Mexico & Guatemala Mayan Experience

General Info

For those who prefer to travel in a group, or who enjoy the expert knowledge and security that comes with a Tour Escort, our fully escorted Mayan Experience small group tour is the ideal way to experience beautiful Mexico and Guatemala. The Mayan Experiece includes some special Contours Collections exclusives, such as cooking classes in Oaxaca and a visit to a coffee cooperative in Antigua.

Itinerary

Day 1 Mexico City

Flight to Los Angeles with connections to Mexico City. Transfer to our accommodation located a few steps from Mexico’s most famous plaza.

Day 2 Mexico City

Half day tour of the city- including visits to the Zocalo, Cathedral, National Palace and murals of Diego Rivera. Guided tour of the world famous Anthropological Museum and afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 3 Mexico City

Full day sightseeing tour to the famous Teotihuacan Pyramids, ‘where men become gods’. You will have the opportunity to climb the amazing Pyramids as well as visit the place of Quetzal-Butterfly, the Feather Snake Temple and the Avenue of the Dead. (BL)

Day 4 Mexico City

Half day sightseeing tour of the colourful barrio of Coyoacan and the wonderful Frida Kahlo Museum. (B)

Day 5 Mexico City/Puebla

Overland transfer to Puebla, via the ancient city of Cholula. Afternoon at leisure to explore. (B

Day 6 Puebla/Oaxaca

Depart this morning for the nearby city of Oaxaca, travelling over the Sierra Madre Mountain range- we’ll make a few stops along the way so you can admire the view and take some photos! (B)

Day 7 Oaxaca

Half day tour of Monte Alban archaeological site- one of the largest sites in the continent with stunning views over the Central Valleys. (B)

Day 8 Oaxaca

Learn the secrets of Oaxacan cuisine! We start with a visit to the market to learn about local produce; this afternoon you’ll be treated to a private cooking lesson. Enjoy the fruits of your labours with lunch at the end of the class. (B/L)

Day 9 Oaxaca/Teotitlan

Sightseeing tour of Mitla archaeological site; after the tour we continue to Teotitlan del Valle and overnight. (B)

Day 10 Teotitlan/San Cristobal

We depart after breakfast overland to the township of San Cristóbal via the Sumidero Canyon. Overnight in one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial cities. (B)

Day 11 San Cristobal

Full day tour visiting the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, home of the Tzotzil people, descendants of the ancient Mayans, and some of Mexico’s most traditional indigenous communities. (B)

Day 12 San Cristobal

Today enjoy your day at leisure to explore the city on your own. (B)

Day 13 San Cristobal/Lake Atitlan

Today depart on a full day overland tour to Lake Atitlan, reputed by its visitors and by its residents to be the most beautiful lake in the world. (B)

Day 14 Lake Atitlan

This morning we visit Guatemala’s most famous market, Chichicastenango, one of the most colourful native markets in all the Americas. Market draw not only the K’iche’ Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala, each hawking their products in a riotous cacophony of colour, dialects, costumes and smells. (B)

Day 15 Lake Atitlan

Day at leisure to relax by the shores of the lake. (B)

Day 16 Lake Atitlan/Antigua Guatemala

Morning tour to Santiago Atitlan where you’ll learn about pagan deity Maximon. This afternoon transfer to the colonial city of Antigua with a brief walking tour. (B)

Day 17 Antigua Guatemala

Today enjoy your day at leisure to explore the city on your own. (B)

Day 18 Antigua Guatemala

Today participate on a full day Community Project with our partner “As Green as it Gets”. (B)

Day 19 Antigua Guatemala/Tikal

Transfer to the airport in Guatemala City this morning for your flight to the northern rainforest in Peten. This afternoon we will enjoy a Sunset tour to Yaxha. (B)

Day 20 Tikal

Enjoy a full day guided tour of Tikal, the largest of the ancient ruins of the Mayan civilization which covers an estimated 60 square kilometres of the surrounding jungle. (B)

Day 21 Tikal/Palenque

Today travel overland and cross back into Mexico via Bonpampak to the township of Palenque. Arrive in Palenque located on a natural balcony which opens up to the extraordinary jungle plains, this ancient Mayan city reached its peak from the sixth to the eighth centuries A.D. (B)

Day 22 Palenque

Depart this morning on a half day tour of the Palenque ruins, set in the midst of exuberant, endlessly green tropical jungle and one of the most important and spectacular Mayan cities of ancient Mexico. (B)

Day 23 Palenque/Campeche

After breakfast we travel overland to the town of Campeche and the Del Mar Hotel. (B)

Day 24 Campeche/Merida

Depart for Merida this morning, with a visit to the ruins of Uxmal (‘three times built’) en route. As a World Heritage site, it is one of the best restored and maintained ruins in the Yucatán, and certainly one of the most magnificent. After the tour we’ll continue overland to Merida. (B)

Day 25 Merida

Enjoy your full day at leisure to explore the city on your own. (B)

Day 26 Merida/Playa Del Carmen

This morning you will depart for a full day tour travelling across the Yucatán Peninsula to the spectacular ruins of Chichén Itzá. After our tour of the ruins we continue overland to Playa del Carmen. (B)

Day 27 Playa Del Carmen

Day at leisure to explore 5th Avenue and the lovely Caribbean beaches or to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel. (B)

Day 28 Playa Del Carmen

Day at leisure to explore 5th Avenue and the lovely Caribbean beaches or to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel. (B)

Day 29 Playa Del Carmen/Home

Transfer to Cancun Airport, where we board our flight to Los Angeles with connections to Australia. (B)

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