Classic Guatemala & Belize

Take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan to the village of San Juan la Laguna.

Visit the women's textile co-operative to see hand-weaving and natural dye processes as well as the homes of the celebrated naif painters.

From here, continue to the village of Santiago for lunch and a tour of the village, visiting the Maya God - Maximon - and learning about the spiritualism and beliefs of the local T'zutujil Maya.

Transfer from the lake one hour by road to the famous market at Chichicastenango (Thursdays and Sundays).

Here vendors from the nearby countryside and villages come to sell their wares. You have time to explore the colourful food market, and the excellent craft market.

Make sure not to miss the catholic church of Santo Tomas, the front of the church has 18 steps accounting of the 18 months in the Mayan calendar.

In the late afternoon, transfer to Guatemala City for a scheduled flight to Flores, the gateway to Tikal.

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of Tikal, immersed within the tropical rainforest.

Also, explore the temples and ruins; for the energetic, climb to the top of the temples to enjoy spectacular views.

Tikal is a great spot to see a variety of wildlife, too. The surrounding jungle is home to spider and howler monkeys, deer, fox, coatis, toucans and a huge variety of birds.

Road transfer into Belize and onto the Cayo District for three nights.

Located in the western section of the country and bordering Guatemala's department of El Petén, the Cayo District is a vast highland stretch of rainforests, ranches and some of the country's most remote and rugged terrain.

Discover Mayan ruins, extensive cave systems, abundant wildlife and the chance to explore the great outdoors on foot, by horse or in a kayak, raft, or canoe.

Travel through the Cayo District before going off road to the mysterious Barton Creek cave system.

Along the way, pass through a traditional Mennonite community, where horse and carriage rule the road. Then, pick up your paddle and high-powered light for your half-day expedition into the Barton Creek Cave, used by the ancient Maya as a ceremonial centre and burial site.

Gently paddle your canoe along the scenic creek and, with lights shining, venture into the dark, winding cave system known as a Mayan underworld. Stalactites hang high overhead as you float past impressive calcite crystal formations in cathedral-like chambers.

Knowledgeable guides leading this tranquil, low-intensity adventure discuss the relevance of the cave to the ancient Mayan people and the archaeological significance of this 7.5-kilometre (four mile) limestone formation.

Enjoy a free day to explore.

The lodge offers a variety of onsite activities, whether you want to go river tubing, mountain biking, hiking to nearby waterfalls or swimming in the Macal River.

The Cayo District is full of adventure. Alternatively, please enquire for excursions that can be booked. We recommend visiting the nearby ruins of Xunantunich or Caracol.

Today, depart the Cayo District by road to San Ignacio Airport. Board a Tropic Air flight (approximately one hour) to Ambergris Caye.

The largest of Belize's islands, Ambergris Caye runs parallel to the magnificent Belize Barrier Reef. Once home to the ancient Maya (they created the island by digging a channel between it and Mexico), Ambergris is located 56 kilometres (35 miles) northeast of Belize City and is accessible by boat or plane.

It's a popular destination for diving, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, kayaking and windsurfing. Formerly a fishing village, San Pedro is the island's only town; its sandy streets are lined with waterfront restaurants, hotels, tiki bars, and dive shops.

Spend the next three nights at Portofino Beach Resort.

Take two full days to enjoy this beautiful Caribbean island. Located on a lovely stretch of beach on the northern shore of Ambergris Island, Portofino is away from the bustle of San Pedro town but still accessible by boat.

It offers fantastic views, great diving and snorkelling, all in a personal, laidback and casual atmosphere.

If you're an adventure seeker, the Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkel tour is a must, allowing you to explore the breathtaking marine life flourishing in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Hol Chan, which means "Little Channel" in Mayan, features an opulent coral garden that includes stag horn corals and sea fans, where myriad sea creatures live and feed. Watch as harmless nurse sharks and graceful southern stingrays ply the shallow, crystalline waters in the aptly named Shark Ray Alley passage.