Highlights
► Great Blue Hole Flightseeing Tour (optional)
► Swimming with Sharks & Sting Rays
► Snorkeling in the World’s Second Largest Barrier Reef
► Visiting Impressive Archaeological Sites
► Coming in Contact with Black Howler Monkeys
► Seeing a Wildlife Sanctuary
► Tubing & Canoeing Inside Caves
► And Much, Much More...
What's Included
International Airfare *For VIP members only (ask us for details)
Lodging *Some restrictions apply
English-Speaking Tour Guides
All Ground & Water Transportation
All Activities in Itinerary Below
All Entry Fees
Your Own On-Call Concierge
Breakfasts
Lunches x 5
What to Expect on This Tour
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Itinerary
Day 1: An Island Where the Singer Madonna Fell in Love
Our tour starts on the island of Ambergris Caye. It can be reached from the capital Belize City via a 1.5-hour boat ride or a very short and cheap flight. We pick up most customers from the airport in Belize City. Some customers prefer being picked up at the airport in Ambergris Caye. It's your choice. Ambergris Caye is commonly referred to as ‘Isla Bonita’ (beautiful island) thanks to the singer Madonna, who made reference to this island and its turquoise seascapes in a 1987 hit. We explore the island with a tour guide/golf cart driver.
Note that if your arrival time in the Belize City airport is after 3:30pm, then we ask you to directly purchase a 1-way flight from the same Belize City airport to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. A boat transfer would not be an option due to the late arrival time at the airport. The two airlines which operate this quick flight are Maya Island Air and Tropic Air.
Day 2: A Great Blue Hole & a ‘Secret Beach’
Today we make a daytrip to the Great Blue Hole by boat.
In 2012, the Discovery Channel ranked the Great Blue Hole as number 1 on its list of ‘The 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth’. This giant marine sinkhole is a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which is a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
*Note that in the event the boat company cancels the tour to the Great Blue Hole, which happens on occasion due to bad weather, we would offer you a suitable alternative for the day. A popular option is a visit to Secret Beach, which is about a 45-minute drive away from downtown. Alternatively, if a plane ride over the Great Blue Hole is available and if you are interested in that, we could offer it to you at an upcharge. Included with this upcharge is a visit to Secret Beach.
Day 3: Swimming with Sharks & Stingrays, Feeding Tarpons & Entering ‘The Split’
Today we make a daytrip via a quick boat ride (4 miles/6.4 kilometers) to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and later a boat ride to Caye Caulker.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve gives us the opportunity to swim with sharks and stingrays. These creatures have a great tolerance for snorkelers and look forward to being fed scraps of food. Caye Caulker measures about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north to south by less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) east to west. There are only 3 roads in town, all of which are sandy. Despite its size, there are over 50 hotels and a number of restaurants and shops. Caye Caulker is especially popular with backpackers. The highlights of our visit there are a tarpon handfeeding center and a beach called ‘The Split’. Our boat ride back to Ambergris Caye takes about 30 minutes.
Day 4: An Archaeological Site Occupied up to the 17th Century
Today we take a boat ride from Ambergris Caye to Belize City, only to check into our room and then immediately drive to a Mesoamerican archaeological site called Lamanai. We return to Belize City in the evening. Lamanai was once a major city of the Maya (indigenous) civilization. Lamanai is renowned for its exceptionally long occupation spanning three millennia. It continued to be occupied up to the 17th century AD.
Day 5: Cave Tubing, a Breathtaking Peninsula & 175 Animals in a Natural Habitat
Today we relocate to Placencia Peninsula’s main village. En route, we first visit the Belize Zoo. It is home to more than 175 animals of about 48 species, all native to Belize. The natural environment is left entirely intact within the zoo, with the animals living in their natural habitat. Next, we head to the Nohoch Cheʼen caves. There we go tubing. It is quite an adventurous experience. Before arriving in Placencia Village, we pass by Maya Beach and the beach in Seine Bight village.
