Tikal
Extension
Duration:
3 Days / 4 Nights
Begin
From: Belize City
End
In: Belize City
Activities:
Hiking, Mayan Ruins Exploration, Rainforest Trails, Birding,
Photography,
Natural History Interpretation.
Accommodation:
Tropical Education Center, Lodges / Hotels
B=Breakfast,
L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Group
Size: 6-16
Guides:
1-2
2001
Dates: Dec 21, 31
For 2002 trip dates please call 1 800 667 1630
The
Setting...
To
most people when you think about the ancient Maya, Tikal comes to mind.
Located two hours by road from the western
Belizean border, Tikal National Park encompasses 220 square miles of rainforest.
Settled more than 2,500 years ago, the ancient
city of Tikal is spread over 6 square miles with over 3,000 separate constructions.
Towering temples, immense palaces, enclosed courtyards, ancient ball courts and intricate
causeways remain, as a testament to a once glorious civilization. We explore this grand
city of the ancient Maya with experienced Guatemalan guides who provide us insight into
the contemporary life of the Maya, blended with traditions from the ancient world. Our
accommodation is located in the village of Flores or in the park, giving us more time to
access the ruins and the elaborate network of trails during the early and later parts of
the day, when the wildlife is most active and most of the visitors have left the site.
A
Note About the Ecology...
Flora...
We
begin our trip, traveling through the interior of western Belize and into northeastern
Guatemala.
Our journey takes us through
tropical savannah and ranch country before climbing into the drier “Pine Ridge”
country of western Belize. From here we descend into the Peten Lowlands, were we have the
broadleaf forest, or rainforest, which covers approximately 70% of Belize and eastern
Guatemala’s wooded area. The year-round grow season, abundant rainfall, and
generations of evolution have yielded this area with the most complex and diverse range of
plant-life. The forest floor is a spongy mass of roots, fungi, bacteria and
microorganisms, which is broken down with the assistance of insects and chemical decay.
Each plant fulfils its own ecological niche, as the continuous recycling of the decayed
plant matter fuels new growth. This rich soil, in turn, feeds the diverse range of
plant-life, from the huge buttress-trunked Ceiba trees to the smallest of fungi. High
above the forest floor is the enchanted world of the broad-leafed canopy.
This system has its own unique infrastructure,
which supports much of the forest's bird-life and a diverse range of mammals.
The canopy ranges from the treetops of Cecropias
and Gumbo Limbo to the many species of Epiphytes (air plants).
This complex and diverse plant and animal life
produces powerful biological compounds that are just recently being discovered and
understood by the scientific community.
Fauna...
While
traveling inland through Belize and into Guatemala, we have great opportunities to view
all sorts of animals. Whether we are catching a glimpse from a spiny-tailed iguana perched
on a tree branch, or get startled by the tiny red-eyed tree frog jumping from limb to
limb, we are totally immersed into a strange and wonderful world. We will more than likely
get a visit or two from Toucans, sitting high above us and watching our every move, or a
flash of the Scarlet Macaw, with its beautiful plumage. There are also an assortment of
raptors, falcons, and hawks that are scavenging and hunting the rich forest floor. Also,
found among the tall trees of the rainforest are the howler monkey, alerting their troops
as we explore the network of trails around the site.
This, along with the white-lipped peccary, the jaguar, and the puma are some of the
larger mammals unique to the area.
Typical
Daily Itinerary:
Day
0
:
Arrive at the Belize International Airport where you will be met by an Island Expeditions
representative and transferred to the Tropical Education Center or the Biltmore Plaza, in
Belize City. After checking into our accommodations we have a chance to meet our fellow
travelers. At the Tropical Education Center, we are able to explore the surrounding
savannah forest through their network of interpretative trails and wildlife viewing
platforms. There is also a wonderful interpretative wildlife conservation center onsite.
This is an ideal starting point for the adventure ahead.
This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts,
meet your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new tropical environment.
Transfers
from the airport are included
Accommodation
: (Lodge or Research Station)
Meals
: Dinner is not included on this Day
Day
1
:
We travel by road through the Belizean countryside to the western border of Belize. From
here we cross into the Guatemalan frontier, on our way to Tikal. Passing through the Peten
lowland forest we gain an insight into rural Guatemalan life along the route. We use
Toyota/Nissan mini-vans with local drivers whose knowledge of both the roads and the
countryside, adds to our adventure. Once settled at our lodge, there is time for a late
afternoon birding walk through some of the park's rainforest trails. Enjoy a relaxing
evening with a nice meal and discussion of Mayan history.
Accommodation
:
(Lodge)
Meals
:
B,L,D
Day
2
:
Our day of discovery includes complete guided tour, visiting the many temples, plazas,
palaces, and museums within the park boundaries.
