Belize

Day 1:  Arrive Belize City, Belize
Welcome to Belize!  You are met on arrival at the Belize International Airport by a representative of your resort.  Settle in to your private vehicle and relax as you drive 90 minutes to the lushly landscaped Ka’ana Boutique Resort & Spa, your home for the next five nights.  A complimentary bottle of champagne will be waiting for you in your room upon arrival.  Ka’ana Boutique Resort – Casita (D)

Day 2:  San Ignacio – Actun Tunichil Muknal
Today you are the explorer.  Discover Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve with a prominent archaeologist, who has personally excavated Belize’s major sites.  You’ll hike through jungle to the cave, swim into it, and crawl through the tunnels to one of the most preserved and protected Mayan sites in the world.  In this dark and dramatic setting, you are immersed in the history and the ceremony of a significant period of Mayan civilization.  Ka'ana Boutique Resort – Casita (B,L,D)

Day 3:  Guatemala – Tikal
Today’s special focus is Tikal, “City of Echoes,” the largest known city remaining from the ancient Maya civilization.  It comprises Guatemala’s largest protected area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It is considered to be the greatest metropolis in the Mayan Kingdom.  According to UNESCO:  “At its height, AD 700-800, the city supported a population of 90,000 Mayan Indians.  There are “over 3,000 separate buildings dating from 600 BC to AD 900, including temples, residences, religious monuments decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions and tombs.  Excavations have yielded remains of cotton, tobacco, beans, pumpkins, peppers and many fruits of pre-Columbian origin.”  Large areas are still to be excavated.  Tikal, rather like Peru’s Inca Machu Picchu, possesses a certain magic and majesty.  The Mayan deserted the site over 1,000 years ago, and the site was reclaimed by the jungle over the centuries.  Only stories of a lost city survived among the Indians.  It was rediscovered in 1848 by a gum collector, or chiclero.  This archaeological treasure encompasses about 222 square miles of jungle around its ceremonial center.  Remains of dwellings are scattered throughout the surrounding countryside.  Much of the site remains unearthed.  After exploring this amazing gem with your private guide, you return to Belize and your resort.  Ka'ana Boutique Resort – Casita (B,L,D)

Day 4:  Hopkins
Today, head south to Hopkins along the scenic, meandering Hummingbird Highway, where you travel through the foot hills of the majestic Maya Mountains.  Upon arrival, you will be checked into your beautiful villa on the beach.  This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Belufuna Women’s Group Bakery, where you can experience an interactive bread making session with the local Garifuna women as they share with you their history and way of life.  The Garifuna brought their distinct culture to Belize and Central America in the 19th century.  Tonight, enjoy the best of Garifuna cuisine at a local restaurant.  Villa Verano (B,L,D)

Day 5:  Hopkins
Today you are free to relax in your beautiful villa, walk on the beach, or investigate some optional activities in the area.  Please note:  Big Five’s nonprofit foundation, Spirit of Big Five, supports Southern Environmental Association, a community conservation organization aimed at protecting the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere off the coast of Belize.  They also monitor and research whale sharks.  If you would like to learn more about this important work while you are in Belize, please let us know and we will arrange it.  Villa Verano (B,L,D)

Day 6:  Hopkins
Today you are in for a thrilling experience – Whale Shark Expedition.  You have the opportunity to swim with the largest fish in the sea.  During the week of the full moon in April, May and June, dive up close and personal with these majestic creatures at Gladden Spit on Belize’s Southern Barrier Reef.  During this time of the year, you’ll see schools of snapper in the thousands with whale sharks passing through them during their annual migration.  After your incredible dive, enjoy a relaxed evening of beach-side drumming and a singing session by a group of young Garifuna men.  You’ll be able to move to the drummers’ beats as you learn and participate in an informal dance lesson.  Please note Whale Shark Expeditions are seasonal and available from March to June only for optimal conditions.  This day will be at leisure all other months.  Villa Verano (B,L,D)

Day 7:  Hopkins / Belize City / Depart
You will take a short drive to the neighboring town of Dangriga, then fly to Belize International Airport for your international flight home.  (B)