Overview

Mexico City - 2 nights
Puebla - 1 night
Oaxaca - 2 nights
Tehuantepec - 1 night
San Cristóbal de las Casas - 2 nights
Panajachel - 2 nights
Antigua - 2 nights
Copán - 1 night
Puerto Barrios - 1 night
El Remate/Flores - 2 nights
Palenque - 1 night
Campeche - 1 night
Chichén Itzá - 1 night
Cancún - 1 night
Flight - 1 night

Spendology - Widgets

MYSTERIES OF THE MAYA & AZTECS

An introduction to Aztec, Zapotec and Mayan cultures, visiting magnificent Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, travel through the centuries by road and river, via lakes, valleys and colonial towns

Journey from Central America’s earliest civilisations to its colonial and contemporary towns and cities linked by timeless landscapes. Eras intertwine in Mexico City, with its Aztec temple and Spanish baroque Metropolitan Cathedral. In Puebla’s colonial core, a flourishing art scene complements 17th-century façades. Oaxaca, with pre-Columbian ruins exudes an authentic Mexican air; while Tehuantepec is the hub of Zapotec culture, where women still wear traditional dress. Honduras is home to a hundred hectares of pyramids and plazas in UNESCO listed Copán; and in Guatemala, lakeside Panajachel is living Mayan culture; Antigua has mostly restored what nature destroyed, and even the parts preserved as ruins are beautiful; and Lake Petén Itza is the gateway to Flores and Tikal relics.

Key Features

Cultural & Countryside Tour
Jules Verne Sightseeing
12 UNESCO Heritage Sites
Local Expert Guides

Special Event

Shaman Ceremony

Experience a unique Mayan ceremony in the outskirts of Chichicastenango in Guatemala. A priest or spiritual Mayan guide request good harvests, protection, health and money in return for offerings brought such as candles, chocolate, honey and tobacco.

Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Mexico City. Transfer to the 3-star Hotel Royal Reforma for two nights.

Day 2 Visit the Coyoacán colonial quarter, Frida Kahlo Museum and Xochimilco Floating Gardens. (B)

Day 3 City tour includes the Anthropology Museum. Visit Teotihuacán Pyramids. Continue to Puebla for overnight at the 3-star Colonial Hotel. (B)

Day 4 Puebla city tour. Travel to Oaxaca (4 hrs) and visit the botanical cactus gardens en route. Two nights at the 3-star Hotel Mision. (B)

Day 5 Visit Monte Alban and Oaxaca. (B)

Day 6 Visit Mitla and a Mezcal distillery. Continue to Tehuantepec for overnight at the 3-star Hotel Calli. (B)

Day 7 Drive to the Sumidero Canyon (5 hrs) and take a boat trip. Continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas for two nights at the 3-star Hotel Casa Mexicana. (B)

Day 8 City tour of San Cristóbal de las Casas and visit the local Maya. (B)

Day 9 Travel to the border, then Panajachel (8 hrs) for two nights at the 3-star Regis Hotel or Jardines del Lago Hotel. (B)

Day 10 Boat excursion on Lake Atitlán visiting a village of the living Maya. (B)

Day 11 Visit Chichicastenango market and Santo Tomás Church. Special Event. Spend two nights in Antigua at the 3-star Hotel Las Farolas. (B)

Day 12 City tour of Antigua. (B)

Day 13 Visit the ancient city of Copán (5 ½ hrs) in Honduras. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Marina Copán. (B)

Day 14 Return to Guatemala. Pass through Motagua Valley to the site of Quiriguá (3 hrs). Travel to Puerto Barrios for overnight at the 3-star Amatique Bay Resort Hotel. (B)

Day 15 By boat from Puerto Barrios through the jungle passing the ‘canyon’ to Livingston, Río Dulce and the San Felipe fort. By road from Río Dulce to the 3-star Camino Real Tikal or Casona del Lago (3 ½ hrs) for two nights. (B)

Day 16 Visit Tikal ruins and the Morley Museum of ceramic and jade displays. (B)

Day 17 Travel to Bethel (4 hrs). Cross the border by boat and arrive at Corozal in Mexico. Take another short boat ride to Yaxchilán. Overnight at 3-star Hotel Nututun in Palenque. (B, L)

Day 18 Visit Palenque. Continue to Campeche (6 hrs) for a city tour and overnight at the 3-star Plaza Colonial. (B)

Day 19 Visit the archaeological Uxmal site. Mérida walking tour. Travel to Chichén Itzá. Overnight at the 3-star Villas Arqueológicas. (B, L)

Day 20 Visit Chichén Itzá and Tulum. Overnight at the 3-star Hotel Beach Scape, Cancún. (B)

Day 21 Return overnight flight. (B)

Day 22 Arrive London Gatwick.

  • Key
  • B - Breakfast
  • L - Lunch
  • D - Dinner

Notes

Due to the distance covered there are extended periods of travel by road, mostly along a well-established road network (some minor roads may be in poor repair).

On occasion border procedures can result in a delay with border taxes of approx. £35-£40 payable locally.

Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

This is a full itinerary with temple visits on foot with steps and uneven surfaces.

A level of agility is needed to embark small boats.

2023

Monday
per person in a twin/double room
British Airways from Heathrow/ returning to Gatwick

Date Price
October 16 £4395

2024

Click here for 2024 departures

Supplements per person

Single Supplement

Single supplement £845

Extension Options

Extension - Cancun
4 nights £275
Single supplement £255

Tour Only

Save £750 
Arrival transfer add £45
Departure transfer add £25

Price Includes
Air travel and UK departure taxes, transfers, 20 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 2 lunches, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.

Not Included
Travel insurance, overseas airport taxes, border taxes (approx. £35-£40), optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.

Notes
An accommodation tax is payable locally in Cancún, currently $2 per room per night. A local tourist tax for the state of Quintana Roo of approx. $11 is payable locally.

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