Central America highlights of mexico trip highlights Sun and Moon pyramids at Teotihuacan The rarefied climes of San Cristobal de la Casas Magnificent Sumidoro Canyon. The stunning jungle ruins of Palenque, Fascinating Chichen Itza The world famous beach resort of Cancun. Trip Duration13 days GradeAdventure touring ActivitiesAdventure Touring, Day Walking Summary13 day trip, 12 nights hotel welcome to World Expeditions Thank you for your interest in our Highlights of Mexico trip. At World Expeditions we are passionate about our off the beaten track experiences as they provide our travellers with the thrill of coming face to face with untouched cultures as well as wilderness regions of great natural beauty. We are committed to ensuring that our unique itineraries are well researched, affordable and tailored for the enjoyment of small groups or individuals ‑ philosophies that have been at our core since 1975 when we began operating adventure holidays. Our itineraries will give you the very best travel experience, designed by people with incredible local knowledge who share our vision of authentic exchange and real exploration with a responsible tourism approach. Whether you like your adventures to include trekking, touring, cycling, mountaineering, kayaking or cruising World Expeditions can make it happen for you. We hope you will join us for a life changing experience!! 1 – © 2017 World Expeditions Travel Group - Michelle Worthley 4/6/2017 12:59:57 PM Trip Code: HMX why travel with World Expeditions? Our partners in Central America are highly professional and have tailored this itinerary to ensure our clients experience the main Mayan and Aztec archaeological and cultural attractions in Mexico. The experience and enthusiasm of our local guides throughout Central America ensures that we maintain the leading edge in adventure travel and ensures our trips are unique and provide excellent value for money. This trip takes us into areas where traditional tours do not always go. Compare our prices and all our inclusions and we feel that few trips can compare in terms of value for money. In addition responsible travel is important to us. Given our local experience and excellent leadership, we are quite sure that this trip will be the trip of a lifetime. highlights of mexico An amazing cultural odyssey discovering Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural past trip cost Joining Mexico City:$2890 All prices are per person options & supplements Single Supplement: Forced Single TRAVELLER Supplement: $860 $1820 These short extensions usually operate for a minimum of 2 passengers travelling together, however most can be done if you are travelling alone (Single Traveller Surcharge). If there are two or more people travelling together who cannot or prefer not to share rooms a single supplement cost will be added to your invoice. For competitive airfares and stopover ideas to join this adventure, contact our expert staff today to receive a detailed quote. the trip This extraordinary touring adventure encompasses the highlights of Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural past. Discover a fascinating history going back thousands of years through the Mayan, Aztec and Olmec cultures that have left Mexico with a rich heritage of stunning archaeological sites. The Mayan culture is immediately apparent near Mexico City where we view the huge Sun and Moon pyramids at Teotihuacan. We travel on to Oaxaca to discover the cultural ancestry of the Zapotec people and spend time in the rarefied climes of San Cristobal de la Casas and the magnificent Sumidoro Canyon. From there we visit the stunning jungle ruins of Palenque, with its dramatic Mayan step pyramid architecture and Chichen Itza, recently declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Complete this remarkable journey on one of the most famous beach resort cities in the world, Cancun. at a glance DAY 1ARRIVE MEXICO CITY DAY 2CITY TOUR & MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY DAY 3PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACÁN DAY 4MEXICO CITY TO PUEBLA AND OAXACA DAY 5MONTE ALBAN & MITLA DAY 6BOAT RIDE IN THE SUMIDERO CANYON, ONTO SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASES DAY 7SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASES DAY 8AGUA AZUL WATERFALLS, ONTO PALENQUE DAY 9PALENQUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, TO COASTAL TOWN OF CAMPECHE DAY 10UXMAL MAYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, THE ‘WHITE CITY’ OF MERIDA DAY 11CHICHEN ITZA, ONTO CANCUN DAY 12CANCUN DAY 13TRIP CONCLUDES IN CANCUN what’s included 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners Arrival transfer on Day 1 Comfortable well located accommodation on a twin‑share basis All transfers and excursions as mentioned in itinerary, operated in seat‑in‑vehicle basis Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed Expert local bilingual guides Local cash payments are becoming increasingly popular with many operators in the adventure travel industry. The policy seems to benefit the tour operators, more than the local economies or travellers, as it avoids local taxes and transfers the cost and risk of cash handling to travellers. In accordance with our Responsible Travel practices we have chosen a policy not to ask for such payments. detailed itinerary DAY 1Arrive Mexico City Meet and greet with a local representative and transfer to your hotel. Mexico City, with a