The Mayan World – Belize/Guatemala

The Route

Our route is specifically designed to take in the best Mayan ruins, jungles and cultural experiences that Belize and Guatemala have to offer. Starting along Belize’s Western Highway, we visit the charming villages of Roaring Creek, Teakettle and Georgeville before bedding down outside of San Ignacio where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the superb Xunantunich Mayan ruin that is accessible via a hand-cranked ferry. From here we make our way over to Guatemala and the magnificent Tikal. We’ll spend two nights at Tikal, giving you plenty of opportunities to soak in the mighty ruins and the surrounding wildlife-filled jungle. A highlight will be watching the sunrise on top of Temple IV.

Back in Belize, we take you down a 50-mile isolated jungle road to Caracol – Belize’s most impressive Mayan archaeological site. It’s here where Off Beat Roads has obtained special permission to camp right at the site. This means you have the unique opportunity to watch both a stunning sunrise and sunset on top of the ruins.

From Caracol, the tour makes it’s way to the edge of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve we’re we spend a half-day exploring the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave system. Incredibly, the caves still contain significant Mayan pottery and skeletal remains.

After spending a night at Blue Hole National Park we’re you’ll cool off in its stunning swimming hole, we cycle down Belize’s most beautiful road – the Hummingbird Highway. Filled with incredible lush mountain scenery this is riding at its best. The accommodation for the night is the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary – a 155 square mile jaguar-filled jungle.

Our tour then concludes in the sleepy beach village of Placencia, where you’ll have two days to snorkel, scuba dive, fish or simply just laze around on the beach working on fixing those cycling tan lines.

The Road

Some of the roads such as the Hummingbird Highway are nicely paved, whereas others such as the road into Caracol are mostly unpaved with the occasional bumpy sections. A good quality mountain bike is recommended for this trip.

Accommodation

Hotels are used for the first night in Burrell Boom and for three nights in Placencia. During the tour, splendid camp sites will be the order of the day.

Rating

There aren’t any particular long climbs on this tour. However, there are some ups and downs so a certain degree of fitness and bike confidence is recommended. Remember that there is always a support van if needed.

Trip Length

11 days

Trip extensions can easily be arranged. There’s no shortage of things to do and see in these Central American countries.

2008 Dates

February 11th – February 22nd

February 25th – March 8th

Specific tour dates can be arranged for groups of 6 or more.

Price

$1900 Canadian Funds

Price based on double hotel room occupancy

What’s Included

Food and water during the bike tour, 4 nights hotel, camping fees, cave tour, support van, guides, archaeological site entrance fees. And as always – the first drink on arrival.

Special menus can be arranged for vegetarians but please let us know in advance.

Extra Costs

Flight to and from Belize, food during hotel stay in Burell Boom and Placencia, alcohol.

Belize Photo Gallery

If you would like to book your Belizean adventure or would like to obtain more information on this trip please contact Off Beat Roads.

If you would like to view more pictures from this great adventure please click here