Expedition Summary

Back to Top

Experience Required

This trip is rated Easy. 

No experience is required for this trip.

Back to Top

Trip Registration

Space is limited. A non-refundable deposit of $750 will guarantee your reservation. Full payment is due by December 20, 2009. For itineraries, more information or to register, please contact:

Hamilton Alumni Travel

Email: alumni@hamilton.edu

Phone: 866-729-0314

Or you may contact our tour operator directly:

Global Adrenaline

Phone: 1-312-863-6300 or 1-866-884-5622

Back to Top

Trip Details

Dates:

March 20-25, 2010

Cost:

           Please note that a $100 discount is available when both trip deposit and final

           payment are paid by check. 

Includes:

      -     Global Adrenaline tour leader

      -     local Belizean guides

      -     Guatemala border taxes

      -     domestic flights (Belize City - Ambergris Caye -

            Belize City)

      -     airport transfers when arriving and departing on

            designated arrival and departure dates

      -     accommodation as indicated in itinerary

      -     meals as indicated in itinerary (B=Breakfast,

            L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

      -     bottled water for group transfers and activities

      -     activities as indicated in itinerary and entrance fees

            to national parks, zoos, sites and museums

      -     transportation as indicated in itinerary

 Does Not Include:

      -     international flights

            (approximately $600-$800 for USA -

            Belize City - USA)

      -     international airport departure tax ($35)

      -     meals not included

            (approximately $50)

      -     beverages (discretionary)

      -     travel insurance (discretionary)

      -     tips and gratuities

      -     phone calls, laundry and other items of

            a personal nature (discretionary)

Back to Top

Trip Itinerary

March 20: Arrive in Belize City

Arrive into Belize International Airport (BZE). Meet your driver just outside the baggage collection area and drive approximately 2.5 hours to your jungle lodge. Spend the remainder of the afternoon settling into the lodge and begin to soak in the relaxed Belizean lifestyle. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at the jungle lodge.

Overnight: duPlooy's Jungle Lodge. (D)

March 21: Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulchre) - or - Barton Creek Cave and Xunantunich

Today you have the choice of exploring one of two different caves: Actun Tunichil Muknal or Barton Creek Cave. The Actun Tunichil Muknal tour is wonderful (see description below), but is physically demanding and involves climbing over rocks, squeezing through small spaces, walking through water up to your chest, etc. If you would prefer an easier and more relaxing cave tour, the Barton Creek Cave is a better option. Both tours are adventurous, but the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave is more physically rigorous and is definitely not for everyone. 

Actun Tunichil Muknal: If you are into adventure - this is it!  Actun Tunichil Muknal, the Cave of the Stone Sepulchre, is located near Teakettle Village in the Cayo District. The cave is located 1.5 hours from our lodge and requires a 45-minute nature hike to reach the entrance. The hike includes three stream crossings and goes through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, which is 6,700 acres in size. Witness spectacular visions of the jungle, Maya Mountains and wildlife while trekking across rivers and remote jungle trails. Wildlife in the area includes tapir, jaguar and the howler monkey.

At the cave's entrance gear up with helmets and waterproof headlamps before swimming across the emerald colored water flowing from the cave's gaping mouth to start the cave journey. In this remote cave see burial chambers with calcified remains, ceremonial vessels and much more. Observe numerous cultural artifacts used by the Maya in their ritual ceremonies, and see the remains of a Maya princess as she was laid to rest centuries ago. The caves are full of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Because artifacts are often looted from caves following their discovery, passage through this cave remains known to only to a few select guides who have permission from the Belize Department of Archaeology to take visitors into this special cave. To this day the cave has not been looted and nearly all of the cultural artifacts have remained in place as they were originally found in 1989. This tour is physically demanding and requires climbing over rocks, squeezing through small spaces, swimming short distances and walking through water up to your chest, climbing over ledges, etc. This is not a tour for anyone with a fear of heights or tight spaces. 

Barton Creek Cave and Xunantunich: The trip starts with an adventurous drive toward the Mountain Pine Ridge, along the Chiquibul Road and through a picturesque Dutch Mennonite Amish farm community. Along the way, stop at the Belize Butterfly Farm to see a myriad of butterflies in an enclosed tropical garden setting. A guide from the garden will explain the life cycle of these fascinating creatures and talk about the work that they are doing to preserve Belize's many varieties of butterflies.

