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central america
11 DaYS
Mexico Espléndido
neW!
Mexico City Teotihuacan Puebla Monte Alban
Mexico, Belize & Guatemala Mexico Espléndido Merida Tulum Chetumal Caye Caulker Cancun
Discover the splendours of Mexico from fantastic pyramids to evocative colonial towns and stunning beaches on this relaxing and easy-paced trip.
n Mexico city n teotihuacan n Puebla n oaxaca n Monte alban n Puerto eScondido n acaPulco
MEXICO
Oaxaca
Palenque San Cristobal
Acapulco
Belize City Tikal Flores
BELIZE
Puerto Escondido
Chichicastenango Panajachel Guatemala Antigua City
GUATEMALA
EL SALVADOR
Days 1-2/Mexico City No activities are planned for Day 1, so you may arrive in Mexico City at any time. On Day 2, we take a walking tour in the historic centre of the city, stopping at the main square known as the Zocalo. During a free afternoon we have time to make our own discoveries. Highly recommended is the excellent National Museum of Anthropology one of the best in the world. Day 3/Mexico City - Teotihuacan The ancient Aztec site of Teotihuacan is one of Mexicos most famous archaeological sites, encompassing remnants of a large city complex and the towering Pyramid of the Sun. Wandering around, we can imagine what life must have been like in days gone past. Day 4/Puebla Located south-east of Mexico City, Pueblas historic downtown is a Spanish-colonial treasure filled with elegant 17th and 18th-century European architecture and art. Days 5-6/Oaxaca - Monte Alban Colourful Oaxaca is renowned as an artistic centre, offering an exciting array of handicrafts and souvenirs. Located on a hilltop overlooking town is Monte Alban, a fascinating archaeological site and the ancient capital of the Zapotecs. Days 7-8/Puerto Escondido Its beach time, as we head to the Pacific Ocean coast. Puerto Escondido is a laid-back former fishing village that is renowned for its surf. A great place to relax and join in some of the optional activities on offer. Days 9-10/Acapulco Our next beach stop is glitzy Acapulco, famous for its nightlife. Curved around a bay with white sandy beaches, it is the place where we find the renowned La Quebrada cliff divers, who were immortalised in the Elvis Presley movie Fun in Acapulco! Day 11/Mexico City We travel back to Mexico City, where our tour ends upon arrival.
encircled by three mighty volcanoes. Our local leader will show us the highlights of the town and take us to the summit of one of the nearby volcanoes. If you still have energy to spare there are also some fun optional activities such as horseback riding, cycling and rafting. Days 10-12/Panajachel - Chichicastenango We travel into the Guatemalan Highlands to the picturesque town of Panajachel. Here on the shores of Lake Atitilan, ringed by volcanoes, we will discover some of the prettiest countryside in Central America. An excursion around the lake to one of the outlying villages is a must. Well also visit one of Latin Americas most colourful markets, the Thursday Indian market at Chichicastenango. Days 13-15/San Cristobal San Cristobal has an atmosphere all of its own bohemian, revolutionary and, paradoxically, steeped in tradition. Fill your day shopping in the narrow cobblestone streets, learning about traditional Mayan medicine or kicking back to some Latin tunes. We also visit a nearby highland village where the indigenous inhabitants have their own distinctive colourful dress. San Cristobal will be one of the many highlights of your holiday; its fantastic! Days 16-17/Palenque Further on is the partially excavated jungle town of Palenque. Study the intricacies of the Mayan ruins in this superb jungle setting, before visiting the stunning Agua Azul. There well see scores of dazzling white waterfalls thundering into turquoise pools surrounded by lush jungle. (Bring your camera to capture the action and your bathers to get amongst it!) Days 18-19/Merida A full days journey brings us to Merida, the capital of the State of Yucatan. This historic city has long been a centre of Mayan culture and the Anthropological Museum is a great insight into the way of life of the ancient Mayans. The city has a strong Spanish colonial influence and has many interesting churches, cathedrals, plazas and palaces that are well worth your time. Days 20-21/Chichen Itza - Cancun On our way to the resort playground of Cancun, we make a memorable stop at the incredible Mayan site of Chichen Itza. For the adventurous, a climb to the top of Kukulcan pyramid is a challenge. Our trip comes to an end at Cancun, where those who want to stay on for a little more sun, sand and surf can request additional nights.