population of over 22 million, sprawls across some 2000sqkm. It is a giant cosmopolitan city, encompassing everything from colonial palaces to slums, and quiet plazas and parks juxtapose the unending stream of traffic. The sheer size of Mexico City is most definitely worth experiencing, and it will certainly leave you with a lasting impression. Overnight: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico City or similar meals: NIL 2 – © 2017 World Expeditions Travel Group - Michelle Worthley 4/6/2017 12:59:57 PM highlights of mexico An amazing cultural odyssey discovering Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural past trip dates Departs weekly on Mondays important notes Note: - prices valid up to 4/12/2017. For trips departing after this date, the price will likely increase subject to local inflationary pressures on operational costs. fast facts Countries Visited: Mexico Visas: Please check visa requirements with your reservations consultant* Vaccinations: Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information Private Groups: Private group options are available for this trip* Singles: A single supplement is available for this trip* Leader: Expert local leader in each country Brochure Reference: The Americas *Ask our staff for more information. DAY 2City tour & Museum of Anthropology Get to know one of the world´s biggest and most exciting cities! Enjoy a guided visit in the historical centre, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. This interesting tour will include “The Zocalo”, the heart of the city, where you will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest of the Americas, and the National Palace, home of the famous murals of Diego Rivera. You will also see the ruins of the Templo Mayor, one of the most important temples of the Aztecs in their ancient capital city of Tenochtitlan. Next, we drive down the beautiful Paseo de la Reforma Avenue to arrive at Chapultepec Park. In pre-Hispanic times a summer residence for the noble class of the Aztecs, now it is Mexico City’s largest park and one of the largest city parks in the world. We will visit the Museum of Anthropology. This museum is considered to be among the world’s finest of its kind. Here you will admire the famous Aztec calendar stone, models of Tenochtitlán, a fascinating market place diorama, giant stone Olmec heads from the jungles of Tabasco and Veracruz, among many other interesting treasures. Overnight: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico City or similar meals: B DAY 3Pyramids of Teotihuacán Discover Teotihuacán, ‘the place where gods were created’. Teotihuacan is one of the most impressive archaeological sites of the country. It is assumed that the city may have counted 200,000 inhabitants during its period of prosperity. In those years, Teotihuacán was the biggest city of the American continent and one of the biggest of the world. Until its inhabitants abandoned the city around the 8th century, Teotihuacan was probably the most significant and civilized cultural centre of ancient Mexico. During this guided excursion you will encounter the magic and mystery of Teotihuacan. Admire (and climb?) the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Walk down the Avenue of the Dead, visit the Temple of Quetzalcoatl with its unique stone sculptures of plumed serpents, the Temple of the Butterflies, and the Fortresses. Before arriving back at your hotel, we make a stop at the Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a pilgrimage place for millions of Mexicans and people from all around the world. Overnight: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico City or similar meals: B DAY 4Mexico City to Puebla and Oaxaca Today we leave Mexico City behind. We are heading west towards Puebla, Mexico’s fourth largest city, passing the photogenic, snow-capped volcanoes Popocatépetl (Smoking Mountain, 5464m) and Iztaccíhuatl (Sleeping Lady, 5230m). A visit is planned to Santa Maria Tonantzintla with its gorgeous temple decorated by indigenous people. In Puebla, also known as the “City of Angels”, we will visit the extraordinary Rosary Chapel, the Cathedral, the main square and its beautiful historical centre. Continue to Oaxaca, one of the most colorful colonial towns of Mexico and, just like Puebla, listed as World Heritage. Overnight: Hotel Mision de los Angeles or similar. Transport times: Mexico City - Puebla (2.5hrs/150km), Puebla - Oaxaca (4.5hrs/350km) meals: B DAY 5Monte Alban & Mitla Visit Monte Alban, built on a mountain top flattened by the Zapotecs. We will find here cultural traces from different civilizations, such as the Olmecs, Mixtecs and Zapotecs. We will then continue to Mitla, one of the most enigmatic sacred places of the region, especially famous for its mosaics. The village had great importance as a burial site and is also a great place to buy your crafts. En route we will make a stop at the famous Tule tree. Return to Oaxaca and experience the beauty of this city, with wonderful crafts, typical gastronomy, and sights such as the Cathedral, the magnificent Santo Domingo church, the Museum of Gold, and the colorful “20 de Noviembre” market. Overnight: Hotel Mision de los Angeles or similar meals: B 3 – © 2017 World Expeditions Travel Group - Michelle Worthley 4/6/2017 12:59:57 PM highlights of mexico An amazing cultural odyssey discovering Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural past DAY 6Boat ride in the Sumidero