Quetzal Highway

Day 1 - Arrive Antigua
The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre-tour accommodation.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua is one of the most delightful colonial towns in Central America. To fully explore this beautiful town, we recommend booking pre-tour accommodation before the start of your tour.

The local indigenous can be seen throughout the cobbled streets and plazas of the city in their colourful costumes, selling their crafts and textiles. As the cultural centre of Guatemala, Antigua is an ideal place to experience the traditional music, architecture and art of the country. Rich in ornate churches, convents, parks, plazas, cafés, restaurants, bars and colourful street markets and surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanoes, Antigua is one place you will never forget.

Optional Excursions
Pacaya volcano climb - US$20 • Walking tour - US$30 • Chocolate making class - US$30 • Coffee farm tour - US$25

Accommodation
1 night in a hotel at Hotel Posada Los Bucaros or similar.

Day 2 - Rio Dulce
We depart Antigua by mini van to the river town of Rio Dulce where we overnight in cabins right on the water.

Accommodation
1 night in a hotel at Hotel Catamaran or similar.

Meals
1 Breakfast

Day 3 - Flores
This morning we can enjoy a boat tour along the 23 kilometre stretch of waterway to Livingston allows you to experience one of the most scenic areas of Guatemala. Livingston is situated at the mouth of the Rio Dulce, where it joins the Bay of Amatique, and is inhabited by the Garifuna people. This lively little town has a Caribbean atmosphere different to the rest of Guatemala and is a great place to try the delicious local specialty tapado (seafood coconut soup) and listen to the local African-style punta music.

We continue to the charming island-town of Flores, the last town to be conquered by the Spanish and situated in the centre of Lake Peten Itzá.

Included Excursions
Rio Dulce boat tour to Livingston

Accommodation
1 night in a hotel at Hotel Sabana or similar.

Meals
1 Basic Breakfast

Day 4 to 5 - San Ignacio
Flores is our base for exploring the breathtaking Maya site of Tikal which is regarded as the greatest city of the Maya world and is nestled deep in the jungle. This complex is one of the biggest Maya sites discovered, and you will have most of the day to explore and learn about the flora, fauna, and amazing Mayan history with our knowledgeable local guide.

The area around Tikal has been declared as the Tikal National Park and the preserved area covers 570 square kilometres. The ancient city has been completely mapped and at its height covered an area greater than 16 square kilometres, with more than 3000 structures. Today the main centre covers an area of approximately two and a half square kilometres. As you wander the site, you will see several tall mounds which are temples that have not yet been excavated, and you will have the opportunity to climb some of the tallest Mayan temples.

The emphasis was on height when creating these imposing structures because the Maya believed the higher the building, the closer they were to the gods. Around Tikal there is a lot of animal life, and if you're lucky, you will have the chance to spot the noisy howler monkeys, pizotes (a racoon-like animal), exotic birds such as toucans, and much more!

This afternoon we continue on to San Ignacio referred to as "Cayo" by the locals, this agricultural centre is also known to be the 'adventure' and 'nature' capital of Belize. The surrounding jungle, wildlife, waterfalls, rivers and caves, have created the ideal location for the numerous optional excursions that are available, from canoeing downriver and tubing through caves, to visiting the famous caves Actun Tunichil Muknal, where they found untouched Mayan ceremonial and sacrificial remains.

Included Excursions
Guided tour of Tikal ruins

Optional Excursions
Tubing – US$100 • ATM Caves - US$95 • Canoeing - US$85 • Caracol Ruins, the largest and most important Mayan ruin site in Belize - US$95 • Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve -  US$85

Accommodation
2 night(s) in hotels in hotels at The Aguada Hotel or similar.

Meals
1 Breakfast

Day 6 to 8 - Caye Caulker
Leaving San Ignacio, we take a local bus through the centre of Belize to Belize City, where we catch a water taxi out to the Cayes (mangrove islands). Belizeans know how to relax, and hopefully the locals' expertise on relaxation will be contagious during your stay on Caye Caulker. If not, there are signs to remind you to "Go Slow", "Take it easy", and even "No shirt, no shoes, no problem". We spend a couple of very laid back nights on Caye Caulker, where you can throw away your shoes to wander the sand filled streets, spend the evenings eating seafood, drinking cocktails, and listening to reggae music in one of the bars.

During the day we can organise a range of different optional snorkelling trips for you, such as to Shark and Ray Alley, where you can swim within a few feet of nurse sharks and majestic sting rays, or weather dependent, you may have the opportunity to swim with sea-cows! Another optional snorkelling tour takes you out to Hol-Chan Marine Reserve where you are guaranteed to see lots of colourful fish and interesting reef formations. Qualified divers can explore the so-called bottomless "Blue Hole", made famous by the explorer Jacques Cousteau (please note: this optional excursion does not go every day, check locally for availability). Other options include sunning yourself, riding a bike around the island, or trying your luck at fishing. If you are lucky, you can take your catch to one of the local restaurants so they can BBQ it for you.

Included Excursions
Caye Caulker

Optional Excursions
Half/full day Caye Caulker snorkelling - US$45-80 • Scuba diving in the Blue Hole - US$290 • Night Snorkelling - US$70 • Flight over the Blue Hole - US$200pp (min 3 people)

Accommodation
3 night(s) in hotels at Hotel China Town or similar.

Meals
1 Breakfast Box

Day 9 - Playa del Carmen
After a long day travelling by bus, you will return to Playa del Carmen for a final night. Spend the night enjoying your final taste of delicious Mexican cuisine and celebrating the end of the adventure with several margaritas!

Please note: There is 500 pesos Immigration entry fee to be paid on arrival into Mexico.

Accommodation
1 night in a hotel at Hotel Playa del Carmen or similar.

Day 10 - Playa del Carmen
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.

Meals
1 Breakfast