Belize Jungle and Reef Explorer

Arrive at Belize International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your lodge in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (approx 45 mins journey). Nestled among lagoons and wetlands, Crooked Tree is one of Belize’s oldest Creole communities and a haven for birdlife. After settling into your lodge, meet your fellow travellers over a local meal. If time allows, take a short walk through the village and get your first glimpse of Belize’s rich cultural and natural heritage Overnight: Bird's Eye View Lodge or similar

Meals:  D

Today is a full day of exploration into Belize’s cultural and ecological heart. Travel overland and by river to reach the remote Maya city of Lamanai, once a thriving ceremonial centre nestled in dense rainforest. With your expert guide, wander among towering pyramids, plazas and ancient stone carvings, learning how this site endured for over 3,000 years. After lunch, return by boat along the wildlife-rich New River. Keep watch for iguanas sunning in the trees, toucans and parrots overhead, and the rare Morelet’s crocodile along the water’s edge. Arrive back at Crooked Tree by late afternoon and enjoy a relaxed evening by the lagoon Overnight: Bird's Eye View Lodge or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Begin your day with a sunrise birding boat tour on the Crooked Tree lagoon. A peaceful, early morning journey through wetlands alive with herons, hawks, kingfishers and perhaps even a jabiru stork. Return to the lodge for a relaxed late morning and lunch. In the afternoon, travel to the impressive Maya site of Altun Ha, once a powerful trading post with ceremonial plazas and the famous Temple of the Masonry Altars. Return to the lodge in time to watch the sun set across the lagoon and enjoy your final dinner in Crooked Tree Village. Your guides will also brief you on the exciting reef stage of your journey, beginning tomorrow. Overnight: Bird's Eye View Lodge or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, depart Crooked Tree and head to the capital for a brief stop before boarding your private boat charter. Journey 90 kms (56 mi) across the Caribbean Sea, weaving through mangrove cayes and coral shallows en route to Belize’s most remote island group - Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Arriving at Half Moon Caye, your guide team will welcome you to camp and help you settle into your safari-style tented cabana. Enjoy a fresh island lunch, followed by a snorkelling orientation and your first swim in the warm, clear waters of the reef. In the days ahead, choose from snorkelling vibrant reef sites, kayaking to nearby cayes, or exploring a slowly vanishing shipwreck. Or, simply relax with a good book and a sea breeze, the choice is yours. Overnight: Half Moon Caye Basecamp

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s main event is the legendary snorkelling site known as the Aquarium. A dazzling undersea wall alive with colourful fish and towering coral. After breakfast, pack your gear and set off by kayak, with motorboat support, paddling across clear waters toward nearby Long Caye. Enjoy a snorkel at a patch reef en route, then pull up at the dock for a relaxed lunch in the field. In the afternoon, gear up for a drift snorkel over the Aquarium’s vibrant coral formations – a favourite among marine guides for its sheer diversity and depth. With the sun at your back, raise the sails on your kayak or paddle home to Half Moon Caye, soaking up every bit of the island life rhythm Overnight: Half Moon Caye Basecamp

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you venture to one of the most iconic marine sites in the world – the Great Blue Hole. After breakfast, set out by kayak or motorboat for the 10 kilometre (6 mile) crossing across open sea. Arriving at this perfectly circular marine sinkhole, snorkel along its coral-rich rim, where soft and hard corals line the edge and tropical fish dart in and out of the blue depths. Return to camp for a well-earned lunch, then enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring Half Moon Caye at your own pace. Choose a paddle, one last snorkel, or walk the trails through the red-footed booby colony and littoral forest. Tonight, celebrate your final night on the reef with a special seafood dinner and a local cultural performance under the stars Overnight: Half Moon Caye Basecamp

Meals:  B,L,D

Wake to your last sunrise on Half Moon Caye and enjoy a relaxed morning soaking up the island atmosphere. Snorkel a favourite patch reef one final time, paddle along the atoll’s edge, or simply walk the beach and watch the frigatebirds soar overhead. After lunch, board your return boat and cruise back across the Caribbean to the mainland. On arrival in Belize City, you will be transferred to your hotel, marking the end of your Belize adventure. Note: Optional post-trip accommodation can be arranged on request, or continue your journey with one of our trips in Mexico or Guatemala

Meals:  B,L