Upon arrival in Belize City, be met by the guide who will assist with the transfer to the Cayo Disctrict. En route, visit the Belize Zoo and the Xunantunich Maya Site. The Belize Zoo is located at Mile 31 on the Western Highway, a 40- minute drive from Belize City. Only indigenous species are housed at the Zoo, all of which have been either rescued or donated from owners who could not take care of the animals properly. The "guests" are housed in large compounds containing what would be their natural habitat. Birds, cats, crocodiles, monkeys, the list seems endless. A great opportunity to view and photograph those beasts of the rainforest not easily seen in the wild.
Lunch and a great shopping opportunity will recharge the batteries for the afternoon's delights! Tour continues along the Western Highway through San Ignacio in the Cayo District, until we arrive at the village of San Jose Succotz where a hand cranked ferry carries vehicle and passengers to the other side of the Mopan River. One more mile will bring the visitor to the impressive Maya Site of Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock). A major ceremonial center, and one of the countries larger excavated sights, the view from the largest pyramid El Castillo is remarkable. Overnight in Cayo Hotel.


Note: if one is to arrive in the afternoon, a night in Belize City will be reqired.
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It takes 45 minutes approximately from San Ignacio to this exciting canoe trip into a remote cave formerly used by the ancient Mayans as a burial site and for ceremonial purposes. A visit to Barton Creek Cave involves spending over an hour paddling canoes along an ancient Mayan waterway inside the mountain. The guide will point out skulls and artifacts as one passes between stalactites. The high ceiling, beautiful rock flows and cathedral chambers make this a beautiful place to photograph. The cave is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. Mayan pottery shards and bones can be observed by the guide’s spotlights.
After lunch have a relaxing afternoon at the Green Hills Butterfly Ranch where one can enjoy the unique pleasure of seeing beautiful and spectacular butterflies fluttering about in a tropical environment; flitting and feeding from flower to flower. See the amazing life cycle of the butterfly and compare the colors and difference of caterpillars and cocoons. The Belize Butterfly House, Located in the Cayo district, between limestone’s hills covered with lush vegetation one will find "Green Hills", the Belize Butterfly Ranch and Botanical Collections. Flocks of butterflies, from brilliant blue to gorgeous orange, dazzling yellow to intriguing gray, fly freely in a 3,300 sq. ft., beautifully landscaped flight area: The largest live butterfly display in Belize. En-route to the cave one will drive through the traditional Mennonite village of Upper Barton Creek. ...read less

One of its largest buildings is the Temple of the Two-headed Serpent, which measures up to 70 meters high. From its highest point, one can perceive the sounds of the rain forest: more than 300 species of birds, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and toucans. Due to its immense value, UNESCO declared Tikal Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity in 1979. Overnight in Flores.

Optional return visit to Tikal or other Mayan ruins.

Private transfer to Belize City to take the flight to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Half-day snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Belize, or choose from optional add-ons in Belize, Guatemala (Tikal) or other Central American countries.