Guatemala and Belize embody the 'ideal' holiday combination of culture and relaxation. From Mayan ruins and colonial jewels to island beaches and coral reefs, this country combination is one to be enjoyed by both beach devotee and culture vulture alike.
Day 1 - London/Antigua
Depart London Heathrow with British Airways to Miami. Connect with the American Airlines flight to Guatemala City. Transfer to Antigua and stay for the next two nights in a delightful converted convent.
Day 2 - Antigua
The glorious colonial jewel of Antigua, founded in 1543, is one of the oldest cities in the Americas - full of lovingly restored colonial buildings dressed in terracotta colours. Enjoy a morning walking tour of this magnificent city, taking in the Central Plaza overlooked by the Cathedral and on to La Merced and the San Francisco Church.
Day 3 - Antigua/Lake Atitlán
A scenic morning drive up into the highlands takes you via the markets at Solola or Comalapa, to beautiful Lake Atitlán. Surrounded by three volcanoes and numerous Indian villages, many Mayas believe the lake is an entrance to the underworld. Stay at Hotel Casa Palopo overlooking the serene surroundings.
Day 4 - Lake Atitlán
Take a scenic journey by boat across the Lake towards Santiago village. Visit the house where the statue of the local God Maximon is residing and discover the local rituals performed by shamen. Also explore this very traditional town with its small church and craftspeople who specialise in distinctive textiles and primitive art.
Day 5 - Chichicastenango/Guatemala City
Morning visit to Chichicastenango, an important religious centre and one of Latin America's most colourful and lively markets. Here locals and visitors alike barter side by side for produce, textiles, masks and trinkets. Afternoon drive to Guatemala City.
Day 6 - Guatemala City/Flores
Morning flight to Flores and transfer by road and boat to Aguateca, a fortified Maya city overlooking the river. Evening transfer to your jungle lodge.
Day 7 - Tikal
Enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent ruins of Tikal, one of the region's most famous Mayan site. Explore some of the huge monolithic temples, carefully carved stelae and ballcourts that make up this complex, also a paradise for birders and nature lovers.
Day 8 - Flores/Cayo District
Cross the border into the Belizean rainforest for two days of adventure and exploration.
Day 9 and 10 - Cayo District
Enjoy two full days exploring the Cayo District of Belize including the Mayan sites of Xunantunich and Caracol and the Barton Creek and Rio Frio cave system.
Day 11 - Cayo District/Ambergris Caye
Drive to Belize City for the short hop flight to Ambergris Caye, just off Belize's Caribbean coast to arrive at your beautiful beachside property.
Day 12 and 13 - Ambergris Caye
Relax in your boutique beach retreat, perhaps taking a launch out to the reef for some superb snorkelling or diving or simply saunter into San Pedro for a fresh seafood lunch.
Day 14 - Ambergris Caye/London
Fly from Ambergris Caye by internal small plane to Belize City to connect with your flights to London with American Airlines and British Airways via Miami.
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. As a guide, this 14 day suggested journey in Guatemala & Belize will cost from £3,695 per person based on two adults sharing with flights from the UK and subject to availability.
We appreciated knowing the travel specialist (Katie Sims) from the previous A&K holiday. The hotels in Grenada and Cordoba were excellent.
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