Explore fiery volcanic peaks, immerse yourself in the vibrant underwater world of the world's second largest barrier reef and discover the ancient secrets of Mayan civilisations. This 18-day trip through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala will be an experience you will remember forever! Dive into mesmerising underwater worlds, marvel in awe at ancient pyramids rising from lush jungles and conquer the heights of a volcano, with some authentic off-the-beaten track experiences along the way. You won't be alone - an experienced group leader and a group of adventurous new friends will be by your side. The trip of a lifetime is calling your name, and the jungle is bursting with adventure.
Oh, and did we mention you'll be experiencing all of this with a knowledgeable group leader and a team of new friends? The trip of a lifetime just got even better...
Duration of the journey: 18 days / 17 nights
Start: Playa del Carmen
End: Antigua
Transport: Minibus, ferry
Meals: 17x breakfast, 4x lunch, 2x dinner
Group size: max. 20 travellers
Accommodation: Twin/double/triple room
Single room supplement: 900,00 EUR
Age range: 18-39+ years
International flights to and from the destination are not included in the price. We will be happy to provide you with a non-binding flight offer. Simply send us an enquiry.
18 days
Daily Tour
English
20 people
When you land in Cancun, we will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel in Playa del Carmen. Meet up with your travel team for dinner and look forward to the adventures ahead.
Today we're going into explorer mode and heading to one of the new seven wonders of the world - Chichén Itzá. A local guide will introduce us to the myths and majesty of these iconic ruins, including the Temple of Kukulkan („El Castillo“), the spine-chilling Platform of Skulls and the Plaza of the Thousand Columns. Later, a unique experience awaits us in the crystal-clear waters of a breathtaking cenote, a natural limestone swimming pool in a secret underground world.
Fiesta, siesta, today we do everything! This morning we make our way to Tulum. We have the opportunity to marvel at the archaeological ruins of Tulum or relax in the azure waters of Tulum beach. Back in Playa, we have time to get ready before dinner. Let's mash up some avocado, have a tequila shot (or more) and get a little crazy!
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Playa behind us this morning, we hop on our bus and head south to begin our adventure on the Yucatán Peninsula. Bacalar - also known as the lagoon of seven colours - is our first destination, and to make the most of it, we take a boat trip at sunset. We glide over the water, turquoise-coloured waves rippling beneath us, and what better way to cool off than to jump straight in? As the sun sets, the warm hues of the sky are reflected on the surface of the lagoon - so grab a local beer and toast to a day in paradise.
Our journey continues south today as we cross the border to our next destination - Belize! Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world, so we head straight to the ocean, with a short ferry ride to Caye Caulker. Our hotel is located on a small, walkable island less than a minute from the beach. We meet for sunset on the other side of the island, where the friendly local stingrays emerge and literally swim between you.
Grab your snorkels as we take a boat to the incredible Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to a variety of marine life. At each stop you can dive into the warm water and discover a kaleidoscope of colours: Fish buzz around you, coral reefs are teeming with life and rays glide calmly beneath you. At our last stop, it's time to keep your fingers crossed, as there's a chance of spotting some manatees. For dinner, you can enjoy fresh seafood with a delicious Caribbean curry sauce in a local restaurant.
Today you can explore the island at your own pace. So be sure to visit one of the beautiful beaches or the famous „Split“, a natural chasm created by a hurricane and the perfect place to swim while reggae music plays in the distance. Caye Caulker epitomises the essence of Caribbean relaxation, so you can laze in a hammock, go paddle boarding or explore the rich underwater world.
As the terrain changes, we pass small towns and charming street stalls where locals sell fresh fruit and handmade crafts, giving us an insight into daily life. For lunch, we stop at a Mayan village, a place that epitomises an ancient culture that is truly a world away from our island experience. Greeted with warm smiles, we learn together how to prepare a Mayan feast in the traditional way, giving us an insight into the Mayan heritage that is still alive here. With full bellies, we cross the border into Guatemala and check into our hotel on the tiny island of Flores.
Get ready for Indiana Jones as we turn the clocks back thousands of years. Hidden deep in the jungles of northern Guatemala, the sprawling archaeological site of Tikal bears witness to the greatness of the pre-Columbian Mayan civilisation. The humid air adds to the mystery of the huge ceremonial pyramid „Mundo Perdido“ (Lost World) and the Temple of the Great Jaguar as we explore the complex with local guides.
Guatemala takes up a large part of Central America, so we're travelling a long way today as we head south into the highlands. The good news is that we'll break up the journey with a tour of the fabled Candelaria Caves - an 80km long cave system significant to Mayan culture. It is believed to be the entrance to the underworld, but you can see for yourself! Back in the sun, we continue to Cobán, a colourful town in the middle of the mountains of central Guatemala.
This morning, our fleet of four-wheel drive vehicles is waiting outside the hotel to take us on an adventure into the highlands. Hold on tight as we drive into the mountains. We cover the last section on foot, trekking deeper into the jungle to find bright blue pools lined with bright green algae. We have the whole day to swim in the refreshing pools. Then we float down the river in floating tyres and reach an authentic Mayan house where we enjoy a traditional, delicious lunch. What a day!
Today our journey continues south through the highlands, with a stopover in the colourful city of Chichicastenango. This town is a centre of indigenous Mayan traditions and, if we are lucky, we can experience its famous local markets, which are among the largest in Central America. Later, we arrive in Panajachel, where we will spend the night directly on the shores of Lake Atitlán.
This morning, we hop on a boat to enjoy the panoramic view of the lake and head to San Marco. Known as a hippy place, the water lures us in for a swim. Our next stop is San Juan, where we spend the night, but not in just any hotel. Tonight we stay with an authentic host family, a Mayan family, where we split into smaller groups to really experience how the locals live. Despite the language barrier, our hosts welcome us into their simple homes and are eager to share their customs with us. At dinner, we are able to communicate with a few sentences and learn some Mayan as well as the more widely spoken Spanish.
We start in the pre-dawn darkness and hike in the moonlight to the summit of Mayan Face Mountain, known for its unique profile that resembles a Mayan face. Our local guides will provide hot cocoa as we enjoy the view at sunrise. On the way back, we will have breakfast with the local families before saying goodbye and setting off for Antigua.
Today you have some well-deserved free time to explore the colonial city of Antigua, which is popular with tourists and locals alike. Start the day with a leisurely breakfast in a cosy café, enjoy freshly brewed Guatemalan coffee and huevos rancheros before strolling through the parks, churches and markets.
The volcanoes we've only seen from afar so far? Today we climb one of them, and although it won't be easy, it will be an incredibly rewarding experience for those who are prepared to push themselves to their limits. Over several hours, we'll ascend through lush forests into rocky terrain, and when the hike gets steep, our local guide will keep us entertained with interesting information about the region. As the sun gets low and the air thins, we reach our campsite near the summit above the clouds and prepare for an unforgettable evening. Night falls, the sky fills with stars and the active volcano Fuego - also known as the Fire Volcano - mesmerises us as lava gushes out of the crater.
An early start and a steep climb to the summit reward us with a breathtaking 360-degree view. Then we begin our descent to Antigua. After all, what goes up must come down. Back in the city, we have time to freshen up and explore the streets of Antigua and any sights we may have missed before. Then it's time to get dressed up, because we'll have one last dinner together to toast our incredible adventure.
It's time to say goodbye to our dream of Central America as our journey comes to an end. You can either check out and travel home, stay longer in Antigua or continue your journey through Central America with our help.
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