Day 6: The Best Place in Belize to Go Snorkeling
Today we make a daytrip to the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. It contains some of the healthiest parts of the country's reef system due to its elevation and good water quality. This is the best place in Belize to go snorkeling! Note that the Gladden Spit is included on today's tour only during whale season, which is usually March through June. A trip to Silk Cayes, however, is offered year-around.
Day 7: Canoeing Inside a Cave & an Ancient Ceremonial Center Bordering Guatemala
Today we relocate to the small town of San Ignacio. This is where we are based for the remainder of our trip. Nonetheless, there are some worthwhile stops en route. The first attraction this morning is the Sleeping Giant Rainforest. There we are provided with a guided tour to the top of the mountain, where a beautiful viewpoint awaits us. Next, we head to Barton Creek. There we are provided with a guided canoeing tour inside a cave. The final stop before reaching San Ignacio is an archaeological site called Xunantunich. It is located a mere 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away from Guatemala. Xunantunich served as a Maya civic ceremonial center in the late and terminal classic periods. The first modern explorations of the site were conducted in the mid-1890s.
Day 8: A ‘Natural Museum’ Home to Ancient Skeletons, Ceramics & Stoneware
Today we make a daytrip to the Actun Tunichil Muknal (a.k.a. ATM) cave. There we climb, crawl and get wet as we check out ancient skeletons, ceramics and stoneware. Serving as an archaeological site and often called a ‘natural museum’ because of its fascinating limestone formations, the ATM cave is one of Belize’s top 2 most popular tourist destinations.
Day 9: Swimming Under Waterfalls & the Country’s Finest Archaeological Site
We make a daytrip first to Rio Frio Cave. There we see stalagmites and stalactites. Next, we head to an archaeological site called Caracol. It was once one of the most important regional political centers of the Maya lowlands during the classic period. After our guided tour there we have lunch, which is included on today’s tour. Lastly for today, we head to Big Rock Falls. There we have plenty of time to go swimming.
Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Belize City.
Customer Reviews
I had the most wonderful time...amazing job making sure of my enjoyment, my safety and anything I needed or wanted I've already recommended this trip to a couple people so hopefully they reach out to you guys. It was an extraordinary and amazing trip...absolutely loved it.
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We had a great adventure in Belize! The owner and the assistant helped answer all our questions from beginning to end. The itinerary that has been prepared is action packed. While in Belize, we felt taken care of by Valentin, our tour guide. He was knowledgeable, responsible, professional, and fun! This tour is perfect for you if you’re looking for new and exciting experiences in a beautiful setting.
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The trip was great! The guides were especially excellent!! Thank you so much for putting this together for me! - Joanna G.
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Our tour with Charlie The Traveler was epic! Every little detail was covered and our guides were amazing. My daughter and I had the best trip ever experiencing so many wonderful things that Belize has to offer. Absolutely loved our vacation!
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Fantastic adventure. Our guide, Adrian, was so knowledgeable, not just about Belize, her history and place in the world, but also the local ecology, economics, and news around the globe. That would be a tall order for anyone. However, Adrian added humor, kindness, patience and spunk. Our conversations in the car were one of the highlights of the trip. Our family agreed that the best days were snorkeling on Silk Caye with Go Sea Tours and the ATM cave journey. Our guide, Hector, with Maya Walk Tours which Charlie the Traveler arranged for us, was TOP notch. He exuded care for us in a very tricky expedition. Bless him. We were awestruck to have Dino with us at the Mayan Ruins in Caracol and Xunantunich. How amazing it was to have an archeological expert to personally walk us through the ruins and bring all the politics and architecture of those time to life for us? Opened by eyes to a seldom studied society via the U.S. school system. We really are still Eurocentric in the classrooms of America. We particularly enjoyed Mahogany Bay Resort that Charlie recommended. We rented a family cabin and were able to cook all out own breakfasts and dinners. They supplied giant bottles of water, and we even had a clothes washer and dryer! In conclusion, this is not a tour for the faint of heart. You will not rest on a huge bus, and then be spoon fed. This is an experience. A personal journey. You will have to overcome some fears, set backs and complications. You will be stronger as a person and a family when you concur all these exciting challenges. We have traveled to some 30 countries. Belize is a secret gift to the soul.
