Classic: Mayan Discovery (CMMD)
Countries Visited: Belize, Guatemala, Mexico
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Basic
Excellent value, amazing prices, quality experiences Simple and clean hotels, guesthouses and hostels chosen for location and character Affordable public and private transport for maximum cultural interaction Plenty of optional activities tailored to your interests and budget
Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included: 1 breakfast, 2 dinners
Accommodations: Simple hotels (14 nts).
Highlights
Explore Mayan temples, spot monkeys in the jungle, chill out on a Belizean island, stare out into the Caribbean blue from a Mayan Riviera beach
Description
Mayan ruins peeking out from verdant jungle, street vendors hawking their wares on colonial streets, pristine white-sand beaches sparkling under the Caribbean sun-now this is the real YucatAn. On this unique 15-day journey, you'll tour the ruins at ChichEn ItzA and Palenque, and head deep into the jungle of Guatemala to experience the ruins of Tikal. Youre free to choose your own adventure! So escape the resort packages and witness all the incredible wilderness, wildlife and Mayan culture-past and present-that you can imagine.
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Basic
Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included: 1 breakfast, 2 dinners
Accommodations: Simple hotels (14 nts).
Highlights
Explore Mayan temples, spot monkeys in the jungle, chill out on a Belizean island, stare out into the Caribbean blue from a Mayan Riviera beach
Description
Mayan ruins peeking out from verdant jungle, street vendors hawking their wares on colonial streets, pristine white-sand beaches sparkling under the Caribbean sun-now this is the real YucatAn. On this unique 15-day journey, you'll tour the ruins at ChichEn ItzA and Palenque, and head deep into the jungle of Guatemala to experience the ruins of Tikal. Youre free to choose your own adventure! So escape the resort packages and witness all the incredible wilderness, wildlife and Mayan culture-past and present-that you can imagine.
Call (631) 757-8500 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13726231
- Tour Operator
- G Adventures
- Duration
- 15 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Playa Del Carmen | Day 1 Playa del Carmen There are no planned activities before an evening welcome meeting. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting |
| Day 2 | Merida | Day 2 Playa del Carmen/Merida Stop for a guided tour of the popular Mayan ruins of ChichEn ItzA. Explore this famous site, known for its huge stepped pyramids and elaborate stone carvings. Continue on to Merida, the capital of the YucatAn State. Follow your CEO on an orientation walk to get the lay of the land. Included Activities: ChichEn ItzA Guided Tour Orientation Walk Transport: First-class bus (2.00 hour(s)) First-class bus (3.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 3 | Merida | Day 3 Merida Opt to visit ruins of Uxmal, ride the PUUC Route, go bird-watching in CelestUn, hit the beach in Progreso, visit cenotes in the nearby town of CuzamA, or walk around town and soak in all of the history this city has to offer. |
| Day 4 | Palenque | Day 4 Merida/Palenque Travel day to Palenque in the lush dense jungle of Chiapas. Transport: First-class bus (9.00-10.00 hours, 620km) |
| Day 5 | Palenque | Day 5 Palenque Take a guided tour of the ruins of Palenque. Later, choose from one of the many optional activities in the area. Included Activities: Palenque Ruins Guided Tour |
| Day 6 | Lacanja | Day 6 Palenque/Lacanja Lacanja Chansayab is the largest LacandOn Maya village. It is located deep in the jungle with the Lacanja River flowing nearby. A perfect starting off point for jungle hikes and excursions to the Mayan ruins of YaxchilAn and Bonampak, this little village is not on the traditional tourist trail. Additional Notes: Accommodation is in rustic jungle huts with shared bathroom facilities. Make sure your flashlight or headlamp is easily accessible for nighttime navigation. Transport: While drive time is roughly 4 hrs, there are optional stops and activities along the way. Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s), 240km) |
| Day 7 | San Jose | Day 7 Lacanja/San Jose Cross from Mexico into Guatemala by boat on the Usumacinta River before travelling by bus to San Jose, Peten, which enjoys a scenic setting on Lake PetEn ItzA. Explore Lake PetEn ItzA. Included Activities: Border Crossing (Mexico - Guatemala) Transport: Private Vehicle (0.75-1.00 hours) Part of the adventure is the journey! The first half of this drive is on unpaved roads - it may get a bit bumpy, but taking the road less travelled will show you a different side of Guatemala. Private Vehicle (4.00-5.00 hours) |
| Day 8 | San Jose | Day 8 San Jose (1D) Learn about Mayan culture and history on a guided tour of Tikal archaeological site. Relax on Lake PetEn ItzA with a boat cruise or a swim. Included Activities: Tikal Ruins Guided Tour |
| Day 9 | San Ignacio | Day 9 San Jose/San Ignacio (1B) Continue on to Belize, a country with a decidedly Caribbean flavour. The relaxed atmosphere of San Ignacio allows for options including horseback riding, canoeing, caving, or exploring the Mountain Pine Ridge area. Included Activities: Border Crossing (Guatemala - Belize) Transport: Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle; the drive today will be on a mixture of paved and unpaved roads. Private Vehicle (2.00-3.00 hours, 95km) Private Vehicle (0.50-0.75 hours, 13km) |
| Day 10 | San Ignacio | Day 10 San Ignacio Optional acitivities abound around San Ignacio. Choose to see the Mountain Pine Ridge area or take a day trip to the astounding Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. Explore the cave's water systems using a helmet and headlamp. An experienced local guide will provide insight into the fascinating practices of the ancient Maya. Alternatively, opt for a trip to the impressive Maya ceremonial centre of Xunantunich. Getting there includes crossing a narrow river by a hand-cranked ferry. |
| Day 11 | Caye Caulker | Day 11 San Ignacio/Caye Caulker Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. Snorkel and dive boats leave daily for full- or half-day outings to the reef, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Blue Hole and for manatee spotting tours. Try your hand fishing and be rewarded with a fresh catch, then barbecue it on the beach. Transport: Climb aboard and enjoy travel as the locals do. Local bus (3.00-4.00 hours, 123km) Water taxi (0.75-1.00 hours, 39km) |
| Day 12 | Caye Caulker | Day 12 Caye Caulker Opt to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks, and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving in Blue Hole National Park, take a flight over the Blue Hole and coral reef, rent a bike, or just chill out, Belizean style. |
| Day 13 | Playa Del Carmen | Day 13 Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen Head to Playa del Carmen, located on the beach just a 45-minute drive south of CancUn. Enjoy some nightlife, buy last minute souvenirs and relax and swim in the Caribbean. Just off the coast is the island of Cozumel, renowned for its world-class diving. Take the ferry from Playa del Carmen (30-75 mins depending on the boat) across the turquoise waters and explore the towns and the reefs of the island. For a final dose of ruins, TulUm is just a 45-minute drive south of Playa. Included Activities: Border Crossing (Belize - Mexico) Transport: Water taxi (0.75-1.00 hours, 39km) Climb aboard and enjoy travel as the locals do. Local bus (3.00-4.00 hours) Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s), 313km) |
| Day 14 | Playa Del Carmen | Day 14 Playa del Carmen (1D) Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of TulUm, visit one of the many cenotes or the diving mecca of Cozumel. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program. Included Activities: El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program |
| Day 15 | Playa Del Carmen | Day 15 Playa del Carmen Depart at any time. Additional Notes: Playa del Carmen is located just south of CancUn airport (45 mins) so you can head directly there without returning to CancUn. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
Local Flights: N/A
Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.