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Belize Holidays & Honeymoon: Caracol Mayan Ruins + ATM Cave + Diving, Ambergris Caye

Belize: Orange Walk + Cayo District + Ambergris Caye

12 NIGHTS FROM:

$3,944

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

QRB12B

• Belize City

• Orange Walk

• Lamanai & Xunantunich Ruins

• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

• Barton Creek Caves

• Caracol Mayan Ruins

• ATM Cave

• Diving, Ambergris Caye

• Swimming & Snorkelling

• Belize Holidays/Honeymoon

Experience both culture & wildlife on our adventurous Belize holidays or honeymoon. In Orange Walk explore the Lamanai Mayan ruins, visit Xunantunich & Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. In the Cayo District, explore the famous Caracol Mayan ruins, venture into Barton Creek and ATM Cave, then fly to the coast to swim, snorkel & enjoy diving at stunning Ambergris Caye. All transfers, sightseeing & light aircraft flights included.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at Belize City Airport and transferred northwest for 2.5-hours, travelling by shared road and boat to your jungle lodge situated in the Orange Walk district.

Known for growing sugarcane, Orange Walk City is nicknamed 'Sugar City'. It is also the gateway to the famous Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, home to some of the country's most important Mayan ruins.

Check into your jungle lodge surrounded by wilderness, rivers and wildlife.

Days 2 To 3

Today is set aside to explore the Belize Jungle, with its important Mayan ruins and exotic wildlife.

Two activites per day are included. These vary by lodge, but will always include a visit to the Lamanai Ruins (meaning 'submerged crocodile'). Once a major city of the Maya civilization, this pre-Colombian site was continually inhabited for over 3,000 years, from as early as the 16th century BC until the 17th century AD. Important surviving structures include the Mask Temple, Jaguar Temple and High Temple, from whose summit you can enjoy wonderful views across the surrounding jungle.

You can also visit the nearby La Milpa Ruins, which include more than 20 courtyards, 19 upright stone stela, 2 ball courts, 4 temple pyramids (the largest is almost 79 feet high) and the large Great Plaza, that provided outdoor space.

Wildlife enthusiasts will want to head to the peaceful Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary - a protected RAMSAR Wetland of international importance that is a birder's mecca. Here you will see many exotic birds, as well as water-loving iguanas. During Belize's dry season, many resident and migratory birds find refuge in these lagoons.

Dawn, day and night jungle walks are available, as well as a Maya Medine Trail, sunrise canoe ride and sunset cocktail cruise (each activity take about 1.5 to 2-hours).

Day 4

Today transfer 2.5-hours by shared boat and road transfer from Orange Walk to Belize City Airport. Here you will be met and transferred 2.5-hours to your lodge in the Cayo District.

Located in the west of Belize, close to the border with Guatemala, this vast strech of highland rainforest contains some of the country's most remote and rugged terrain. It offers the opportunity to explore the great outdoors on foot, mountain bike, horseback, kayak or canoe.

Note: Your drivers will only speak Spanish.

Day 5

Today enjoy a full day shared tour to two ancient Mayan sites.

We travel through the scenic Mountain Pine Ridge area and pass through a traditional Mennonite community, where horse and carriage rule the road, before going off-road to reach the incredible Barton Creek Cave, which was only properly investigated by archaeologists in 1998.

After being equipped with a helmet, life jacket and powerful lamp, climb into your canoe and gently paddle into this 4-mile (7.5 km) limestone cave system used by the ancient Mayans for sacrificial ceremonies and burials. Stalactites hang high overhead, as you glide through large cathedral-like chambers with impressive calcite crystal formations and bats hanging on the walls. Duck under low limestone bridges, as you progress further into the cave. On this low intensity adventure, your guide will explain the relevance of these caves to the Mayan people and their archaeological significance.

After lunch (own account) we visit the Xunantunich ruins (meaning 'stone woman'), which flourished towards the end of the Classic Period (300-900 AD). To get there our 4x4 jeep is winched across the river on the local 'ferry'. After a short drive, we then walk uphill to the site. This riverfront city had six major plazas, surrounded by more than 25 palaces and temples. Marvel at the amazing El Castillo Temple, which soars 130 feet (40 m) over the lush landscape. Its famous decorative stucco frieze once extended around the entire temple.

Day 6

Today enjoy a full day shared tour through the stunning Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, a protected national park that is home to much endemic wildlife and a myriad of underground caves, to the famous Caracol Ruins - the largest Mayan archaeological site in Belize.

The 3-hour drive starts out on a paved road from San Ignacio, before continuing off-road through the sprawling national park, which features dramatic waterfalls and pristine rivers and pools. Notice the change from pine forest to tropical rainforest as you enter the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, which surrounds the ruins.