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The price was such a great deal for everything that was included in this 10-day tour. Hotels and accommodations were in the perfect locations that were safe. The tour guide provided an authentic and organized tour of the country. He was laid back and it was apparent he knew the area very well. He was an excellent resource during the trip.
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Excellent! From start to finish the whole experience was brilliant. Booking: I booked the trip with limited notice over Christmas and New Year and everything was sorted for me with no troubles at all. Charlie was excellent at communicating and provided all the required information before I went on the tour. Experience: Better than described in the information - great accommodation from start to finish, activities every day, some rest time in between. If you want to have a busy, high quality, really informative tour of Belize visiting all the best place, escorted by the best guides and drivers - this is the tour for you!
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I showed up on during the shoulder season and was the lone client. However, those who drove me around and guided me through various activities worked hard to make my trip enjoyable.
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The tour we did with CharlieTheTraveler did not leave us bored for even one second. It was fun 24/7. The places we were taken to are breathtaking...all of them! The hotels were very well-kept and cozy. The tour guide was funny. He was a pro at his job. He also seemed to be just as excited as the rest of us. I didn't expect that at all. I had a great time.
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I went with a few of my friends on this Belize trip and I could not have planned a better trip! I was impressed with all of the activities included in the tour, but I had the most fun on the snorkeling trip in the marine reserve. The reef was a spectacular sight to experience firsthand. This company did an amazing job making sure I was satisfied!
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This is a very active tour, although we were given enough time to relax by the beach. There is a difference between 'vacationing' and 'traveling' and this tour definitely was geared towards those who wish to travel, meaning seeing lots of places and doing lots of activities as opposed to hanging out all day at the hotel and by the beach. Because I am an explorerer, I really enjoyed the tour I took with CharlieTheTraveler.
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Part of what made this 10-day tour to Belize great were the hotels. They were all very classy and offered quality breakfast. Another part was the tour guide. He was very helpful and knew how to give us enough personal space. The other part were the destinations themselves, all of which were impressive. Every day was paradise on this tour. I would do it all over again.
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What an unforgettable experience I had on CharlieTheTraveler’s tour, absolutely breathtaking. The duration of the trip was just perfect, as was the amount of time we had spent at each place we visited. The tour guide was a character-funny and hospitable. He was also very professional. All the places he took us to impressed me, really. The hotels were also nice.
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I did a lot of research before deciding to go with CharlieTheTraveler's tour to Belize. I found this company's itinerary to be the most comprehensive, leaving out nothing important. The tour was as good as advertised, maybe even better. What's more, the tour guide was a solid guy. He really made us feel safe as well as energized. My time in Belize was well spent thanks to CharlieTheTraveler.
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As an adventure-seeking person that doesn’t like the stress of planning a trip, this was a perfect trip for me. Everything that was provided was of high quality. The hotels we stayed in were clean and in good locations. With group tours I have been on before, I never felt it was authentic and unique. This was one of the best ones! I felt the time we spent at each site was the perfect amount of time, as I didn’t feel rushed or bored. I also liked the fact our group was small and intimate.
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The tour guide made us his number 1 priority, treating us like VIPs and ensuring we had fun. He was very punctual and made sure we covered all the important places to see. The places we visited were all top-notch. I am glad I did this trip with CharlieTheTraveler.
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This was truly a fantastic trip. I could have neither expected such an action-packed trip nor arrange it better myself. I would do it all over again. The tour guide was very good. He made me feel both motivated and safe. The hotels were very classy.
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I was nervous traveling to Belize as I was worried about safety while abroad. I figured group tours were a safer bet than traveling alone, but group tours have a stigma of not being authentic experiences of the destination. However, I discovered CharlieTheTraveler and other reviews said the tours were authentic and exciting. I was impressed by the experience and I am happy I booked through this company.
