Guatemala & Belize Escorted Tour

GROUP ESCORTED TOURS

GUATEMALA & BELIZE

This fascinating tour explores the intriguing world of the Maya, the classical civilization whose empire extended through a sizeable portion of Central America

GROUP ESCORTED TOUR

ABOUT THE TOUR

This fascinating tour explores the intriguing world of the Maya, the classical civilization whose empire extended through a sizeable portion of Central America, including Guatemala and Belize. Our journey encompasses not only significant Mayan archaeological sites but also charming towns, magnificent and diverse scenery and the colourful culture of the region.

We begin in Guatemala with the charming colonial town of Antigua, before moving to the natural beauty and Indian villages of Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango with its wonderful market, and the spectacular ruins at Tikal, and Yaxha. We then cross into Belize to explore the dramatic Mayan remains, great natural beauty and wildlife around the Mountain Pine Ridge, before ending our tour with a three-night stay at a delightful hotel on the white sand beaches of Ambergris Caye on the Caribbean coast of Belize.

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San,Juan,Del,Obispo,,Guatemala,-,August,3,,2018:,Rear

LED BY

TOUR LEADER

Tom and Libby Owen Edmunds

Tom Owen Edmunds is a Senior Adviser on rainforest and conservation with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a Washington-based think tank specialising in climate and environment issues. Tom started his working life as a photographer specialising in wildlife and travel, including numerous assignments in Latin America. In 1994 he was described by the British Journal of Photography as ‘one of the world’s leading travel photographers’. He has shot assignments in over 100 countries, published books on Bhutan and Mexico, and photographed the books that accompanied the BBC Great Journeys series, taking him round the world 14 times, over 24 episodes. From 1997-2019 Tom moved between aid and diplomatic posts with the UK Foreign Office, his last post as Head of the UK Climate Change Unit in the British Embassy in Jakarta. Previously, he held posts in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and London, and was Private Secretary to the Minister for Film, Broadcasting and Tourism. Tom sat on the Council of the Royal Geographical Society from 2003-6, and was elected one of the youngest ever Fellows of the Royal Photographic Society aged 24. He read Geography at Oxford University specialising in ecology and sustainable development. Tom has a life-long passion for wildlife and wild places. Libby Owen Edmunds is a sustainable tourism expert advising governments and multilaterals including The World Bank, USAID, and UK’s FCDO. Over the last twenty years she has worked in more than 15 countries, particularly focussing on issues around climate and poverty.

THE PRICE BREAKDOWN

15 days from £7,875 per person

TOUR DATE: 19 FEBRUARY – 5 MARCH 2026

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £2,340

Price Includes

Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
Breakfast daily; 9 lunches; 8 dinners
All entrance fees, visits and excursions
Transportation as per the itinerary
Gratuities in restaurants for included meals
Gratuities to guide/s; gratuities to driver/s
Porterage
Local English-speaking guide/s
The services of your tour leader throughout

Price Excludes

International flights
Travel insurance
Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
Visa fees
Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 17/04/25

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DAY-BY-DAY OVERVIEW

Thursday, 19 February – London to Antigua

Depart from London Heathrow on a flight to Guatemala City via Miami (not included in the cost of the tour). On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to Antigua. Check in at El Convento Boutique Hotel. Dinner under own arrangements.

Overnight: Porta Hotel, Antigua

Friday, 20 February – Antigua

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon walking tour of Antigua including La Merced and San Francisco Churches, the Cathedral and the Monastery. Dinner at Welten.

Overnight: Porta Hotel, Antigua

Saturday, 21 February – Antigua

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit De La Gente Coffee Farm, a working farm project. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a family home. Afternoon visit to a weaving cooperative at San Antonio with a demonstration. Time permitting, visit a macadamia farm in San Miguel. Dinner under own arrangements.

