GUATEMALA – BELIZE – HONDURAS

The Ruta Maya Tour combines delicious cuisine and some great hotel accomodation with exotic riding . You will be awarded with spectacular scenarios and panoramic views of the Alta Verapaz region and the Peten Jungle.The riding is very scenic and does involve some off pavement adventuring. Dirt road riding skills are recommended as we follow unpaved roads into areas where we hardly see any tourist at all. But it is just this challenge and excitement that makes it a very interesting tour.

We visit the Mayans of Honduras, whose spectacular hieroglyphic stairway leading up a pyramid can be seen at Copan, up to hidden ruins in the jungle of Tikal in Guatemala and Caracol in Belize with howler monkeys swinging high up in the forest canopy.

We tour around the Lago Atitlan, one of the most beautiful lakes of the world surrounded by impressive volcanoes and watch the native indians as they walk by dressed in colourful costumes. 

Day 1 : Arrival at       San Pedro Sula / airport       and transfer to our hotel . Greeting by our tourguide and briefing of the motorcycle tour. Overnight in San Pedro Sula .

Day 2 : San Pedro Sula – Copan Ruinas ( 160 km)

After handing over the motorcycles we leave San Pedro Sula and take a scenic ride on a paved road towards Copan Ruinas – the place of the famous Mayan ruins. Overnight in Copan Ruinas, which is a small attractive mountain town with cobblestone streets and red tile roofs.

Day 3 : Copan Ruinas

We will tour the Mayan ruins in the morning with the ball court, the acropolis and the hieroglyphic stairways. In the afternoon we will offer a dirt road ride ( 30 km )  to the “hot springs” for those who look for more action. Overnight in Copan Ruinas.

Day 4 : Copan Ruinas – Antigua ( 250 km)

Early in the morning we head to the Guatemalan border ( El Florido) which is only a 15 km ride. After passing the border we keep staying on a mountainous road until we reach the busy highway to the city of Guatemala. For a short time we stay on the famous Pan American Highway before we arrive in Antigua late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua.

Day 5: Antigua – Lago Atitlan ( 90 km )

In the morning we take a stroll through the ancient ruined city of Antigua – the former capital of Guatemala for more than 200 years ago. After lunch we are leaving Antigua and turn off from the main road following a small dirt road towards the Lago Atitlan – one of the most beautiful lakes of the world surrounded by three impressive volcanoes . Here you will enjoy a fantastic view over the mountainous region. Overnight in Panajachel.

Day 6: Panajachel – Chichicastenango ( 90 km )

Morning visit of the market of Panajachel, which is the most popular tourist center around the lake offering souvenirs and handicraft of the native indians. For the more adventurous rider we hit a dirt road along the lake to see some of the colorful indigenous towns. After lunch we ride on a winding paved road over the mountains ( 2000m) to Chichicastenango. Here we find the most colorful market of the Mayan indians in the highlands. Overnight in Chichicastenango.

Day 7: Chichicastenango – Coban ( 170 km )

We will pass over one of the highest mountains of Guatemala with breathtaking scenarios. Temperature will warm up as we descent into the depths of some canyons with tropical climate. You will be awarded with panoramic views of the Alta Verapaz region. Dirt road riding skills are recommended for the last 30 km before we hit the paved road in Santa Cruz de Verapaz where we stay overnight.

Day 8: Coban – Sayxche ( 210 km )

We continue on the highway to Coban , the center town of the Alta Verapaz region famous for its coffee plantations. Then we follow the road to Chisec into the remote jungle areas of the Peten with its humid climate. For the most part only a few roads lead into the area and the forest remains mostly unspoiled. The Peten is still the last refuge for exotic birds, boars, jaguars and other endangered animals. We pass some Mayan villages having lunch in a basic “comedor” of the local Indians before we spend the night in Sayaxche overlooking the Rio “La Passion”.

Day 9: Sayaxche – Lago Peten Itza – Tikal ( 160 km )

As the Peten has the greatest concentration of Maya ruins found in Guatemala, we take the chance to see the Mayan site in Ceibal, only 12 km away from Sayaxche. A muddy dirt road leads to the ruins hidden in the dense jungle. After lunch we cross the river “La Passion” in a ferry boat and head off to the Lago Peten Itza. We tour the lake around the eastern side and reach the entrance of the National Park Tikal. Overnight in the park of Tikal.

Day 10: Tikal ( 40 km )

Today’s highlight is the morning visit of the greatest of all Classic Mayan sites located 40km north of the lake “Peten Itza”. The massive ruins of Tikal are concentrated in the dense rainforest. In the high canopy above howler and spider monkeys swing from giant ceiba and cedar trees. A specialized guide will take us on the trails cut through forest to all the major archeological groups. Return in the afternoon to the Lago Peten Itza where we spend another night at a jungle lodge right at the lake and enjoy a late afternoon swim.

Day 11: Lago Peten Itza – San Ignacio / Belize (70 km)

Leaving the lake behind we ride about 40 km towards the Belize border and turn into a dirt road leading to the Mayan site of Yaxha beautiful set in lush jungle area with howler monkeys and parrots sitting in the trees. After the visit we cross the border and ride about 15 km to San Ignacio (Belize), where we spend the night.

Day 12 : Day trip to Caracol ( 170 km )

There is only a dirt road to Caracol : 50 miles with rough parts into the exiting jungle and 50 miles back to San Ignacio. Caracol ( The Snail ) was discovered in 1938. This discovery positioned Caracol as the supreme Maya city. It’s largest pyramid stands 140ft (44 meters) high and is considered the tallest man made structure in Belize. Apart from its importance in the entire Mayan world , Caracol is also exciting for its jungle setting and prolific bird life. Overnight in San Ignacio.

Day 13: San Ignacio  – Rio Dulce ( 260 km )  

We leave Belize and return to Guatemala, then we head off to the West on a dirt and gravel road ( 70 km ) before we get to the paved road near Poptun.  Here we stop for lunch at the hacienda Finca Izobel. We will arrive at the “Rio Dulce” in the afternoon and take a little boatride ( optional ) to see the old spanish fortress …. Overnight at Rio Dulce.

Day 14: Rio Dulce – San Pedro Sula ( 225 km )

Passing through vast banana plantations we cross the border to Honduras and reach the Caribbean beaches of Omoa around lunchtime. After lunch we leave Omoa and ride back to the busy city of San Pedro Sula , where our motorcycle adventure ends. Overnight in San Pedro Sula.

Day 15: Departure or Extension

Transfer to the airport and departure of your international flight
or extension to the Bay Islands for snorkeling and diving.

Length : 15 days / 14 nights

Total Distance :  2200 km

Per Day : 80 – 300 km

Road condition :  mostly pavement, dirt and gravel roads ( 250 km )

Motorcycle : Yamaha XT 600 E / XT 660 R

Riding Skills : As we use dual sport motorcycles we mainly keep on paved roads but also try dirt roads. We do not ask for Off road riding skills.