Mexican adventure holiday
| country: | Mexico |
| location: | Yucatan |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2009: 21 Nov 2010: 23 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 20 Mar, 7 Aug, 6 Nov, 20 Nov, 4 Dec 2011: 22 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 5 Mar, 19 Mar, 6 Aug, 5 Nov, 19 Nov, 3 Dec |
| price: | From £1749 - £2269 (16 days) including flights from the UK. From £1049 - £1269 excluding flights. Local payment $300 USD. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Discover jungles, lakes and mysterious Mayan civilisations
Awesome Mayan Ruins
Marvel at the remains of the fascinating Mayan civilisation as you explore imposing Chichen Itza and delicate Palenque. A river journey through the jungle takes you to see the stunning frescoes of Bonampak before reaching the soaring jungle-clad pyramids of Tikal. Monkeys and colourful toucans abound in the surrounding rainforest. Crossing into Honduras, you reach the impressive Copan, famed for its intricately carved pillars.
Colonial towns & Exotic Culture
Merida - the white city - and Antigua with its vibrant colours, cobbled streets and imposing volcano backdrop offer you two beautiful and contrasting colonial towns. Explore the Guatemalan highlands around Lake Atitlan and hone your bargaining skills at the Chichicastenango market, alive with brightly-clothed Mayan Indians. Travelling by boat to Livingston, you can relax on the Caribbean coast and experience the unique Garifuna culture.
Semana Santa Festival
Our Easter departure accommodates the sensational celebrations and pageants of holy week in Antigua. The streets are carpeted with intricate patterns of flowers and coloured sawdust. You’ll also experience the procession and re-enactment of the progress of Christ to the cross. An unmissable sight.
Awesome Mayan Ruins
Marvel at the remains of the fascinating Mayan civilisation as you explore imposing Chichen Itza and delicate Palenque. A river journey through the jungle takes you to see the stunning frescoes of Bonampak before reaching the soaring jungle-clad pyramids of Tikal. Monkeys and colourful toucans abound in the surrounding rainforest. Crossing into Honduras, you reach the impressive Copan, famed for its intricately carved pillars.
Colonial towns & Exotic Culture
Merida - the white city - and Antigua with its vibrant colours, cobbled streets and imposing volcano backdrop offer you two beautiful and contrasting colonial towns. Explore the Guatemalan highlands around Lake Atitlan and hone your bargaining skills at the Chichicastenango market, alive with brightly-clothed Mayan Indians. Travelling by boat to Livingston, you can relax on the Caribbean coast and experience the unique Garifuna culture.
Semana Santa Festival
Our Easter departure accommodates the sensational celebrations and pageants of holy week in Antigua. The streets are carpeted with intricate patterns of flowers and coloured sawdust. You’ll also experience the procession and re-enactment of the progress of Christ to the cross. An unmissable sight.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly To Merida, Mexico After your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Hotel - 2 nights |
| Day 2: | Merida: Visit Chichén Itzá This morning you travel by bus inland to Piste. The most famous, best-restored site in Yucatán - Chichén Itzá - makes an awesome introduction to your exploration of Mayan civilisation. Archaeologists broadly agree the city was founded between 500-900 AD, abandoned in the 10th century, and re-established in the 11th century - but few agree as to exactly which cultures or peoples were involved. Beyond doubt is that the 25m tall El Castillo pyramid is a stone version of the elaborate Mayan calendar; deep in its interior is the red jaguar, which may have been the high priest’s throne. You return by bus to the lively, attractive, colonial city of Mérida and spend a relaxed evening. Being a Sunday the central streets are closed off for the locals to promenade and dance and you will hopefully catch the end of the proceedings. |
| Day 3: | Palenque A long day of travel (8-9 hours) as you cross the flat scrubland and dense forests of the Yucatan Peninsula. Long-distance public buses in Mexico are clean, fast and efficient so you can sit back, relax and take in the changing scenery. At Campeche you glimpse the expansive blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Here in 1517 Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba landed on Mexican soil establishing contact between Mayan and European civilisation for the first time. Turning inland, you continue to the small town of Palenque. Hotel - 2 nights |
