La Ruta Maya – Day of the Dead Festival Departure

Day 1
Fly to Guatemala, transfer to Antigua

Fly to Guatemala, transfer to Antigua

Day 2
City tour; to Panajachel.

Many travellers agree that Antigua is one of the most attractive cities in
Latin America. Rightly declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the colourful,
colonial city attracts visitors from all over for its unique history and
renowned Spanish language schools. Above the tiled roofs of pastel houses
there are impressive views of the Agua and Fuego volcanoes, standing in
excess of 3700m above the city. Antigua was the capital of the Spanish empire
in Central America from 1543 to 1773, a highly religious period that left the
city with an abundance of convents and churches packed with religious art.
Unfortunately many buildings are now in ruins from centuries of earthquake
damage – our guided walking tour of the city will bring its fascinating
history to life. In the afternoon we drive for approximately 2.5 hours into
the highlands to the market town of Chimaltenango,where centuries-old
economic and cultural traditions of the Kaqchikel people continue to
thrive. A further drive of 2 hours brings us to Panajachel, a small town on
the shore of Lake Atitlan. Guatemala’s largest lake is dominated by three
volcanoes and was formed following an ancient eruption. Many of the villages
that exist around the lake are only accessible by boat.

*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 3
Boat trip on Lake Atitlan.

Today we will explore some of the area surrounding Lake Atitlan. A 60-minute
scenic boat ride on the lake takes us to the village of San Juan La Laguna,
where we will visit the home studios of local painters and a textile
cooperative where women are engaged in hand weaving and natural dyeing
processes. We continue by boat to Santiago Atitlan where we can learn about
the Mayan traditions and beliefs from our local guides.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 4 To San Cristobal de las Casas.

Today we begin early and drive north, crossing the border into Mexico’s
southern state of Chiapas. The road takes us through rugged mountain scenery
before we come to the old capital of the region, San Cristobal de Las Casas.
This is one of the most attractive colonial towns in Mexico, with many old
churches and squares amongst a lively caf scene. It is also a major centre
for the Tzotzil Indians, each group having different, colourful costumes. The
extensive market has some good handicrafts for sale and plenty of interesting
foodstuffs on offer! San Cristobal has a very pleasant climate because of its
altitude. Today is a full day drive of around 7 hours plus stops for lunch in
a simple restaurant in a small town (not included) and the border crossing.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 5 Explore San Cristobal de las Casas and nearby villages.

We visit the nearby Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan this
morning. These small communities are very traditional and many of the
villagers continue to follow ancient religious practices within the Catholic
churches. In the main church of Chamula, where locals practice a blend of
Catholicism and Mayan customs, people sit on the pine needle covered floor
surrounded by dozens of candles, chanting prayers in an ancient dialect of
Tzotzil. Our guide will explain some of the local traditions before we enter
the church to see this practice for ourselves. Visitors should note that when
visiting churches in the villages, photography of the worshippers and the
church interiors is expressly forbidden. Your guide will explain the full
reasons behind this, but please remember to exercise discretion when taking
pictures, always seeking permission before using your camera. In the
afternoon, there will be some free time to explore San Cristobal de las Casas
at your leisure.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 6 Day of the Dead festivities.

The Mexican Day of the Dead celebration is possibly the most vibrant and
colourful tribute to human mortality there is. Citizens pay tribute to the
dead, especially close relatives, visiting graves and congregating round the
stones to lay edible offerings at the headstones alongside beautiful golden
mounds of marigolds, the Flor de Muerto (flower of the dead). Today we hope
to visit some cemeteries around San Cristobal de las Casas to see the altars
and tributes made for loved ones. We also hope to visit local markets and
bakeries with ornaments and essentials for the Day of the Dead festivities,
with the chance to sample specialties only on offer during this festival. We
also plan to visit the Chamulan village Romerillo.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 7 Visit Agua Azul Waterfall; to Palenque.

Today we descend from the highlands to the humid forests of north-eastern
Chiapas – expect some winding roads but plenty of spectacular scenery en
route. We break our journey at the Agua Azul Falls, a glittering series of
cataracts which often appear blue due to the high mineral content. In Spanish
the name of the falls means ‘Blue Water’. (Please note that on the rare
occasions where we are unable to visit Agua Azul Falls, we will endeavour to
visit the Misol Ha waterfalls instead) Our journey will continue to the small
town of Palenque, where the Mayan site of the same name is located just on
the outskirts. Enjoy an optional trip to El Panchn for dinner this evening,
a nearby bohemian rainforest hangout (dinner not included). The total driving
time today is approx. 8 hours.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 8 Tour of Palenque; to Campeche.

This morning we have a guided tour of the impressive Mayan site of Palenque.
The jungle-covered complex is one of the most famous in Mexico and is located
in the low hills of Chiapas. The pyramids, sanctuaries and temples, with
their sculptured wall-panels and roofs are remarkably well preserved and are
probably the finest surviving examples of Mayan buildings.
In the afternoon, we drive for around 7 hours to the historic fortified city
of Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which boats incredibly well
preserved colonial architecture. Most impressive are the city walls, built to
protect the city from the constant attacks of English and Dutch buccaneers
and pirates during the 16th and 17th centuries. Arrive in the early evening
and head out to sample some local cuisine overlooking the Bay of Campeche –
seafood is a local specialty and widely available.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 9 To Merida via Uxmal ruins.

