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This Escorted and Guided trip labeled as The Most Profound Discovery of the Mayan Culture, will
take you to the most outstanding archeological Sites of the Mayan World, with an encounter of Nature
you might never had conceived. When people think of the American Continent, about Machu Pichu
and the Inkas, they also have in their mind The Aztec and Mayan Empires.
History of World Civilization changed its pace with the discovery of this enigmatic Continent and its
contribution to the Middle Age Society and Economy of the XVI and XVII Century. Inkas, Aztecs and
Mayas proved people could evolve, create and produce, with different ways of life. These American
Aborigine Societies stand in the History of Mankind as amazingly developed cultures, comparable
to the ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China and India. Incas, Mayas and Aztecs were Civilizations
with there own Political, Social, Religious and Economic structures. These Cultures still amaze us at
present, by their grate contributions to our today’s Global Society.
When you travel to Mexico, you find a Country with a unique personality, tradition, history and
folklore. A country surrounded by a Coastline of over 8,000 miles, with the warmth and the breeze,
of some of the Best Tropical Beaches in the World. But when you extend your perspective to Mid
America and the Mayan World, you will also experience additional archeological treasures, further
Ethnic groups of Maya people having their own traditions, art and way of life.
Mexico is a Country with all sorts of climates, landscapes, where Flora and Fauna have extraordinary
representatives, especially in the barely touched huge Southern Rain Forest Jungles, which extends
way in to the Central America Mayan Portion. On this extended guided tour, you will see the Yucatan
Peninsula and the State of Chiapas, furthermore you will experience a culture that survives over the
political boundaries of different countries, including Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras with
the possibility to extend your vacation on the Mexican Caribbean and its splendorous Riviera Maya.
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Day 1
Cancún
Arrival in Cancun. A bilingual
representative with a first class air
conditioned vehicle will be standing by
to immediately transfer our distinguished
passengers to a Hotel in Cancun City,
assuring satisfactory registration and accommodations. Passengers will have the evening on their own.
Overnight in Cancun.
Day 2
Cancún - Tulum Chetumal
Early breakfast and departure, south along
the Caribbean Coast with an initial transit
of 2 hours. We will visit Tulum. Tulum is
a Mayan Post Classic sacred city, nestled
on a Cliff overlooking the Ocean. Tulum
was a major link in the Maya extensive trade network. You will see over 20 Buildings and observe the Stalls
on the monuments, with the graphic legacy of the Mayan Culture; you will also see the first Castle Pyramid
dedicated to Kukulkan. You will be able to swim and bathe on the beach after your stroll along the park.
During the afternoon, another two hour transit through the Tropical Vegetation, to reach your overnight
destination Chetumal. Chetumal, with a large Bay, is the outlet of the Hondo River, the natural frontier
between Mexico and Belize. Chetumal is a fairly large and modern city, the capital of the State of Quintana
Roo. Evening on your own, visit the down town area for an outside restaurant or dine at the hotel.
Day 3
Chetumal – Corozal
Xunantunich-Tikal
Early breakfast and departure to clear
Belize immigration. Initiating Transit
after formalities towards Belize City,
continuing through the Cayo District
We will reach Xunantunich Mayan
Archeological Site after 12:00 to visit the park, the pyramids and the paintings in the caves. Xunantunich
is a Classic period (300-900 AD) ceremonial center, with large plazas surrounded with pyramids. The
tallest is the 45 Meters “El Castillo,” which is large by Mayan standards. We will have an hour time for
lunch on your own. And then continue to cross the Border of Guatemala in to the Peten Department. We
will then transit to reach Flores the closest city to Tikal. Overnight in Flores, evening on your own for
town sightseeing and dinner.
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Day 4
Flores - Tikal – Rio
Dulce – Livingston
on the Caribbean
Breakfast included at the hotel and early
departure to Tikal Archeological Park
Guatemala’s biggest and most extended
Archeological Site. The park is immersed
in the Tropical Forest with splendorous vegetation and extraordinary wildlife. Tikal due to its historic value
has been declared by UNESCO, “Cultural Heritage of Mankind”. This majestic Mayan city is considered
one of the largest and most monumental of all of the sites discovered in the Mayan World. In its maximum
splendor period, was supposed to have over 100 thousand inhabitants. Tikal is considered part of the Classic
Period of Maya Civilization, but you will find different architectonical design, where Tikal does not directly
reflect the Toltec influence as most Mayan sites do. Dispersed around the plaza has pyramids with heights
over 30 to 55 meters tall such as The Great Jaguar Main Temple, the temple of the Moon or the masks. The
temple of the serpent and many more. After visiting Tikal, we will take the lunch and then transit by boat
to Rio Dulce on the edge of Lake Izabal, continuing along the river towards the Caribbean sea to reach
Livingston the Garifuna African Caribbean Community. Livingston is the only town in Guatemala where
the African Caribbean Culture has survived with all their traditions, since the first settlers came at the end
of the XVII Century and today is a peaceful, colorful and relaxed town. Overnight.
