Chamäleon - Belize Caribbean Blue 10 Tage Adventure-Trip

1. Antigua
Hola! Welcome to Antigua. Surrounded by three volcanoes dominating the skyline, it wasnt until the late 20th century that the city became the tourism hub of Guatemala. Today, the city is filled with coffee shops and international restaurants and is always buzzing with live music and salsa classes. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where youll meet your tour leader and travel group. If you arrive with time to spare, why not get a taste of local tradition with a chocolate-making workshop in the ChocoMuseo.
There are no meals included on this day.

You will stay at a hotel.

Special Information ts very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you cant arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so youre able to attend. Well be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ225 Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ100  

2. Antigua
As the seat of the Spanish colonial government, Antigua was once one of the most important cities in Central America. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, but many of the colonial-era buildings have been carefully restored. This morning, wander the quiet cobblestone streets with your leader, who will point out many fascinating markets and museums. Later youll learn how to make a tortilla using traditional techniques. The afternoon is yours to spend exploring the city and its surrounds. Prefer to take it easy? Grab a coffee on the main plaza and settle in for some people watching. Dont miss the chance to taste a tamale, a local dish served in a corn leaf. Or try pepian, a meaty dish of chicken, beef, pork, or all three at once, in a rich sauce. Youll find the best value food next to the markets near the bus station.
There are no meals included on this day.

You will stay at the same property as the night before.

Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk Antigua - Tortilla making demonstration Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson Antigua - Leader-led walking tour

3. Rio Dulce
Its a long day of travel as you make your way to Rio Dulce by private vehicle. Depart early for the 8-hour journey, arriving mid-afternoon. Enjoy a wander around the city with your leader, learning some key Spanish phrases to make interacting with the locals a breeze. Rio Dulce, which means Sweet River in Spanish, refers to both the Guatemalan river that flows from Lago de Izabal (Lake Izabal) to the Caribbean Sea and the town of Fronteras, which sits at the east end of the lake. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Maybe stretch your legs on a jungle walk, rent a kayak for a bit of exploration or just laze in a hammock and enjoy the tropical surrounds.
There are no meals included on this day.

You will stay at a lodge.

Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson

4. Rio Dulce
Join your group on a boat ride down the river to Livingston, a laidback Afro-Caribbean town that offers a unique taste of Garifuna culture in a far-flung corner of Guatemala. Its located 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Rio Dulce and the boat ride is spectacular, taking you through waters laden with water lilies, past tropical forests and through a deep canyon replete with river birds. The Garifuna population in Livingston are descendants of a community forcibly removed from the Caribbean by the British in the late 18th century. Livingston was one of the towns the displaced Garifuna settled in, and its relative isolation means the culture has remained undiluted by Guatemalan norms. Spend a little time here and perhaps grab a Garifuna meal like tapou, a creamy soup made with fish.
Meals Included Breakfast

You will stay at the same property as the night before.

Livingston - River boat trip to Garifuna town

5. Flores
Travel to the township of Flores on Lago Peten Itza. On the way, pay a visit to Nuevo Horizonte, a ranch where 130 demobilised families settled after the signing of the Guatemalan Peace Accords in 1998. Beginning with no infrastructure and poor living conditions, the community cooperated to establish fish-farming, agriculture, reforestation and eco-tourism projects. Tour their nature reserve, have lunch on the ranch and speak to the locals about the origins of the community. Continue to Flores, where youll take an orientation walk with your group leader. Flores had a long history before it was colonised by the Spanish in 1697, most significantly as the capital of the Itza people after the fall of Chichen Itza. Spend your free afternoon wandering the islands quaint streets or shopping for local handicrafts. Around 4 pm, the lakefront starts to hum with street food vendors, making it a good place to grab a bite.
Meals Included Breakfast

You will stay at a hotel.