Overnight: Porta Hotel, Antigua

Santa,Maria,De,Jesus,,Guatemala,-,August,20,,2017:,Colorful

Sunday, 22 February – Antigua to Lake Atitlan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Chichicastenango to explore the local market and visit Santo Tomas Church. Lunch at a local restaurant. Take part in a Maya ceremony in the highlands before continuing to Lake Atitlan. Check in at Hotel Atitlan. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Atitlan, Lake Atitlan

Monday, 23 February – Lake Atitlan

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a lake tour, including a visit to San Juan La Laguna. Visit a textile cooperative to learn about natural dye techniques and traditional weaving. Meet local naïf painters in their homes and studios. Continue to Santiago and visit the Maya God Maximon. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner at Posada de Don Rodrigo.

Overnight: Hotel Atitlan, Lake Atitlan

Tuesday, 24 February – Lake Atitlan to Tikal

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the ruins at Iximche and take part in a Mayan ritual with a shaman. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Guatemala City for a flight to Flores. On arrival, transfer to Las Lagunas Hotel. Dinner under own arrangements.

Overnight: Las Lagunas Hotel

Wednesday, 25 February – Tikal

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day visit to the Tikal ruins at Uaxactun. Lunch at a local restaurant at the entrance of the park. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Las Lagunas Hotel

Thursday, 26 February – Tikal to Mountain Pine Ridge

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Depart for the Melchor de Mencos border. En route, visit the Yaxha ruins and enjoy a sunset boat tour around the island ruins. Lunch at a local restaurant. Cross into Belize and continue to Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge. Dinner at the lodge.

Overnight: Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge

A,Breathtaking,View,Of,Lake,Atitlán,In,Guatemala,,Surrounded,By

Friday, 27 February – Mountain Pine Ridge

Breakfast at the lodge. Morning excursion to Barton Creek Caves. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Green Hills Butterfly Ranch. Dinner at the lodge.

Overnight: Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge

Saturday, 28 February – Mountain Pine Ridge

Breakfast at the lodge. Full day visit to Caracol and the Mountain Pine Ridge region. Lunch will be a picnic. Optional swim at the Rio Frio Pools. Dinner at the lodge.

Overnight: Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge

Sunday, 1 March – Mountain Pine Ridge to Ambergris Caye

Breakfast at the lodge. Morning at leisure. Lunch under own arrangements. Transfer to Ambergris Caye and check in at Victoria House. Dinner under own arrangements.

Overnight: Victoria House, Ambergris Caye

Sunday, 1 March – Mountain Pine Ridge to Ambergris Caye

Breakfast at the lodge. Morning at leisure. Lunch under own arrangements. Transfer to Ambergris Caye and check in at Victoria House. Dinner under own arrangements.

Overnight: Victoria House, Ambergris Caye

Monday, 2 March – Ambergris Caye

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a private boat and snorkelling tour in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Lunch under own arrangements. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner under own arrangements.

Overnight: Victoria House, Ambergris Caye

The,Barton,Creek,Cave,Entrance,,Belize,For,Canoe,Tours,Into

Tuesday, 3 March – Ambergris Caye

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a private boat and snorkelling tour at Mexico Rocks. Lunch under own arrangements. Afternoon at leisure. Farewell dinner.

Overnight: Victoria House, Ambergris Caye

Wednesday, 4 March – Ambergris Caye to Miami

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Miami (not included in the cost of the tour).

Thursday, 5 March – Miami to London

Continue onward to London. Arrival at London Heathrow.

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Belize,Cayes,-,Small,Tropical,Island,At,Barrier,Reef,With

“PROBLEM FREE EXCELLENCE.”

Efficiently organised, everything went like clockwork. This is all the more remarkable since the tour involved considerable complexity.

“AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE COMPANY.”

We have continued to ask Ultimate Travel to make our distant overseas travel arrangements for many years and they have always given us great service.

“BEAUTIFULLY ORGANISED AND PERFECT RECOMMENDATIONS.”

What a fantastic trip organised by Ultimate. They listened to what we wanted and set up perfect destinations for us. Everyone was friendly and professional from the office in London through to on-the-ground support. The organisation of pick-ups, connecting flights and so on, went like clockwork.

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