HiQPdf Evaluation 06/17/2017
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Beyond the Mayan World - Day of the Dead Festival Departure
Turkode
Destinasjoner
Turen starter
AUO
Mexico
Mexico City
Turen destinasjon
Reisen er levert av
16 dager Antigua
Fra : NOK
21 549
Oversikt
Explore lost civilisations in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras and experience the Day of the Dead Festivities in Oaxaca
Reiserute
Day 1
Start Mexico City.
The group flight arrives in the early evening and we transfer to our start hotel. Those on Land Only arrangements should join us at the hotel in the evening.
Day 2
Morning visit Teotihuacan, afternoon city tour.
After a group briefing, there is an excursion to the holy city of Teotihuacan, one of the oldest known archaeological sites in Mexico, thought to have had 25,000 inhabitants in its
time. The Teotihuacan Pyramids are located 50 km north-east of Mexico City, and are known for two massive pyramids, the Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun) and the
Pirámide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon), which dominate the remains of the metropolis. We can climb up a very steep staircase to the summit for an incredible, sweeping view
of the ancient city. In the afternoon we set off for a walking tour of the historical centre of Mexico City. We will visit the largest Cathedral in Latin America and the archaeological
site of Templo Mayor (where the main pyramid of the former Tenochtitlan stood - please note, entrance to this last site is not included but we will see it from the outside).
Day 3
HiQPdf Evaluation 06/17/2017
To Oaxaca via Cholula and Puebla.
After breakfast we depart towards Oaxaca, stopping our journey after around 2 hours at the Great Pyramid of ChAfter breakfast we depart towards Oaxaca, stopping our journey
after around 2 hours at the Great Pyramid of Cholula. By volume, this is the largest pyramid in the world, influenced by the Olmec, Toltec and Aztec cultures. The pyramid was
covered in grass when the Spanish conquered Cholula and they built a large church on top of it - one theory about this is that they mistook the pyramid for a hill! Archaeologists
have found some 8km of tunnels inside the structure - we will spend some time at this famous site to understand the history surrounding it. Our second stop will be in nearby
Puebla, where we will walk around the colonial centre and see the many religious structures that it is famous for. This afternoon our journey continues for around 4.5 hours to
Oaxaca City where we check into our hotel for the night, located in a central position just a few blocks from the main square.
Day 4
Discover Monte Alban; Oaxaca market tour.
This morning we visit the incredible pre-Columbian ruins of Monte Alban, sitting 400 metres up on the side of a mountain overlooking the fertile valley of Oaxaca. It is thought that
the Zapotecs (also known as the 'Cloud People') began levelling the top of the mountain around 500 BC in order to build Monte Alban, a place of divine worship where rituals,
sacrifices, ball games and astrological observations took place. A 30 minute drive takes us back to Oaxaca where we will spend the afternoon exploring the plazas and colourful
food markets. Oaxacan cuisine is famous for its oversized tortillas, quesillo (a type of cheese in long strips wound into a ball) and of course the world-renowned mole sauce - a
blend of chocolate, garlic, nuts, chilli and onions that has tantalised the nation! Mole negro chocolate sauce is the perfect accompaniment to shredded chicken heaped on a
freshly cooked tortilla.
Day 5
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 several cemeteries in and around Oaxaca 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.
Day 6
Visit Teotitlan del Valle and Mitla; to Tehuantepec.
We have a short drive (approximately 40 mins) to Teotitlan del Valle ('Place of the Gods'), a Zapotec community that make traditional weavings in a myriad of colours. The textiles
and pottery produced by the Zapotec people follow ancient traditions and have remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years - we will learn about the weaving process
and see this traditional craft in action. Our journey then continues to the archaeological site of Mitla, impressive ruins surrounded by a town of the same name that was recently
classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The intricately carved stone mosaic patterns found throughout the site are unique to the area. We spend some time exploring Mitla,
crowned as one of the architectural wonders of Mexico, before continuing our journey for around 4.5 hours to Tehuantepec.
Day 7
To San Cristobal de las Casas.
We drive for approximately 6 hours to San Cristobal de las Casas, considered to be the cultural capital of the state. We will have a city tour of the cobbled streets this afternoon,
before checking into our centrally located hotel, within a short walking distance of the central plaza.
Day 8
Free day.
