Travelpack

New York - Belize

Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure starting in New York before heading to Belize. Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and Cahal Pech, followed by an exhilarating journey through the mystical ATM Cave. Fly to San Pedro for a relaxing seaside stay, with a thrilling snorkeling experience at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Enjoy leisure time to soak up the island’s beauty before returning to the UK.

Day 1: Arrival in New York
Fly from London to New York. Arrival at the airport, one-night stay in Hampton Inn JFK Airport or similar.
Airport shuttle John F. Kennedy International Airport: Available, Complimentary, 24/7.

Day 2: New York - Belize
Fly from London to Belize. Met on arrival and transferred to the hotel for a three-night stay in the Lodge at Chaa Creek- Cottage Collection or similar.

Day 3: Belize - Xunantunich & Cahal Pech tour
Private transfer to Xunantunich Archeological Site. Enjoy a guided tour through the site, visiting the most important monuments. The structure called El Castillo rises 130 feet above ground, making it one of the highest buildings in Belize, offering an impressive panoramic view of the Mopan River valley. From this structure, you will be able to appreciate in a lower temple a large stucco frieze, as well as a mask with larger ears next to a moon sign with a border of signs representing Venus.
After Xunantunich, private transfer to Cahal Pech.
Cahal Pech means place of ticks, in the modern Maya language, and refers to the fact that the area was surrounded by pastureland. During the Classic Period, Cahal Pech was the royal acropolis-palace of an elite Mayan ruling family. Cahal Pech was settled around 1000 BC and abandoned by 800 AD.
The site consists of seven plazas and over 30 structures, including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, an altar, and a sweathouse, all situated on just 2 acres. A royal burial chamber was found in one of the structures. Inside the tomb, a ruler had been laid to rest with the accouterments necessary for the afterlife. Included in the find were shell &bone ornaments, pottery vessels, obsidian blades, and jade objects, the most impressive being a jade & shell mosaic mask.
One of the temples in this small complex commands the best view of the surrounding Belize River Valley. The visitor center and museum have a model of the site, excellent paintings showing Cahal Pech in its heyday, and an interpretive film.

Day 4: Belize - ATM Cave tour
Private transfer to the ATM Cave.
You will hike for 30 minutes through the forest before arriving at the cave entrance. A short swim will lead you into the amazing underworld realm. An adventurous trek leads into the main water passage, where you get to enjoy amazing geological formations like sparkling stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones. This hidden chamber promises to reveal secrets and geological processes that have helped to shape the Maya underworld known as Xibalba, a fearful world beneath the face of the earth; the parallel unseen, into which kings and shamans of the Maya past could venture in to communicate with their gods or ancestors through rituals and ceremonies.
Picnic lunch on site.
What to Bring: Light clothing and swimwear, insect repellent, closed-toe footwear (trainers or water shoes with good sole grips recommended), socks, a change of clothes & towel. No cameras are allowed in the cave.

Day 5: Belize - Transfer to Belize City & flight to San Pedro
Transfer to Belize City.
A hotel representative will meet you at San Pedro Airstrip for transfer to the hotel for a four-night stay at Village - Seaside or similar.

Day 6: Belize - Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley snorkel tour -on shared basis
Hol Chan is the oldest marine reserve located on the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. The marine reserve is approximately three square miles and is divided into four zones. At the D zone, you will find Nurse Sharks and StingRays. The Shark-Ray Alley is a popular dive site since these creatures seem to enjoy human interaction.
On this tour, you will make two stops to enjoy the amazing underwater landscape of the Barrier Reef to its fullest. You will see corals of all forms, sizes, and colors, as well as bright tropical fish. The second stop will be at Shark Ray Alley, a shallow area where you may feed and pet Nurse Sharks and Sting Rays, and if you are brave enough, you may even swim with them.

Day 7: Belize - At Leisure
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore on your own

Day 9: Belize / UK
A hotel representative will transfer you to San Pedro airstrip for a domestic flight to Belize International Airport for your return flight to London.

What is included in the offer
• Return flights from London Heathrow with 23kg baggage
• 1 night at Hampton Inn JFK Airport in a Standard Room with bed & breakfast
• 3 nights at The Lodge at Chaa Creek in the Cottage Collection with bed & breakfast
• Xunantunich & Cahal Pech tour
• 4 nights at Ramon's Village in a Seaside Room with bed & breakfast
• ATM Cave tour
• Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley snorkel tour – on a shared basis
• Private airport transfers throughout

Prices & Departures:
Deposit £200pp
• Z88834 Heathrow from £3949pp

Regional Supplements are available with a choice of pre-tour stays

Terms & Conditions
Based on 2 adults sharing

Meal Plans