A mix of culture, nature and adventure with this 10-day Guatemala and Belize overland holiday. Explore Mayan sites, vast caves, remote Garifuna communities and gorgeous Caribbean beaches in a guided small group, with many opportunities to meet local people and learn about their ways of life.
Adventurous cultural tour of Guatemala and BelizeThrilling introduction to two countries off the beaten tourist trackTortilla-making class in AntiguaDiscover Garifuna culture with a boat ride on the Rio Dulce to LivingstonTour a nature reserve, and have lunch on a ranch in FloresExplore ancient Maya civilisation in Tikal National ParkChance to visit the famous ATM Cave in San IgnacioOptional visit to a Green Iguana conservation projectSlow things down with a few days to relax in Caye Caulker
Discover the highlights of two Central American countries with this exciting Guatemala and Belize overland holiday. Travelling as part of a sociable small group, with an expert tour leader smoothing out the way ahead, you’ll combine culture with adventure over a memorable ten days.
Beginning in the Guatemalan capital of Antigua you’ll head east for a few days on the Rio Dulce, before moving back inland to Flores, then finishing with a few days on Belize’s Caribbean coast at Caye Caulker.
This small group tour covers a lot of ground but never feels rushed, as there is plenty of free time factored in. After a guided tour of Antigua’s markets and museums (and a tasty tortilla-making lesson) the afternoon is yours to explore further or simply do some people-watching with a coffee in the plaza. Reaching Tikal National Park, after a day spent playing Indiana Jones as you roam ancient Mayan sites, you have a free day to use as you please during which you might choose to tour the spectacular ATM Cave Complex. Or, there is a Green Iguana conservation project which benefits greatly from visitor entrance fees.
Other memorable moments of this trip include a stunning boat ride up the Rio Dulce to the Afro-Caribbean town of Livingston to experience the Garifuna culture there, and a fascinating walk around a community-run nature reserve near Flores to learn about their efforts in ecotourism and reforestation.
After a week on the move it’s time to unwind with a few relaxing days on the beautiful white sand beaches of Caye Caulker in Belize. Here you can paddle board, take a sunset catamaran cruise, snorkel or feast on lobster and shrimp. What a way to finish your trip in style, before bidding farewell to your travel buddies.
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Price information
£1285£900To£1605excluding flights
Single supplement from £415 - £470.
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Holiday information
Our top tip:
There are plenty of opportunities to chat with the locals; bring some photos of your home country/city as an interesting icebreaker.
Trip type:
Small group, 1-12 people. Min. age 15.
Activity level:
Leisurely/moderate.
Accomm:
Standard 2-3* hotels, some with shared facilites.
Solos:
Solo travellers welcome. Single rooms available with surcharge.
Included:
Accommodation, tour leader, transport, listed activities.
Meals:
Not included. Suggested budget $280.
Small group tour, ideal for solos & couples:
Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modeled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, travelling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. For those with limited time, a small group tour will save valuable time in planning, and on holiday.
15 out of 10. Great experiences, culture, exchange, opportunity, choice...THE BEST.Read full review
Reviewed on 05 Jan 2018 by Jennie Walmsley
Snorkelling with manatees, sharks and a turtle was pretty special but, in fact, every day on this trip was extraordinary... from volcanoes to markets, Mayan ruins to swimming in hot springs, eating at a Mexican family's home and taking a riverboat trip. Fantastic.Read full review
Reviewed on 24 Nov 2017 by Martin Braund
The scenery and people of Guatemala, the warmth of the people and climate of Belize and the excitement and colour of Mayan Mexico. One of the best small group holidays I have ever experienced.Read full review
Reviewed on 12 Jun 2017 by Sunita Raj
Stunning temples still largely unexcavated hidden in jungles, incredible and spicy food, vibrant bustling cities full of colour, swimming in underground cenotes (sinkholes). excellent, definitely recommend without hesitation.Read full review
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment, and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.
As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.
Our project within Guatemala is called CasoSito. This organisation provides educational opportunities in rural areas for children living in poverty as illiteracy is extremely high in Guatemala; CasaSito offers education as an aide to fight poverty, injustice and discrimination. They do this by providing financial assistance through scholarship programmes and partnerships with local education centres that provide complementary education such as music, arts and sports.
People
We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in our culture and the daily operations of every office and every trip. In addition, we expect our staff and travellers to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and local environments; in the distribution of wealth; in good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sustainable development.
We take care to use local transport throughout such as buses and water taxis. By using local transport you will get to encounter a variety of cultural experiences such as border crossings, local sellers and unforgettable conversations with the locals. We also stay in small, locally owned hotels and guesthouses which is a great way to put money back into the local economy.
We source produce locally throughout the trip, eat at local restaurants and encourage our travellers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans and villages as we pass through.
Recruitment of our ground team comes from the local community. This not only gives a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but it also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
