Description

Travel from the beach delights of Cancun to the Central American highlands on this dynamic Mexico to Guatemala tour. Clamber over ancient ruins at Chichen Itza, explore the pristine shores of the Mexican coast, discover the laidback highland charm of San Cristobal de las Casas and make friends with the locals on a homestay in Guatemala. From the Yucatan Peninsula to volcano studded Antigua, this trip really has it all.

Highlights

• Revel in the bold beach vibe of Cancun.
• Mexico.
• Explore incredible Mayan pyramids at Chichen Itza.
• Travel along Mexico's amazing Yucatan Peninsula.
• Experience the great outdoors on the banks of Lake Atitlan .
• Trace the lines of ancient history at the Palenque ruins .
• Enjoy local hospitality at a San Jorge homestay.
• Sample classic Guatemalan fare in Antigua.

Itinerary

Day 1 Cancun

Once an unknown fishing village, Cancun is now a heaving tourist centre with plenty of bars, restaurants, resorts and nightclubs to contrast the beautiful white-sand beaches.

Day 2 Chichen Itza / Merida

Chichen Itza was once a city of the pre-Columbian Maya civilisation; its ruins are wonderfully preserved and this captivating site provides a wealth of things to see. Founded in 1542, Merida still retains much of its old-world charm with a well-preserved Old Town, wonderful museums and city streets alive with art and culture.

Days 3-4 Palenque

Built around 100BC, the incredible ruins of Palenque were virtually swallowed by the jungle until their excavation, where some of the finest examples of Maya architecture were discovered.

Days 5-6 San Cristobal de las Casas

With winding cobblestone streets and colonial Spanish architecture, San Cristobal de las Casas maintains a lovely old-world feel mixed with strong indigenous roots.

Day 7 Panajachel

Panajachel, located on beautiful Lake Atitlan with distant volcanoes looming in the background, has a thriving market, good eateries and many water-based activities to enjoy.

Day 8 San Jorge La Laguna

San Jorge La Laguna is a small, picturesque village situated in a valley near Lake Atitlan, where welcoming locals live traditional lives.

Days 9-10 Chichicastenango / Antigua

Affectionately known as 'Chichi', Chichicastenango is a vibrant and colourful town famous for its wonderful market held on Thursdays and Sundays. Declared a World Heritage site due to its well-preserved buildings, Antigua is a bewitching city sheltered between three volcanoes with wonderful food and atmospheric streets.

Group Size

Maximum of 12 travellers per group

Accommodation

Homestay, Hotel

Transport

Bus, Minibus

Important notes

A single supplement is available on this trip.