The Archaeology of Belizewith Epigrapher, Stanley Paul Guenter
January 1 - 9, 2011
Rediscover hidden temples and palaces which have stood in forested splendor for thousands of years...boat down a lazy river where the elusive crocodile floats among lily pads...sink our toes into the white sandy beach in the land of the Garifuna...travel with our archaeological specialist, who has intimate ties with the country and its people...
Far Horizons proudly offers Belize - a colorful abundance of archaeology, culture and natural history. During this special 9-day trip, explore lost Maya 
ceremonial centers concealed by jungle shadows, and meet people from the country's varied ethnic groups, while seeing spectacular wildlife that other countries around the world label "endangered."
Long thought to be a backwater of the ancient Maya civilization, archaeological work here has proven the opposite. Explore Caracol, conqueror of Tikal in the 6th century; Lamanai, an important commercial center for more than 3,000 years; Xunantunich where recent work by UCLA archaeologists is unearthing startling new evidence on the Maya; Altun-Ha, a major center that controlled the Maya trade routes along the Caribbean coast; and the remote southern cities of Lubaantun and Nimli Punit, where yet another inscribed stela has been recently found.
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(B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner
Day 1: Fly from Miami to Belize to begin our archaeological tour of that country. Upon arrival, drive north to the New River. From here, a river cruise through unspoiled lowlands takes us to our lodgings for the next two nights, the Lamanai Outpost Lodge. Along the way we may see hawk-like snail kites, ospreys, gray-necked woodrails, and northern jacanas, locally known as Jesus Christ birds or "lily trotters" as they appear to walk on water. Our accommodations at the lodge feature charming wooden casitas built on a bluff overlooking an uninhabited lagoon on the edge of Lamanai National Park. Gather tonight for a special welcome dinner at the lodge. (D)
Day 2: We spend today at Lamanai. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the 
site was occupied as early as 1500 B.C. Maya were still living here in 1641 when Catholic priests attempted to convert them, evidence that the city had a continuous occupation for over 3,000 years. One of the most intriguing pieces found here is Stela 9, a finely-carved monument carved in 625 to commemorate Lord Smoking Shell, who had died 17 years earlier. This afternoon, we visit the historic section of the site. Standing in front of the ruins of the church is an unpainted stela carried here by the 17th-century Maya from the prehistoric part of the site. (B/L/D)
Day 3: We return downriver to Orange Walk and drive to La Milpa, located in the Rio Bravo Conservation Area in northwestern Belize. This 250,000-acre tract of land has been preserved for research and sustainable use by the Programme for Belize. The Maya constructed a city here on a high limestone ridge that contained more than 24 courtyards and over 85 structures. The Great Plaza is one of the largest public spaces in the Maya world. Nearby Blue Creek was a wealthy polity with a city center incorporating major monumental architecture. During excavations one of the Maya area's largest caches of jade was found, along with a large-scale ancient agricultural system. In the afternoon, drive to the northern most town in Belize, Corozal, and overnight. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Today we explore three remarkable sites. The modern town of Corozal is built over the ancient Maya center of Santa Rita. Archaeological excavations have shown Santa Rita to be the ancient province of Chetumal, capital of one of the largest Post-Classic Maya kingdoms. The city was occupied up to the time of Spanish contact in the 1500s. Across Chetumal Bay, the site of Cerros was an important Maya coastal trading center during the late Pre-Classic period. Strategically located on a peninsula at the mouth of the New River where it empties into Chetumal Bay, the city expressed new forms of art and architecture that proved to be crucial for theformation of classic Maya iconography. The facade on the Cerros temple is adorned 
with stucco masks depicting the sun god and the Hero Twins. Altun Ha was the first archaeological site in Belize to be scientifically excavated. Occupied since 1000 B.C., the site flourished throughout the Classic period before being abandoned around A.D 900. The site’s many pyramids cluster around two large plazas and many unusually rich tombs were discovered within them. One of these, nicknamed the “Sun God’s Tomb” contained the largest carved block of jade ever found in the Maya area, and was thought to portray the Sun God himself, K’inich Ahau. Overnight in Belize City at The Great House, a magnificent four-story colonial style residence that is one of the largest classic wooden homes still in existence in Belize. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Begin the day in the Belize Museum housed within a two-story brick fortress built in 1857 that was once Her Majesty’s Prison.Home tosome of the most hardened criminals from Belize’s colonial period to shortly after Independence, today the transformedMuseum of Belize provides visitorswith a historical roadmap into Belize’s vibrant past while retaining mementos of the building’s former residents. Next stop is the renowned Belize Zoo, dedicated to the preservation of Belize’s magnificent biodiversity. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to Xunantunich, reached only by hand-cranked ferry across theMopan River. The tallest pyramid at this site, towering over the surrounding countryside, displays a splendid 30-foot long stucco frieze dating to A.D. 800-900 at a time when much of the rest of the Maya world was collapsing. Overnight for two nights in duPlooy’s, a jungle lodge in western Belize’s Cayo Distrit, which is home to more than 300 varieties of birds. Spend some time this evening on duPlooy's canopy walk in search of elusive wildlife. NOTE: Here we overnight in a private casita reserved only for our group. The house has several bedrooms and several shared bathrooms. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Hidden deep within the Maya Mountains lies the remote Maya city of Caracol, one of the largest of the ancient American cities. In 1986, a ballcourt marker was found that recorded the military victory of Yajawte’ K’inich of Caracol and his allies over the warlords of Tikal. This magnificent city was built in an area without a natural water source, but the ancient Maya reservoir is an engineering masterpiece 
