The trip was the "Mayan Discovery" tour organised by Kumuka, whose web site is to be found at www.kumuka.com, starting and finishing at Cancun, Mexico.
References in square brackets are to page numbers in the 4th edition (March 2001) of the Lonely Planet Guide "Belize, Guatemala & Yucatan".
Our tour leader was Jono Gosselin, assisted by Cathy Evans. Our fellow tourists were Claire ?? (who left us in Antigua), Bev and Lucy Sydney and 'Macca' McLean. We were subsequently joined in Antigua by Kate and Emma Pollard, Colette Rooney and Carol Postlethwaite, all of who carried on back to Antigua after we departed the tour back at Cancun. We were also joined in Antigua by Nina King, a friend of Jono.
Saturday 22nd February - fly in to Cancun [399](a huge modern hotel dump), find our hotel, Hotel Caribe Internacional, in Cuidad Cancun, drop off our bags and meet up with the gang for a beer.
"On arrival in Cancun you will have free time before you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions. In the evening of the first day of the tour, there will be a pre-departure meeting where your Tour Leader will explain how the tour will be run. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact the Kumuka office or the joining hotel and leave a message for your Tour Leader. There will be a note in the hotel lobby explaining where and when to meet on this evening. The pre-departure meeting will be held at approximately 18:00 hours. What better way to get into the swing of things than with an ice margarita, some sizzling fajitas and live Mexican salsa music!"
Sunday 23rd February - up betimes to catch a bus to Playa del Carmen [423]. Check in to the hotel then off by minibus to Tulum [438]. Dinner and beers in Playa del Carmen in the evening.
"We will travel the short journey down the Caribbean coast to the buzzing resort of Playa del Carmen. We visit the ruins at Tulum, the only Mayan city built on a coastline, which overlook the Caribbean Sea. In the afternoon we relax by swimming in the turquoise waters, catching some sun or simply sitting under a palm tree and reading about the ancient city you have just discovered. There are many optional activities to pursue here including snorkelling and diving. We spend the night at Playa del Carmen before moving on to Belize."
Monday 24th February - Long journey down to Chatumel on the Mexico Belize border, change buses and on to Belize City [101]. Then a speed boat trip out to Caye Caulker [111].
Tuesday 25th February Wednesday 26th February
"An early morning start sees us travelling down the Caribbean corridor to Belize City [101], where we take a speedboat out to Caye Caulker [111] where we spend three relaxing nights on this tiny island. Belize is an English speaking country, and very, very laid back. Caye Caulker is a place to completely relax and unwind. You can do absolutely nothing, or you can take one of the many optional excursions on offer with our guide Harry. Snorkel the second largest barrier reef in the world, see the endangered manatees in their natural habitat, take a day trip to Ambergris Caye [119], swim with the friendly nurse sharks and sting rays, or if you are qualified, dive the incredible Blue Hole [117]. After all this, if you still have any energy, spend the nights taking a beautiful sunset sail, listening to reggae music, eating delicious seafood, and sipping the magnificent rum punch, a Belizean specialty."
Thursday 27th February
"From Caye Caulker we head back to the mainland and on to the forested area of San Ignacio [144]. A totally different Belize from the one we have just seen, this area, rich in Mayan heritage, contains ruins such as Cahal Pech [146] and Xunantunich [152] (optional) as well as other optional activities such as the fascinating Panti Medicine Trail [149], caving or canoeing [149] on the Macal River. We spend the night here in San Ignacio before moving into Guatemala."
Friday 28th February Saturday 1st March
"We cross the border into Guatemala to Flores [350] on Lake Peten Itza in the northern region of Guatemala. This lovely island town is our base for exploring nearby Tikal [363], one of the most incredible of all the Mayan ruins open to the public. Surrounded by miles of tropical jungle, Tikal is a spectacular site filled with howler monkeys, toucans and the occasional jaguar! We stay right on the lake and an early morning rise will get you to the site as the sun rises over the jungle. You will then enjoy a tour of the ancient city with our knowledgeable Local Guide Miguel. Leaving behind the northern area of Guatemala, we take a short flight to Antigua [221] – the colonial capital of Guatemala, via Guatemala City [206]."
