TOUR SUMMARY

• Duration: 21 days starting and ending in Cancun
• Trip focus: Mayan ruins, Guatemalan & Cuban culture.
• Accommodation: 18 nights hotels, 2 nights Cuban home stay
• Transport: flight, van, launch
• Group Size: Max 16 + S.E.T. tour leader, Min 10

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Mayan sites of Chichen Itza, Palenque & Tikal
• Colonial towns of Merida, san Cristobal, Antigua and Havana 
• Visit Mayan communities and learn about thier way of life
• Donate directly to one of our community projects
• Stunning lakes and volcanoes of the Guatemalan highlands
• Mayan Riviera beaches, coral reefs & underground rivers
• Havana world heritage UNESCO city tour
• Cigar factory and rum distillery tours
• Insightful local Cuban home stay
• The stunning valley of Vinales and its tobacco fields

ITINERARY

Day 1
Arrival day in Cancun. You are free to arrive any time today

DAYS 2 & 3
The next morning we head off to our first Mayan site Chichen Itza, with it’s stunning central pyramid and ball court. On to Merida for the local celebrations, dancing in the streets and outdoor markets.
Enjoy a city tour then it’s time to relax by the pool. The next evening we're entertained with colourful performance of folkloric dancing in the main square.

DAY 4
Journey to the mystical ruins of Palenque, by private mini bus. A full day of travel but there's have plenty of opportunity to stretch our legs in the towns along the way. Tonight wander into the village for dinner and check out the local craft market in the plaza.

DAYS 5 to 7
Start the day at the ruins of Palenque hidden in the dense tropical vegetation and spot brilliant wildlife during the guided tour. Then we head into the hills to enjoy the cooler highlands and the town of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Stopping on the way at the blue waters of the Agua Azul and Misol Ha waterfalls. San Cristobal, rich indigenous culture, stands in a high mountain valley at 2110m (6921 ft). Visit the highland village of San Juan de Chumula where coca cola and black chickens play an important role in local spiritual beliefs. Then take a trip to the immense Sumidero Canyon, boarding boats to get a true sense of the canyon walls rising up to a kilometer above our heads.

DAYS 8 & 9
Today's travel isacross the bustling Guatemalan border to its most beautiful lake, Lake Atitlán and Panajachel, a lakeshore town, surrounded by spectacular volcanoes and colourful villages. On Sunday we visit the market of Chichicastenango, so you can bargain with the best of them! We also take a boat across the lake where we support a group of local bead artisans in the village of Santiago. As part of your trip cost goes to donating an item needed by the community, we will make the donation directly.

DAYS 10 to 12
Antigua is a stunning colonial town set amongst volcanos. It offers a great range of optional activities: shop for jade, hike up Pacaya volcano, visit the surrounding coffee plantations and stroll around this beautiful city. We are very lucky to be able to visit a local Mayan Community about 10km from town, where you’ll learn about traditional Mayan life as it is now, in modern day Guatemala and share a delicious lunch with them. This is a new grassroots project to help provide a better income, education and standard of living to this community. US$25 per person, of your trip cost goes towards supporting this project.

DAY 13
An early morning flight takes us to the charming town of Flores, with its pastel-coloured buildings. It enjoys a tranquil island setting on Lake Petén Itzá. On arrival we will head off to the famous archealogical site of Tikal and the prolific wildlife of the National Park. Then time for an afternoon nap, wander the streets, cool off by the pool or buy local handicrafts.

DAYS 14 to 18
Another morning flight takes us to Cancun airport, and Playa del Carmen for lunch. Our Cuban adventure begins as we board a short flight to Havana in the evening. Make the most of a full 2 1/2 day stay in the Caribbean's largest and most exciting urban concentration. We take a tour of the Old town with a local guide and head out to dinner to sample some traditional Cuban cuisine. The next day our tour takes us to the intriguing world of the Cuban Cigar factory and we top that off with a Rum Distillery tour to sample Cuba’s finest! At 3 hours from Havana, a visit to the spectacular Viñales Valley makes for a great escape from the hussle and bustle of Havana. Viñales offers stunning mountainous scenery, sprawling tobacco fields and friendly locals. Here you can see Cuba's most famous cigar producing region and enjoy the experience of a home stay. We’ll spend our time hiking to caves through tobacco fields, enjoying the home stay hospitality and live music venues or Salsa Dance lessons.

DAYS 19 & 20
Flying back to Cancun, a short transfer takes us to Playa Del Carmen. Spending our last couple of days in this bustling, vibrant tourist town which has much to offer the visitor. We stay in the central part of town away from the resort hotels, but right near the most beautiful white sand beach. You have time to completely relax on the beach, swim, snorkel, explore the underground rivers, visit the Tulum ruins, dive, or do some last minute souvenir shopping. Or sit in a local bar with an icy cold Marguarita.

DAY 21

Departure day. We transfer back to Cancun airport for your flights home, or choose to stay on a few more days to relax. Adios amigos!

IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?
Travelling in the slightly cooler months at the end of the rainy season, is a perfect time to visit. We see and do a lot in three weeks but there is also time for relaxation and free time. This trip gives you a fabulous overview of three very different cultures, their way of life plus the historical and modern importance of the Maya.

The hotels have private facilities and are typically locally owned small family run establishments of around a 3 star category. In Cuba the home stay rooms are basic but all very comfortable and clean, and the families will try to make you feel at home as much as possible, like part of the family. There the group will split up into different homes. Generally between 1 and 4 group members with each family. Home stays are a major highlight of your time in Cuba, as they provide a first-hand experience of living with a Cuban family. The home stays are a vastly different experience than staying in hotels. Most Cubans are very friendly and love to talk to you.

Transport is a variety of private vans, taxis and flights. Even though there are about three long travel days and a couple of very early starts, we aim to make this trip fun, rewarding and a holiday you will remember as one of your favourites.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE?

• Bilingual tour leader
• All breakfasts and 6 dinners
• Guided tours of Chichen Itza, Palenque and Tikal Mayan sites
• Entry to Misol Ha and Aqua Azul waterfalls
• Guided tours of Village San Juan de Chumula
• Guided tour of the Sumidero Canyon
• Visit bead artisans on Lake Atitlan, and an item of donation to them
• Visit Chichicastenango Sunday market
• A very special visit to Santiago Zamora a local Mayan community near Antigua
• Havana city tour, cigar factory tour, rum distillery tour
• Home stay in Vinales and walk through tobacco farms to caves
• All land and air transport during the itinerary except international flights from NZ
• The cost of entry for all scheduled tours.
• All accommodation on a twin share basis

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

Your international flight to/from Cancun, domestic and international airport departure taxes, pre & post tour accommodation, visas (required for Cuba for all nationalities), vaccinations, personal travel insurance (compulsory), meals (except those listed ) , drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips, and other items of a personal nature.

All prices are approximates and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made.