Mayan Highlights

This morning you travel by bus inland to Piste. The most famous, best-restored site in Yucatán - Chichén Itzá - makes an awesome introduction to your exploration of Mayan civilisation. Archaeologists broadly agree the city was founded between 500-900 AD, abandoned in the 10th century, and re-established in the 11th century - but few agree as to exactly which cultures or peoples were involved. Beyond doubt is that the 25m tall El Castillo pyramid is a stone version of the elaborate Mayan calendar; deep in its interior is the red jaguar, which may have been the high priest’s throne. You return by bus to the lively, attractive, colonial city of Mérida and spend a relaxed evening. Being a Sunday the central streets are closed off for the locals to promenade and dance and you will hopefully catch the end of the proceedings. Hotel - 1 nights

Today you explore the archaeological site of Palenque, set amidst the thick forest that covered it for hundreds of years. Palenque’s setting is magnificent and the ornate decoration of its Mayan architecture is exquisite. The excavated part is compact and easy to explore on foot, but the jungle - which echoes to the haunting cry of troops of howler monkey - still covers some 400 unexplored structures! The tallest structure is the Temple of Inscriptions, a 25m high pyramid at whose heart lies the burial chamber where the famous jade mask was discovered in 1952. It is possible to explore ruins still covered by jungle, giving an idea of how the first intrepid travellers found the site. Descending out of the site there are a series of waterfalls and pools. The small but interesting museum is well worth a visit; the intricately decorated pottery chimneys are particularly impressive.

A long drive today as you travel 4 hours to the Guatemalan border and a further 3.5 hours to reach Panajachel. This lakeside city is a great centre of outdoor activities. Take a local bus out to one of the nearby villages to exprience traditional Mayan life. A refreshing swim in the lake makes a great end to the day. Hotel - 1 night

Today you board a bus for the one and a half hour drive to Chichicastenango, an attractive town at the centre of the Maya Quiché highlands. Its principal fame is as the site of a twice-weekly market, when the town fills with indigenous people from the surrounding towns and villages. Almost everything is for sale here but by far the most impressive is the vast collection of bright textiles. Don’t be surprised if you are jostled by local ladies bedecked in traditional costumes fighting to get through the crowds. After enjoying the colour and bustle of the market, you head on to Antigua; the old colonial capital is about 2 ½ hours drive away.

Founded in 1543, when the first capital was destroyed, Antigua grew to be a substantial city with fine churches, public buildings, and a university - until the capital was again re-sited as the result of seismic activity. Today it is a picturesque town, lost in a time warp. Away from the central area, its peaceful streets mix the historic, the reconstructed (fortunately largely in original style), and the sites of ruined ecclesiastical buildings. Together these create the atmosphere of a living museum; the sort of place to wander around, stumble across a coffee-house or hidden courtyard and make one’s own discoveries. the city has much to keep you busy – including a fantastic array of jade jewellery shops. For those who want to do something a little different there are a number of optional excursions that can be done; you can visit a coffee or macadamia nut plantation, go horse riding, mountain biking or even climb the Pacaya Volcano, an excellent half-day hiking trip up a perfect cinder cone. Hotel - 3 nights (Day 9 - B)

With just over an hour’s drive to the majestic ruins of the great city state of Tikál, we’ll aim to get an early start so that you can spend a full day at the site. Even by clambering up one of the massive pyramids in the main site, it’s difficult to gauge its full extent, as other distant structures protrude above the trees like islands. If the scene looks vaguely familiar, it might be because it was used in a scene towards the end of the original ‘Star Wars, episode IV’ film. 

Much of Tikal surely remains undiscovered, locked in the grip of the jungle. In order to explore the site you walk through the forest between the main groups of buildings and hope to see something of the fascinating flora and fauna. A range of wildlife is commonly seen including howler and spider monkeys, coatimundis (a member of the racoon family), agoutis (a strange, rabbit-sized rodent), oropendulas (a largish bird which makes distinctive hanging nests) and toucans. After its zenith in the 9th century, the city fell into spectacular and mysterious decline. As you wander amidst the grey stone pyramids, you can only speculate as to what could have caused its downfall. In the afternoon you return to Flores.

Today you jump on a local bus and travel three hours to Belize City. This bus ride is a real local experience as it stops and starts to pick up random passengers along the way. From Belize City you take a water taxi (45mins) to beautiful Caye Caulker. It is an island with a Caribbean feel, there really is nothing to do here but relax, try some watersports or go snorkelling to explore the underwater world. You can take an optional trip to see manatees, the lovely mermaid like sea cows. Hotel - 3 nights

A short bus ride (1.5 hours) takes you to your final destination of Playa del Carmen. You are free to enjoy the sunshine and beaches. Go snorkelling, diving, biking or take a ferry trip to the island of Cozumel. In the evenings grab yourself a margarita and watch the sunset. Hotel - 2 nights