Mexico & Guatemala Explorer
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 11 days | PSMG |
Activities |
|
| Culture (Easy) | |
Minimum Passengers |
|
| 5 people | |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 15 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Guatemala, Mexico | |
Start City |
End City |
| Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico | Antigua |
Travel from the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea to the lush green of the Guatemalan Highlands, and along the way discover the sites of the ancient Mayan civilisation.
Leaving lively Cancun behind your first introduction to the once great Mayan civilisation will come at Tulum where ancient ruins stand atop a bluff facing the rising sun. This amazing setting is in total contrast to the larger Tikal Mayan ruins which lie deep in the heart of the steaming Guatemalan jungle. Further on is the small town of Antigua de Guatemala, once Spain's capital in the America's and spectacularly back-dropped by three perfectly shaped volcanoes. To end your holiday you'll visit the truly beautiful Guatemalan Highlands where you will have an opportunity to shop at the colourful and lively Sunday market in Chichicastenango or "Chichi" as the locals like to call it.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Cancun
On arrival at Cancun Airport you are transferred to our hotel in Cancun City. In the evening you meet your tour leader and the other members of your group for a pre-tour briefing. Please check the notice board at the hotel reception for confirmation of the exact time and place of the meeting. This meeting is generally followed by an optional group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2: Cancun
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Your time is your own today to look around Cancun City or to while away some time at one of the many beaches that have made this region the holiday meca of Mexico. The beach at Playa del Carmen is highly recommended. Here you can laze around on the white, sandy beach or enjoy a swim in the incredibly clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. There are regular buses throughout the day to Playa del Carmen located about 40km from Cancun.
Day 3: Tulum - Chetumal
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Saying farewell to Cancun, we stop to visit the remains of the ancient port town of Tulum. Set in a spectacular location on the cliff top, the walled city ruins offers breathtaking views over the coastline of the Caribbean Sea below. These ruins are much younger than other Mayan sites and date back to around the year 1200. The largest temple on the site is the Castillo, which also served as a fortress and was once coated in stucco, painted and decorated with masks. Perched over the water is the Temple of the Winds, which is said to whistle as a warning when a hurricane approaches. We continue to Chetumal, which lies on the border with Belize and is where we spend our last night in Mexico. This is quite a modern town, as it has been largely rebuilt after being destroyed by a hurricane in 1955.
Day 4: Flores
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Today we move to a new country as we leave Mexico and enter Guatemala, where we make our way to the tiny town of Flores. Our route takes us near jungle terrain, which is home to various species of wildlife. Flores is actually an island, situated on a lake known as Lago Petén Itzá and connected to the mainland by a causeway. The cobblestone streets of the friendly village on the island are flanked by handicraft stores and charming, brightly coloured houses. It is a pleasant place to spend a couple of nights relaxing, shopping for handmade clothing and crafts, as well as tasting Guatemalan cuisine. It is also great base for visiting the world famous Mayan site of Tikal.
Day 5: Tikal - Flores
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Located in the jungles of the El Petén region, Tikal is the largest of the ancient ruined cities of the Mayan civilisation and one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. The name means 'Place of Voices' in the Mayan language and the site consists of over 3000 buildings, including a few very tall temples that tower above the tree-line. The earliest excavation dates from the 4th Century BC, but the city was at its peak between 200 and 850 AD, where at one point it was home to over 100,000 people. We are guided around to see all the main highlights on what is sure to be a memorable day. Being a national park, Tikal is also home to a large variety of wildlife and we have a good chance of spotting coati, grey fox, spider monkey and howler monkey.
Day 6: Antigua
Meals included: 1 breakfast
We spend today travelling to the central mountains and the town of Antigua Guatemala, which is commonly referred to as Antigua or La Antigua. Full of historic buildings mainly constructed in Spanish Baroque style and spectacular ruined churches, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is not hard to see why! Antigua is surely one of the most superbly preserved of all Spanish American cities and a great place to spend a couple of days. Wandering around town it is easy to imagine ourselves living back in time in the Spanish colonial era, the influences of which permeate all facets of life from the houses and churches to parks, ruins and folklore.
