Belize Reef & Ruins Adventure

Touch down in Belize and travel to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, named for the crooked cashew trees fringing the lagoon.Around 6pm, we meet the tour leader and fellow travellers to hear about the journey ahead, then enjoy a warm welcome dinner at the hotel. If you’d like to arrive earlier, additional pre tour hotel nights can be arranged through your sales representative.

Wake to birdsong and, this morning, we join our guide to wander the lodge trails in search of the sanctuary’s remarkable wildlife. Wetlands here shelter around 286 bird species – the migratory jabiru stork is the star – while crocodiles, monkeys, otters and freshwater turtles also thrive. Crooked Tree village is thought to be the earliest European settlement in Belize, and the atmosphere is wonderfully peaceful. We return to the lodge for lunch and time to relax.Later, we continue our wildlife focus with a three hour guided sunset boat trip on the lagoon. Migratory birds are most common between December and May, yet resident species reward visits year round – and from our small boat the tranquillity is unmistakable.

This morning, we travel by boat to the Maya temple of Lamanai (meaning Submerged Crocodile) on the shores of the New River Lagoon, thought to be the largest ceremonial site in the region with more than 800 structures cloaked by jungle. As we cruise, our guide points out resident birds and wildlife, including spider monkeys and crocodiles.We then explore the complex, including the High Temple, where we can ascend 125 ft (38 m) for sweeping views.

This morning, we head west to San Ignacio, stopping at the Community Baboon Sanctuary – a grassroots conservation project protecting endangered black howler monkeys. The reserve provides 20 sq mi (52 sq km) of forest for an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 monkeys, whose calls echo as we arrive.After a short river ford and hike, we each settle into an inflatable tube and float along the Caves Branch River through a series of caverns once thought to be Xibalba, the Maya underworld, as our local guide shares the beliefs of the ancient Maya. We continue to laid back, multicultural San Ignacio.

Today we swap jungle for the scenic Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, established in 1944 to protect this distinctive Caribbean pine habitat – a striking contrast to the surrounding tropics. We take a nature walk en route to the impressive Rio Frio Cave, where a 65 ft (20 m) entrance leads to a vast chamber. Afterwards, we enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the photogenic Rio On Pools, a series of granite basins linked by mini waterfalls, with time to visit the pools and cool off.Wildlife here includes white nosed coatis, tapirs, ocelots, cougars and jaguars, while resident birds range from stygian owls to keel billed toucans, motmots, king vultures, parrots, bluebirds and woodpeckers, joined seasonally by orange breasted falcons and tanagers. We round off the day with two memorable stops – a butterfly farm supporting local conservation and a craft coffee experience that showcases Maya harvesting and preparation techniques.

We have a free day in and around San Ignacio. You can choose from a range of optional activities, including the celebrated Actun Tunichil Muknal cave tour – starting with a short swim into the Maya underworld to view the Crystal Maiden, a calcified skeleton that now sparkles. You might also explore the Cahal Pech ruins or join a chocolate experience in town.

On the way to the Guatemalan border, we visit Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most significant Maya sites. Its core features six major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The tallest pyramid, El Castillo, rises 130 ft (40 m) above the main plaza and rewards us with sweeping views over the Mopan River valley and into Guatemala.After exploring, we cross into Guatemala, meet an additional local guide, driver and vehicle, and continue to the Tikal Jungle Lodge for the next two nights.

We rise early for a sunrise tour of Unesco listed Tikal, nearly 20 sq mi (52 sq km) of classic ruins set amid the dense Petén jungle. We tour the city’s main temples, palaces, squares, tombs, residences and religious monuments. At its peak, the area is thought to have supported around 90,000 people, with some 3,000 buildings identified. Wildlife is prolific and we often encounter howler and spider monkeys, toucans, weaver birds, coatimundis and, for those who wish, tarantulas. After a full morning in Tikal with our guide, we have lunch and return to the lodge to spend the evening with the sounds of the jungle.

We leave Guatemala this morning and travel back to Belize City. Here we visit Travellers Liquors – home of much loved One Barrel Rum – for an insight into rum making at the heritage centre, including the bottling process, product sampling, Belizean cocktail tips and the chance to taste and purchase limited editions.We then board the water taxi to the Caribbean island of Caye Caulker. Offshore lies the Belize Barrier Reef, where delicate coral shelters a dazzling array of tropical fish, alongside manatees, nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles. You can upgrade to a sea view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

Just off southern Ambergris Caye, a short boat ride from Caye Caulker, lies the Hol Chan Marine Reserve – named for the natural break in the reef. This vital habitat provides refuge for abundant fish and coral, several sea turtle species, West Indian manatees and two dolphin species, while nurse sharks gather in Shark Ray Alley. Today we join a full day snorkelling tour in the reserve to discover this vibrant marine life – bring a waterproof camera. You can upgrade to a sea view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

Today is free to enjoy the laid back spirit of Caye Caulker. You can while away the day by the pool or at the beach, take a gentle stroll to explore the island town, or borrow paddleboards and kayaks from the hotel at no extra charge. As evening falls, you can toast the sunset to celebrate your Belizean adventure. You can upgrade to a sea view room – speak to your sales representative for details.

This morning, we bid farewell to the island and return to Belize City by water taxi to begin journeys home. If you’d like more time in Caye Caulker, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.