Mayan cultural tour
| country: | Belize, Guatemala, Mexico |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Departs most Saturdays throughout the year |
| price: | From £615 (22 days) excluding flights. Local payment US $500. Price includes transport and simple hotels. Maximum group size 12. All departure dates are guaranteed |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
The highlights of the Mayan World.
Through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, this all-encompassing adventure combines the volcanic beauty of the Central American highlands with the mystery of ancient Mayan ruins and the clear blue ocean and perfect beaches of the Caribbean.
From Cancun to Playa del Carmen, this three week journey offers the chance to get out and about and active, or enjoy a more relaxing pace while exploring the highlights of Central America.
Through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, this all-encompassing adventure combines the volcanic beauty of the Central American highlands with the mystery of ancient Mayan ruins and the clear blue ocean and perfect beaches of the Caribbean.
From Cancun to Playa del Carmen, this three week journey offers the chance to get out and about and active, or enjoy a more relaxing pace while exploring the highlights of Central America.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Cancun. Arrive in time for an orientation tour of the city and get primed for the huge adventure ahead. |
| Day 2-3: | Chichen Itza/Merida. Head away from the resorts to the breathtaking Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza. These 2,000-year-old pyramids reveal a fusion of religion, architecture and science. Moving on to the Yucatan capital, Merida, there is plenty to see and do. Wander through the museums and plazas, hang out in the outdoor cafes or discover the weird and wonderful things on sale at the markets. |
| Day 4-6: | San Cristobal de las Casas. Surrounded by jungle-covered hills, the Mayan ruins of Palenque evoke a wild, mysterious air. Explore the sculptured walls and comb-like decorations and take a walk down the stone steps of the Temple of Inscriptions to see Pakal's tomb. From here, head uphill to the cooler climes of San Cristobal de las Casas, a city with a rich local culture. |
| Day 7-11: | Guatemalan Highlands. Sitting on the shores of Lake Atitlan and surrounded by volcanoes, Panajachel is a great base for experiencing some of Guatemala's adventurous activities. Climb a volcano, go mountain biking or pick up a few traditional textiles and masks in the joyful chaos of the Chichicastenango Markets. |
| Day 12-13: | Flores. Ease into the pace of the locals as you wander through the cobblestone streets past ageing houses and old-world churches. Take a dip in the lake or visit the nearby ruins of Tikal, often described as a magical experience. |
| Day 14-15: | San Ignacio. Over the border in Belize, the town of San Ignacio is surrounded by fast flowing rivers and forested hills that just beg to be explored. Go horse riding, canoeing or hiking. |
| Day 16-18: | Caye Caulker. After all that activity it's time to relax on the tiny island of Caye Caulker. There is the option to snorkel or dive in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to the second largest reef in the world, or just kick back on the beach and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere. |
| Day 19-22: | Playa del Carmen. Known simply as Playa, this beach town is a final chance to enjoy some fun in the sun, souvenir shopping and the easy-going Mexican nightlife. For a last look at some Mayan ruins head to Tulum, perched high upon seaside cliffs. |
travellers' tales
Mexico stood out for me. I loved the colours, vibrancy, food and people. (more)
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's 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 people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
how this holiday makes a difference
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We just can't get enough of the Amazon, not only as a jaw-dropping travel destination but also as a global treasure and this trip will help to ensure that the incredibly Amazon Rainforest is here for us to enjoy for generations to come! Our Amazon Fund will help support on the ground projects by the Foundation's long time partners Greenpeace and WWF. By booking your Latin American adventure with us you're helping us work towards a sustainable future for the Amazon.
This trip gives you plenty of opportunities to get to know the culture and vibrant history of Latin America. There are numerous chances for local interaction as we cover so much ground using all means of public transport. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from a friendly local who strikes up a conversation during your journey. Your leader and the occasional local guide will be able to direct you to many local eateries throughout the trip, helping you discover real local fare at real local prices (and probably helping you learn some Spanish at the same time). All travellers are encouraged to explore with the group and on their own, learn a few words of the language and interact with the locals as much as possible. Local guides are employed to help explain as much as possible about the cultural differences and the historically significant places that we visit. This also allows us to appreciate the importance of preserving and respecting these sites and to help us minimise the impact of our visits. There are plenty of opportunities to support local merchants in the markets and stalls that we pass along the way. We can purchase traditional handicrafts from local artisans and learn more about the importance of preserving these crafts. |
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. |