Our
schedule is flexible to allow us to experience Tikal in a unique and personal way.
Whether our guides are taking us through the
ancient ball courts, describing the sports of the Maya, or leading us through their
ancient footpaths describing the once glorious civilization.
The highlight of the day is ending our tour high
atop a temple to watch the sun beginning to set into the forest below, before we return
back to our lodge for the night.
We also have
a chance to visit some of the local artisan markets.
Accommodation
:
(Lodge)
Meals
:
B,L,D
Day
3
:
For those who wish to rise early, the morning provides us with a unique opportunity see
the site before the majority of the park visitors arrive.
This morning also allows for individual exploration of the site as well as an
opportunity to visit the more outlying areas and to focus on the wildlife within the park.
We may hike through the rainforest to a treetop observatory or visit ruins outside the
center core. We depart Tikal after lunch for some shopping in the markets and stores of
the island village, Flores.
On this
day, we have some flexibility.
For those who
need to get back to Belize City to connect with their international flights, we will
arrange an afternoon flight from Flores.
For
those who wish to stay on in Flores, we will arrange accommodation and depart the
following morning.
Accommodation
:
(Lodge / Hotel)
Meals
:
B,L
What’s
Included...
All meals while you are with the IEC tour
Accommodation listed on itinerary, including the day before the trip (‘Day
0’)
Transportation on tour
Professional Guiding Services
Flight back to Belize City
What's
Not Included...
Meal on 'Day 0'
Alcoholic Beverages
Gratuities
Airport Departure Tax
Extra costs due to late Arrivals and other circumstances beyond our control
Accommodation...
On
'Day 0' we spend the night at the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the world famous
Belize Zoo, or at the Biltmore Plaza, in Belize City.
The Education Center has comfortable, rustic accommodations in a beautiful pine
savannah setting. The Center has a fantastic interpretative center and harbors Belize's
largest collection of tropical animals, with a great network of trails and wildlife
viewing platforms, perfect for exploring this rare forest environment.
The Biltmore Plaza is a clean and comfortable
place to arrive in Belize, have a nice meal, take a dip in the pool, and acclimatize to
your new tropical environment
Whenever
possible, the first two nights of the trip, we are lodged within the site of Tikal to
maximize the quality of our experience.
Within
the park, we stay at the Tikal Inn, which offers clean and comfortable accommodation close
to the ruins. This way we can explore the great plazas and temples during the early and
later parts of the day, when the wildlife is most active and most of the tourists are
gone.
The
final night we have some flexibility.
For
those who wish to stay on in Guatemala, we will arrange a lodge in Flores at the La Casona
de la Isla.
This hotel is located on the
waterfront of Lake Petan.
It has a
restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and is located quite close to the main markets in
Flores.
This is a great place to spend the
final night of the trip, as it offers a unique cultural experience and insights into
Guatemalan village life.
For
those who have an early morning flight back to North America, we will reserve a room for
you at the Biltmore Plaza, located outside the center of Belize City.
Transportation...
We
will be traveling into Guatemala, from Belize City, by Nissan or Toyota mini-van.
While in Tikal, our vehicle will be used to
transfer in and around Tikal and Flores, and on Day 3, will be used to give you a tour of
Flores, where we visit the markets and the surrounding area.
On the day after the trip, we will arrange a Mayan
Airways flight back to Belize City, to connect with your international flight home or to
connect with your further exploration of Belize.
Thinking
about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions Co?
The
Tikal Extension combines well with the Glovers Reef & Mayan Caves, the Coral Islands,
the Coral to Rainforest, the Ultimate Adventure, and the Wild South, as it provides the
unique opportunity see other parts of the ancient Mayan world.
The Glovers Reef & Mayan Caves and the Coral
Islands trips, both offer a unique experience, visiting some of the more isolated areas of
the barrier reef and the surrounding atolls.
The
Coral to Rainforest and the Ultimate Adventure combine exploration of the coastal barrier
reef with an inland component, venturing into the remote areas of the southern Belizean
rainforest.
On the Wild South, expedite into
the remote regions of the Moho watershed and take part in a host of activities at the Blue
Creek Wildlife Sanctuary.
Thinking
About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With
over 13 years of exploration in Belize, our knowledgeable office staff can offer you a
wealth of travel information.
However, we do
recommend that you read up on Belize and find what interests you.
Once you find an area of interest, give our office
a call, and we can help you plan the best vacation possible!
Recommended
Tourbooks:
Eltringham,
Peter. 1999.
Belize: The Rough Guide
.London. Penguin Publishers.
Perottet,
Tony. 1997.
Belize: Insight Guide
Singapore. Houghton Mifflin Publishers.
-
Great
book! Great photographs and written by a Belizean!
Island
Expeditions Co – 1-800-667-1630