Leslie Hsu Besner and Family
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival
Arrive at Belize International Airport where our local representative will meet you and transfer you to Pook’s Hill Lodge, your home for the next 3 nights.
Pook’s Hill Lodge, situated within a private reserve, is located at the foothills of the beautiful Maya Mountains in the Cayo District of Belize, bordering the Roaring River and Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The lodge encompasses an ancient Maya Plazuela Group. This unique location, coupled with its unparalleled position in the very heart of the country, makes Pook’s Hill a perfect base from which to discover the sights and sounds of Belize. The thatched cabanas and main lodge are located in a small clearing in the forest with lawns leading to the creek and trails below.
Accommodation is simple and hearkens back to a traditional time in Belize, where closeness to nature and the sounds of birds were valued above cell phones! The cabanas are built with traditional thatch roofs and are designed in harmony with their surroundings. Each private cabana is fully screened and equipped with a private bathroom, hot water shower, ceiling fan, and 24 hour electricity on a 110 voltage system. The Family Cabana is comprised of 2 units, which are separated by a dividing wall. Each unit has its own private entrance and bathroom and features 1 queen bed and 1 single bed, or 2 single beds.
Go to sleep to the sounds of the surrounding rainforest and swirling river.
Overnight Pook's Hill
Day 2
CAVE & JUNGLE ADVENTURE
Enjoy an adventurous cave / river trip to see ancient Mayan ritual sites where artifacts remain. Choose between Barton Creek where you canoe through the cave or Actun Tunichil Muknal for a more strenuous and adventurous jungle and cave trip with a surprise at the end!
Overnight Pook's Hill
Day 3
CARACOL MAYA ARCHAEOLOGY SITE & THE MOUNTAIN PINE RIDGE
Travel today to through the protected area of the Mountain Pine Ridge and down into the national park of the Chicquibal Rainforest reserve. Enjoy the changing scenery and variation of eco-systems as you arrive to the Caracol Maya archaeology site, the largest archaeology site in Belize. Here guests enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating and beautiful site with its huge central temple Caana rises over 140 feet above the canopy floor offering wonderful views of the surrounding site and rainforest location. After a tour of the site and a picnic lunch guests can explore the Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools before heading back to the lodge.
Overnight Pook's Hill
Day 4 - 6
COTTON TREE LODGE, TOLEDO
Today transfer to Cotton Tree Lodge near Punta Gorda, for the next segment of your vacation.
Nestled between unspoiled rainforest and the banks of the Moho River, Cotton Tree Lodge offers a tranquil retreat on 100 private acres in the undiscovered Toledo District.
Each day begins a new adventure, with locally guided tours to Mayan villages, ancient ruins, waterfalls, and caves. Activities available on the grounds include birding, horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, medicinal plant walks, or simply relaxing in a hammock.
While there is a focus on sustainability, the lodge offers all amenities to keep guests comfortable. Eleven private cabanas and five Garden Vista rooms are fully screened and have private bathrooms, ceiling fans, balconies, and hammocks. The Main Lodge houses reception, a gift shop, wireless internet access, and a fully-stocked bar. Our restaurant serves Belizean and American favorites prepared with the freshest ingredients from local farmers and an organic garden.
While staying at Cotton Tree, your family will have the option to spend a day volunteering with local faming families.
Cotton Tree Lodge
Day 7
PLACENCIA
Enjoy a quick flight to Placencia and settle in at Chabil Mar Villas, a beach resort well designed to accommodate families.
Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day sunning on the beach or enjoying the resorts two infinity pools.
Overnight Chabil Mar Villas
Day 8
COCKSCOMB JAGUAR RESERVE
Today’s tour is for those that are into fun and adventure! You will be transferred from your hotel to the Cockscomb Nature Reserve where your tour will begin with a nature hike: looking for wildlife, discovering medicinal plants and learning about the Park’s history and efforts to save jaguar.
After a picnic lunch, enjoy a refreshing tube-float downriver – enjoying the rainforest from a different perspective! Then hike to the waterfall for an invigorating swim in cool mountain waters and end by descending down to the river for some “rock sliding!” on smooth rocks. Please note that you will need good hiking shoes for this tour, clothes that you don’t mind getting wet, insect repellent, and an extra change of clothes. Tour price does not include a fee of US$2.50,which is a donation to the Belize Audubon Society.
Overnight Chabil Mar Villas
Day 9
REEF SNORKELING TOUR
Full day private snorkeling reef tour with barbecue lunch.
You will be met at the hotel and transferred to the operator’s office to pick up your snorkel equipment and for any final preparations. You’ll then transfer to the dock and board the boat for your transfer out to the reef and to your island destination. The specific snorkeling destination will vary from day to day depending on weather conditions and your preference. The boat transfer out to the reef usually takes 35min to 1hr. The closest destination is Laughing Bird Caye and the furthest is Silk Caye, Ranguana or Pompion caye. Once you arrive at the designated caye, put on your gear and your guide will give a small briefing. You’ll begin snorkeling from the beach, enjoying a variety of tropical fish and colorful coral formations. Enjoy a break for lunch and relaxation before exploring another snorkel spot in the afternoon. After a fabulous day of snorkeling, transfer back to the mainland and to the hotel.
Overnight Chabil Mar Villas
Day 10
Departure
Wrap up your Belize family adventure with a last leisurely morning at the resort.
Transfer by flight to Belize International Airport in time for your international flight home.