Day 5
Livingston – Rio Dulce – Quirigua – Copan
Breakfast. Transfer by boat back
to Rio Dulce to continue towards
Quiriguá, a unique archaeological
site surrounded by the largest banana
plantation in Central America. Declared
by UNESCO “Cultural Heritage of
Mankind”. Quiriguá is an ancient Maya
archaeological site in the Department of
south-eastern Guatemala. It is a medium sized emplacement along the lower Motagua River, with the
ceremonial center about 1 km from the north bank of the river. It was situated at the point where several
important trading routes came together. Bigger construction started in the 8th century. Quiriguá shares
its architectural and sculptural styles with the nearby Classic Period city of Copan. Quiriguá is also
famous for having the tallest stone-carved stall in the Maya World. After the visit, continue through an
excellent highway, where you can appreciate one of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, from
tropical forests to semi-arid regions. After short border formalities, you will arrive to Copan, Honduras.
Overnight.
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Day 6
Copan – Archeological Site – Transit to Antigua
After breakfast, transfer to the Archeological
area of Copan. The Mayan City of Copan
in Honduras is one of the most outstanding
archeological sites in the Mayan World.
Copan was a governmental and religious
center. Due to its preservation and historic
importance, UNESCO has also declared it
Cultural Heritage of Mankind. This huge
area has 1420 registered sites with over 4500 buildings. Copan is outstanding due to many stalls and carvings
on buildings and sculptures. You should at least see the Gran Plaza, The acropolis and the 11 temples on the
West side Plaza. After our visit to this area, we will depart on a 5 hour transit to Antigua Guatemala. Overnight.
Day 7
Antigua
After an included breakfast, we will take a vast
Tour of The City. Antigua is full of History.
Due to its many archeological and colonial
assets, the City was awarded the UNESCO
recognition as part of the “Cultural Heritage
of Mankind”. During the Colonization of
the Americas, Antigua was one of the three
major Headquarters of the Spanish colonial
government (others were Peru and Mexico City). Thirty different religious orders nestled their monasteries in Antigua,
where the task to convert the aborigine population was considered a big challenge. Ancient religious art is present
everywhere. Monasteries and churches are all around and you can see the different architectural styles of the Colonial
period. You have museums all around, especially where the monasteries have been rebuilt, refurbished to their original
appearance with the restoration of religious art masterpieces, such as Casa Santo Domingo. Major residences of the
Colonial Period have been converted to small and medium hotels, where people lodge as in the beginning of the
colonization. Streets, parks and facades are all immersed in the past gone Centuries, as if time hadn’t gone by. The
evening will be free to go back and explore the areas you might have most appreciated or to dine at any of the good
restaurants that Antigua has to offer. Overnight in Antigua.
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Day 8
Antigua – Chichicastenango - Panajachel – Lake Atitlan
After Breakfast, an early departure, with
a moderate transit through the mountains
on the Pan-American highway towards
Chichicastenango, the place where the
the “Popol Vuh”, the Religious book of
the Mayas was found and translated by
Francisco Ximenez. This city exceeding
100 thousand inhabitants is still a
religious midpoint, where reveling will be the visit to the Santo Tomas Church, a real colonial jewel
as well as the surrounding Historic District. Chichicastenango was and continues to be, an important
supply and distribution center for the Maya-Quiche population. As such, you will see the most colorful
and picturesque outdoor market in Guatemala, from which you can establish the consumption pattern
of the population and find hand made art and crafts by local artisans and very beautiful textiles. In the
afternoon we will continue towards Panajachel with a very beautiful and bizarre lake, 1500 meters above
Sea Level, surrounded by abundant vegetation and extraordinary wildlife, enclosed by three imposing
high volcanoes. Arriving in the afternoon so you will have a chance to enjoy the hypnotizing views of
Lake Atitlán and later stroll around Panajachel. Dine in town or at the Hotel.
Day 9
Panajachel - Maya-Tzutuhil Santiago Atitlan - Panajachel
After breakfast, we will go by boat,
to Maya-Tzutuhil village of Santiago
Atitlan. During the Conquest of this
region, the Spanish soldiers allied with
the cackchiqueles, defeated the tzutuhiles
ho had the stronghold of the area. In
order to covert local aborigines to the
Catholic Religion, a splendorous church
was built, façade of which still stands in Panajachel. From the boat, we will see the impressive volcanoes
emerging from the edge of the lake, such as the San Pedro 3000 Meters above Sea Level, and Volcano
Atitlan 3500 Meters above Sea level. Land surrounding the lake and the base of these mountains, has
abundant vegetation with wild animals including monkeys, the raccoon-like coatis and exotic birds, such
as Guatemala’s national bird, the quetzal. Santiago also offers a variety of hand crafts, colorful textiles,
woodcarvings and naive style paintings. In the afternoon return to Panajachel. Evening at leisure and
Overnight.