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I never really thought I would want to go to Belize of all places. However, my friend had just gotten back from her trip with CharlieTheTraveler and raved about everything on the tour. Soon after, I booked my trip and I felt her raving was definitely of truth! I loved the fact I didn’t have to research and plan out what to do in the area like other trips I have been on. The company did everything for me and in such an organized manner. I feel like I had a very authentic experience in Belize!
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This 10-day tour to Belize was such a value for all that was provided. The hotels were in safe locations. Our tour guide knew the country well and gave an authentic tour that reflected the culture and beautiful nature. I would not have had the same experience had it not been for him.
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The company I used for this tour, CharlieTheTraveler, is smart. It knew how to choose the right hotels for us-all in great locations. The hotel staff was hospitable and professional, as was our tour guide. Everyone really went out of their way to make us feel happy to be in Belize, which we were. It brings a smile to my face when I think about the experiences I had on this tour...lots of great memories.
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CharlieTheTraveler's tour to Belize is very personalized. It is not the typical tour you find with most companies. Firstly, it is very authentic. Secondly, it is very activity-driven. It was a thrill-a-minute experience for me. I was treated as a very important person and I enjoyed being spoiled like that.
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Although I could have spent all day in the nice hotel room that was booked, I was in my glory when I spent my day participating in all of the activities. I was impressed by how much CharlieTheTraveler included into this trip. Overall, this was an excellent experience for me and I would love to book my next trip with this company.
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As I was doing the tour, I could tell CharlieTheTraveler takes safety seriously. At the same time, the company arranged so many fun activities for us to do every day. I felt it was the best of both worlds-fun and safe. I also really enjoyed the hotels-very well chosen.
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Cleanliness is something I worry about when I go to poor countries. I was surprised by just how clean the hotel rooms, vans and boats were on this tour to Belize. CharlieTheTraveler knows how to give First World service in a poor country like Belize. The company also knows how to get us to love this country. It knew exactly where to take us and not take us.
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I felt comfortable with the vans and boats used on this tour. Our tour guide was a safe driver as well as an intelligent and humble man. He was very helpful throughout my entire stay. I miss the guy's company. He was a lot of fun. I give the tour itself 5 stars. It was organized very well.
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Group tours really isn't my thing but CharlieTheTraveler's tour to Belize truly is unique. At least, this was my experience. It felt more like 'exclusive traveling' than a group tour. More specifically, we were treated like kings and queens. I appreciated the hospitality and hard work. I must say I did get spoiled on this tour. The tour guide totally went out of his way for us.
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I did CharlieTheTraveler's tour to Belize. I later did my own tour to another Central American country, meaning solo and without any company. The difference was pretty vast. CharlieTheTraveler does its tours to Belize faster, smoother and more exciting than I ever could. It was the only group tour I have been on in my life. The company left a very good impression on me.
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The priceless memories I have from our group tour to Belize made me feel like I made the right decision to book with CharlieTheTraveler. The company has a personal 'touch' to its services and really does care about its customers. The tour guide also cared a lot about us, ensuring we were never bored and instead were having a great time. He did a great job.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Financing Offered for This Tour?
A 4-installment payment plan is available, often with 0 percent interest to those with at least decent credit. Ask us for details. Our luxury-oriented and itinerary-packed “Belize in 10 Days” tour is available for $2,405 USD per person. This price includes all transportation, except flights. It also includes English-speaking tour guides, food, all activities and all entry fees. If you would like lodging included for all nights on this tour, then the combined (transportation, tour guides, food, activities, entry fees and lodging) total would be $3,440 USD per person. This price is based on 2 per room and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance. Note that whereas there is no fee associated with paying by check, there is a 3.5 percent surcharge for payments made by credit card. We accept both forms of payment. Moving forward, to better understand your specific circumstances and wishes, and for us to accurately quote you, please tell us:
1. How many persons in your party-including yourself-would be joining this tour? Solo travelers are welcomed, in case you were wondering.