Flores - Leader-led orientation walk Santa Ana Vieja - Cooperativa Nuevo Horizonte visit

6. Tikal
Get up early for a guided exploration of Tikal National Park. Among the thick, evergreen jungle are some of the most significant remnants of the ancient Maya civilisation - plus an array of local wildlife, including coatis and howler monkeys. Wonder at the towering limestone temples and other monuments while pondering the mystery of the ancient citys demise. Spend a few hours playing archaeologist, and afterwards, say goodbye to Guatemala and head across the border to Belize. As the only English-speaking country in Central America, Belize is a great place to get chatting with locals.
Meals Included Breakfast

You will stay at a hotel.

Special Information All guests at our hotel in San Ignacio are required to pay an additional charge of USD 20 per night if they choose to use the air conditioner in their room. Electricity in Belize is incredibly expensive so most hotels charge an extra rate to use the air conditioning - USD 20 per night is pretty standard. We could include this extra charge in the trip price but then all of our travellers would have to pay whether they want to use it or not. We believe giving our travellers the option is a fairer way to manage this situation.
Tikal National Park - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)

7. San Ignacio
This morning, you can choose whether you would like to relax in San Ignacio or take part in some of the other optional activities on offer, like a visit to the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM caves). A living museum of Maya relics, the ATM cave system is home to ceramic pots and crystallised skeletons, preserved by the natural processes of the cave for over 1400 years. If you choose to explore the cave system (and it is highly recommended), youll spend most of the day there. If not, there are always more local ruins to explore above ground, including Cahal Pech, which was once the residence of a wealthy Maya family. Nature lovers may be interested in a trip to the Green Iguana Conservation Project, where a number of the scaly - and surprisingly large - beasts are protected.
Meals Included Breakfast

You will stay at the same property as the night before.

San Ignacio - Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - BZD250 San Ignacio - Cahal Pech Ruins entry - BZD10 San Ignacio - Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - BZD190 San Ignacio - Iguana Conservation Project (entrance fee) - BZD20 San Ignacio - Xunantunich Ruins entry - BZD10

8. Caya Caulker
If your idea of paradise is white sand, clear blue waters and palm trees, then youre going to dig Caye Caulker. The island even has a motto: ‘go slow. Arrive following a scenic boat ride and join your leader for an orientation walk, to help you get your bearings on the petite island. While the island is entirely walkable, you might like to hire a bike and cycle between beach bars and along quiet palm-lined streets. Cant keep your eyes off those Caribbean waters? Get out there for a spot of standup paddleboarding, or if the mood strikes, join a sunset catamaran cruise for an unforgettable end to your first day.
Meals Included Breakfast

You will stay at a hotel.

Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk Caye Caulker - Bicycle Rental (per day) - BZD40 Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD35 Caye Caulker - Sunset sailing - BZD100

9. Caye Caulker
Your time in Caye Caulker is all about taking it easy, so do as much (or as little) as you want with another day here. If youre keen to find the best snorkelling spots, opt to take a full-day boat tour (just remember to slather on sunscreen). After a day of swimming and lounging in the sunshine, youre sure to get hungry. Belize is famous for its barbequed food, with some of the best meals cooked on the roadside. Caye Caulker is famous for its lobster - not the cheapest meal youll ever buy, but so (so) good. Always make sure that you respect the season: lobsters can only be caught here between June and February. If youre out of season, how about some grilled shrimp and a lovely rum and coke made with the local firewater?
Meals Included There are no meals included on this day.

You will stay at the same property as the night before.

Full day Catamaran tour-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD230 Full day speed boat-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD230

10. Caye Caulker
There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time following check out. If you would like to spend more time in Caye Caulker, well be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information An open-dated round-trip water taxi ticket is included on your trip. To take the water taxi from Caye Caulker ferry port back to Belize City you will need to arrive at the ferry terminal 1 hour prior to departure. You will need to make your own way to the ferry port from your hotel in Caye Caulker. Your hotel can provide the ferry schedule. The journey takes around 1 hour and transfers from the port to our Belize City Hotel or the airport can be booked in advance. Please contact your booking agent should you require transfers or additional accommodation.