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Day 10
Panajachel – La Mesilla Border - Montebello Lakes – San Cristóbal
Early breakfast and departure with a
transit of approximately 3:30 hours along
the Pan-American Highway towards la
Mesilla border crossing to Mexico. After
clearing immigration formalities, transit
one more hour arriving to Montebello
Lakes for a guided visit to discover
and admire a protected Ecological
10 thousand acre National Park with over 65 lakes with emerald green colors, changing to light blue
turquoise. Surrounded by pine and Oak tree forests, wildlife counts among others turtles, serpents, white
tale fox, dears, ant-eater bear, ducks, pigeons and many other birds such as the Quetzal. Late afternoon,
we will transit to reach San Cristobal Las Casas our overnight destination.
Day 11
San Cristobal - San Juan Chamula – Zinacantan - San Cristobal
After breakfast, we will take a guided tour
to San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan in
a suburban radios of only 10 Kilometers.
Both communities live under the dictate
of their traditions. More than the 60 %
of the population are aboriginal and
they still speak their own community
language. Most also speak Spanish and
have their own religious traditions with a combination of the catholic rituals. In the afternoon, you
will have time to see and stroll around. San Cristobal de Las Casas, located in the Highlands of the
State of Chiapas is a Colonial City, once the State Capital. It has remained conservatively in the past,
where the Historic District has beautiful samples of 16th to 19th Century buildings. San Cristobal has
an important Colonial Heritage and has different Maya groups with their hand crafts, typical clothing,
tablecloth, napkins, embroidered clothing, lacquer objects and wood products. You will also find pottery
from Amatenango made by Tzeltales women with Pre-Hispanic methods cooked directly on fire. You
will find nicely appointed restaurants with all sorts of menus.
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Day 12
San Cristóbal de las Casas – Agua Azul – Palenque
We will Leave San Cristóbal de las Casas
in the morning to transit through the thick
forest and down the mountains. We will
experience how vegetation changes from
Coniferous forest to Tropical, to jungle and
Rain forest thick evergreen vegetation. We
will stop at the impressive and beautiful
waterfalls of Agua Azul, situated among
thriving foliage. At Agua Azul, the water descends through hills, in a rapid succession of cascades and natural
pools of deep blue-turquoise color water. Agua Azul is surrounded by thick low savannah Forest, where you
find all sorts of species such as jaguar, tapir, guacamaya and toucan. From Agua Azul, we will continue to
Palenque. Overnight in Palenque. Evening free to stroll in the City or dine at the hotel.
Day 13
Palenque - Campeche
In the morning we will visit the archaeological
site of Palenque. This ancient Mayan City
reached its peak from the sixth to the eighth
centuries A.D. Palenque, is a more rigidly
conservative architecture compared to other
Classic Maya sites. Still Palenque is one of
the most enigmatical Sites and has held its secrets for over twelve hundred years. The setting is nestled against
the mountain wall, surrounded by flourishing vegetation deep in the rain forest. You will see endless levels of
Maya man-made terraces, bearing uncounted structures, most of which appear to have been mausoleums. You
will find a marked contrast between Palenque and other Classic Maya sites. The most outstanding buildings are:
The Temple of the Inscriptions, a majestic pyramid with a secret crypt; The Fabulous Royal Pakal Tomb; with an
exquisitely engraved monolithic sarcophagus; The Palace with a four story high square tower, probably used as
an astronomical observatory; The Temples of the Cross, The Temples of The Jaguar and The Temple of The Sun.
Palenque added additional roof toppings to its buildings producing an extra height, compared to other Classic
Buildings. In the Afternoon we will transit towards the City of Campeche through the Tropical Forest and later
along the Gulf of Mexico Coast, as we enter the Yucatan Peninsula’s West side. We will see different types of
villages as we cover our route. Overnight in Campeche.
Campeche used to be the main town of the Mayan province of Ah Kim Pech, which means “Serpent Tick” and
was founded around the 3rd century AD. The City of Campeche was one of the Head Quarters of the Spanish
Conquerors that established their reign over the big Mayan Civilization settled all along the Yucatan Peninsula
and way down it to Central America. The First Spaniard soldiers got to Campeche in the year 1517 and although
were defeated on the first intent, stayed anyway and took over this Mayan Provincial Capital, proceeding with
its colonization. In the Mid 16th Century, Campeche had become an important port with an already established
wall around the City in order to prevent a further defeat. Later it prevented attacks from Pirates that would move
in from the Caribbean. UNESCO has awarded recognition to The City of Campeche for its beautiful colonial
architecture and restoration of its facades.
