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Page Text Content
GUATEMAL A
PANAMA * COSTA RICA * NICARAGUA * HONDURAS * GUATEMALA
Mo M a y un a ta in
s
THE AMERICAS
Arenal volcano
BELIZE * GUATEMALA
Discover Belize
15 DAYS HOTELS/LODGES ADVENTURES IN PARADISE
Ref
BL
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
Discover Belize Ref BL
Lamanai Boat to Mayan jungle site MEXICO Altun Ha Temple of the Sun
Snorkelling in Caye Caulker
CAYE CAULKER
Coral reef
CROOKED TREE
Wildlife sanctuary Community Baboon Sanctuary
Belize City
Mayan city
TIKAL
SAN IGNACIO
Xunantunich El Castillo' Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve Caracol Forest trails
Hu m Higming hw bird ay
Blue Hole
Caribbean Sea
Bar
PLACENCIA
Beach
rier Re e
f
km
Central American Explorer
26 DAYS HOTELS/LODGE RAINFOREST, VOLCANOES AND TROPICAL BEACHES
ISLA DE ROATÁN
BELIZE
Ref CAE
0
60
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
English and Spanish-speaking Belize has exotic wildlife, jungle rivers, Caribbean beaches, tropical forests and many archaeological wonders of the Maya civilisation.
Lamanai & Crooked Tree Sanctuary Driving northwards from Belize City our first stop is the marshy lagoons and wetlands of Crooked Tree Bird Sanctuary a birdwatcher's paradise and habitat of the Jabiru stork (with its phenomenal 3-metre wingspan!) From here we explore the ancient ruins of Lamanai reached by river boat through dense rainforest. Generally uncleared and with only rough approach trails, rediscovering this remote site is a real adventure. Maya Mountains Heading down to the coast, we reach one of Belize's best beach spots, situated on a sandy peninsula, Placencia. It is an ideal place to relax or explore fishing villages and thatch-roofed stilt houses. We then travel inland to walk forest trails in Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve and swim in the deep waters of the Blue Hole'. Two full days are spent exploring the area around San Ignacio where there's time to walk, canoe or even go caving! We include a visit to Xunantunich, where the 40-metre pyramidal El Castillo' affords spectacular views across the mountains and lowlands of Guatemala. Tikal & Coral Reefs We enter Guatemala and spend a night at Tikal without a doubt the most magnificent
MEXICO
Tikal BELIZE (optional) La Ceiba
Central American Explorer Ref CAE
HONDURAS
GUATEMALA
Chichi market or Panajachel (optional)
COPÁN TEGUCIGALPA
ANTIGUA
EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
LEÓN GRANADA
Managua Sao Jorge
CARIBBEAN SEA Lake Nicaragua
OMOTEPE LA FORTUNA PUERTO VIEJO CAHUITA BOCAS Almirante DE TORO RICA BOQUETE
Maya ceremonial centre of all. Heading back to the old capital, Belize City, we take a skiff across the clear Caribbean seas to the tropical island of Caye Caulker. Lying inside the greatest living reef in the Western Hemisphere, it is an idyllic spot for underwater explorers. Reef trips, snorkelling or scuba diving trips are all available.
PACIFIC OCEAN
km 0 500
RINCON DE LA VIEJA MONTEVERDE NP
PANAMA
PANAMA CITY
City walking tour
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Miami (USA). 2 Fly Belize City; drive via Community Baboon Sanctuary to Crooked Tree. 3 In Crooked Tree; river trip to visit Lamanai ruins. 4 Drive to Placencia via Altun Ha. 5 In Placencia; optional excursions. 6 Drive Cockscomb Jaguar Sanctuary and Blue Hole to San Ignacio. 7 & 8 In San Ignacio; visit Xunantunich; optional walking and canoeing. 9 Drive Tikal (Guatemala); visit Tikal site. 10 Drive Belize City. 11 Launch to Caye Caulker. 12 & 13 On Caye Caulker; swimming; optional snorkelling. 14 Launch to Belize City; fly London. 15 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 11nts hotel, 2nts lodge; 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 3 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Motor launches/On foot. Comment: Belize has a unique and colourful AfroCaribbean, English and Spanish population. It's also a naturalist's paradise, with over 500 bird species and much wildlife. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
COSTA
A land of many secrets lies host to a huge array of birdlife, flora and fauna which we hope to glimpse, hidden away in their natural habitats. Within the rainforests and beneath the volcanoes lie the rich legacy of the Maya and the Spanish, the lost city of Copan and a string of UNESCO protected towns rich in colonial architecture.
Across the Panama Canal to the Carib Coast We begin in Central America's southernmost country, strolling through Old Panama before heading north to Boquete hidden away on the flanks of the Baru volcano. Reaching the shores of the Caribbean, we take a ferry to the archipelago of Bocas de Toros where we can snorkel, go dolphin-watching or simply relax. Crossing into Costa Rica, we explore Monte Verde cloud forest in search of the elusive Quetzal and listen to the rumbles of Arenal Volcano. Colonial architecture, Guatemala
Volcanoes, Lakes & Beaches We head to the volcanic island of Ometepe, its twin-cones dominating the horizon. We will visit the two colonial gems of Granada and Leon, home to some of the most impressive colonial architecture in Central America. Our journey is broken at the tropical paradise of Roatan where you will have the chance to snorkel and dive. Mayan Copan & the Old' Capital The rainforested interior hid the spectacular Meso-American site of Copan for many centuries, the natural cover protecting one of the best preserved ceremonial centres in the Americas. Our journey comes to an end in Antigua, a Unesco heritage site and home to the oldest colonial buildings built by the Spaniards. From here there is the opportunity to visit the famous Chichicastenango market or take a flight to Tikal.
Mayan temples at Tikal/Jane Sweeney
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Panama City. 2 Sightseeing, Canal visit (optn'l). 3 Public Bus to David; drive to Boquete. 4 Drive and ferry to Bocas Island. 5 In Bocas. 6 Ferry and drive to Puerto Viejo Sarapiqui (C. Rica). 7 Drive to Arenal; optional hot springs. 8 Drive to Monteverde. 9 Visit Monteverde. 10 Drive to Rincon de la Vieja. 11 Visit Rincon NP. 12 Drive and ferry to Ometepe (Nic). 13 On Ometepe. 14 Ferry and drive to Granada. 15 In Granada; city tour. 16 Drive to Leon via Masaya market. 17 Drive to Tegucigalpa, (Hon). 18 Fly Roatan; free time. 19 On Roatan. 20 Ferry and drive to Copan. 21 Visit Copan. 22 Drive to Antigua (Guate). 23 & 24 In Antigua; Tikal or Chichi market optionals. 25 Fly London. 26 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 24nts hotel/lodge; 4 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Charter bus/Public bus/Ferry /On foot/Flights as itinerary. Comment: Travelling overland through 5 Central American Countries this journey takes us through remote villages, hidden forests and atmospheric colonial towns we'll also have time to wind down on the Caribbean. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus drivers, boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 16 to 18.
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