Starting Price:	£3,517.00
Trip Length:	10 days
Includes airfare allowance from London (UK)

Antigua

Tikal

Chichicastenango

Guatemala and Belize: Maya Ruins and Beaches

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

Combine the Maya ruins of Guatemala (a noted biodiversity hotspot) and Belize with the turquoise beaches and barrier reefs of Belize. This tour includes the Maya ruins of Tikal in Guatemala, and Xunantunich and Altun Ha in Belize, with a beach extension to San Pedro in Ambergris Caye. Yampu travelers will also visit the city of Antigua Guatemala and Lake Atitlán—the deepest lake in Central America, with three volcanoes on its southern flank.

This tour includes airfare allowance from London (UK), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via London; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Dates this trip is NOT available for online booking (please submit a regular request):
20 December - 02 January
Visited Cities:
Antigua, Lake Atitlan Area, Tikal (Peten), Belize City or San Ignacio, Ambergris Caye

Day 1

Upon arrival in Guatemala City, private transfer to your hotel in La Antigua Guatemala (commonly referred to as just Antigua or La Antigua).

Day 2

Morning, private tour of Antigua. for two centuries the capital city of the Spanish military in Central America. You will be met at your hotel reception at 9 a.m. by your private guide to begin your half-day walking tour of Antigua. Your tour will cover the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrance fees are included to the Iglesia San Francisco, the Cathedral, Central Park and La Merced Church. This tour is flexible, and if you have specific sites that you wish to see please let us know. At the end of the tour, we will transfer you privately to your hotel in Lake Atitlán.

Day 3

Half-day tour to Santiago Atitlán
You will be picked up from your hotel for a scenic boat ride across the lake, passing by the three impressive volcanoes of Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. Upon arrival in Santiago, you will walk with your guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living. Each year a different “brotherhood” has the privilege of taking care of their God, so his location changes. Once with Maximon, you may see local shaman performing rituals for local people and if you wish you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman for you to have a personal ceremony performed. Next, you will visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town, and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art for which the area is famous. Take a ride in a local “flete”—a pickup truck in which passengers stand in the bed—to get to Hotel Posada Santiago for lunch. After lunch, private transfer to Antigua for overnight.

Day 4

Early morning, transfer to Guatemala City airport to take the flight to Flores. Upon arrival, we visit the impressive and mystical Maya city of Tikal. One of its largest buildings is the Temple of the Two-headed Serpent, which measures up to 70 meters high. From its peak, one can perceive the sounds of the rain forest: more than 300 species of birds, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and toucans. Due to its immense value, Tikal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Overnight in Peten. Lunch included.

Day 5

Morning of leisure. Private transfer to the town of San Ignacio in Belize. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 6

Morning visit to the Xunantunich Maya site. We arrive at the village of San José Succotz where a hand-cranked ferry carries vehicles and passengers to the other side of the Mopan River. One more mile will bring the visitor to Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock). A major ceremonial center, and one of the country’s larger excavated sites, the view from the largest pyramid—El Castillo—is remarkable. Trip continues with a visit to the Belize Zoo, some 40 minutes from Belize City. Only indigenous species are housed at the zoo, all of which have been either rescued or donated from owners who could not take care of the animals properly. The “guests” (birds, cats, crocodiles, monkeys, etc.). are housed in large compounds containing what would be their natural habitats. This is a great opportunity to view and photograph those beasts of the rainforest not easily seen in the wild. Transfer to Belize City, and transfer to your hotel.

Day 7

Morning tour of Altun Ha Maya site. Located 35 miles from Belize City on the Old Northern Highway, Altun Ha (Rock Stone Water) is a great example of a Maya ceremonial and trading site. It was here that Dr. David Pendergast uncovered a very precious Mayan artifact—the Jade Head representing Kinich Ahau, the Sun God. Air transfer from Belize City to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Day 8

Half-day snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Afternoon of leisure. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Day 9

Day of leisure. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Day 10

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Belize and connect with international flight back home.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Antigua
3-star	Hotel Aurora, Casa de las Fuentes, Hotel Los Bucaros, or similar.
4-star	Posada de Don Rodrigo, El Meson de Maria (boutique) or similar.
5-star	Casa Santa Domingo, Casa Encantada (boutique), Méson Panza Verde (boutique), El Convento Boutique Hotel, or similar.
Boutique	Hotel Cissus, or similar
Deluxe	Posada del Angel, or similar.
Lake Atitlan Area
3-star	Mundos, Posada Santiago, or similar.
4-star	Posada de Don Rodrigo, Lomas de Tzununa or similar.
5-star	Hotel Atitlan, or similar.
Deluxe	Casa Palopo, Laguna Lodge (boutique hotel, only serves vegetarian food) or similar.
Tikal (Peten)
3-star	Casa Amelia, Hotel Peten, or similar.
4-star	Peten Esplendido, Villa Maya, or similar.
5-star	Camino Real Tikal or similar.
Deluxe	La Lancha (note: no A/C). Nitún, or similar.
Ambergris Caye
3-star	Sunbreeze, Ramon’s Village, or similar.
4-star	Victoria House or similar.
Deluxe	Mata Chica Resort (seabreeze bungalow), or similar.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

Occupancy Type	3-star	4-star	5-star
Double/Triple	£3517	£3951	£4097
Single	£4798	£5863	£6110

Yampu Tours is a trading name of Yampu Tours & Travel Ltd – Registered in England, Company No: 6054303 ATOL Number: 9522 VAT Number 919 1679 90 – 0800 011 2424 – Email Us

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