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Day 14
Campeche – Uxmal – Mérida
After breakfast, we will start our day
with a City tour of Campeche. After the
City tour, we will transit towards Uxmal,
meaning “Three times constructed”.
Uxmal is considered a major site. The
architecture of Uxmal is among the
most majestic on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Its beauty is characterized by low and
horizontal palaces, placed around patios and quadrants richly decorated with detailed sculptures. Uxmal
is enveloped by legends and myths, situated within a series of hills known as the Pucc or mountainous
area in Mayan Country. We will then drive another hour and go to Merida the Capital of Yucatan, known
as “The White City”. Merida the capital of the State of Yucatan, is today a large City with over a Million
inhabitants. Merida has preserved its Colonial Heritage in the Historic District of the Town. It is the
Center of the State and all the roads converge at the State Capital. Such is the case of The ceremonial
Center of Uxmal and the nearby Puuc route, The Circuit of The convents and Izamal or the Coastal scenic
roads leading to Flamingo Territory. Eastwards a Modern Highway take you to Chichen Itza sacred Maya
Ceremonial Center, voted one of today’s Seven Modern Wonders of the World. Merida’s Central Square
or “Plaza Grande” is surrounded by ancient buildings that form the Historic District such as The San
Idelfonso Cathedral of Merida, the most antique church of the American Continent, built in the second
half of the XVIth Century. Merida’s Cathedral has one of the biggest interior Statues of Christ in the
World. Merida was founded on January 6, 1542 on the indigenous trace of Ichcaanzihó’s City, called also
T’hó. Overnight in Merida.
Day 15
Mérida – Chichén Itzá – Cancun
On this day we will do a brief City Tour
in Merida; afterwards we will transit
just over 2 hours to Chichen Itza the
Mayan Post Classic Sacred City, which
represents the most intact and impressive
of the Ruins of the Mayan Civilization
that the modern world preserves. Chichen
Itza means The Mouth of the Well “.
Chichen itza has a huge “Cenote” a big pond nourished by underground rivers which supplied clean
water to the complex. Chichen Itza, as other Mayan Centers was originally a ceremonial and spiritual site
instead of a commercial area. Has maybe the most impressive Pyramid of all the Maya World. The Castle
with 4 staircases (One for each season of the Year) with 91 steps each, totaling 365 with the top platform.
The orientation of the pyramid is such that for about an hour around 4 o’clock during the spring and fall
equinoxes (March 21 & September 21), the shadow of north-west edge of the pyramid on the side of the
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north stairway, draws seven triangles of light that imitates a serpent creeping downwards until it joins
the huge serpent’s head at the bottom of the stairway. This was a Religious message telling the people its
time to seed the land or it is time to harvest with the Blessing of Kukulkan. At Chichen Itza, you will see
an Astrological Observatory with a design similar to other built in the Modern Age. There are many more
buildings such as The Temple of the Warriors, part of the “Thousand Columns Complex”, the Temple of
the Jaguars, The Ball Court, the biggest in Mezzo America. Chichen Itza was voted One of the Modern
Seven Wonders of the World. After a visit of over 2 hours, we will take another 2 hour transit to Cancun.
Arrival to Cancun and drop off at the Beach hotel.
Included Services
» Welcome meeting at the airport in Cancun by our representatives
» Transportation in air conditioned vehicles
» Bilingual guide during the days of the tour
» Accommodations in middle class hotels (local category)
» Daily American breakfast
» Visits mentioned in the itinerary, including entrances fees to the
archaeological sites
hotels
» Cancun: Hotel Radisson Hacienda Cancun 5* or similar
» Chetumal: Holiday Inn Chetumal 5* or similar
» Flores – Petén: Villa Maya 4* or similar
» Copan: Posada Real Copán 4* or similar
» Antigua: Villa Colonial 4* or similar
» Panajachel: Villa Santa Catarina 3* or similar
» San Cristóbal de Las Casas: Hotel Casa Mexicana 4* or similar
» Palenque: Misión Palenque 5 * or similar
» Campeche: Hotel Baluartes 4*, Hotel Plaza Campeche 4*, Hotel Plaza
Colonial 4*, or similar
» Merida: Hotel El Conquistador 5*, El Castellano 5* or similar
» Picnic lunch during the Tikal tour
» Government taxes
» Gratuities in hotels (bell boys and maids)
» Border fees (Mexico- Belize; Belize-Guatemala, Guatemala
Honduras, and Guatemala – Mexico)
Not Included Services
» Airport taxes
» Personal expenses
» Meals and drinks not previously mentioned
» Tips during the excursions (for Tour Guide and bus driver)
» Hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya for extended stays
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