Day 7-8: Antigua
Meals included: 2 breakfasts
Once the capital of Spanish Guatemala, Antigua is today a town of over 30,000 people nestled between three towering volcanoes. It was one time the country’s capital, which moved to Guatemala City after the earthquakes of 1773. It is a very popular stop for travellers because of its historical relics as well as pleasant ambience and the colour of the local people. There are lots of interesting markets, restaurants and cafes; be sure to try the famous Guatemalan coffee! It is also a place renowned for its many Spanish language schools. There is no shortage of things to do and places to discover during our time here.
Day 9: Lake Atitlan - Panajachel
Meals included: 1 breakfast
We travel into the heart of the Guatemalan Highlands to Lake Atitlan, described by the writer Aldous Huxley as 'the most beautiful lake in the world'. Located at over 1500 metres above sea level, the lake reaches depths of 324 metres and is surrounded by three majestic volcanoes - Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. We spend a night in beautiful Panajachel town, considered the jewel of the highlands and inhabited by the Cachikel people for over 800 years. These people are one of the 22 distinct Mayan groups in Guatemala, each with their own traditional language, dress and custom. They have been described as the only indigenous culture in the entire Americas to survive the European invasion intact. As we wander around Panajachel and surrounding villages, we see these people going about their daily lives. We are sure to be amazed by the skills of the women weavers.
Day 10: Chichicastenango - Antigua
Meals included: 1 breakfast
On the way back to Antigua we stop at Chichicastenango and spend time at what has been described as 'the most colourful native market in the Americas'. Mayan groups venture from all over Guatemala in their native costumes and gather around to buy or sell their wares against a backdrop of noise, smells and colours that are both vibrant and exotic. Everything from pottery to medicinal plant, pigs, chickens, flowers and machetes can be bought and sold here. We then return to Antigua, where we can commemorate the last night of our adventure.
Day 11: Antigua Guatemala
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Our tour ends after breakfast in Antigua. Guatemala City airport is only 40 minutes away.
Your Trip
What's Included
Local tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- Boat
- Private van
Accommodation
- 10 nights Comfortable hotel
Meals
- 10 breakfasts
Not Included
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.
Optional Extras
We have chosen some great optional activities to enhance your travel experience. You will need to cover any additional costs yourself. Speak to your leader if you are interested in any of the following:
- Antigua-The Pacaya volcano
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Guatemala
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for Guatemala. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
Mexico
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for Mexico. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
InsuranceYou are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information packs (provided upon booking a trip) provide tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a Pre Departure Information pack which will contain detailed information.
Further Reading
Guatemala
Among the Volcanoes - O.Castaneda Culture & Customs of Guatemala - M. Shea Guatemalan Journey - Stephen Benz Bird of Life, Bird of Death - Jonathon Evan Maslow An Indian Woman in Guatemala - Rigoberta Menchu
Mexico
Mexico Handbook - J. Cummings Under the Volcanoe - M. Lowry A New Time for Mexico - C. Fuentes Lawless Roads - Graham Greene Sacred Monkey River - Christopher Shaw Many Mexicos - Lesley Byrd Simpson Distant Neighbors - Alan Riding The Power & the Glory - Graham Greene
Important Information
Important - A Word on Central America
Central America is different and that’s what makes it such an fascinating destination. You will find that things don’t always go according to plan or work the way they do back home. Buses and planes often run late and sometimes the water in your bathroom can run cold and the electricity fail. The locals live with these issues everyday. In order to get the most out of your holiday, a degree of patience, good humour and understanding is a definite advantage. If you approach your holiday with an open and enquiring mind, the warm welcome you receive from Central Americans will ensure you a rich and rewarding holiday experience.
Public Holiday Inconveniences
Please be prepared for the inconvenience of sights such as museums and churches being closed to tourists on public holidays (ie. Christmas Day and New Years Day). Throughout Latin America, most museums also tend to be closed on Mondays.
Transport
Where possible transportation provided will be air-conditioned, however it will not always be available, particularly in Guatemala.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
26 April 2012