Canyon, onto San Cristobal De Las Cases responsible travel The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our presence. World Expeditions were the proud recipients of the inaugural Australian National Travel Industry’s Environmental Achievement award for our Responsible Travel Guidebook. This detailed guide to responsible and sustainable travel is provided to all World Expeditions clients before they travel. Please ask your consultant if you have not received your copy of our award winning book. Alternatively, you may like to download a copy from our website www.worldexpeditions.com trip grading Adventure touring These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. * Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 ‑3 months prior to departure. In the early morning (around 04:00am) we will depart to the beautiful state of Chiapas. Today’s highlight will be a boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon, which measures a thousand meters at its highest point. Admire the beautiful rock formations and enjoy the abundant wildlife that lives on the shores of the Grijalva river (crocodiles, spider monkeys, and many different species of birds). Afterwards, you will pass through the historically important town Chiapa de Corzo, on our way to San Cristobal de las Casas. Overnight: Hotel Casa Vieja or similar Transport times: Oaxaca - Sumidero Canyon (8hrs-550km), Sumidero Canyon - San Cristobal De Las Cases (2hrs-90km) meals: B DAY 7San Cristobal De Las Cases Take a stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of San Cristobal, one of Mexico’s bestpreserved colonial towns, full of brightly painted houses and beautiful churches. With its laid-back, bohemian atmosphere, you can spend hours browsing the shops and artisans’ markets. Full day at leisure. Alternatively, take an optional trip to San Juan Chamula and San Lorenzo Zinacantan. These two indigenous villages, located in the highlands of Chiapas, are full of mystic traditions and famous for their unique textiles. Overnight: Hotel Casa Vieja or similar meals: B DAY 8Agua Azul waterfalls, onto Palenque On the way to Palenque we will visit the waterfalls of Agua Azul. The turquoise color, which makes these waterfalls so unique, comes from the high level of mineral content of the water. Enjoy the surrounding jungle environment and go for a swim (if time permits it). Afterwards we will continue our way through lush jungle with Palenque as today’s final destination. Overnight: Hotel Chan-Kah or similar Transport times: San Cristobal De Las Cases - Agua Azul waterfalls (3.5hrs - 160km), Agua Azul waterfalls - Palenque (1.5hrs - 70km) meals: B DAY 9Palenque archaeological site, to coastal town of Campeche Visit the archaeological zone of Palenque, surrounded by jungle, and one of the most important sites of the Maya World. It was inside the Pyramid of the Inscriptions where King Pakal’s sarcophagus and its carved gravestone were found. Enjoy the impressive structures as well as the breathtaking natural environment of this World Heritage Site. After this visit, we head to the coastal town of Campeche. Campeche’s prosperity as a thriving port town made it a frequent target for attacks by pirates. Following the worst attack, in 1663, impressive defensive walls were built around the town. Upon arrival you will enjoy a panoramic tour through the city. Overnight: Hotel Del Mar or similar Transport times: Palenque - Campeche (5hrs - 360km) meals: B DAY 10Uxmal Maya archaeological site, the ‘white city’ of Merida On the way to Merida we will visit Uxmal (meaning “built three times”), located in the Puuc region. Uxmal, also listed as World Heritage, is considered one of the Maya cities that is most representative of the Puuc style, the region’s dominant architectural style. Explore the Magician Pyramid, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, the Governor’s palace and the ballgame court. After this visit you will proceed to Merida, “The White City”, to enjoy a panoramic tour, including Montejo Avenue, the monument to Motherland, the main square, the cathedral and government palace. Overnight: El Conquistador or similar Transport times: Campeche - Uxmal (2hrs - 170km), Uxmal - Merida (1.5hrs - 85km) meals: B 4 – © 2017 World Expeditions Travel Group - Michelle Worthley 4/6/2017 12:59:57 PM highlights of mexico An amazing cultural odyssey discovering Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural past adventure travel By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you speak with your consultant or travel agent. important note These trip notes represent the most current information for this itinerary, and may supersede any information in the current brochure, including but not limited to the itinerary and price. The itinerary should be seen as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to inclement weather, forces of nature and other circumstances beyond our control. DAY 11Chichen Itza, onto Cancun At the end of the Early Classic Period, around the year 600 AD, Chichen Itza was one of the largest and most prominent Maya cities. Nowadays, Chichen Itza is undoubtedly the best-preserved Maya site on the Yucatan peninsula, and it was recently declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Various different architectural styles are seen in Chichen Itza. Most famous landmarks are the Temple of Kukulkan (“El Castillo”), the Ballgame Court, the Platform of the Skulls, the Temple of the Jaguar, the