Note: The submission date has been extended to November 23rd 2012.
Belize’s The Lodge at Chaa Creek has just announced an exciting competition whose winners will usher in the Maya 2012 Winter Solstice by taking part in an extraordinary weeklong celebration to be held in the Heartland of the ancient Maya Empire.
The “Ultimate Maya 2012 Winter Solstice Experience” contest is offering a double eight day/seven night all-inclusive Belize 2012 Maya Winter Solstice vacation package worth over US$4,600 to the competition winners.
Chaa Creek owner Lucy Fleming said that with the majority of the deluxe Chaa Creek 2012 Maya Winter Solstice packages already sold, she and her husband Mick decided to offer two of the remaining packages for free to competition winners.
“The worldwide response has been enthusiastic to say the least, which is why we have been releasing the packages in stages throughout 2012. Now that we are releasing the final packages, we decided to give two away. It’s an early Christmas present to our global followers and in keeping with the spirit of the huge 2012 Maya Winter Solstice celebrations we’ll be hosting here at Chaa creek.
“The Maya, both ancient and in today’s villages, hold hospitality and giving in high regard, so this seemed like the right thing to do. And, to be honest, it’s a bit of fun for us,” Ms Fleming said.
The Ultimate Maya 2012 Winter Solstice Experience is an all-inclusive package, Ms Fleming said, meaning that from the moment guests land at Belize’s international airport until they board the plane home, everything is taken care of.
“Our Chaa Creek packages are famous for ensuring that all-inclusive means just that. All transfers, meals, activities, tours – even government taxes and gratuities – are all included. Unless they wish to purchase alcoholic drinks or gifts, guests won’t need to buy anything else to have the luxury Belize vacation of a lifetime. And believe me, the 2012 Winter Solstice will be just that,” she said.
Contest winners enjoy a private bungalow at Chaa Creek’s Macal River Camp but enjoy the same activities that make up the deluxe 2012 Maya Winter Solstice vacation packages. These include complete access to the New World Maya Village for interactive workshops on subjects such as fabric and basket weaving, traditional thatching with palm leaves, ancient slate stone carving techniques, Maya farming, food storage and preparation, cacao harvesting and chocolate making and the fascinating world of Maya medicine and holistic healing, including an introduction to the forest pharmacopeia of medicinal plants, preparation of herbal remedies and Maya massage techniques.
In addition to Maya Village activities and seminars, there will also be horseback tours through jungle trails to ancient Maya temple sites, canoeing on the Macal River to San Ignacio Town and the Cahal Pech royal palace, tours of the beautiful temple of Xunantunich, full day tours to the ancient metropolis of Caracol, half day expeditions exploring the Maya underworld via canoe within the Barton Creek Ceremonial Cave, tours of the organic Maya Farm, and full day snorkelling trip on the world famous Belize Barrier Reef.
The contest winners will also have complete access to all activities and attractions of the Chaa Creek 365 acre private rainforest reserve, including the renowned natural History Centre, Butterfly Farm, Jungle Lounge, restaurant and pool.
Ms Fleming said that entering the competition, which closes November 9 2012, November 23, 2012 is easy.
“Go to Chaa Creek’s Facebook page and click ‘like’ and ‘share’ under the competition. Then write a 300 word essay on ‘Why I want to experience the 2012 Maya Winter Solstice at Chaa Creek’ and email it to marketing(@)chaacreek.com with your full name, email address and telephone number. That’s all there is to it, and details can be found on our Belize Travel blog and Facebook page.
“The competition is now officially open and will close November 9th, so anyone interested in attending the best Maya 2012 Winter Solstice celebration to be had anywhere has enough time to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboards and let you creativity soar
“We’re anticipating some great, creative entries, so that’s one more thing we’re all looking forward to as December 21 approaches.
“It’s going to be an awesome way to join the Maya in welcoming in a new era,’ Ms Fleming said.