Guatemala Rafting and Archaeology

Trip Highlights

This expedition meanders through the impressive and ever changing scenery of Guatemala and combines white water (class IV) rafting, pristine pools and Mayan archaeology, before transferring to Belize Barrier Reef, for relaxation and diving off the white sandy beaches. During our time in this intense country, we will raft the exciting white waters of the Rio Cahabon & Rio Dulce and swim in the enchanting pools of SEMUC CHAMPEY. We then transfer to the rainforest to explore the Mayan archaology by boat and by foot, before spending the last couple of days relaxing in the Belize Barrier Reef. Highlights:- 4 days whitewater rafting the rapids of the Lanquin and Cahabon rivers • Experience the Guatemalan rainforest and marvel at the large variety of fauna and flora • Exploring the ancient city of Tikal, one of the most impressive in the Mayan world. • 2 or more days relaxing at your leisure on the Belize Great Barrier Reef

Price Details

Price

From: GBP1995 per person (12 Days)

Price Includes

Price Excludes

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Guatemala City:-
On arrival at “La Aurora” international airport in Guatemala City, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You will have time to relax at your leisure before meeting the group and enjoying a welcome dinner.
Overnight hotel with dinner

Day 2 Coban and Lanquin
We make an early start to rendevouz with our rafting guides and travel through the local countryside to Lanquin. We will stop en-route at the Quetzal Reserve on the way, giving you the chance to walk through one of its natural trails through the forest with
the possibility of seeing monkeys and birds including the national bird of Guatemalas - the Quetzal.
We lunch in Coban enroute to Lanquin.
Overnight hotel.

Day 3 Begin Rafting Expedition
This morning we transfer in pick up trucks to the banks of the Lanquin River, a few kilometres out of town. After a safety and orientation talk, we board the rafts and begin descent of the Rio Lanquin to its confluence with the Rio Cahabon. We continue
on the Cahabon, navigating some of the river’s largest and most exciting rapids.
The day is full of excitement, a perfect combination of rapids, tranquil pools, friendly Maya-Keck’ chi Indians and wildlife.
Enjoy the subtropical jungle with its large variety of orchids and bromeliads blooming throughout the year. Marvel at the local bird life like Montezuma Oropendula, Bluebelted and Amazon kingfishers, Amazon parrots or a glimpse of the Keel Billed toucan.
In the afternoon we arrive at the small village of Tamax where we will camp on an inviting beach.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight camping

Day 4 Rafting the Rio Cahabon
After breakfast, we continue on through more challenging and exciting rapids, placid pools perfect for swimming, pristine side creeks, colorful bird life and beautiful scenery of remote and seldom seen regions of the Alta Verapaz. Dinner and camp upstream of the spectacular Cataract of Chulac. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight camping

Day 5 Rafting the Rio Cahabon
Following breakfast and campsite breakdown, our rafts and equipment are transported around the unrunnable and deadly cataract known as Chulac Falls. After a short walk around the falls, we board our rafts at the base of the last drop.
We continue downstream through the Lower Gorge, where the river enters a rugged canyon of unspoiled natural beauty with a perfect mixture of exhilarating rapids, tranquil pools and natural hot springs we’ve dubbed ‘The Little Paraiso’.
By mid-afternoon we reach our take-out point at the small village of Cahaboncito. Switching from rafts to an awaiting vehicle, we transfer overland a short distance to the town of El Estor set on the shores of Lago Izabal (Guatemalas’ largest freshwater lake).
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight lodging in El Estor.

Day 6 To Flores
Today we have an early breakfast and board vehicle for land transfer to Flores. On the way we can make a short visit to the hot springs of “Finca Paraiso” or to Castillo de San Felipe, at Rio Dulce Bridge. Here you will have the opportunity to practice Bungee jumping if you wish - 100 feet drop before splashing into the deep waters below. We will also stop at the new Canopy and Sky walk bridges (1 hour away from Flores) which are set in the high jungle Canopy and we will may see spider monkeys among other jungle animals and birds.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Flores.

Day 7 Maya Ruins & Lake Petexbatun
After breakfast we drive to the frontier town of Sayaxche, on the banks of the Río Pasión. Here we take an outboard boat to the start of a short trek to explore the intriguing ruins of Ceibal. The ruins are surounded by forest and shaded by huge ceiba trees and have some outstanding and well-preserved carvings. We have plenty of time to study the unusual stelae and experience the surrounding rainforest’s flora and fauna. Return to Sayaxche and continue to the Lake Petexbatun for lodging and dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 Aguateca
First thing today, we visit the site of Punta De Chiminos right outside our hotel door. Later, we board a boat to arrive at ruins of Aguateca. We spend the day walking in the protected jungle, visiting the plazas and experiencing the natural cliff boundaries that eventually led to its demise. Although there are no imposing temples here, the ruins are among the best preserved and restored in Guatemala. We have a picnic lunch at the site and continue to explore the chasm which was the natural barrier of defense for the ancient Maya city. At the end of the day, we re-board the boat to travel back (upstream) to our hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 Ancient city of Tikal
After breakfast, we board the boat to travel upstream to the town of Sayaxche. Here we will board a van for our transfer to the magnificent National Park of Tikal. All afternoon we can explore this incredible ancient city, considered by most to be the most
impressive in the Mayan world. You will note that most visitors to Tikal are “day trippers”--arriving in the morning and leaving in
mid-afternoon. As such, we will have the park largely to ourselves in the afternoon, as we will be staying overnight at the Jungle Lodge, located in the park itself.
Staying in the park will give a much greater appreciation for the area and its abundant flora and fauna--especially the howler monkeys and coatimundis!

Tikal: TIKAL AND THE LOST WORLD
The first beginnings of Tikal, the most impressive ancient Mayan cities, was started over 2,500 years ago. The city of Tikal hosts more than 4,000 structures. It is surrounded by 576 square kilometers of national park where jungle wildlife roam freely without the threat of man. On our tour to Tikal we will visit the Great Plaza, the Lost World Complex and the intricate architecture of the Central and Northern Acropolises. Climb one or all of the pyramid temples which tower up to 65 meters above the jungle floor to witness the breathtaking view of the thick, rainforest, which still covers many monuments and stelae. You will be astonished by the myriad of flora, fauna and sounds of the forest as you walk through this peaceful timeless space. We will also have the opportunity to admire many of the jade artifacts, ceramics and tomb contents discovered during the excavation of
Tikal which are on display at the Museum of Tikal.

Note: All hotels located in Tikal Park have generated electricity, which is turned off at 9-10pm. They do have hot water.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 Tikal / Belize Barrier Reef
After breakfast we transfer to Belize City and take a local flight for San Pedro on the Ambergris Caye for 2 days relaxation and marine activities on this beautiful tropical island.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 Belize Barrier Reef
Whilst in Belize you will be able to enjoy the barrier reef at your leisure, independantly. From a full day of snorkeling to view the amazing tropical fish, diving the 2nd largest barrier reef, or swimming and sunbathing on white sandy beaches with coconut trees.
Overnight at hotel,

Day 12 Expedition Ends
Today you board the local flight for the short hop to the Belize City airport for your flight home. Or why not stay a few extra days and soak up all that the barrier reef has to offer. We are more than happy to book additional nights at the hotel and also have information on the local PADI diving schools.

Other Info

Accommodation Details

We stay in a range of accommodation on this expedition including hotels, an ecolodge and a catamaran. All accommodation is based upon two sharing, single occupancy may be available at some locations at an extra cost (please enquire when booking).