GUATEMALA AND BELIZE FAMILY VACATION 9 days / 8 nights Photo credit: Jamie Evans Visit us at www.wildland.com
Itinerary Overview Discover Guatemala and Belize on a family vacation full of authentic cultural experiences, dramatic scenery, jungle wildlife, and spectacular Maya ruins, as well as snorkeling among coral reefs with relaxed family time at the beach. Traveling among native highland communities we experience the vibrant Maya culture and its rich heritage sharing a meal in a lovely local home, learning the art of weaving and colorful embroidery, and interacting with local people at traditional indigenous markets. Traveling from Antigua and the beautiful volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlan we fly to the rainforest lowlands of Petén where we explore the vast ruins and abundant wildlife of Tikal National Park. A short connecting flight to the coast of Belize takes us to our beach front accommodation to explore the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. This is the perfect recipe for an enriching, relaxing and fun family adventure. DAY DATE OVERNIGHT HOTEL MEALS HIGHLIGHTS 1 Sat ANTIGUA Porta Hotel Antigua D Arrive and transfer to Antigua. 2 Sun LAKE ATITLAN Hotel Atitlan BLD Chichicastenango market visit 3 Mon LAKE ATITLAN Hotel Atitlan BLD 4 Tue TIKAL Tikal Inn BLD San Juan La Laguna village, weaving cooperative, easy hike Xenotox village visit, afternoon flight to Flores and transfer to Tikal. 5 Wed TIKAL Tikal Inn BLD Tikal archaeological site tour. 6 Thu PLACENCIA The Inn at Roberts Grove BL Jungle zip line, transfer to Belize and fly to the coastal town of Placencia. 7 Fri PLACENCIA The Inn at Roberts Grove BL Half day barrier reef snorkeling. 8 Sat PLACENCIA The Inn at Roberts Grove B Free day 9 Sun B Home -2-
Itinerary in Detail DAY 1, SATURDAY: ANTIGUA Met and warmly received after your international flight touches down in Guatemala City by your guide, a 45 minute drive brings you to Antigua, Latin America s premier colonial city. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this former capital of Guatemala is a strikingly beautiful city, rich in history. Visitors and locals alike casually congregate in the central plaza sitting and strolling, watching the world go by. Overnight at the centrally located and family friendly Porta Hotel Antigua. [D] DAY 2, SUNDAY: CHICHICASTENANGO Arise early to visit the famous market of Chichicastenango, a magical and sometimes misty highland town surrounded by valleys and looming mountains. The setting is captivating and the lively K iche Maya indigenous market draws craftsmen and villagers from all over the highlands. The market is not only the main economic focus of this highland village but an important social and cultural event where K iche indigenous people gather to barter, buy and sell. Take ample time to stroll through the streets, browse and purchase native handicrafts, and observe ancient native rites of burning incense, spreading flower petals and burning candles in the Santo Tomás Church. Although the rites are Mayan and not Catholic, the Catholic Church has allowed the Maya to practice religion in their own manner since the 17th century. After lunch, depart for the shores of Lake Atitlan, a caldera lake whose crystal blue waters are flanked by three spectacular volcanoes. Overnight at Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlán. [BL] DAY 3, MONDAY: LAKE ATITLAN AND SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA VILLAGE Ringed by rugged green ridgelines, towering volcanoes and twelve indigenous villages, the sparking deep blue Lake Atitlan is truly one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. After enjoying breakfast at our lakeside accommodations, we board a lancha for a boat tour of the lake, en route to the village of San Juan La Laguna. The boat ride across the lake takes about an hour. Along the way, we ll spot several redroofed villages perched on the steep hillsides cascading down to the lake and wave to fisherman in traditional dugout canoes pulling in their early-morning catch. San Juan La Laguna is a traditional Mayan community where most speak Tz'utujil, one of 23 indigenous Mayan dialects in Guatemala. Closely related to the larger Kaqchikel and K'iche native tongues, there are about 84,000 native Tz'utujil speakers today, concentrated in the southern corner of Lake Atitlan. Spanish is a distant second language for many in the community, so practice your Tz'utujil phrases! (Here s a primer: thank you: malty-ush; good morning: sack-iri; how are you: uutz-aawach). With our guide, we ll explore the town and witness the strong sense of community pride which exists there. We ll visit a women s weaving cooperative and sitting side by side with these artists, learn the traditional weaving and dying methods used by the Maya for generations. Depending on your family s interests, you may also visit a medicinal plant and natural products cooperative or the community s fair-trade, shade-grown coffee plantation: La Voz Cooperative. Started in the 1985 with the help of Heifer International, 120 indigenous families grow their coffee using traditional organic methods in small plots on the slopes of the volcanic ridgelines ringing the lake. You can also do an easy hike up above the village through the coffee fields to a lookout point over the lake with spectacular views of San Pedro volcano. The viewpoint gives you a new perspective and the chance to learn more about the complex of volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlan and how the lake itself was formed by a collapsed volcano. After this full day of exploration, we ll return to Hotel Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight at Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlán. [BL] -3-
