This itinerary is only a small sample of options in Belize. Every traveler can envision their ideal way to see the world. Tell us the dates you wish to travel, and with your input, we will take care of the details.
Day 1 - Arrive Belize City • Pook's Hill
You will fly independently to the Belize International Airport. Upon arrival you will meet a representative from Pook's Hill and travel west to the Cayo District of Belize. The friendly staff and guides assist you in settling into your charming thatch-roof cottage in the rainforest. Overnight at Pook's Hill (D)
Day 2 - Pook's Hill: Cave Tubing & Zipline Tour
Following breakfast, join your guide for a leisurely float through caves and majestic jungle on inner tubes. A short hike through the jungle brings us to the "put-in" to the Cave's Branch River with our inner tubes. From there, enjoy a float through a series of caves with glimpses of the towering rainforest in between. This cave trip is a fun-filled tour for all age groups. Following this adventure, we will then proceed to the rainforest canopy zipline. This is a thrilling opportunity to soar through the jungle treetops high above the forest floor. A short hike up into the rainforest leads us to the first of 5 platforms where you begin our exciting trip back down through the jungle canopy. Overnight at Pook's Hill (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Pook's Hill: Macal River Canoeing & Xunantunich
Enjoy a morning of canoeing on the Macal River with a naturalist guide. Paddle leisurely down this beautiful tropical river observing a variety of birds and animals, including huge iguanas sunning themselves on tree branches overhanging the river, cormorants and kingfishers. Stops are made often all along the river as there is much to see! Canoeing is followed by lunch at a local Belizean restaurant. In the afternoon, cross the Mopan River via a hand-winched ferry at the Maya Village of San Jose Succotz for a visit to Xunantunich, Belize's most accessible Maya site of significance. The site's dominant structure, El Castillo, rises 130 feet above the jungle floor, making the views from the top suberb, with forest stretching out all around and the rest of the ancient city mapped out beneath you. This Late Classic site is the largest in the Belize River Valley and the longest established archaeological site in Belize. The hilltop location provides a panoramic view of house mounds, pyramids, palaces and three ceremonial plazas. The largest pyramid is decorated with friezes and masks in the Classic style. Return to the lodge with time to relax, work on journals or enjoy the surroundings before another home-cooked dinner. Overnight at Pook's Hill. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Pook's Hill • Belize City • Dangriga - South Water Caye
Enjoy a jungle hike learning about medicinal plants of this rich area before driving to the coastal town of Dangriga. Meet our new hosts and travel by boat through clear, protected waters to the picture perfect island of South Water Caye on the Barrier Reef of Belize. South Water Caye is a small island of white sands and coconut palms, and our accommodations are located right at the water's edge with great snorkeling right from the beach. Meals feature fresh seafood caught on the island along with home grown vegetables and fruits. This afternoon we have an introduction to the island and great barrier reef. You may swim or practice snokeling before dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - South Water Caye Marine Reserve
Board our boats for a snorkeling excursion to some of the great sites in the calm, protected waters of South Water Marine Reserve, the largest marine park in Belize. The coral is fabulous, and some of the fascinating fish we are likely to see include rainbow parrotfish, Nassau grouper and spotted eagle ray. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy more snokeling with lights to see how the colours change as the coral opens up. This is truly a remarkable activity and one that opens the door to a terrific marine experience. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - South Water Caye
Enjoy a great day on our tropical island with more snorkeling. Head out to a caye commonly known as Bird Island, where we find magnificent frigatebirds, brown boobies and brown pelicans. Visit the mangroves on the Twin Cayes, drifting slowly along to investigate the marine life there. Mangroves are nurseries for baby sea creatures and we may see baby snappers, barracuda, sea stars, rays, sergeant majors and sea urchins along with a large number of upside down jellies, which at times cover the sea floor. In addition to these wonderful snorkeling sites, stop at Carrie Bow Caye, the location of the Smithsonian's marine research facility. Here we learn about types of research projects continually underway at the station and in the labs. The afternoon is at leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Dangriga • Belize City • Home
Breakfast is early and then we say goodbye to our extended Belize family and fly from Dangriga to Belize City. Upon arrival, we check in for our international flight. (B)