Barrier Reef, Rainforest and Mayan Pyramids

Day 1

Fly to Miami

Depart the UK on a direct flight to Miami. On arrival transfer to your chosen hotel close to Miami Airport. 

Day 2

Chaa Creek in the Macal River Valley

Fly to Belize in the morning. Our guide will transfer you to Chaa Creek on the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains of Western Belize, for a 4 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Chaa Creek is an authentic, luxury lodge and the perfect base to explore the rainforest. 

The palm-thatched cottages are a perfect compromise between comfort and a true wilderness experience. Each cottage has Mexican tiled floors, large mahogany beds, original artwork and private bathrooms with hot showers. Spacious sundeck verandahs allow guests to view wildlife and interact with nature. A range of activities including hiking, swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, bird-watching, guided nature walks and river trips are available. The Reserve's Natural History Centre and Butterfly Farm are within easy walking distance of the cottages.

The cuisine features a mixture of Caribbean, Mexican and Belizean dishes served under an enormous umbrella of thatch in the large, airy restaurant with its own temperature controlled wine cellar. The dining room, bar and cottages are all constructed from local hardwoods and thatched with bay leaf palm. For relaxation after an active day, guests can visit the Spa at Chaa Creek. 

Explore the ancient history of this area on daily guided options excursions from the lodge, including a tour to Tikal in Guatemala and the local Mayan sites of Xunantunich, the impressive Cahal Pech and El Pilar. Also visit the many caves along the river valley, take birdwatching walks or canoe on the Macal River. A few days at Chaa Cheek will leave you invigorated from the adventures in the rainforest and also relaxed from your luxurious lodge surroundings.

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Day 3

At leisure

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Day 4

At leisure

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Day 5

At leisure

Day 6

Francis Ford Copolla's Blancaneaux Lodge

We take a short drive to Blancaneaux Lodge set in the beautiful Privassion Creek valley, within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, for a very special 3 night stay.

In the early 1980's, the famous film director, Francis Ford Copolla fell in love with the area and purchased the lodge as his private residence. In 1993, Blancaneaux Lodge opened to the public as a 20 room luxury forest hideaway enabling daily adventures to the nearby Mayan ruins and forest combined with Italian dining and exquisite facilities of the lodge and its cottages.

There are several different cottages available with garden, river or waterfall views to suit couples, honeymooners, families - and luxury cottages with their own private swimming pool. Depending on your group size, also available to book are stunning 2 bedroom villas and the ultimate Francis Ford Coppola's own private villa with 2 large bedrooms, art and antiques, kitchen and on-call attendant. Each cottage has bathrobes, safe, fully stocked mini-bar, espresso machine, phone, fan, writing table, organic luxury soaps and hair dryer. Some have telescopes for stargazing.

Public areas include the Montagna Restaurant serving classic Italian cuisine from Coppola family recipes, drawn from their history in the southern region of Basilicata, Italy. There is also a poolside restaurant and bar. The lodge has a stunning swimming pool and excellent spa.

There are many activities to enjoy during your stay including guided hikes, horse riding or mountain biking in the jungle, early morning bird-watching tours and fully guided excursions to the Mayan ruins at Caracol, Xunantunich or Tikal in Guatemala.

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Day 7

At leisure

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Day 8

At leisure

Day 9

Relax on a tropical island

Transfer to Belize City where we take a fifteen minutes small plane flight over crystal clear water and patch reef to San Pedro on the small island of Ambergris Caye. We stay for 4 nights at Victoria House Resort, located south of the village, close to the magnificent Hol Chan Marine Park.

The elegant Victoria House Resort is situated on the idyllic azure shores of Belize's magnificent barrier reef. The hotel is a series of charming air-conditioned palapa casitas, plantation style rooms, beautiful suites and two private villas, all with private bathroom and set amongst swaying palm trees and tropical gardens. The ambiance is one of relaxation and privacy but there are a number of activities to also take up. The resort has an excellent swimming pool and restaurant, and the little village of San Pedro is an alternative choice of restaurants, bars and shops.

Relax in a hammock under shady palms, snorkel in the rich waters of the barrier reef, enjoy yoga or take a trip to observe Manatees.

Perhaps the best place to explore is a trip to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located on the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. Here, you can experience on a local boat the Belize Barrier Reef close up, snorkelling or scuba diving amongst the wide variety of protected coral reefs and marine life including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, grey snappers, black tipped sharks and many, many more.

Venture afield on an optional trip to other islands and enjoy a barbecue on the beach. You can take a boat trip to the ruins of Lamanai, take a birdwatching tour, go scuba diving and fishing.

If you love aerial photography, it is possible to take an unforgettable helicopter adventure over the Belize Barrier Reef to view the unique the famous Blue Hole and other reefs and sandbars.

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Day 10

At leisure

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Day 11

At leisure

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Day 12

At leisure

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Day 13

Departure

Fly back to Belize City Airport to connect with your overnight flight back to the UK, via Miami.