Observatory, the One Thousand Columns, and the Sacred Cenote. Then continue to Cancun for your overnight accommodation. Overnight: Hotel Krystal Cancun Transport times: Merida - Chichen Itza (2hrs - 125km), Chichen Itza - Cancun (3hrs - 225km) meals: B,D DAY 12Cancun Enjoy free time relaxing on Cancun’s beautiful beaches or visit to the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History to learn more about the history of the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula, or a stroll along the tree-lined Avenida Tulum. Overnight: Hotel Krystal Cancun meals: B,L,D DAY 13Trip concludes in Cancun The trip concludes after breakfast. meals: B This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control. country information Twenty thousand years before Columbus, Central America was occupied by people whose descendants built a number of complex and highly‑developed civilisations, including the Toltecs, Mayans and Aztecs. These civilisations flourished from 1200 BC to AD 1500, and their great ruins will be seen as we travel from the imposing imperial city of Teotihuacan to the Zapotec ruins at Oaxaca and the serene Mayan ruins of Tikal, Palenque and Copan. Mexico’s first great civilisation, that of the Olmecs, flourished between 1200 and 900 BC. Noted for their large sculptures of heads that combined the features of babies and jaguars, the Olmecs’ serpent‑worshipping religion and social structure heavily influenced the future civilisations of Central America. Teotihuacan was the first principal city‑state, appearing to have reached its imperial zenith around AD 400. As well as the ruins at Teotihuacan, other pyramid cities were built at Cholula and in Guatemala. Most of Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and some of Honduras and El Salvador were at one stage controlled by Teotihuacan. The serpent god Quetzalcoatl, whose feathered form symbolised fertility and life, was worshipped by the Teotihuacan and continued to be worshipped by their descendants, right down to the Aztecs. From the Yucatan Peninsula, the Mayans ruled the Mexican lowlands, across Guatemala and from Belize to Honduras. The Classical Mayan empire thrived between AD 250 and 900. Two schools of thought exist as to the structure of the empire – that it was either made up of twenty independent city‑states, or it consisted of two military alliances. A central plaza surrounded by temple pyramids, tombs and palaces, typifies Mayan cities. Ornamental stelae and altars were carved to depict histories, the people and gods. The Mayan calendar and writing system indicate the advanced nature of their early society – they developed an elaborate pictorial and phonetic writing system with over 300 symbols, and a circular 260‑day calendar. The calendar could predict eclipses of the sun and the movements of the moon and Venus. An elaborate method of telling time was also developed. The Mayans seem to have been a superstitious people. They believed in predestination and had a complex astrology, no doubt based on their calendar. Their religion was highly ritualistic and involved much human sacrifice, by way of beheading (in Post‑classical Mayan society rather than Classical); a ritual of alcohol imbibing; bloodletting from the ears, tongue and penis; and dancing. They 5 – © 2017 World Expeditions Travel Group - Michelle Worthley 4/6/2017 12:59:57 PM highlights of mexico An amazing cultural odyssey discovering Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural past believed that the universe was made up of a centre and four spheres, thirteen layers of heaven and nine layers of underworld. Mayan gods of rain, maize, death and fire were worshipped, and their rulers were believed to be divine. Mayan civilisation appears to have collapsed by the 10th century and, for a time, power in Central America was divested into the hands of a number of statelets, until the advent of the Tula Empire. The Aztecs followed the collapse of the Tula Empire, some time after the 13th century. Initially a nomadic western tribe, the Aztecs consolidated an empire after a great deal of warfare. They were a bloodthirsty people: their customs of human sacrifice and wife‑stealing typify this. By further example – in the early 14th century the Aztecs acted as mercenaries: they defeated one ruler, Co, and sent him 8000 human ears; and upon the dedication of the Great Temple at Tenochtitlan 20,000 captives were sacrificed. By the middle of the century they had settled at Tenochtitilan, an island lake in central Mexico. And from there they served as mercenaries. By the mid‑15th century they had formed alliances with other city‑states, and with this power base they mercilessly extracted tribunes from conquered tribes and set about building their cities. It was the Aztecs who were the dominant people of Central America when the Spanish, under Cortes, arrived in 1519 on the Gulf Coast. According to Aztec mythology and predicted in their calendar, Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, would return one day to reclaim his throne. climate MEXICO ‑ This is a large country and the climate varies accordingly. The hot season is from May–October, with June–September being the hottest period of this season. San Cristobal is cool all year round. In winter, northern Mexico is chilly but the weather in the south is mild. dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut‑free or