Mexico & Guatemala Adventure

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

On our first day 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. 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

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

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

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

This morning we visit the spectacular Sumidero Canyon, a unique rift 41km long and 1000ft 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

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

Leaving the highlands, we descend through the tangled forests of Chiapas, stopping on the way at the little visited ruins of Tonina, where the main pyramid stands 73m high. 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 on to our hotel. The river tumbles over a series of limestone travertines, forming natural jacuzzis, and is a popular Sunday picnic spot for Mexicans and travellers alike.

Overnight Standard Hotel

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

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

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 Included meals: Breakfast

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

Flight inclusive MX passengers fly to Guatemala City (unescorted) where you will be met to be transfered to your hotel in Antigua de Guatemala, where you will have a free afternoon to visit the cities many Colonial Gems such as the Cathedral and the ruins of San Agustin and Santa Clara churches. You will also have time to visit the various museums of interest and catch up on any last minute shopping in Antiguas craft markets. Land only MX passengers continue for one night with the MXY passengers over the border to San Ignacio in Belize. Canoeing activities are available on the Macal river (optional) that passes through San Ignacio Town or alternatively venture deep inoto the Mayan underworld cave canoing in near by 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

Flight inclusive MX passengers on group flights will be transfered today from Antigua to Guatemala City for their homebound flight.

Land only MX passengers will be transfered from San Ignacio to Belize City where the tour ends. (We aim to arrive mid-morning).