Overnight: duPlooy's Jungle Lodge. (B, L, D)

March 22: Tikal Ruins of Guatemala

After an early morning breakfast, depart for a full day trip to Tikal, Guatemala. Tikal, the greatest of all Classic Maya cities, is located in Guatemala, about 50 miles from the Belize and Guatemala border. Set in the jungle canopy, the site consists of over 3,000 buildings, including a handful of impressively tall temples that tower above the forest. The ancient Maya began building Tikal around 600 B.C. At one point an estimated 100,000 Maya thrived in this ancient city. Tikal was one of the greatest centers of Maya culture and sprawled over 46 square miles. It was an important religious, scientific, and political center. Pyramids to honor dead kings were built, administrative buildings rose, storage houses appeared and houses for royalty were carved out of the jungle.

The site of Tikal is a national park, where the native flora and fauna still flourish relatively undisturbed. In addition to its numerous well-excavated temples and pyramids, Tikal presents an excellent opportunity for animal and bird watching. Today, the pristine forest engulfing the ruined city is home to howler and spider monkeys, white-lipped peccary, brocket deer, gray foxes, coatimundis, toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, ocelots, red coatis and the seldom seen jaguar. The combination of archaeological remains and the natural environment of the Peten Jungle prompted the UNESCO World Heritage group to declare Tikal both a Natural and Cultural Heritage Site for Humanity.

Return to the jungle lodge for dinner and one last night in the jungle. Overnight: duPlooy's Jungle Lodge. (B, L, D)

March 23: Belize Zoo, Transfer to

Ambergris Caye - Beach Relaxation

After breakfast, visit the Belize Zoo, home to over 125 animals native to Belize. Many of the animals were orphaned or rescued and the zoo's mission is to educate people about the importance of protecting the natural habitats that sustain these animals in the wild.

Drive to the Belize City Municipal Airport and enjoy a boxed lunch before taking a 15-minute flight over the crystal Caribbean waters to Ambergris Caye. Transfer to an idyllic beach resort and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, relaxing on the beautiful white-sand beach or exploring

the laid-back town of San Pedro. Overnight: Banana Beach Resort. (B, L)

March 24: Ambergris Caye - Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley and Caye Caulker

Spend the day on a snorkeling excursion to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley and nearby Caye Caulker. After breakfast, snorkel at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, known to have the most prolific fish-life on the reef. Nurse sharks and stingrays were originally attracted to this site where fishermen used to clean their catch. The underwater world includes sea turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks and hundreds of species of

fish, coral, and sponges that create one of the world's most diverse underwater ecosystems. Continue on to Caye Caulker for lunch on your own and free time to relax on the beach or stroll through the lobster-fishing village. Return to Ambergris Caye in the mid-afternoon, stopping at one additional spot to snorkel on the way. Enjoy a farewell drink and dinner with the group.

Overnight: Banana Beach Resort. (B, D)

March 25: Return Home

Enjoy a relaxing morning on Ambergris Caye before departing for the San Pedro Airport for your flight to the Belize International Airport to connect to international flights home. (B)

Back to Top

Accommodations

duPlooy's Jungle Lodge

duPlooy's is a small jungle lodge, where visitors feel relaxed in friendly surroundings. There are plenty of activities right on the premises, including visiting the adjacent Belize Botanic Gardens. Various bird species can be observed right from duPlooy's deck with its 200-foot canopied walkway while walking about the property or on guided hikes. Your own private bungalow is nestled in the jungle. Treat yourself to a relaxing cup of coffee and unwind on your screened porch in a hammock and lull yourself into an unforgettable Belizean rhythm.

Banana Beach Resort

This casual resort is located on the Caribbean shores of Ambergris Caye, on a white-sand beach just far enough away from the town of San Pedro to ensure true tranquility. Banana Beach's all-suite accommodations are decorated with rattan furniture made in Belize and decorated with ceramic art and hand-woven tapestries from the Yucatan.