DAY 4, TUESDAY: XENOTOX / FLORES Leaving Lake Atitlan behind, drive to the traditional village of Xenotox to visit a Mayan family and witness the ancient art of back strap loom weaving. This technique is passed down through generations and is still widely used today to make textiles. Explore the village and enjoy a traditional lunch in the home of a Mayan family observing the kindness, generosity, hard work and family values displayed by your hosts. We continue back to the airport in Guatemala City and leave the highlands to catch a late afternoon flight (included) to Flores, the gateway to the Maya ruins of Tikal. After landing, transfer 1 hour by van to the vibrant jungles of Tikal National Park. Overnight Tikal Inn or similar. [BLD] DAY 5, WEDNESDAY: TIKAL MAYAN RUINS Rising out of the jungle canopy where howler monkeys swing through the trees and parrots are frequently heard squawking, walking through the Mayan ruins of Tikal is an unforgettable experience. Once the most powerful city in the Americas, this huge complex of temples, altars, pyramids, plazas and palaces, includes more than 3,000 structures. The Maya were one of the most advanced civilizations of the ancient world producing many works of literature, philosophy and architecture as well as a precise calendar. Keeping in mind the interests and attention span of children, your knowledgeable guide brings this ancient civilization to life as you explore some of the most interesting sites. Keep your eyes out for a chance sighting of jaguar, puma, tapir, anteaters and many species of birds as you walk the less traveled paths throughout this massive jungle complex. Return to your lodge for lunch, relax and take a dip in the pool and decide if you d like to return to the temples for sunset. Overnight at Tikal Inn or similar. [BLD] DAY 6, THURSDAY: CARIBBEAN COASTLINE After soaking in the great history of Tikal and its mysterious decline, kids can pretend to be a howler monkey and fly among the trees on a zip-line canopy tour before driving to Belize and on to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean coast. After crossing the border your guide will assist you in checking into a short flight to the beaches of Placencia, a 16 mile long peninsula of white sand beaches separating the Caribbean Sea and the mangrove fringed Placencia lagoon. Kick off your shoes, unpack and settle into your beach cabana or suite. Take a dip in the gentle ocean water or one of the swimming pools, simply relax in a hammock under the swaying palms and let your cares drift away, or indulge in a spa treatment (not included). Overnight at The Inn at Roberts Grove or similar. [B] DAY 7, FRIDAY: BARRIER REEF SNORKELING Check out the strange coral formations and swim amongst a variety of brilliantly colored tropical fish as you explore the marine environment on a half-day snorkeling and swimming excursion (8am-1pm). Boat through a string of mangrove cayes, home to an impressive variety of marine life including angel and parrot fish, sergeant major, barracuda, eel, and the occasional stingray or harmless nurse shark. Continue out to the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest unbroken barrier reef in the world. Your guide will swim along with you pointing out the dazzling array of tropical fish, hydrocorals, sea fans, feather plumes, sponges, and sea cucumbers. Return to the lodge for lunch, and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing at the beach. Don t forget the sunscreen! Overnight at The Inn at Roberts Grove or similar. [B] -4-
DAY 8, SATURDAY: FREE DAY The last full day of vacation is yours to plan as much or as little as you like! Sleep late, lounge on the beach, swim in the pool, borrow one of the complimentary kayaks and paddle the blue waters offshore. Hop on one of the lodge s bikes and pedal into the nearby village of Placencia to see what s fresh in the market or to dine in one of the local restaurants for lunch. Those wishing to discover more of Belize may choose to join one of the day trips offered by your lodge such as boat trips up the local Monkey River, horseback riding through the rainforest, fly fishing, spin casting or trolling for grouper, snook, snapper, or tarpon or a visit to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve seeing Howler monkeys, tapir, numerous reptile and bird species and if you are extremely lucky, the elusive jaguar (additional activities not included). Overnight The Inn at Roberts Grove or similar. [B] DAY 9, SUNDAY: DEPART Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or extend your trip to explore more of Belize s natural wonders. [B] END OF SERVICES Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives. -5-
