| ARCHAEOLOGY ADVENTURE...BELIZE!
GROUP SPECIAL (4 or more people)
9 days, 8 nights $1500.00US Per Person
Archaeological Adventure...BELIZE! is designed
for people with a strong interest in the ancient Maya The tour includes visits to 9 major
sites in Belize, as well as to nearby Tikal in Guatemala. As a side benefit, with the help
of our knowledgeable guides you will also learn about the plants, animals, and birds that
contribute to Belize’s rich biodiversity.
For those groups wishing a
less intensive archaeological focus and a more relaxing ending to the trip, a final 2-day
stay on Caye Caulker spent snorkeling and sunning on the Caribbean can be substituted for
the trip down south (days 6 &7) .
ITINERARY
Day 1: Pickup at Belize international airport; drive to Orange Walk, where you will
overnight in preparation for the next day’s activities. Day 2: A
scenic boat ride up the New River takes you to Lamanai, a Maya site continuously
occupied from BC 500 to the 16th Century. After a guided tour of the site and a visit to
the on-site museum, return by boat to Orange Walk and then drive to Tropical Wings/The
Trek Stop, your base of operations for the next several days.
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Day 3: Spend half the day exploring Che Chem Ha Pottery Cave, a dry cave
untouched by looters which still contains an amazing collection of ceramics used by the
Ancient Maya for ceremony and storage. The afternoon features an in-depth tour of Xunantunich, a Classic site
especially known for El Castillo and its elaborate stucco friezes.
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| Day 4: Visit El Pilar, a
large Maya site in the Belize River Valley, occupied from the Preclassic through the
Terminal Classic Periods, and Cahal Pech, a small but extensively reconstructed
site with an excellent museum. OR travel to the underworld through Actun Tunichil Muknal,
a spectacular wet cave with extensive artifacts and sacrificial burials. |
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Day 5: Travel deep into the
jungle to Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize. Caracol defeated its rival
Tikal AD 562 and reached its zenith around AD 700. |
| Day 6: We leave The Trek Stop for
points south. After a short stop at Mayflower, a largely unexcavated site shrouded
in lush jungle, we continue on to Nim Li Punit, a site noted for its very large and
elaborately carved stelae. We overnight in Punta Gorda, the southernmost town in Belize.
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Day 7: In the morning we travel deep
into the southern jungle to Lubaantun, famous for its unusual architecture, clay
whistles, and controversial crystal skull. After our visit, we return to The Trek Stop in
time for dinner.
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| Day 8: Though not in Belize,
the magnificent ancient Maya ceremonial site Tikal is too close not to visit, so as
a finale we cross into Guatemala and spend the day touring this impressive site. |
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Day 9: We head for Belize City. If the departure time of your plane permits, en route
to the airport we visit the national museum to see its display of magnificently painted
vases, elaborately carved jade and shell, and other archaeological artifacts from
throughout Belize. |
Price includes all lodging, meals, transport
within Belize, admission fees, guided tours, and accommodation and sales tax. It does not
include airfare to/from Belize, departure taxes, tipping (optional), or personal
purchases. A Tropical Wings guide will accompany you throughout the trip, from your
airport arrival until your final departure. You will be guided at each site by a local
guide who has expertise about that site. Dr. Jason Yaeger, Mayanist at the University of
Wisconsin, Madison, serves as consultant for this package.
This price is offered only to groups of 4 or
more, with a suggested maximum group size of 12. Price is based on double-occupancy rooms.
A 10% down payment reserves a time-slot for your group; the balance is due 1 month prior
to your arrival. Get your reservation in early to ensure your choice of dates. An
information packet containing site maps, site summaries, and suggested readings will be
mailed to participants about 1 month prior to your trip’s start.
Price is guaranteed through June 2009.
For more information or to make reservations,
contact Judy Yaeger at:
Tropical Wings Nature Center
San José Succotz
Cayo District, Belize
email: susa@btl.net phone:
011-501-823-2265
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