2. Do you prefer this tour to be private/exclusive to you or would you like to share it with other travelers?
3. Would you be sharing the room with others in your group (e.g. a spouse, relative or friend) or do you want the room exclusive to you?
4. Where would you be flying from (and back to)?
5. On what date would you like to leave home?
6. Would you like to extend the duration of this tour so you have some free days just to relax? If you have 1 extra day, then we recommend Placencia. If you have 2, then we recommend 1 in Placencia and 1 in San Pedro.
7. On a side note, would you-and the others in your party if applicable-like to do a flightseeing tour over the Blue Hole instead of going on a boat daytrip there from Ambergris Caye? Note that this specific activity is optional and is not included in the standard price.
8. On a final note, whale shark season in Belize is March through June. Whale sharks are most commonly seen at Gladden Spit, near Placencia. If you plan on visiting Belize during this time of year, then would you like to extend this 10-day tour by 1 day so you can see whale sharks? If so, then do you prefer snorkeling or diving?
What’s Excluded in the Price?
Any airfare, alcohol, travel insurance, any government-imposed visa fees and anything not mentioned in the itinerary.
Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask.
Are Domestic Flights Needed for This Tour?
If you arrive in Belize City before 3:30pm, no domestic flights will be needed for this tour. If you arrive after 3:30pm, you will need to purchase a flight on Day 1 from Belize City to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
At What Specific Hotels Would We Be Staying?
Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our customers stay. Note this is subject to availability.
Nights 1-3: San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Preferred Accommodation: Mahogany Bay Resort or Victoria House Resort & Spa
Night 4: Belize City, Preferred Accommodation: Black Orchid Resort
Nights 5-6: Placencia, Preferred Accommodation: Ocean Breeze or Wild Orchid
Nights 7-9: San Ignacio, Preferred Accommodation: Falling Leaves Lodge
Is This a Private or Group Tour?
All boat daytrips and the flightseeing tour over the Blue Hole are shared with other travelers, as is the daytrip to the famous ATM Cave. The rest of the tour is exclusive to you and whomever else you may book on behalf of.
Am I Sharing the Room with Someone?
Your room is exclusive to you and whomever is in your party. Strangers (meaning customers who book on the same start date but do not know each other) do not share rooms on this tour. On a side note, please let us know if you and the other person(s) in your booking want separate rooms.
What is the Age Range & Nationality of the People Who Book This Tour?
Although we get customers of all ages and from several countries, our statistics show most people who book are 30 to 65 years old and from USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Are Kids Allowed on This Tour & Are They Charged the Same as Adults?
We welcome your kids specifically and only when the tour is exclusive to you and your group-meaning other customers are not joining you. We define kids as anyone under 18 years old. In order to make the tour exclusive to you and your group, your booking would need to be for 4 persons or more for any of our tours except Iceland. For our Iceland tour, your booking would need to be for 8 persons or more. Regarding the cost of bringing a non-adult, we do deduct from the total based on the amount of activities you request we remove from the tour. Note that reducing the total price of the tour by removing activities is something offered for non-adults only. Adults can opt out of activities but the total price does not change.
How Strong Do I Need to Be For This Trip?
We do not expect you to be an Olympic champion. We know some of the tour members are more fit than others…and we are well prepared for this. However, we do hope you take into consideration this is a very active tour, just like every other tour we offer.
Are Disabled People Allowed on This Tour?
Please let us know about any disability you have. Some disabilities would not affect you taking this tour. Others would prevent you from joining altogether. Although we want all of our customers to have fun, your safety is our first priority.
Do I Get Any Free Time to Myself?
Of course. Once each day’s tour is over, you have the rest of the evening to yourself. Because our tours tend to be very active, our customers typically want to simply relax once the sun sets.
What Happens If I Arrive Late?
Notify us as soon as possible and we will do our very best to arrange a meeting point. Please note that we do not refund for any days or activities that you miss.