Today is a free day to explore San Cristobal de las Casas at your leisure. Undoubtedly one of the most interesting colonial towns on the itinerary with many old churches and
squares amongst a lively café 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! Alternatively, it's possible to take an optional boat trip through the Sumidero Canyon, or visit a traditional Mayan
community in one of the villages outside San Cristobal.
Day 9
To Palenque via Tonina and Agua Azul falls.
We set off for Palenque today, stopping our journey after around 2.5 hours at the archaeological site of Tonina which is less well known than some of Mexico's other sites and as
a consequence tends to have relatively few visitors. Tonina is an impressive site with two ball courts, one that is sunken and, at 60 metres long, one of the Mayan world's largest
and another that has an altar where it is thought that sacrifices took place. A 3.5 hour drive this afternoon brings us to Palenque where we check into our hotel for the night - on
the way we stop at the Agua Azul waterfalls, a beauty spot where it's possible to take a refreshing dip.
Day 10
Discover Palenque; optional excursion to Misol Ha waterfall.
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. This afternoon it's possible to continue exploring Palenque at your leisure, or take an optional excursion to Misol Ha waterfall, a cascading stream pouring 120
feet into a deep pool of water below. Surrounded by lush vegetation, Misol Ha is perfect for a relaxing afternoon!
Day 11
Visit Bonampak; crossing to Guatemala; to El Remate.
We have an early departure today to visit Bonampak, some 'lost' ruins that are surrounded by jungle. After visiting the ruins, we cross the border into Guatemala where our
journey continues with a 4.5 hour drive (at times on a dirt road) to the small village of El Remate, close to tomorrow's attraction: Tikal.
Day 12
Explore Tikal ruins.
HiQPdf Evaluation 06/17/2017
Tikal is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular of all Mayan sites, surrounded by rainforest and with pyramids rising above the tree tops. We spend the morning here, in the
middle of the jungle, exploring nearly 20 square miles of classic Mayan ruins. 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 there will be free time to relax by Lake Peten Itza.
Day 13
To Copan in Honduras.
Today is primarily a long travel day of around 11 hours which also involves a border crossing to get to Copan in Honduras. We break our journey near Rio Dulce for lunch (not
included) and to visit the former Spanish fort of Castillo de San Felipe de Lara.
Day 14
Visit Copan ruins.
Nestled in the Rio Copan Valley, the ancient city of Copan was once a major Mayan capital, the most southerly site of the Mayan empire. Copan is renowned for its striking
carvings and architecture and has a huge number of sculptures making this one of the most artistic of all sites. The jungle surrounding Copan is a haven for birds and wildlife and
we will also spend some time exploring the eco-park before we return to the quaint town of Copan Ruinas.
Day 15
To Antigua.
We make our way to Antigua after breakfast this morning, crossing the border back into Guatemala. The drive should take around 6 hours giving us a free afternoon in Antigua to
explore the cobbled streets and numerous churches. Beyond the tiled roofs there are stunning views of the Agua and Fuego Volcanoes - it is not hard to see why Antigua is
regarded as one of the most attractive cities in Latin America.
Day 16
End Antigua.
Our trip ends today in Antigua, but clients on group flights will return to Guatemala City airport in order to catch the flight home. Land Only clients are free to make onward
arrangements from Antigua or can return to Guatemala City airport with the group transfer, providing that there is room.
Viktig Informasjon
The trip destination
15 nights in a mixture of standard and comfortable hotels with en suite facilities
Travel by private minibus and boat
Several long drives
Food
All breakfasts included. Breakfast generally consist of fruits, cereals, beans and eggs. Meals vary in price from around $15-20 USD for
lunch and $15-30 USD dinner. A beer costs on average $2-5 USD.
Priser / Datoer
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen
Tilgjengelige datoer
Pris (1 voksen)
Pris (1 barn)
Status reise
Sun, 29 Oct 17 / Mon, 13 Nov 17
NOK 21 549
På forespørsel
Garantert
Mon, 29 Oct 18 / Tue, 13 Nov 18
NOK 22 311
På forespørsel
Ledig
Vi vil komme tilbake til deg med et tilbud på den forespurte reisen/pakken I løpet av 48 timer. Alle tilbud er uforpliktende og er vanligvis gyldige i 7 dager. Vi gjør oppmerksom på
at reserverte tjenester kan bli kansellert innenfor disse 7 dagene og at pris kan endres inntil en endelig bestilling er mottatt.
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