Ancient Civilizations

23 days - from $4345

A journey of discovery through Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula to colourful, vibrant Guatemala This is our most comprehensive tour in Mexico and Central America. Having explored Mexico City and the great ruins of Teotihuacan we discover the delights of Puebla and Oaxaca. From Monte Alban we visit the ruins of the Zapotec capital before continuing southward to the town of San Cristobal, complete with its traditional Indian communities. The magnificent Palenque Mayan ruins are next and then comes the Yucatan Peninsula with stops in Merida and the Mayan sites of Uxmal and Chichen Itza. Having discovered ritzy Cancun and the sun-drenched beaches of the Caribbean we continue via the stunning seaside ruins of Tulum to Tikal, deep in the Guatemalan jungle. The final part of our journey takes us to Antigua and the beautiful Guatemalan Highland towns of Panajachel and Chichicastenango – home to one of the most colourful weekend markets in Central America.

Highlights

• Buy colourful local textiles from the vibrant traders of Chichicastenango
• Drink fine coffee in Antigua Guatemala
• Eat sweet and savory tamales on the tiny island town of Flores
• Evenings dancing the Punta
• Meet with magnificent Mesoamerica at the Tikal Mayan Ruins
• The friendly welcome of the indigenous people of Lake Atitlan and Panajachel
• Explore outwards from the heaving heart of Mexico City
• Clap your hands at the pyramid temple of Kukulcan, Chichen Itza
• Decipher the hieroglyphic inscriptions of Palenque
• Eat pan de muerto and celebrate The Day of the Dead, in Oaxaca
• Flight across the mad metropolitan sprawl of Mexico City
• Get astronomical at the Pyramid of the Magician at Uxmal
• Indigenous medicine in the Chiapas villages and museums of San Cristobal
• Join the art pilgrims at La Casa Azul, the Blue House of Frida Kahlo
• Lose the game and be put to death – play ball at Monte Alban, Oaxaca.
• Make your own pan de muerto, the Bread of the Dead.
• Meet the locals by the water fountain of Chiapa de Corzo
• Quench your thirst with soda pop, Mexican style
• Relax on Playa del Carmen, beyond the resort bustle of Cancun
• Revel in Mexican pride over chiles en nogada in Puebla
• Roast meat tacos, Oaxaca street stalls
• Rotunda of illustrious persons, Panteón Civil de Dolores Mexico City
• See everything under the sun and moon at the ruins of Teotihuacan
• Spring equinox at Chichen Itza
• Sunrise over the sea at Tulum Ruins
• The art markets and house of Leon Trotsky, Coyoacán, Mexico City
• The end of the world at the Regional Anthropology Museum in Merida

Itinerary:

Day 1-3: (Sun) Arrive in Mexico City and transfer to hotel. Excursion to Teotihuacan ruins. City tour including the Anthropology Museum.4: Drive to Oaxaca via the beautiful town of Puebla.5-6: Explore Oaxaca and Monte Alban. Drive to Chiapa de Corzo.7-8: Visit Sumidero and continue to San Cristobal. Explore town and surrounding Indian villages.9-10: Drive to Palenque, visit waterfalls and Mayan jungle ruins. Continue to Campeche.11-12: Continue to Merida. Explore city and Uxmal ruins.13-14: Drive to lively Cancun on the Caribbean, visiting magnificent Chichen Itza ruins en route.15-16: Visit Mayan ruins of Tulum on the Carribean and continue via Chetumal to Flores in Guatemala.17: Explore the stunning Tikal ruins deep in the Guatemalan jungle.18-20: Drive to Antigua de Guatemala and explore one of Central America's most beautiful towns.21: Discover Lake Atitlan and Panajachel in the Guatemalan Highlands.22: Return to Antigua via the Sunday market at Chichicastenango.23: Trip ends after breakfast this morning (Mon).
Included: Local tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.
Not Included: Airport departure tax, visas where required, meals not included in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
Meals: 22 breakfasts
Valid From: 01 Jan 09
Valid Until: 31 Dec 69
Starts/Ends: Mexico City to Antigua
Trip Reference: PSAV