Hidden Places of Francis Ford Coppola

Guests are picked up from their hotel and transferred to the Ixpanpajul Nature Park in the rainforest near the town of Flores. (1hr) At the park guests can choose between a Canopy walk Way trail or an exciting zip line adventure through the canopy. On either trip guests will be able to appreciate the local flora & fauna and hopefully see a variety of tropical wildlife. Guests then transfer with their driver and guide to Yaxha National Park (1hr) where they have lunch and enjoy a private guided tour of this lesser visited, atmospheric site. Guests can enjoy the sights and sounds of the howler and spider monkeys as well as many colorful tropical birds and other mammals in this area which is rich with wildlife. Sunset drinks are then enjoyed at the end of the tour on top of the main temple with views over the surrounding rainforest and nearby lake Yaxha. Guests then trek back through the jungle with torches as it starts to turn dark - perhaps spotting some nocturnal wildlife along the way - and return to their hotel.

Pick up from your lodge and begin your privately guided tour of Tikal National Park. Tikal was one of the major cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. Though monumental architecture at the site dates to the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period, ca. 200 AD to 900 AD. Some of these pyramids are over 60 meters high (200 feet). Enjoy some free time at the site and return to your hotel after lunch at a local restaurant.

Meet your driver for a private transfer from La Lancha to Blancaneaux Lodge in Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize.

Experience the natural beauty surrounding Blancaneaux Lodge with a variety of different optional activities incuding horseback riding, nature hikes, swimming, biking and more! All activities are subject to an additional cost.

You will begin with a tour of the famous sites of Xuanantunich, situated on the banks of the Mopan River. Xunantunich means " Stone Woman " in Mayan. Xunantunich was a thriving city near the end of the Classic Period ( 300-900 A.D ) with large plazas ringed with pyramids. The centre of the site is composed of six major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. After lunch continue to the site at Cahal Pech " Place of the Ticks ", just outside the town of San Ignacio. This site center sits on the crest of a steep hill on the west bank of the Macal River and the central acropolis, approximately 900 feet above sea level, provides a commanding view of the Maya Mountains to the south and the fertile valley of the Belize River to the northeast. This center includes pyramid temples, palaces, and a ball court as well as five stelae and an altar (plain). The site shows a gradual architectural growth and indicates occupation likely running through the entire Classic Period. Then you will be transferred through the Cayo region to the Butterfly farm and Green Hills. Here you will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful butterfly sanctuary and learn about butterflies of this area.

Transfer to Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, a 106,000 acre protected national park. In the 1950's, 60's, and 70's, many Belizeans were employed as timber cutters in this area and on our tour we will see testament to that history. Arrive at the beautiful Maya site of Caracol (which means The Snail), named by archeologists because they found numerous snails on site. The original name is Oxwitza which means the sky place. Caracol is the largest archeological site in Belize, covering 30 square miles in thick, high canopy jungle, and includes five plazas, an astronomic observatory and over 35,000 buildings that have been identified. The loftiest among them, a massive pyramid (Caana) capped by 3 temples and rises over 140 feet above the jungle floor. Guests enjoy a private guided tour of the site with entrances and picnic lunch included. We then return to the hotel and on the way back guests can choose to stop and explore the Rio-on Pools and Rio Frio Caves if they wish.

Transfer to Turtle Inn by private vehicle and professional driver.

The Caribbean's largest barrier reef lies just offshore from Turtle Inn, offering snorkellers and divers a magnificent diversity of coral and marine life to explore. In addition, a number of easily accessible cayes (tiny islands) have their own reefs and underwater ecosystems, cementing Belize's reputation as one of the world's great underwater destinations.  Optional activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, swimming, fishing, cycling, sunset cruises and more! All activities are subject to an additional cost.

Transfer from the hotel to the Cockscomb Nature Reserve where you begin with a nature hike looking for wildlife, discovering medicinal plants and learning about the park’s history and efforts to save the jaguar. After a picnic lunch enjoy a refreshing tube-float downriver, enjoying the rainforest from a different perspective. Combine a visit to the Jaguar Preserve with a stop at the fascinating Maya Museum where you will learn about ancient and contemporary Maya culture. Your Maya hosts will show you how to make corn tortillas and how they gro w shade coffee and cacao. Your trip to the Maya Museum at the entrance to the Jaguar Preserve can also be combined with a night walk in the Jaguar Preserve.

Every year during the months of March, April, May & June, whale sharks migrate to an area off the beautiful shores of Placencia in Belize called the Gladden Split. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, and one of the largest creatures of the animal kingdom. Swimming with whale sharks is done with snorkeling gear. Whether diving or swimming with the gentle giants, whale sharks can be as close as a few feet away or even at touching distance. It is recommended to snorkel to look for whale sharks 2 Days before – 10 Days after full moon.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver from Turtle Inn to Belize City International Airport.