Mayan cultural tour
| country: | Belize, Guatemala, Mexico |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 1 - 2 departures a month throughout the year |
| price: | From £615 (22 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, this trip combines the volcanic beauty of the highlands, the mystery of the ancient Maya ruins and the perfect beaches of the Caribbean, in a truly unique adventure. From Cancun to Playa del Carmen, this three week journey offers the chance to get out and get active, or enjoy a more relaxing pace while exploring the colour, culture and adventure of Central America.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Cancun. Laze on powdery white beaches, swim in the warm waters or simply relax at a bar with a margarita. Enjoy a guided walk through this busy resort town. |
| Day 2: | Chichen Itza/Merida. Visit Chichen Itza's 2,000-year-old Maya pyramids - a fusion of religion, architecture and science. Don't miss seeing the intricate snakes carved into the walls of El Castillo (The Castle) a giant 91 stepped pyramid. |
| Days 3-4: | Palenque. Stroll around the jungle-tangled ruins and admire temple walls sculpted with images of gods, rulers and ceremonies. |
| Days 5-6: | San Cristobal de las Casas. Head to the cooler climes of this city rich in local culture and tasty cuisine. |
| Day 7: | Panajachel. Cross the border into Guatemala to the lakeside town of Panachel. Take an optional cruise on Lake Atitlan, hike, swim, surf, kayak or try paragliding - the ultimate adrenaline rush. |
| Day 8: | San Jorge La Laguna. Experience the local way of life at a homestay. Practice Spanish with the a host family and enjoy meals cooked in the family home. |
| Days 9-11: | Chichicastenango/Antigua. Visit the Chichicastenango Sunday market which sits at 2,200 m above sea level. Bargain for some of Guatemala's best handicrafts and soak up the energy of one of the world's most famous markets. Travel onwards to Antigua, a colonial city flanked by smouldering volcanoes. |
| Days 12-13: | Flores/Tikal. Unwind in a town where canoes are still a mode of transport. Be awestruck by Tikal's ruins that tower above the jungle. Climb to the top of the ruins to spy scarlet macaws darting through the forest canopy. |
| Days 14-15: | San Ignacio. Get off the beaten track with a journey into Belize. Surrounded by fast-flowing rivers and forested hills, San Ignacio is just begging to be explored. |
| Days 16-18: | Caye Caulker. Kick back on the beach or take an optional snorkelling or diving tour in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to the world's second-largest reef. |
| Day 19: | Tulum. Laze on the sands or watch the sun set over the sea from Tulum's beachside ruins. These idyllic ruins are perched on a cliff overlooking the beach and afford staggering views over the Mexican coastline. |
| Days 20-22: | Playa del Carmen. This beach town offers a final chance to go souvenir shopping, have some fun in the sun or enjoy the easygoing Mexican nightlife. |
travellers' tales
Some of the most fun I had during the trip was in the mini-van with the other travellers. Including my tour leader Diego, who was not only a great laugh, but also very organised and flexible with our itinerary. (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. |