The impressive ruins at Caracol (meaning 'snail') are situated on the Vaca Plateau in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. This was one of the most important regional political centres in the Maya Lowlands, covering an area of over 30 square miles (78 square km) of thick jungle. It was much larger than present day Belize City, with twice its population. There are over 35,000 identified buildings including five plazas, a cosmic observatory and thousands of other structures. Follow the footsteps of Maya rulers by climbing up the steps of the massive Caana pyramid and see the three temples sharing its lofty peak. Enjoy a panoramic view of rainforest canopy as you look out from 43 m (140 ft) above the jungle floor. Because the ruins lie within a reserve, you may encounter exotic birds and other wildlife as you meander through the ruins.

After a guided tour of the ruins and an included picnic lunch we return home, stopping along the way at the alluring Rio Frio Cave, where you can take a refreshing dip in pristine pools formed by waterfalls.

Day 7

Today enjoy a full day shared tour exploring the impressive Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave - the 'Cave of the Stone Sepulchre' - with included picnic lunch.

Located in the heart of the rainforest, the ATM cave system was a sacred place for the pre-Hispanic Mayans of Belize. A series of chambers ends in a huge 300m by 50m 'cathedral', where sacrificial ceremonies once took place. This fascinating living museum will allow you to view historic artifacts in their original setting.

After driving 1-hour to the trailhead, we walk for 45-minutes through the dense jungle of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, wading across three streams as we learn more about the flora and fauna. At the entrance to the caves you will be fitted with a hard hat with headlamp and a life jacket, before swimming into the cave. Once inside climb onto some large rocks and wade upstream against the river for about 1-mile. Climb over, under and around some huge boulders, swim across two small lakes and climb up a steep ladder to 'the cathedral', where most artefacts have been found. This site is unique because these items have been left here and not removed to museums. You can also squeeze into smaller chambers, where you will find more ancient pottery and skeletons from Mayan sacrifices, and see impressive stalagmites and stalactites. You will be inside the cave for about 2-hours, before returning along the same route. Swimming is mainly required at the main entrance, but may be needed in a few other places inside the cave, depending on water levels. Mostly you will be wading through water that can vary between waist and neck height.

Note: This is a demanding tour that needs a good level of physical fitness, including the ability to clamber over high boulders and swim. If you suffer from claustrophobia, or if this excursion is too physically demanding for you, we suggest you remove this day from your itinerary.

You must wear proper river shoes with covered toes (or trainers) and socks today. Wear old light-weight trousers or shorts, and a top that allows for easy movement (ideally wear a swimsuit underneath) and expect to throw these away afterwards. Bring a full change of clothes for when you are finished, so you don’t get cold. Mosquito repellent is prohibited as it washes off as you enter the cave. Cameras are also strictly prohibited inside the cave. Children must be at least 8 years old and taller than 40 in (102 cm).

Day 8

Today take a shared transfer to the small town of San Ignacio for your light aircraft flight to Ambergris Caye.

You will be met at San Pedro Airport, with a shared transfer to your hotel on this spectacular Caribbean island - the largest 'caye' (low-elevation sandy island on the surface of a coral reef) in Belize.

Note: Your drivers will only speak Spanish today.

As this is a single propeller plane, it is essential to avoid oversized baggage and remain within 23 kg, plus one carry on item up to 6.8 kg that must fit on your lap. Oversized bags may not fit into the luggage pods and may not be able to be transported at all.

Days 9 To 12

At leisure to relax on Ambergris Caye, surrounded by the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

With a fun and laid-back atmosphere, this tiny island is only 25-miles (40 km) long and 5-miles (8 km) across at its widest point, although in many places it is much less than this. Formerly a fishing village, San Pedro is the island's only town and its sandy streets lined with waterfront restaurants and bars are the centre for most sailing, diving and fishing activities.

There are many simple pleasures to be had here, including swimming in the crystal clear waters, riding a bike along the beach or enjoying water sports such as kayaking and windsurfing.

If you wish to snorkel or dive, you will need to take a boat ride to the magnificent Belize Barrier Reef, which runs parallel to Ambergris Caye. Here you can explore famous sites such as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve with its abundance of sea life, and the 400 ft (124 m) deep Great Blue Hole.

Note: Please be aware that there is a lot of sargassum seaweed on the beach, which is cleared by the hotels daily. The closest reefs for snorkelling and diving are about 15-20 minutes by boat.

Day 13

Transfer to San Pedro Airport for your light aircraft flight to Belize City Airport for your flight home.

Note: As this is a single propeller plane, it is essential to avoid oversized baggage and remain within 23 kg, plus one carry on item up to 6.8 kg that must fit on your lap. Oversized bags may not fit into the luggage pods and may not be able to be transported at all.

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