Ancient Civilizations

23 days - from $4695

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

• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Antigua Guatemala
• Flores on Lago Petén Itzá
• The indigenous Chachikel Mayans of Lake Atitlan
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mayan city of Tikal
• Cancun and Playa del Carmen
• Chichicastenango native market
• 1200-year-old cliff-top ruins of Tulum
• Chiapa de Corzo's 'Spanish Crown' fountain
• Mexico City
• Regional Anthropology Museum of the Yucatan
• San Cristobal de Las Casas' Chiapas indigenous culture
• The Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán and Spanish city of Oaxaca
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Chichen-Itza
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mayan ruins of Palenque
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed pre-Hispanic city of Uxmal
• Teotihuacan's Pyramids of the Sun and Moon

Itinerary:

Day 1: Mexico City2: Teotihuacan - Mexico City3: Mexico City4: Oaxaca5: Monte Alban - Oaxaca6: Chiapa de Corzo7: San Cristobal de Las Casas8: San Cristobal de Las Casas9-10: Palenque - Campeche11-12: Merida13-14: Chichen Itza - Cancun15: Tulum - Chetumal16: Flores17: Tikal - Flores18: Antigua19-20: Antigua21: Panajachel - Lake Atitlan22: Chichicastenango - Antigua23: Antigua Guatemala
Included:

Local tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.

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.