324 Guatemala & BelizeGuatemala & Belize at a glance1Tikal and the PEtén jungleThe main attraction in the northern jungle is the monumental archaeological site of Tikal, along with Machu Picchu the most impressive on the continent.3COBÁN AND SEMUC CHAMPEYThe misty hill town of Cobán is a convenient base for visits to the remote highland scenery of north-east Guatemala, such as the grottos of Lanquín and turquoise pools at Semuc Champey.2ANTIGUA AND THE HIGHLANDSColonial Antigua is one of the most attractive cities in Latin America. 3 hours' drive away in the misty western highlands is the traditional market town of Chichicastenango. Serene Lake Atitlán is fringed by volcanoes and Mayan villages.217546PHOTO ON PREVIOUS PAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK.COMTIM MURRAY-WALKERPETER GREENWOODGUATEMALA TOURIST BOARD.Sololá.Chichicastenango.Guatemala CityAntigua.Lake Atitlán.Huehuetenango..Todos Santos CuchumátanRio Hondo..Quiriguá.San Felipe.Puerto BarriosLivingston..El CeibalSayaxché.Flores.Yaxchilán.Xunantunich..Blancaneaux.CorozalAmbergris Caye.Altun HaLamanai..Dangriga.Placencia.Punta Gorda.Chaa Creek.Chan ChichBelize City.GUATEMALAMEXICOHONDURASEL SALVADORGULF OFHONDURASBELIZE.CóbanQuetzaltenango.Lanqúin.PACIFIC OCEAN.Copán Ruinas.San Ignacio Tikal National Park

ISTOCKPHOTO.COMISTOCKPHOTO.COMGUATEMALAMEXICOBELIZEHONDURAS..FloresAmbergris CayeAntigua..Guatemala CityPanajachel.Chichicastenango..Belize CityTikal National ParkCAYO DISTRICT25Essentials Climate Sub-tropical (temperate in the highlands). Rainy season May?November.Festivals Semana Santa (Easter) 17?24 April 2011. Day of the Dead Kite festival 02 November. Travelling from UK Time difference (GMT) -6hrs Travel time 15½hrs Highlights of Guatemala and Belize 16 days, 14 nightsAntigua 2 nights, Panajachel 2n, Chichicastenango 1n, Antigua 1n, Tikal 2n, Cayo District 3n, Ambergris Caye 3n.Days 1&2 Fly from the UK to Guatemala City arriving the same evening. Transfer to colonial Antigua, set in the shadow of three volcanoes. Day 3 Drive to Panajachel (2½hrs) on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Day 4 Relax and enjoy the lake's panoramic views. Day 5 Drive to the atmospheric Mayan town of Chichicastenango, still an important centre for trading and religious ceremonies. Day 6 Spend time at the world-famous produce and artisan market; return to Antigua. Days 7&8 Fly to Flores, and stay in a simple jungle lodge well located for exploring the Mayan ruins at Tikal within dense rainforest. Days 9-11 A 3 hour drive across the border into Belize. Spend 3 nights at the rural Lodge at Chaa Creek (p28) beside the Macal River (superior); or to the whitewashed cottages of Hidden Valley Inn in Mountain Pine Ridge where waterfalls, rivers, lakes and caves are surrounded by savannah and pine forest (standard). Days 12-14 Drive to Belize City, and fly to Ambergris Caye, (20mins) a coral island offering diving and snorkelling. Unwind at the sedate but informal Victoria House resort (p30; superior) or Sun Breeze hotel (standard) overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Day 15 Fly to Belize City and connect to flight to the UK arriving day 16.Prices from £1,843pp (standard); £2,198pp (superior) based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights Saturdays from the UK 7COPÁN (HONDURAS) and the caribbeanThe ruined Mayan city of Copán has a jungle location at the border with Honduras where you can visit the beaches of Roatán island. Inland from Livingston you can explore the verdant Río Dulce gorge.6maya mountains and the southThe western interior is an area of pine-forests and rivers which drops down towards savannah and tropical jungle. There are interesting Mayan sites, and good lodges facilitating the exploration of the region.5the caribbean coast and barrier reEfsThe earth's longest unbroken barrier reef lies just off the coast, and the coral atolls and dazzling undersea theatre offer unrivalled diving and snorkelling.4the northern rainforests of belizeNorthern Belize is an area of remote villages, mennonite camps and dense jungle; it's one of the continent's primary bird-watching and wildlife areas.020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information how about?» Extending your stay to visit the ruins at Copán (p50). » Extra time in Belize? Chan Chich Lodge (p28) Blancaneaux Lodge (p31). Guatemala?can't wait to go back. People were amazing?Tikal awesome. CJ, Kenilworth50 Miles50 KMBELIZE TOURIST BOARDBELIZE TOURIST BOARD