Journey Guatemala & Belize

Day 3: Antigua

Today you will make a spectacular climb! You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the foot of the Pacaya volcano. This volcano is about a 1.5 hour drive from Antigua and the ride to it will take you along narrow mountain paths and will give you beautiful views over the valleys and volcanoes of Guatemala. It is a climb of about 1.5 hours where good walking shoes are a must. The first part of the tour you will climb through the dense forests on sandy paths. After walking for about half an hour you will reach an open plain where the grass and sand suddenly change into black solidified lava. Here you will also get your first view of the flowing lava and the impressive volcano. Walk on over the lava rocks and be aware, because it will literally get hot under your feet! On a clear day you also have a beautiful view over Guatemala City, the capital. On the volcano you will enjoy a picnic lunch and after that you will be brought back to your hotel in Antigua.
Overnight stay: Meson de Maria | bed & breakfast

Day 4: Antigua - Flores

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport of Guatemala City, where you will board your domestic flight to Flores. Upon arrival in Flores, you will be welcomed and taken to your hotel. La Lancha is beautifully situated at Lake Peten and in the rainforest. The casitas have views over the lake or look out over the beautiful greenery. Don't be surprised if during your stay you get a visit from a friendly inhabitant of the rainforest; a howler monkey.
Overnight stay: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 5: Flores

Today you will be taken on a very special excursion. You will travel with your guide to the National Park of Yaxha, the third largest Maya town in Guatemala, located in the jungle. In this park you can enjoy the beautiful nature, where you will see monkeys and tropical birds along the way. Of course you will also visit the ancient Maya temples of Yaxha. After this you will travel by boat to the island located in the Lake of Yaxha. Here are the pre-Columbian temples of Topoxte. Your guide can tell you fascinating stories about the Maya era and the temples they built in their heyday. By dusk, you will go to the largest pyramid of the complex. From here you have a spectacular view over the jungle and Lake Yaxha. The setting sun is right in front of you and  it slowly but surely disappears on the horizon. A very special place for an unforgettable sunset. Afterwards you will be brought back to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 7: Flores - Cayo District

Today you will be picked up and taken to the border crossing between Guatemala and Belize. Here you will complete the usual customs formalities and then continue towards the Cayo District. This region has some beautiful landscapes, from wild rainforest to rolling hills farmland with plantations, surrounded by many rivers and caves. The lodge where you will stay is located in a very beautiful nature reserve, on the Macal river. For lovers of wildlife and birdwatchers, this place is an absolute must. You can go out every day, even in the evening, to discover the surroundings with the enthusiastic and very knowledgeable guides of the accommodation.
Overnight stay: Black Rock Lodge | bed & breakfast

Day 10: Cayo District - Placencia

In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel and brought to Placencia, located on the Caribbean coast. The route today is beautiful. Via Belmopan, the capital, you will travel to the peninsula of Placencia. The route runs through a hilly and green area. You will stay at a very special place surrounded by white beaches. However, it is also a perfect base to explore the beautiful surroundings. Chabil Mar, where you will stay, is surrounded by lush vegetation and via the sandy beach you can walk to the village in twenty minutes. In the village you will find a lot of good restaurants with a nice atmosphere.
Overnight stay: Chabil Mar Villas | bed & breakfast

Day 11 and 12: Placencia

These days are for leisure. Enjoy the Caribbean coast and discover the underwater world of Belize. The clear and calm waters, combined with an abundance of fascinating coral and fish make Placencia an excellent place for snorkeling. There is much more to experience here. Although Placencia really has an island atmosphere, it is still located on the mainland. The advantage of this is that from your hotel, you can easily undertake various activities that will allow you to get to know other parts of Belize. In the fishing village, you can see the Mayan culture as well as the culture of the Garifuna. The Garifuna is an ethnic group descended from a mixture of Indians and Africans. In the town you will find several souvenir shops, nice beach bars and restaurants for a delicious meal from the Caribbean cuisine. The beach at Placencia is the longest and most extensive beach in Belize and while your accommodation is located directly on the beach, you are on the other side near the Placencia Laguna which is home to the rare manatee. In addition, Placencia is surrounded by mangroves. When you go to the inland, you can visit one of the many special limestone caves or various Mayan temples such as Nim Li Punit or Lubaantun.
Overnight stay: Chabil Mar Villas | bed & breakfast

Day 13: Placencia - Belize - Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your unique journey is coming to an end today. You will be taken to Placencia airport from where you will fly to Belize with a domestic flight. Upon arrival in Belize, you will transfer to your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam.

Day 14: Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.