2014 PRICING PER PERSON: GROUP SIZE 2 4 6+ Adult $3,435 $2,985 $2,755 Teen* $1,675 $1,675 $1,675 Child* $1,275 $1,275 $1,275 *Child and teen rates are based on sharing a room with 2 adults. Maximum two children or one teen per room. INCLUDED SERVICES All guided tours and excursions English-speaking naturalist guides Airport-hotel transfers, land and sea transportation 8 nights hotel accommodation as indicated Meals as indicated [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner] Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services NOT INCLUDED SERVICES International airfare Tips and gratuities Airport departure taxes Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meals other than listed above Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above NOTE: Wildland Adventures, Inc. has arranged your trip utilizing the travel services of local in-country ground operators who are independent contractors. These local outfitters, lodges, hotels and other suppliers of your travel services will make every effort to conduct this trip as described in the itinerary. It is however possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, this itinerary may vary from what is described. Participants must assume all risks whether identified in advance or unforeseen. All optional activities are at your own risk. Extra costs due to unexpected changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. We highly recommend purchasing traveler s insurance for trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage, accident or sickness. Representatives are available for assistance at any time during your trip. If preferred hotels are not available, every attempt will be made to reserve alternative accommodations of similar quality. (If upgrade is necessary, higher rates may apply.) All information and services provided are subject to our Reservation Form Terms and Conditions. -6-
ACCOMODATIONS PORTA HOTEL ANTIGUA Centrally located in the historic colonial capitol of Antigua, Porta Hotel Antigua is renowned for its monasteries, cobbled streets and lush garden atmosphere set amongst towering volcanoes. Hotel Antigua offers guests first class accommodations within a few blocks of the towns vibrant square filled with quant little shops and restaurants featuring tasty local cuisine. Their rooms offer comfortable large beds, feather pillows, fireplaces, ceiling fans, cable TV, and a safety deposit box. Built in a hacienda style, a large interior garden with two solar heated pools are a comfortable respite for families and travelers looking to unwind after a day exploring this fun and little town. HOTEL ATITLAN, LAKE ATITLAN Once a historic coffee plantation, Hotel Antigua is built on the fertile lakeshore edge of the legendary Lake Atitlan. Sixty rooms are individual crafted and decorated in the traditional colonial hacienda style and feature exquisite textiles and furniture from local artisans. Goose down comforters, large beds, ceramic tile bathrooms and marble walls make this one of the most comfortable and exquisite traditional properties on the lake. Outside of the rooms is elaborate tropical garden featuring roses, hibiscus, heliconias, passion flowers, and bougainvilleas which surround the entire property. Hotel Atitlan is located just outside of the bustling little village of town of Panajachel, which acts as an axis point for visitors in the area and features a wide selection of restaurants and small shops. TIKAL INN The Tikal Inn, located inside Tikal National Park, is a short 10 minute walk to the Plaza Major, the center of the Mayan ruins. Featuring 17 simple but comfortable rooms as well as thatched bungalows, all include private bathrooms with showers, two double beds, ceiling fans, private porch and a free symphony, courtesy of the jungle! The Tikal Inn has a swimming pool and lush hotel gardens where you can admire the keel-billed toucans, howler and spider monkeys. *Note: All lodges in Tikal National Park have limited electricity which is provided by a generator. Electricity is not available in the evenings after 10pm until 6am. -7-
THE INN AT ROBERT S GROVE, BELIZE The Inn at Robert s Grove, is nestled on 22 acres of the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize. Because Robert s Grove enjoys a premier location near the world s second largest Barrier Reef and the natural beauty of Belize s Rainforest, the Inn is in a unique position for offering a vast array of Belize s most sought after activities and adventures. In addition to its outstanding amenities 52 luxurious beachfront guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, three swimming pools, rooftop Jacuzzis, Sea Spa and a host of complimentary activities that include fully equipped gym, tennis court, canoes, kayaks, windsurfers, Hobie Kats and bicycles Robert s Grove operates the top PADI Dive and Snorkel Center in southern Belize and the only hotel operated Sport Fishing program in Placencia. Additionally, the Inn operates its own Rainforest trips that include local horseback riding & Buggy tours and day trips to the Monkey River, Maya Ruins and Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve. The Inn also has two privately owned islands: Robert s Caye and Ranguana Caye, both of which are available for overnight stays. -8-