Can I Opt-Out of Certain Activities?
Generally speaking, you can opt out as long as we are given adequate notice. Please note that opting out of certain activities does not reduce the price of this tour.
What Happens If I Get Injured on This Trip & Cannot Continue?
We would do our best to keep you safe and make you as comfortable as possible, as well as make special arrangements to address your situation. Partial refunds are not offered if you cannot continue with the tour. However, most travel insurances reimburse you for such situations. This is one of many reasons why we require our customers to purchase travel insurance before taking this tour.
What Happens If I Cancel This Trip?
To confirm your tour, full payment is needed at the time of your purchase. However, refunds are offered. You will receive a full refund if canceling at least 91 days in advance from the departure date. Cancelling between 90-60 days prior to departure entitles you to a 50 percent refund. Cancelling between 59-31 days prior to departure entitles you to a 25 percent refund. Canceling 30 days or less prior to departure is not eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests need to be made by email and become effective on the date received by CharlieTheTraveler.
What Happens If You, CharlieTheTraveler, Cancel This Trip?
In the unlikely event CharlieTheTraveler needs to cancel this trip, such as because of very poor weather conditions, we will give you a full refund for the tour within 14 business days of the cancellation. Note: We are not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, nor is this transaction covered by the Restitution Fund.
How Do You Help Prepare Us For This Trip?
You should receive an email from us within 24 hours of purchasing this tour as well as a week before departure. The first email gives details about what to bring, how to prepare yourself, etc. The second email is more like a timetable combined with important contact information.
Is There Anything Out of the Ordinary I Should Bring on This Trip?
Bring a lockable waterproof bag (to bring onto the boat), a waterproof case for your identification card and credit cards (when swimming) and water shoes. On a different note, you may need to bring adapters for your electronic devices.
Is CharlieTheTraveler Licensed & Which State in America Issued it?
The owner of the travel license is the same owner of CharlieTheTraveler. Charlie is a California born and bred resident. The company is headquartered in Greater Los Angeles. The registration number is CST 2136740-70. Please note that travel agents registered as a seller of travel in California does not constitute approval by the State. Also please note that California law requires sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. CharlieTheTraveler has a trust account.
Are the Tour Guides Licensed & Will They Be With Me the Entire Time?
Our tour guides/drivers are licensed, speak English and know how to bring excitement to your day. What we deliver is the complete opposite of the cookie-cutting tours the big corporations offer, leaving you in complete boredom. Although our tour guides/drivers are attentive, accommodating and engaged, they also know when to give you your private space and free time. It's a perfect balance.
Are We Required to Have Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all of our customers, for their protection and safety. CharlieTheTraveler does not sell travel insurance. We cannot endorse any specific company. Please check out different companies online and go with the one which offers the most comprehensive coverage.
In Which Language(s) is This Tour Offered?
All of our tours are offered in English. If you prefer another language, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Can We Customize This Tour?
Although we are open to customizing this tour to fit your liking, as a general rule, we discourage the practice. We do our best to keep the cost of the tour low. The more we customize it, the quicker the price goes up. As our tour is currently advertised, you absolutely will not find another one out there as packed with activities and attractions. What’s more, you will not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year, and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance.
Do We Need to Get Our Own Transportation to and From the Airport?
Absolutely not. We make the arrangements for you.
Is Someone Available for Us 24-7 While on This Tour?
Yes! You have your own concierge for this tour who is at your disposal. You could reach this person when you need anything.
Where Can I Read About All of Your Terms & Conditions?
Why Our Tours Beat Competition
- We routinely pick up the phone and otherwise respond to messages quickly and thoroughly.
- We do not cancel because of group size turnout, unlike with most competitors.
- Virtually no company offers multiday tours as comprehensive as ours. This is a verifiable fact.
- We do not charge solo travelers single supplements for the tours.
- For most of our tours, you can start on any date.
- We have hundreds of 5-star reviews online.
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