One of the gigantic temples which face each other across the main plaza at Tikal, a remote city with exceptionally fine architecture, some of it excavated but much still in the clasp of the jungle
Seen from the lake - some of our cabanas near Tikal, amazing comfort in the middle of nowhere...
It is usually possible for the intrepid to scale almost all of these imposing temples
The back of a stone throne depicting two Maya rulers - note the topknots, jewellery and expressive fingers...

2014 Tour Details

Tue 1st - Wed 16th Apr
with David Drew

16 Days || Apr: £TBC

(sgl supp £TBC)
without flights £TBC

NB - Planning for our 2014 Tours is still at quite an early stage and some details (sites, hotels, dates) may change. You can reserve a place on any 2014 tour with fixed, fully refundable deposit of £300 (no top-ups if you book before 31st May). Should you change your mind when the brochure (with finalised prices) is published in June/ July we will happily refund your deposit, or transfer you to another tour.

David Drew

Maximum Guests

Quotes

Tikal early in the morning was a magical experience with the sights and sounds of the jungle coming to life. I loved the variety of transport. The drive to Caracol with the stop at the Rio Frio caves was thrilling.
The extraordinary beauty of the landscapes and the friendliness of the local people will remain with me for a very long time.
The opportunity to study the Maya and visit a number of key sites in the company of an expert. The wonderful scenery and wildlife was a bonus
The opportunity to visit very different countries and cultures, with benefit of a top archaeologist to inform and inspire us, and an excellent tour manager to look after us and make things run smoothly, and in the company of like-minded people.

Related Tour

Mexico - The Extraordinary Maya

Tour Type

Tour Codes

BEL14A

Guatemala and Belize: The Maya

The enduring mysteries of a magnificent civilization which arose from impenetrable jungles of Central America.
Adventurous: jungle treks, mangrove swamps, fantastic wildlife, remote sites, oh and even more jungle!
Chosen as a National Geographic Traveler Tour of a Lifetime 2011
“The sites were spectacular. I'd do it again tomorrow.”

The juxtaposition of extreme cruelty and high cultural sophistication in the Maya world takes modern visitors by surprise. But these factors, especially when compounded by exotic jungle surroundings, make for a thrilling 'page-turner' of a tour.

In recent years progress in decipherment of the Maya script has been dramatic, and scholars can now read the story of the Maya as their rulers chose to write it.

We now have intricate details of the lives, politics, religious rituals, wars and astronomical observations of the all-powerful and colourful figures who were the Maya aristocracy. A vivid picture has emerged of competitive city-states headed by aggressive dynasts regularly at war, with blood-letting and human sacrifice at the centre of their religious practice.

Yet despite this, the Maya still present mysteries: how could such an obviously civilised society have emerged in the tropical forest, which seems a particularly hostile setting for human culture? Who exactly were the builders of the marvellous pyramids and palaces? Why, at the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century had all knowledge of them already been lost? Had some sudden disaster befallen them?

Much of Guatemala and Belize is still covered in jungle as it would have been in most of the ancient Maya period, making it easier to imagine the lives of these people, and making our journey adventurous as we dine with the roar of the howler monkeys and pick our way through dense vegetation, with brilliant macaw in the branches above, and the occasional sighting of giant iguana and crocodile.

Itinerary

Day One / Two
Depart UK and fly to Guatemala via USA, on to Antigua.

Day Three
All day discovering the beautiful colonial city of Antigua: before the real adventures begin....

Day Four
Drive east, visiting the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography in Guatemala City, with superb collections including the throne depicted above right; on to Copàn.

Day Five
Copán lies amongst the gentle uplands of Honduras, a city which developed rapidly around AD 450.

Day Six
Quirigua, important Classic Maya city with gigantic carved stelae. Once vassal state to Copán, Quirigua came to prominence when its ruler ‘Cauac Sky’ captured his overlord, ‘18 Rabbit’. Continue to Livingston on the coast and arrive by boat at the hotel gardens.

Day Seven
A journey inland by motor-launch up the Rio Dulce, through jungle and mangrove swamps, to Castillo San Felipe. Continue by road to Tikal.

Day Eight
All day in the incomparable Maya metropolis of Tikal, a site occupied continuously from 800BC to AD900. For long periods Tikal was the most powerful political force among the Maya. The architecture here is very fine.

Day Nine
We stay close enough to Tikal to rise early and climb the highest temples to witness the surrounding jungle coming to life, a wonderful experience, not to be missed, free afternoon.

Day Ten
By boat to the city of Yaxhá (= blue-green water), with magnificent vistas from its temple tops of rain-forest and lakes. The important Maya site of Topoxte occupies an island in one of the lakes. Continue across the border into Belize.

Day Eleven
Head further into the forests to the impressive Maya city of Caracol, with its awe-inspiring temples, including the ‘Canaa’ or ‘Sky Palace’, the tallest pyramid in Belize. A lengthy and bumpy but exciting journey with an extraordinary goal.

Day Twelve
Smaller vehicles to visit Xunantunich, with its well-known stucco friezes, and then on to the Classic period site of Cahal Pech, by the banks of the Macal River. Continue to Belize City and the collections of the National Museum.

Day Thirteen
Explore the Classic period site of Altun Ha; by motor-launch to Lamanai (Place of the Crocodile), cruising through luxurious vegetation rich with birdlife. We stay in the delightful eco jungle lodges here and fall asleep amidst the rumour of howler monkeys and other forest noises.

Day Fourteen
Day exploring the remote jungle remains of Lamanai, the ruins spreading along the shore of the lagoon. The long, uninterrupted occupation of Lamanai from 1200BC to the time of the conquest makes this a most unusual city. A highlight here is the extraordinary Mask Temple. Free time in our lodge and its gardens.

Day Fifteen
Boat from Lamanai, drive to Belize City for flight Belize to USA, then to London.

Day Sixteen
Arrive in London.

What's Included

Flights - Scheduled flights London to Guatemala City; Belize City to London, both via USA
Local Travel - Private a/c coach; off-road vehicles; motor launch; boat
Guide Lecturer - David Drew. Not to be confused with "guest lecturers"! The guide lecturer will be with you from breakfast to supper, and probably even a drink in the bar afterwards. There is the occasional site where they may not be allowed to guide because of local regulations (we normally manage to circumnavigate these) but otherwise the guides are just that.·They will have been chosen because of specialist knowledge and their ability to communicate and interest you. After 29 years of making tours worldwide, we are highly appreciative of the attributes of a good guide, and intensely critical of people who do not possess them.
Tour Manager We never know how best to call the very special people whom we choose to accompany you on your tour. They are usually employed in this capacity only by us, and have been trained to do things in the Andante way - unobtrusive, friendly and quietly efficient.
Local Guide
Meals - All meals included except 1 lunch; drinks (except water) are not
Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme.
Fieldnotes

Hotels

2 nights in a pleasant converted colonial house hotel in Antigua;
2 nights in Copán, in a very attractive hotel with pool;
1 night in Livingston, plain and comfortable with panoramic views over the estuary and good pool;
3 nights in a stylish cabana hotel near Tikal;
2 nights in a good hotel in San Ignacio;
1 night in Burrell Boom;
2 nights in the jungle in remote eco-lodge at Lamanai
(Great variety & enjoyable hotels)

Book Now!

Tue 1st - Wed 16th Apr 2014 with David Drew

Singles: Available

Twin/Doubles: Available

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