| Day 4: | Palenque Today you explore the archaeological site of Palenque, set amidst the thick forest that covered it for hundreds of years. Palenque’s setting is magnificent and the ornate decoration of its Mayan architecture is exquisite. The excavated part is compact and easy to explore on foot, but the jungle - which echoes to the haunting cry of troops of howler monkey - still covers some 400 unexplored structures! The tallest structure is the Temple of Inscriptions, a 25m high pyramid at whose heart lies the burial chamber where the famous jade mask was discovered in 1952. It is possible to explore ruins still covered by jungle, giving an idea of how the first intrepid travellers found the site. Descending out of the site there are a series of waterfalls and pools. The small but interesting museum is well worth a visit; the intricately decorated pottery chimneys are particularly impressive. |
| Day 5: | Flores - Guatemala This morning you travel to Bonampak (100 miles). Discovered in 1946, this site has some of the best-preserved colour murals at any Mayan site. A torch is useful for viewing the murals. Still used by the Lacandon Maya as a place of worship and ceremony, this site provided the first evidence that the Maya waged war on their neighbours. From here you take a boat excursion to the Yachilan ruins deep in the jungle, only accessible by travelling along the river. There are more howler monkeys than people here! Continuing by boat you cross the border into Guatemala at Bethel and then onwards by road to Flores. Set on Lake Peten Itza, this small island is surprisingly the capital of the vast Peten region and the jumping off point for the famous Tikal ruins. Hotel - 2 nights |
| Day 6: | Flores With just over an hour’s drive to the majestic ruins of the great city state of Tikál, we’ll aim to get an early start so that you can spend a full day at the site. Even by clambering up one of the massive pyramids in the main site, it’s difficult to gauge its full extent, as other distant structures protrude above the trees like islands. If the scene looks vaguely familiar, it might be because it was used in a scene towards the end of the original ‘Star Wars’ film. Much surely remains undiscovered, locked in the grip of the jungle. In order to explore the site you walk through the forest between the main groups of buildings and hope to see something of the fascinating flora and fauna. A range of wildlife is commonly seen including howler and spider monkeys, coatimundis (a member of the racoon family), agoutis (a strange, rabbit-sized rodent), oropendulas (a largish bird which makes distinctive hanging nests) and toucans. After its zenith in the 9th century, the city fell into spectacular and mysterious decline. As you wander amidst the grey stone pyramids, you can only speculate as to what could have caused its downfall. In the afternoon you return to Flores. |
| Day 7-8: | Livingston Today a long half-day drive brings you to Rio Dulce, meaning ‘sweet river’, where you board a boat and make the scenic journey downriver to the coast at Livingston. Passing along gorges of sheer rock faces with tropical vegetation and cascading vines, watch for white heron and flocks of squawking parakeets. Livingston sits at the mouth of the Rio Dulce and is only reachable by boat. It’s a superb setting with a powerful atmosphere of its own. The only Carib centre in Guatemala, this is a unique culture mixed from Caribbean origins whose people now call themselves Garifuna. Sounds of Bob Marley mix with punta (Garifuna) music creating a laid-back seaside vibe amongst the many street cafes here. There is plenty of time for you to relax and explore on your free day, including the option of a boat trip to the beautiful Playa Blanca Beach. Hotel – 2 nights |
| Day 9: | Copan - Honduras Today you board the boat and make the return journey to Rio Dulce. Taking to the roads once again your destination for the day is Copan in Honduras. En route you’ll break the journey at Quiriqua where there is the chance to visit the ruins. Quiriqua was once an important trading post between the vast metropolis of Tikal and Copan. The kings of Quiriqua attempted to maximise their power becoming embroiled in rivalries, wars and shifting alliances between the city states of Tikal, Copan and Calakmul. The monumental carved stellae here tell much of the Mayan myths, symbols and beliefs. As recently as 1975 a stone sun god statue was unearthed here. The drive continues to Copan and you cross the border into Honduras. Hotel – 2 nights |
| Day 10: | Copan The full day is set aside for a guided tour of the archaeological site of Copan. Largely untouched by tourism, Copan is the most southerly of all the great Mayan cities and far less visited than some of the northern sites. It marks the peak of late Mayan civilisation (AD500-800) although evidence of earlier settlement as far back as 2000BC has been revealed. The city was thought to have been the capital of the Mayan Empire, abandoned long before the Spanish arrived, although why still remains a mystery. Approximately one quarter of the site has been excavated in work which began in the 1930s and still continues, reclaiming the city from the smothering jungle around it. Highlights here include a large number of stelae and altars decorated with faces and figures, impressive great pyramids, the Great Plaza with tiered seating for 50,000 people and the Acropolis – a large complex of temples and pyramids. |