From Campeche we travel for around 2 hours to reach the fascinating Mayan
ruins of Uxmal. Uxmal dates back to the late classic period, having been
built by the Xiu tribe. The site is dominated by the Pyramid of the Magician
and the Nunnery Quadrangle which consists of long buildings with elaborately
carved faades. There are remnants of a ball court used in ritual games that
sometimes ended in sacrifice, and the whole site is quite exposed, which is a
real contrast to the ruins of Palenque. From Uxmal it is around a 1 hour and
30 minute drive to the bustling colonial city of Mrida. Many of its
buildings were constructed using stones from the Mayan city which existed on
the site and these are still visible in the walls of the imposing cathedral.
The city flourished following the conquest and the 19th century homes
designed in French style contribute to the attractive appearance of the
historical centre. We arrive in the middle to late afternoon and will enjoy a
walking tour of the city; the main square is particularly impressive when lit
up at night.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 10 Visit Chichen Itza; to Tulum.

We will spend the morning exploring one of the largest Mayan ceremonial
centres at Chichn Itza, located approximately 2 hours from Mrida. The
impressive El Castillo Pyramid sits in the middle of the site and is
surrounded by temples, palaces and ball courts. Nearby, we stop to visit the
Cenote Sagrado (‘Sacred Well’), dredged in the early 20th century and found
to contain precious gold, silver and jade artifacts as well as the remains of
sacrifice victims. After the tour we stop in Valladolid to further explore
the mix of Mayan and colonial Spanish culture on the Yucatan before driving
for around 3 hours to the fantastic beach community of Tulum, where we stay
for the next 2 nights. Just outside the town lies one of the most
photographed sites in the Yucatan; the ruins of an ancient Mayan city that
overlook the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 11 Visit Tulum ruins; swim in a cenote; free afternoon.

This morning we have a short tour of the ancient Mayan fortress of Tulum
followed by an optional visit to the sacred underground Mayan waters to cool
off in a nearby cenote that is suitable for swimming. The most famous
buildings in the complex are the ruins that overlook the lapping waves of the
Caribbean, but there are also several temples, ritual platforms and houses to
be explored. In common with many other Mayan cities, the whole site is
surrounded by a huge defensive wall. This afternoon is free to relax on the
beautiful Tulum beach.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 12 To Belize city; boat to Caye Caulker.

This morning we drive for around 3 hours to Chetumal and cross the border
into Belize. We continue another 2.5 hours to Belize city, stopping for lunch
en route, where we board the water taxi for the 60 minute transfer to Caye
Caulker. This laid-back Caribbean Island is just west of the Belize Barrier
Reef and offers fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities. There will be
some border formalities this morning, but this afternoon has been left free
to relax into island life and understand the meaning of Belize’s motto: ‘no
shirt, no shoes, no problem!’ The tiny village of Caye Caulker has only three
sandy main streets (Front, Middle and Back Street), but they are full of bars
and restaurants, many of which serve excellent fresh seafood.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 13 Free day.

Today is a free day for optional excursions and activities, or simply for
relaxation. Diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking and fishing can all be arranged
locally. As the island is small, it is very easy to complete a circuit on
foot. As well as the marine activities there is also a forest reserve in the
northern part of the island which offers great bird watching in the
mangroves.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 14 Boat to Belize City; to El Remate via Xunantunich.

We leave Caye Caulker by boat bound for Belize City (approx. 1 hour) and then
drive from the coast into the heavily forested and sparsely populated Maya
Mountains, encountering some spectacular scenery en route. We will stop at
the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich to explore its temples and palaces. Located on
a ridge close to the border with Guatemala, the site has some fine stucco
facades as well as several elaborately carved stelae and an impressive 40
metre high pyramid. After looking around the ruins, we cross the border and
descend into the humid eastern lowlands of Guatemala. Our final destination
is El Remate on Lake Peten Itza, where we have the opportunity to learn more
about sacred plants in a traditional Mayan garden and enjoy a group dinner.
Total drive time today is just under 3 hours (2 hours between Belize City and
the border with an additional 45 minutes to El Remate).
*Standard Hotel*

Day 15 Visit Tikal; fly from Flores to Guatemala City.

We make an early start this morning to reach Tikal, the most famous and
probably the most impressive of all Mayan sites (approx. 45 minute drive).
Here, in the middle of the jungle are nearly 20 square miles of classic Mayan
ruins, surrounded by the dense jungles of Petn. We take a tour of the city,
visiting the Q complex, Main Plaza, North and Central Acropolis, Seven
Temples and Mundo Perdido (Lost World). Tikal is a superb area for observing
wildlife in the jungle environment and visitors regularly see Howler monkeys,
Spider monkeys, toucan, Weaver birds, coatimundi and even tarantula (if you
know where to look and wish to find one!). In the afternoon, we head to the
town of Flores and take a short flight to Guatemala City, where we will spend
our final night.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 16
End Guatemala City.

The trip ends after breakfast for land only passengers. Those on the group
flights will be transferred to the airport for their flight back to London.

Day 17 Arrive London.

**