tour continues with a three-hour guided sunset boat trip on the lagoon. Migratory birds tend to visit between December and May, but plenty of resident species are seen throughout the year. From our small boat, it’s easy to appreciate the tranquillity of the sanctuary. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 Boat ride to Lamanai Mayan temple

This morning, we venture by boat to the Mayan temple of Lamanai (meaning Submerged Crocodile) on the shores of the New River Lagoon. It is thought to be the largest Mayan ceremonial site in the region with more than 800 structures deep in the jungle. As we cruise, our guide points out the resident bird species and wildlife, including spider monkeys and crocodiles. We then explore the glories of the site, including the High Temple, where we can ascend 125ft (38m) to the top and take in breath-taking views of the complex. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge (or similar)

Day 4 Visit howler monkey sanctuary and float down the Caves Branch River

This morning, we head west to the town of San Ignacio. Along the way, we visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary, a grassroots conservation project that protects the endangered black howler monkey (there are no baboons in Belize, but this is the name used in the local Creole dialect). The reserve provides 20sqmi (52sqkm) of forest for the estimated 4,000 to 5,000 resident black howler monkeys – you’ll certainly hear their calls as you enter the sanctuary! Our adventure continues when, following a short river ford and hike, we each sit in an inflatable tube and float down the Caves Branch River. Our gentle journey takes us through a series of caves once thought to be Xibalba, the Mayan underworld. As we go, our local guide reveals the mysteries of life after death in the religion of the ancient Maya. After, we continue to San Ignacio, a laid-back town with a mixed population of Mestizo, Creole, Lebanese, Chinese and Mennonites. A great example of multicultural Belize. Accommodation: Cahal Pech Resort (or similar)

Day 5 Tour Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Today we take a break from the jungle and explore the scenic beauty of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. It was established in 1944 to protect and manage this unique Caribbean pine forest habitat and noticeably contrasts to the rest of the tropical country. We will take a nature walk on our way to explore the spectacular Rio Frio Cave – whose entrance alone is 65ft (20m) tall and opens into an immense cave chamber.  Afterwards we enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the scenic “Rio on Pools”, where a series of mini-waterfalls has worn the granite into inviting pools. Lunch will be followed by an opportunity to visit the pools (a great spot to cool off from the heat). The reserve is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-nosed coatis, tapirs, ocelots, cougars and jaguars. Resident birds include native stygian owls, blue-crowned motmots, king vultures, keel-billed toucans, parrots, bluebirds and woodpeckers, which are joined by visiting orange-breasted falcons and tanagers. We end the day with 2 unique experiences on our way back to San Ignacio.  First, we visit a Butterfly Farm that supports a local conservation project and is abuzz with hummingbirds.  Secondly, we will learn about and enjoy a craft coffee experience that incorporates Mayan harvesting and preparation techniques. Accommodation: Cahal Pech Resort (or similar)

Day 6 Free day for San Ignacio optional excursions

We have a free day to enjoy San Ignacio and the surrounding area. There is a range of optional activities, including a visit to the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (ATM for short). This popular full-day cave tour starts with a short swim into the Mayan underworld to view the Crystal Maiden, the crystalised skeleton of a young woman whose bones have calcified and now sparkle. San Ignacio is lovely to explore and there are short excursions available from town, including a chocolate tour or a walk amid the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech – see the Extra Expenses & Spending Money section of the Trip Notes for more. Accommodation: Cahal Pech Resort (or similar)

Day 7 Cross to Guatemala with Xunantunich exploration en route

On our way to the Guatemalan border, we visit Xunantunich, one of the most important Maya sites in Belize. The centre is composed of six major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The largest pyramid here, El Castillo, rises 130ft (40m) above the main plaza and offers an impressive panorama over the Mopan River valley and into Guatemala. After exploring, we cross into Guatemala where we meet an additional local guide, driver and vehicle to transfer us to our comfortable accommodations at the Tikal Jungle Lodge, where we spend the next two nights. Accommodation: Tikal Jungle Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 Tour the Mayan ruins of Tikal

We rise early to enjoy a sunrise tour of Unesco-listed Tikal, nearly 20sqmi (52sqkm) of classic ruins surrounded by the dense jungle of Petén. We take a tour of the city, visiting the main temples, palaces, squares, tombs, residences and religious monuments. The area was thought to support a population of 90,000 Mayans at its peak and there are some 3,000 separate buildings to explore. Tikal is also a superb area for observing jungle wildlife and visitors regularly see howler monkeys, spider monkeys, toucans, weaver birds, coatimundis and even tarantulas (if you know where to look and wish to find one!). After a full morning touring Tikal with our guide, we have lunch and return to the lodge to enjoy an evening soundtracked by the jungle. Accommodation: Tikal Jungle Lodge (or similar)

Day 9 Return to Belize; rum tour and Caye Caulker

We leave Guatemala this morning and journey back to Belize City. Here, we visit Travellers Liquors (home of the much-loved One Barrel Rum) for a history lesson in rum-making at their heritage centre. This features the bottling process, product sampling, Belizean cocktail-making tips, and opportunities to sample and purchase vintage-edition rum. We then head to the Belize City water taxi station where we take a boat to the Caribbean island paradise of Caye Caulker. Here lies the delicate coral of the Belize Barrier Reef, which provides food and shelter to a dizzying number of tropical fish, with manatees, nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles sharing the warm turquoise waters. Accommodation: La Isla Resort (or similar)

Day 10 Full day of snorkelling in Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Just off the southern part of Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize and a few minutes’ boat ride from Caye Caulker, is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (the name means Little Channel in Mayan and is named for the natural break in the reef here). This area is an important marine habitat, providing refuge for a huge number of fish, coral, several sea turtle species, West Indian manatees and two dolphin species. Nurse sharks also congregate in Shark Ray Alley, a popular dive site. Bring your waterproof camera, today we join a full-day snorkelling tour in the reserve to see a wide selection of the marine life in these tropical waters. Accommodation: La Isla Resort (or similar)

Day 11 Free day to enjoy Caye Caulker

Today has been left free to enjoy the laid-back spirit of Caye Caulker. Spend your day relaxing by the pool, the beach or take a stroll to explore this charming island town atop the reef.  Paddleboards and kayaks are also available free of charge from the hotel.  Don’t forget to grab a cold beverage as you watch the sun set on your Belizean adventure. Accommodation: La Isla Resort (or similar)

Day 12 Transfer to Belize City; end

This morning, we wave goodbye to our island paradise and return to Belize City by water taxi and begin our return journeys home. If you’d like to spend more time in or Caye Caulker, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.