| Day 11: | Lake Atitlan - Guatemala Crossing back into Guatemala you drive into the heart of the country, skirting the industrialised capital and entering the beautiful highlands. Finally you’ll reach the small town of Sololá which sits on the rim of a giant caldera filled with the stunningly beautiful Lake Atitlán. As the road winds down to the lakeshore you’ll be rewarded with the sight of three perfect volcanic cones shrouded with wisps of cloud and mirrored in the glassy waters of the lake. This view has led many to conclude that this is the most beautiful lake in the world! (Total journey 8-9 hours including border crossing and stops). Hotel - 2 nights |
| Day 12: | Lake Atitlan Lake Atitlan is stunning and inviting with at least a dozen villages dotted around its shores. The inhabitants of each can easily be distinguished by their traditional costumes, all woven locally. Three separate languages are spoken by the different indigenous groups clustered round the lake, which is only some 18km long by 10km wide! Your day is free to enjoy the lake and its surroundings. You can choose to take a boat across the lake to visit Santiago, which nestles at the foot of the Toliman volcano and home to the shrine of Maximon. Moving each year between the homes of the elders, the local people bring offerings and gifts to the idol in a tradition that dates back to pre-conquest times.Alternatively you may opt to enjoy a walk around part of the lake shore. Wherever you go, it’s easy to admire the simplicity of local village life and the beauty and tranquillity of the lake. |
| Day 13: | Chichicastenango Market & Antigua Today you board a bus for the one-hour drive to Chichicastenango, an attractive town at the centre of the Maya Quiché highlands. Its principal fame is as the site of a twice-weekly market, when the town fills with indigenous people from the surrounding towns and villages. Almost everything is for sale here but by far the most impressive is the vast collection of bright textiles. Don’t be surprised if you are jostled by local ladies bedecked in traditional costumes fighting to get through the crowds. After enjoying the colour and bustle of the market, you head on to Antigua; the old colonial capital is about 2 ½ hours drive away. Founded in 1543, when the first capital was destroyed, Antigua grew to be a substantial city with fine churches, public buildings, and a university - until the capital was again re-sited as the result of seismic activity. Today it is a picturesque town, lost in a time warp. Away from the central area, its peaceful streets mix the historic, the reconstructed (fortunately largely in original style), and the sites of ruined ecclesiastical buildings. Together these create the atmosphere of a living museum; the sort of place to wander around, stumble across a coffee-house or hidden courtyard and make one’s own discoveries. Hotel - 2 nights |
| Day 14: | Antigua Today is free to enjoy the delights of Antigua and the city has much to keep you busy – including a fantastic array of jade jewellery shops. For those who want to do something a little different there are a number of optional excursions that can be done; you can visit a coffee or macadamia nut plantation, go horse riding, mountain biking or even climb the Pacaya Volcano, an excellent half-day hiking trip up a perfect cinder cone. |
| Day 15-16: | Overnight flight to London The trip ends in Antigua for Land Only clients Those on group flights to the UK transfer to Guatemala City airport for your flight to London. |
travellers' tales
Take the opportunity to relax on a beach excursion at Livingstone to restoke your energy levels for the second week. The freshly cooked BBQ on the beach can't be beaten! (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: Our policy of staying in locally owned accommodation, having local guides and group leaders, using transport owned and operated by local people wherever possible is continued in Mexico. Our small groups (maximum of 20 people) have a minimal impact on the fragile environment. All tour guides are responsible for ensuring that the guests understand the nature of the environment that they are in and minimise the impact that they may have.
Our stay employs the services of local people who depend on our visits for valuable income. Our local agent helps to support the Friends of the Sian Ka'an organisation through their eco-tourism projects. The organisation aims to protect the Sian Ka'an biosphere and provide technical assistance, training and education for indigenous communities living in the area. So far they have established seven protected areas covering over 780,000 acres. Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |