DISCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF THE MAYA CIVILIZATION: MEXICO - GUATEMALA - HONDURAS – BELIZE

ITINERARY

Day 1  

Flight to Mexico. Arrival in Mexico City. Transfer to Hotel. Dinner and accommodation.   

Day 2

Breakfast. We visit México City today. We start with the visit of the majestic Cathedral - Holly Mass, the monumental Presidential Palace and downtown, the Plaza de Armas. After that we visit one of the most famous museums in the world: The Museum of History and Anthropology, were we can see objects of pre hispanic times. At the end of the day we take a ride through the ancient canals of Xochimilco listening to mariachi and tasting tequila: national drink of Mexico. Dinner and accommodation.  

Day 3

After breakfast we visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the most important center of peregrinations in America. After that, we continue our trip to the famous pyramids of Teotihuacan, where we visit the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Moon, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. We have dinner in the area. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Guatemala. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

Day 4

Breakfast. Transfer to Panajachel. On the way, visit the fruit market in Solola. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Lake Atitlan surrounded by three volcanoes. Boat riding through the lake to Santiago Atitlan: visiting the local colonial church and the home of the local syncretic deity Maximon. Dinner and overnight in Panajachel. 

Day 5

Breakfast. Transfer to the famous Indian market in Chichicastenango (Thursday, Sunday): meeting with the indigenous people, discovering their art, and customs. Free time for shopping of colorful Maya products. In the early afternoon, ride to Antigua Guatemala. A walk through the former colonial capital of Guatemala: Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Franciscan Monastery with the tomb of Saint Peter Betancourt. Dinner and overnight in Antigua Guatemala.

Day 6

Breakfast. In the early morning we travel to the border with Honduras. After crossing the border, we visit one of the most interesting Mayan architectural complexes with the famous hieroglyphs on the facade of the Copan pyramid. Dinner and overnight in Copan. 

Day 7

Breakfast. Transfer to Livingstone - a settlement inhabited by the black - creole population. On the way, visit of the pre-Columbian center, where were discovered the largest exposed stone monuments (steles) - Quirigua. Dinner and overnight in Livingstone, which can only be reached by boat along the Caribbean coast or the Rio Dulce.  

Day 8

Breakfast. In the morning a short walk through Livingstone settlement, which until today is steeped in Garifuna traditions (culture created by black slaves brought from the Caribbean Islands). In the early afternoon, ride by boat down the Rio Dulce, in the magnificent scenery of the Guatemalan jungle to a place of re-encounter with civilization. Transfer to the small island of Flores. Dinner and overnight. 

Day 9

Breakfast. Transfer to Tikal - visit the impressive Mayan pyramids located in the heart of the jungle: the Jaguars temple, the Temple of Masks, and the powerful palace complexes, among others. Transfer to dinner and overnight to Flores. 

Day 10

Breakfast. Drive through Belize to Mexico. On the way, visit of the Xunantunich pre-Columbian center, located far from the tourist routes, where the pyramids have impressive views of the Belizean plains. Transfer to Chetumal, Mexico. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11

Breakfast. Transfer to Cancun or Playa del Carmen. On the way, we visit Tulum and Coba, two of the most attractive archaeological zones in the Yucatan. Overnight in Cancun / Playa del Carmen. Hotel all inclusive.

Day 12

Free time. All inclusive. Optional excursion to visit one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World the Mayan ruins in Chichen-Itza (about 60 USD) or the Isle of Women (about 80 USD).

Day 13

Free time. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to take flight home.