|
Accommodations
Trips and Tours
General Information
Belize Travel Agent Services
Member:
Belize Tourism Industry
Association
Placencia
Humane Society
Peninsula
Citizens
for Sustainable
Development
(Board of Directors)
Placencia
Sidewalk Fund
(Board of Directors)
The Iris Foundation
for Education
(Board of Directors)
Belize Marine Mammal
Stranding Association
Belize Ecotourism
Association
Email Us
|
|
El Peten and Tikal
Mayan Ruins of Guatemala
|
|
 The Tikal Mayan ruins in the Peten region of Guatemala are truly
breathtaking -- and mysterious, as is the civilization that built Tikal
almost 2000 years ago. (So mysterious in fact, that Tikal was
filmed as the hidden rebel base on the Planet Yavin in George Lucas'
Star Wars.)
The portion of Tikal that has been excavated and studied is about the
size of Central Park in Manhattan, and a guide is highly recommended.
Tikal (meaning Place of the Voices) is located about 40 miles from
Flores on Lake Peten Itza, and is in the middle of the 230 square mile
Tikal National Park.
|
|
 In addition to the mystery of the
ruins, wildlife and exotic tropical birds such as Howler
Monkeys and Toucans are abundant in the Park and among the
ruins themselves.
(The last time we were there, we saw
flocks of Toucans, a group of Spider Monkeys, and definitely
heard a troop of Howlers late in the day. The trip TO
Tikal was also an eventful one full of wild turkeys, pigs, a
rare Orange Breasted Falcon, goats and even a herd of
cattle.)
|
|
|
,%2019%20Oct%202004.jpg)
The El Peten Department of Guatemala is a beautiful one that
includes not only the Tikal Mayan ruins, but also:
 |
The Maya Biosphere Reserve,
the largest area of continuous tropical rain forest in Central
American (22,280 square miles) |
|
|
Lake Peten Itza,
a 38 square mile lake that offers fishing and boat tours |
|
|
Ixpanpajul Nature Reserve,
tropical forest experiences with canopy
walks (one suspension bridge over 200 meters long), a zip
line, and jungle horseback riding |
|
|
Flores, a
picturesque small university town on the banks of Lake Peten
Itza |
|
|
Uaxactun and Yaxha Mayan ruins
|
|
|
Biotopo Cerro
Cahui Park, a great area for
birdwatching (and stopping at woodcarvers stands in El Remate) |
|
|
El Retiro Sanctuary and Snake Exhibit |
|
|
Petencito Zoo
(rescued wild animals only on a small
island in Lake Peten Itza) |
|
|
The close proximity of the Peten region to
Belize means that Belize visitors with a few days to spare can
easily experience some of the remarkable richness and beauty of El
Peten.
So, we've put together a special 5-day El
Peten mini Vacaciones that we think provides a good
overview of the high points of El Peten, and that can be easily
added to the beginning or end of a Belize trip.
(As with all
of our tours, we can customize our El Peten tour to fit your
schedule and budget, although we generally recommend at least two
nights in the region.
Contact us for more information.)
Also, please note that our El Peten
Vacaciones does not include transportation to Flores where this
side-trip begins. The best way to reach Flores from
Belize depends on a variety of factors including budget, amount of
time available and personal preferences, and will be addressed when
planning your tour. |
|
Flores/Tikal Accommodations
|
|
Lakeview Casita Verandah, La Lancha |
Accommodation for your El Peten adventure is at Francis Ford Coppola's
lake resort on the banks of Lake Peten Itza.
Lodging is in a thatched Lakeview Casita overlooking Lake Peten Itza.
Breakfast and dinners are included. |
|
,%2019%20Oct%202004.jpg)
La
Lancha Lakeview Casita Bedroom
|
,%2019%20Oct%202004.jpg)
View of Lake Peten Itza from Verandah of Casita
|
|
View of Lake Peten Itza from La Lancha Beach
|
Pool and Jacuzzi (photo courtesy Graham Cabral)
|
|
,%2019%20Oct%202004.jpg)
Guests at the La Lancha Bar
|
La
Lancha Dining Room (courtesy G. Cabral)
|
Flores/Tikal
Itinerary
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
Flores, Guatemala |
Day One
|
|
Arrive Guatemala (contact us for
information on travel arrangements to Guatemala) |
|
|
Ground transfer to La Lancha |
|
|
Overnight in Lakefront Casita at La Lancha |
|
|
Dinner at La Lancha |
Day Two
|
|
Breakfast at La Lancha |
|
|
Day touring Flores area with private driver
- activities can include
|
|
Walking exploration of Flores |
|
|
Boat tour of Lake Peten Itza |
|
|
Petencito Zoo |
|
|
Ak tun Kan Caves |
|
|
Molul de San Jose (minor ruins) |
|
|
Local villages |
|
|
|
Overnight in Lakefront Casita at La Lancha |
|
|
Dinner at La Lancha |
|
|
Tikal
.jpg)
Guided Canopy Tour
|
Day Three
|
|
Breakfast at La Lancha |
|
|
Tikal
exploration with private guide |
|
|
Overnight in Lakefront Casita at La Lancha |
|
|
Dinner
at La Lancha |
Day Four
|
|
Breakfast at La Lancha |
|
|
Guided
jungle canopy tour (morning) |
|
|
Biotopo
Cerro Cahui Park (afternoon) |
|
|
Stop at
El Remate for woodcarvings |
|
|
Overnight in Lakefront Casita at La Lancha |
|
|
Dinner
at La Lancha |
Day Five
|
|
Sunrise
bird watching by boat |
|
|
Breakfast at La Lancha |
|
|
Depart
Guatemala |
|
|
Cost: from
US$1,035 per person (based on two persons), including:
|
|
Lodging:
Four (4) nights lodging in Lakeview Casita at La Lancha,
double occupancy |
|
|
Meals:
Breakfast and dinner beginning with dinner on the day of
arrival through breakfast on the day of departure |
|
|
Activities:
|
|
Private guided tour of Tikal |
|
|
Private guided jungle canopy tour
|
|
|
Private guided tour of Biotopo
Cerro Cahui Park |
|
|
Sunrise birding by boat on Lake
Peten Itza |
|
|
|
Transfers:
|
|
Round-trip ground transfers
between Flores and La Lancha |
|
|
Three (3) full days private
driver for other activities as desired |
|
|
|
Other:
IVA and INGT Guatemala taxes |
|
|
Note on Guides and Driver:
private guides and driver are
natives of the Peten and speak both English and Spanish
fluently |
Contact us for more information. |
|
|