21 DaYS
Mexico, Belize & Guatemala
A fabulous insight into one of Latin Americas most colourful and historical regions. Explore the massive stone cities of the ancient Maya, discover the underwater world of Belizes Barrier Reef, and marvel at the beauty of the Guatemalan Highlands with its rolling green hills and perfect volcanoes.
n cancun n Playa del carMen n tuluM ruinS n caye caulker n tikal Mayan ruinS n antigua guateMala n Panajachel n chichicaStenango n lake atitilan n San criStobal n Palenque n Merida n chichen itza
trip info
Prices: See inside cover.
Days 1-2/Cancun Our holiday starts in the resort centre of Cancun, on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. We have time here to enjoy the lively nightlife and to relax on the white sandy beaches of nearby Playa del Carmen. Day 3/Tulum - Chetumal After an early start we reach Tulum, where crumbling Mayan ruins cling to the cliff top overlooking the beach, creating a stunning impression. We stay overnight in the town of Chetumal, close to the Belize border. Days 4-5/Caye Caulker
31-Jan 21-Feb 21-Mar 18-Apr
Group size: Maximum 15. Grade: Moderate. Transport: aircon bus, deluxe bus, local bus, minibus, taxi. Accommodation: 10 nights hotel. Local payment: Your tour leader will collect US$200 from each person on Day 1. Want more? Link this trip with another Geckos adventure: Complete Cuba, Viva Cuba. Tour Code: GSME. Further Info & Trip Notes: www.geckosadventures.co.uk/trips/gsme
Starts Wed 2008 09-Jan 30-Jan 20-Feb 12-Mar Finishes Sat 19-Jan 09-Feb 01-Mar 22-Mar 16-Apr 07-May 28-May 18-Jun 23-Jul 13-Aug 03-Sep 26-Apr 17-May 07-Jun 28-Jun 02-Aug 23-Aug 13-Sep 24-Sep 22-Oct 19-Nov 10-Dec 31-Dec 04-Oct 01-Nov 29-Nov 20-Dec 10-Jan 2009 21-Jan 11-Feb 11-Mar 08-Apr
trip info
Prices: See inside cover.
We head for the palm-fringed island of Caye Caulker by sleek speedboat. The Caye is a sand island on the edge of the worlds second largest barrier reef and is a truly beautiful part of the world. We enjoy swimming, diving and snorkelling amongst beautiful tropical fish and coral reefs. Days 6-7/Flores - Tikal Ruins Returning to Belize City, its time to head across the border into Guatemala and to the small picturesque town of Flores. Visiting Tikal, the deserted Mayan ruins deep in the heart of the Guatemalan jungle, well experience an abundance of wildlife. We then catch the overnight bus to bustling Guatemala City and on to charming Antigua. Days 8-9/Antigua The setting of Antigua Guatemala is picture postcard stuff. Its amongst the oldest and most beautiful towns in the Americas, set deep in a valley
Group size: Maximum 15. Grade: Moderate. Transport: aircon bus, boat, local bus, on foot, taxi. Accommodation: 1 night overnight bus, 19 nights hotel. Local payment: Your tour leader will collect US$400 from each person on Day 1. Tour Code: GSMG. Further Info & Trip Notes: www.geckosadventures.co.uk/trips/gsmg
Starts Sun 2007 04-Nov 02-Dec 30-Dec 2008 20-Jan Finishes Sat 24-Nov 22-Dec 19-Jan 09-Feb 10-Feb 02-Mar 23-Mar 27-Apr 18-May 08-Jun 29-Jun 20-Jul 01-Mar 22-Mar 12-Apr 17-May 07-Jun 28-Jun 19-Jul 09-Aug 10-Aug 31-Aug 21-Sep 12-Oct 02-Nov 30-Nov 28-Dec 30-Aug 20-Sep 11-Oct 01-Nov 22-Nov 20-Dec 17-Jan 2009 18-Jan 08-Feb 01-Mar 22-Mar 19-Apr
DiD You knoW?
122
07-Feb 28-Feb 21-Mar 11-Apr 09-May
Tortillas, frijoles (beans) and chillies form the staple ingredients of Mexicos diverse cuisine.
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