Belize Discovered

Days 1 & 2. Depart London for Belize City [B (Day 2 Only)]

Overnighting in Miami, at an airport hotel. Arrive in Belize City early evening on Day 2. Here you will be met and transferred to the Radisson Fort George Hotel for a one night stay.

Days 3 & 4. Mayan Ruins & Wildlife [L (Day 3 only)]

Spend two nights at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge, with its seventeen fan-cooled cabanas overlooking lush tropical gardens. Situated on the banks of the New River Lagoon, Belize's largest inland lake, the lodge and the ancient city of Lamanai are surrounded by rainforest and savannah. The area is home to Black Howler Monkeys, several species of cats, almost 400 species of birds, crocodiles, otters, Manatees, Kinkajous and a myriad of orchids, bromeliads, and other tropical plant-life. With some of Belize's best guides and naturalists on hand to guide you, experience an unforgettable walk through the rainforest. This, coupled with the opportunity to explore the Maya citadel of Lamanai, makes an extraordinary two days.

Days 5 to 7. San Ignacio, Xunantunich & Windy Hill [RO]

An exciting transfer by boat and road to San Ignacio, an area of rich, unspoilt mountain country dotted with waterfalls and filled with exotic flora and fauna. See spectacular Mountain Pine Ridge, Thousand Foot Falls, Rio Frio Caves and the recently discovered cave at Che Chem Ha. Visit Caracol, the largest Mayan site in Belize, and the smaller Mayan ceremonial centre of Xunantunich, spectacularly perched on a hill overlooking the Belize River.

Your home for the next three nights is Windy Hill Cottages, situated on 40 hectares of beautiful rainforest and providing all modern conveniences. After a busy day of trekking around the ruins, canoeing, horseback riding or hiking through the rainforest, come back to Windy Hill for a refreshing dip in the pool. Wander down to the main bar for a cool drink or grab something cold out of the refrigerator in your room and relax in the hammock on your verandah.

Day 8. Ambergris Caye [RO]

Today fly to San Pedro and the barrier reef, cruising low over the reef's glistening and transparent waters. Here you have a choice of staying at either Victoria House or Mata Rocks for the next seven nights.

Days 9 to 14. Dive Belize Waters [RO]

Some of the best diving is found along the world's second-longest, and largely unexplored, coral reef, lying just a few hundred yards off Ambergris Caye. Swim with Nurse Sharks and Southern Stingrays, visit Shark-Ray Alley, a shallow cut in the reef located to the south and to the inside of Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Much of the reef is 'spur and groove' down to around 50 metres and makes for fascinating underwater topology. Good diving is everywhere and at all depths.

About 80 kilometres away is the Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef, originally a cathedral-like cave, the roof fell in some 10,000 years ago, as the land receded into the sea. Almost a perfectly circular hole, it is 300 metres in diameter, and 130 metres deep; at 40 metres see stalagmites and stalactites, remnants from when the cave was above water, and swim through the maze of quartz and limestone, while the marine-life swims below. As this is a deep dive it is only suitable for experienced divers.

Sunbreeze Beach Hotel

Sunbreeze Beach Hotel is of Spanish architectural design with a touch of the Caribbean surrounded by tropical gardens overlooking the Caribbean Sea on sun swept Ambergris Caye, just a few minutes stroll from the quaint resort town of San Pedro. An oceanfront property boasting 42 spacious air-conditioned rooms of three categories, a restaurant, bar , freshwater pool, massage studio, art gallery and complimentary early morning coffee.

All rooms are non smoking and are equipped with cable TV, direct dial telephone and ceiling fans. Most rooms have two double beds and a few have queen beds. All the Standard and Deluxe rooms feature hot and cold showers whereas the Premier rooms boast a Jacuzzi bath tub and mini- bar .

The oceanfront restaurant, 'Blue Water Grill', overlooks the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea serving breakfast, lunch and dinner specializing in "Island Cuisine with a Twist". Adjoining the restaurant is the 360 Degree Bar , with easy access for guest lounging around the pool.

The on-site Dive Shop, Aqua Dives Belize, offers a full range of PADI courses, daily morning and afternoon local dives, snorkel trips and Atoll trips are scheduled.

Mata Rocks Resort, Ambergris Caye [B]

The seventeen rooms and Junior Suites of Mata Rocks Resort are all en-suite, air-conditioned and with ocean views; feature ceiling fans, Cable TV, mini-fridge, coffee-maker and hair-dryers. The Junior Suites have kitchenettes. San Pedro is only 1.5-metres away, easy walking distance along the beach or by one of the free bicycles available to guests. Facilities include a freshwater beach front swimming pool and bar. The PADI dive centre is next door on the beach.

Day 15. Homeward

Transfer by air back to Belize City in order to connect with your overnight flight to the UK.

Day 16. Arrive Home.