allergen‑free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life‑threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self‑administering these medications. what you carry You will be required to carry all your luggage between hotels and transportation. On sightseeing days you will be required to carry a day pack with your camera, water proof clothing and any other personal items you may require during the day. equipment required Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre‑departure information provided on booking). non exclusive trips This itinerary is not exclusive to World Expeditions and is subject to change due to weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control. It should be used as a guide only. You will be accompanied by local guides who may conduct the tour in English and other languages. You will be with other people from other operators worldwide in a group. 6 – © 2017 World Expeditions Travel Group - Michelle Worthley 4/6/2017 12:59:57 PM highlights of mexico An amazing cultural odyssey discovering Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural past vehicles & safety During the course of your trip, we will use a variety of vehicles, all of which are fit for purpose and the conditions encountered. It should be noted that laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and on occasion some vehicles may not have seat belts fitted. While game viewing within a national park could be one example, public bus transfers or specialised transport such as ‘tuk‑tuk’s’ could be another. Where seat belts are not provided we strongly recommend that you hold tight to a fixed part of the vehicle at all times. what’s not included Items of a personal nature ie laundry, phone calls Drinks of any kind (e.g. bottled water, soft drinks, beers etc) Departure transfer on Day 13 Tips International flights & airport and border taxes Departure transfer on Day 13 Travel insurance visas Australian, British, European Union, United States, Canadian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for entry into Mexico for a stay of up to 180 days. However, on arrival you will be required to obtain a Mexican government tourist card (tarjeta de turista) which is available free of charge at Mexican Immigration points (including airports). You must retain this card for the duration of your stay and hand it to immigration on your departure. All other nationalities should check with their nearest consulate. Please bear in mind that visas may be required for countries you are visiting en route or transiting through on the way to your destination. It is important that you check the requirements of all countries you will visit. Visa costs and requirements do change regularly so we suggest you check with your travel agent or World Expeditions reservations consultant. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary visas. info nights World Expeditions invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel information nights. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers and mountaineers. Ask our staff for a info night schedule or register on our website ‑ www.worldexpeditions.com. Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two! private groups The adventures featured in our brochures, and on our website, are just a starting point for many of our private group travellers. Working closely with our Groups Department we can organise custom designed itineraries for groups of friends, clubs, charity’s, schools or even work colleagues. Our team will assist you with all aspects of your private group adventure from itinerary design to group flights. Contact our team today. subscribe to our e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e‑newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, www.worldexpeditions.com or contact our office. 7 – © 2017 World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 6/7/2017 3:05:00 AM highlights of mexico An amazing cultural odyssey discovering Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural past social networking Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WorldExpeditions trip availability If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to call us now to check availability. There are many reasons why you may not be able to join your desired departure and limited space on our small group departures is just one of them. Many of our adventures require us to secure services on your behalf; such as trekking permits, train travel and visa invitation letters. The demand is increasing each year making it difficult to join a trip last minute. To ensure we can assist you onto your adventure of a lifetime we ask that you check your trip availability with our team at your earliest convenience. how to book To book a World Expeditions trip, you will need to complete a booking form and pay a non refundable deposit which you can do by using our online booking function for most trips, or if you prefer, download a booking form from the website and return to us by fax, or mail your booking form and deposit to your nearest World Expeditions office or travel agent. We can also help you with any additional arrangements that you require, such as competitive airfares to get you to your destination, stopovers, pre or post trip accommodation or any additional tours that you wish to take in conjunction with the main World Expeditions trip. 8 – © 2017 World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 6/7/2017 3:05:00 AM
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