that still functions today. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Situated along the west bank of the Macal River, the ruins of Cahal Pech offer a commanding view of the Maya Mountains to the south and the fertile valleys of the Belize River below. The city’s late Pre-classic temples and two separate ball courts display fine examples of Maya craftsmanship, suggesting this site was a royal hilltop residence. After exploring the site, drive to Belmopan, the capital of Belize. Here, stored in a vault in the government’s Archaeology Commission, are the majority of the country’s archaeological artifacts waiting for the opening of a national museum. If available, the Archaeological Commissioner will open the doors and allow us to see these treasures. After lunch, drive south to Placencia where we overnight for two nights in a simple hotel on a wonderful beach. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Today’s all day tour takes us further south across river after river through the spectacular jungle-shrouded Maya Mountains to three archaeological sites. Lubaantun was a late Classic ceremonial center noted for its unusual style of construction, distinctive for southern Belize. Shadowed by the jungle canopy, and standing on stone terraces stand large temples made of dressed stone blocks with no mortar binding them together. Nim Li Punit was an important city during the Late Classic Period, and may have held a special relationship with nearby Lubaantun. Of the more than 25 stone monuments found at the site, at least eight are carved. One of them is 32 feet long and is the tallest inscribed stela in Belize. Nim Li Punit means “Big Hat” in the local Maya language, and is named for the impressive headdress worn by the ruler depicted on the monolith. Remote Uxbenká is perched on a ridge overlooking the foothills and valleys of the Maya Mountains. Early Classic monuments found here may be among the earliest dated stelae in Belize. Hieroglyphic texts from one nearly complete monument may suggest a political relationship with the large urban center of Tikal though they do not specify the nature of this relationship. (B/L/D)
Day 9: Fly from Placencia to Belize City in time for our flight back to the USA. (B)
Stanley Paul Guenter was born on the frozen plains of western Canada and was first introduced to ancient Maya culture at the age of five, when his family moved to Belize to escape the Canadian winters. He has been studying Mesoamerican cultures ever since. He obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Calgary and his Master’s Degree at La Trobe University, in Melbourne Australia, with Dr. Peter Mathews. He is currently finishing his PhD at Southern Methodist University. Stanley has worked as an archaeologist and epigrapher with a number of different projects in Mexico and Guatemala, including the Mirador Basin Project, the El Peru-Waká Project, and the La Corona Archaeological Project. Stanley is a renowned expert in Mesoamerican writing systems and has taught and presented at numerous conferences in Canada, the United States, Latin America, Australia, and Europe. His knowledge of the written history of the ancient Maya will make the sites visited on this trip come alive.
January 1 - 9, 2011
$7,995.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes roundtrip international airfare from Miami to Belize; all hotels; meals as noted; ground transportation; guides and entry fees.
Single Supplement: $595.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.
Cost Does Not Include: The separate $100.00 (per person) donation check; passport or visa fees; airport or departure taxes; beverages or food not included on regular menus; laundry; excess baggage charges; personal tips; gratuities to guides and drivers; alcoholic drinks; telephone and fax charges; or other items of a personal nature.
Fuel Surcharges: Far Horizons must pass on price increases for uncontrollable charges such as flights and other services due to additional fuel charges.
Donation Checks: As a tour company that benefits from the cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to the scientific and cultural projects and museums we visit.This has created a bond between Far Horizons and the academic and local communities that has helped us establish an extensive list of lecturers and contacts in each of our destinations.We ask that each participant write a check to the noteworthy project we designate. The donation amount is $100.00 per person and is made by check directly to the donation project.Note that the donation is required as part of your registration for the trip and that it is non-refundable. will be designating a donation project for this trip shortly.
A deposit of $500.00 is required along with your registration form. Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information to assist you with preparations for the tour. Prior to the trip, we will send links to various websites of pertinent interest. Click here to download our Registration Form.
Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will receive a refund less a $250.00 administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 75 days before the departure date will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the trip, Far Horizons will not reimburse any fees. Registrants are strongly advised to buy travel insurance that includes trip cancellation.
Air TicketingIf you do not fly on the group flight, you are responsible for all flight arrangements and transportation (including airport transfers) to join the group. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased. If you issue your own international flight, please send the complete schedule as soon as you have it.
The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments.
Travel in BelizeThis trip is for the hardy! The adventurous nature of the itinerary makes it essential that you be in good physical condition and maintain a flexible attitude. The roads in this part of the world are frequently dirt and, dependent upon the road conditions, may involve long drives over uneven terrain. Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. Team spirit and a good sense of humor are helpful! If you have questions about your ability to handle this sort of challenge, please call us.
Limited to 12 Participants
