Mexico & Guatemala Adventure
This exciting journey explores the mysterious land of the Aztecs and the Maya. From the valleys of Oaxaca in Mexico to the jungles of Guatemala, we tour colonial cities and discover ancient sites. We visit the impressive Mayan sites of Tikal and Palenque, as well as lesser known sites such as Monte Alban, Bonampak and Yaxchila, and the pyramids at Teotihuacan. We also take a boat trip through the impressive Sumidero Canyon and explore the historic city of Antigua.
Tour Highlights
- Palenque - Arguably the most enchanting of the ancient Maya ruins, set in dense jungle
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Oaxaca - Explore the streets and markets of this delightful UNESCO World Heritage city
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Tikal (Guatemala) - Discover this Mayan metropolis, where temples scattered over a vast area stand out tall above the surrounding jungle
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Mexico City Anthropological Museum - An impressive collection of precolonial artefacts
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San Cristobal de las Casas - A beautiful highland colonial market town, surrounded by modern day Maya villages
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1
Join tour in Mexico City
Check-in at hotel in Mexico City. Modern day Mexico City was built on top of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan by the Spaniards, after their conquest of the city. Today this busy, lively, city boasts a wealth of historical buildings, museums and markets.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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2
Mexico City tour including the Museum of Anthropology
On our first day in Mexico City we visit the Zocalo (main square) area. The Cathedral and National Palace with many of Diego Rivera's remarkable murals on the history of Mexico are all built on top of Tenochtitian the old Aztec capital. Afterwards we will visit the museum of Anthropology, one of the finest museums in the world, its exhibits offer a taste of the history ahead of us.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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3
Visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids and the Basilica de Guadalupe
The next day we will drive out to the mysterious pyramids of Teotihuacan. Although abandoned thirteen centuries ago, they are still an unbelievable sight. Once the largest city in the Americas with perhaps 100,000 inhabitants, its influence continued through Middle America, and Maya craftsmen borrowed its decorative motifs and building designs. Centuries later the Aztecs revered Teotihuacan as 'the Place of the Gods'. Returning downtown we visit the Basilica de Guadalupe.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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4
Journey to Oaxaca; free to explore the colonial city
Leaving the capital we drive south through cactus country to Oaxaca, one of the most charming colonial cities in Mexico. Arriving in the afternoon, we will have some free time to explore the city on foot. The colonnaded Zocalo comes alive at night as families come to stroll in the shade, while street vendors and entertainers vie for their attention. Oaxaca also has several colourful markets.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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5
Visit the ancient complex of pyramids of Monte Alban
Colonial Oaxaca was built with stones taken from ancient temples a few miles away. We explore the complex of temples, pyramids and enigmatic rock carvings at Monte Alban, a high spur that looms over the fertile valley. This mystical site was created by Zapotec Indians, who flourished here a thousand years ago. There may be the chance to see some of the exquisite treasures of Monte Alban in the Regional Museum (known as the Louvre of Oaxaca) in town (optional).
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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6
Journey to Chiapa del Corzo via Mitla
During our full day journey, we stop to visit the 2000-year-old swamp cypress tree in Santa Maria del Tule and explore the Mixtec/ Zapotec site of Mitla. We continue through the hot and windy isthmus of Tehuantepec and on to our night stop in Chiapa del Corzo, the provincial capital of Chiapas state, which we aim to explore over the next few days.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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7
Sumidero Canyon boat trip then head to San Cristobal
This morning we visit the spectacular Sumidero Canyon, a unique rift 41km long and up to 1000mts deep, cut by the Rio Grijalva. This is the spot where, in the 16th century, some 1000 Chiapa Indians committed suicide rather than submit to Spanish rule. We take a boat trip to fully appreciate the towering gorge, before driving up a scenic mountain road to San Cristóbal de las Casas. At 2210m above sea level, it can get quite cold at night!
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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8
Discover the Indian town of San Cristobal de las Casas
There is a unique atmosphere to this small colonial and Indian town, high in the scenic Chiapas range. The small restaurants and shops provide ample opportunity to wander. Indians from the surrounding hills fill the town and marketplace with their colourful dress including the distinctive Tzotzil Indians who still retain much of their Mayan customs and language. We travel by bus to San Juan Chamula then visit on foot where they practice an interesting blend of Catholicism and traditional religions. The Indians are noted for their bright textiles and weavings in bold designs and this is the place to bargain for some colourful souvenirs. In the afternoon you will have free time to visit the Na Bolom, the House of the Jaguar, which is dedicated to the preservation of the Lacandón tribe and displays many of their artefacts.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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9
Travel to Palenque via the Agua Azul Waterfall
Leaving the highlands, the road is slow and winding, but there are scenic views as we descend from the highlands to the jungles of Palenque. We plan to bathe at the waterfalls of Agua Azul before driving onto our hotel. The river tumbles over a series of limestone travertine's, forming natural jacuzzis, and is a popular Sunday picnic spot for Mexicans and travellers alike.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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10
Discover the important Mayan site of Palenque
One of the highlights of our tour is today's guided visit to the famous jungle ruins of Palenque, a fascinating and important Mayan site. Once the choking forest was cleared, the ruins revealed the tomb of the high priest Pakal, his body adorned with a marvellous jade death mask - one of the most prized relics of the Maya culture, discovered only in 1952. The entire site, shrouded by the steamy rainforest, has an aura of deep mystery. During the afternoon you can continue to explore the site, or take a bus back to the waterfall of Misol Ha for a refreshing swim (optional). The stunning 30m high waterfall was featured in the titles of the movie 'Predator'.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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11
Drive to Frontera Corozal; travel by boat to Yaxchilan
Today we head into the Lacandon area to the ruins of Bonampak. The discovery of the well preserved murals at this site had a profound impact on our understanding of the Mayans. Continuing to Frontera, we board our lancha (river boat) on the Ucumacinta river and head for the remote site of Yaxchilan, famous for its stelae and roof combs. We continue back up the river through the rainforest to our overnight lodge near where we boarded our boat earlier today.
Overnight: Simple Lodge
Included Meals:
Dinner
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12
Head to Flores, optional boat trip on Lake Peten Itza
Our Mayan rainforest experience continues up river by boat to the small settlement of Bethel on the Guatemalan side before progressing by road to Flores, on Lake Peten Itza. The afternoon can be spent enjoying a leisurely boat trip on the blue waters of the lake (optional).
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
Breakfast
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13
Explore the great Mayan metropolis of Tikal (Guatemala)
Today we visit Tikal, the great Maya metropolis set in the midst of the rainforest, which can justly be compared with the celebrated ancient cities of Egypt and Greece. Initially settled in about 600BC, Tikal was abandoned by its rulers around 890AD and totally deserted a hundred years later. The city covered an area of 16 square kilometres. Re-discovered in 1848, only a few of its great temples and pyramids have been excavated. The site is extensive, so we include a guided tour in the morning with the afternoon free to let you explore. We can appreciate the prolific birdlife in the surrounding rainforest and take in amazing views of the forest canopy from the tops of the pyramids.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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14
To San Ignacio (Belize), optional Macal River canoeing
Today we drive over the border to San Ignacio in Belize. Here canoeing activities are available on the Macal river (optional) that passes through San Ignacio Town or alternatively venture deep into the Mayan underworld cave canoeing in nearby Barton Creek Cave. You may also like to visit one of the nearby and little visited Mayan sites of Cahal Pech or Xunantunich.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals:
None
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15
Drive to Belize City Airport where the tour ends
This morning we drive to Belize City Airport where the tour ends.
Included Meals:
None
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