Family trip Guatemala and Belize

Day 3: Antigua

Time for some adventure? That's possible because today you will make a spectacular climb! You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the foot of the Pacaya volcano. The road here takes you along narrow mountain paths and gives you beautiful views of 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 about half an hour walking 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 will 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 travel to Flores, you will take a domestic flight from Guatemala City to Flores in the north of the country. You will stay in La Lancha, 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 afraid when you are woken up in the morning by the roar of a howler monkey in the trees around your cottage.
Overnight stay: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 5: Flores

After breakfast you will be picked up by your guide who will take you to the national park of Yaxha. In this park the third largest Maya place of Guatemala is located. You can enjoy the beautiful nature, where you will see monkeys and tropical birds. Your guide will tell you more about the nature and the Mayan temples of Yaxha. After this visit you will get on a boat and you will be brought to an island in the lake of Yaxha. Here are the pre-Columbian temples of Topoxte. 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. Afterwards you will be brought back to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 6: Flores

Today you will go with a private guide to the Tikal National Park. Tikal or Tik'al was one of the largest cities of the Maya at the time of the Classical Period. Only in 1848 it was rediscovered by a team of Guatemalan explorers. First large-scale archaeological excavations began in the 1950s. In 1979 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here you will visit the ancient Maya city with your guide and you will learn a lot about the history of the Maya people of Guatemala. Although Tikal is considered to be one of the most famous Maya temples of Guatemala, you will still have the feeling that you are almost one of the few people walking around here. The large buildings and the beautiful views from the temples are very impressive. You have lunch in a restaurant in the park. Afterwards you will be brought back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 7: Flores - Cayo District

Today you will be picked up and travel to your first destination in Belize. The Cayo District has some beautiful landscapes, from wild rainforest to rolling hills farmland with plantations surrounded by many rivers and caves. There is so much to see and do here that you will probably run out of time. 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 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 scheduled off. A great time to 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 you can easily undertake various activities from your hotel. The town of Placencia itself is a small fishing village where you can find nice souvenir shops, nice beach bars and restaurants. Here you will encounter both the Maya and the Garifuna culture. The Garifuna is an ethnic group descended from a mixture of Indians and Africans. Finally, Placencia is surrounded by a mangrove area. You can go inland, where 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

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.