Sunday 2nd March Monday 3rd March
"Antigua [221] is possibly the most beautiful town in the America’s. Once the capital of Guatemala before major earthquakes razed the city and it was decided to move the capital to the area now known as Guatemala City. Now a World Heritage Site, Antigua is full of lovely architecture and colonial history. The city has many old ruins to discover, and some of the best places to see them are from the balconies of some of the many restaurants and bars Antigua has to offer. Surrounded by three huge volcanoes – Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, the countryside is breathtakingly beautiful and you can spend the days exploring the streets, markets, churches, cafes and bars, or just sitting in the pretty centre plaza watching the world go by. There are also optional activities such as an interesting city tour, an energetic but breathtaking volcano climb up Pacaya [229] near Guatemala City, or take a bike ride in the surrounding countryside. Those interested in the Latin America culture can take introductory Spanish lessons and attempt to master the art of salsa. You will certainly enjoy your time here.
"On to the spectacular Lake Atitlan [244], which is surrounded by the spectacular backdrop of three towering volcanoes – Atitlan, Toliman and San Pedro. From Panajachel we take a short boat ride across to San Pedro [253], a wonderfully relaxed little village situated right on the lake. Rent a canoe, horse or bike or simply walk and explore the surrounding countryside. Alternatively you watch the sun go down behind the mountains, lakeside whilst sipping a Guatemalan beer."
Tuesday 4th March
"From here we take a short boat trip to another lakeside village called Santiago de Atitlan [no!] before heading back to Panajachel [243]for the next two nights. Known as Gringotenango, place of the gringo, it was inundated by hippies in the 70’s who liked it so much, they stayed. Wander up and down the main road filled with market stalls, eat in one of the many restaurants on the edge of the lake and watch the sun go down."
Wednesday 5th March Thursday 6th March
"We take a half day trip to Chichicastenango [258], Guatemala’s largest and most diverse market. Shop to your hearts content at the many market stalls, but remember, even though it may be hard to resist, you still have a way to go so don’t get too carried away! We will spend the night here before we travel back into Mexico.
Friday 7th March Saturday 8th March Sunday 9th March
"An early start, a border crossing and long days travel, sees us in a new country and the beautiful town of San Cristobal de las Casas [545], Mexico. Set in the state of Chiapas [534], arguably Mexico’s most beautiful, it is surrounded by many small but fascinating Indian villages. Take an optional excursion to two of the most interesting “San Juan Chamula” [537]and “Zinacantan” [559]or speedboat through the fantastic Sumidero Canyon [545], 100m deep in some places. Apart from this, you can sip coffee in the central plaza and watch the world go by, or visit the incredible Museum Na Balom [550], set up in honour of the Lacandon Indians of the region. Come nightfall sample the fantastic and diverse restaurants and put the salsa lessons into practice at the numerous live salsa clubs. The state of Chiapas is also famously known as the stronghold of the Zapatista [536] movement – otherwise known as the EZLN Party. Led by the enigmatic Subcomandante Marcos, the Zapatistas are a group who fight a determined battle for the rights of the indigenous peoples of Mexico."
Monday 10th March Tuesday 11th March
"From San Cristobal we travel to Rancho Esmerelda [562], set in the beautiful Ocosingo Valley [560]in the heart of Chiapas.We explore the newly discovered ruins of Tonina [561] and then why not take an optional horseback journey through the lush valley’s macadamia and coffee plantations, beautiful foothills and neighbouring ranches. We give the horses and our backsides a rest while we drop in on a much smaller locally owned self-sufficient ranch and enjoy some delicious home made lemonade. Relax in the evening with home made food, followed by a campfire under the stars and dessert of toasted marshmallows."
Wednesday 12th March
"A short bus journey sees us at Palenque [565]. We will explore, with our local guide Ernesto, the many temples and pyramids of this great Mayan city set in the lush and steamy jungle. We spend the night in cabanas in the jungle, listening to great Cuban music and followed by fire shows. The following day we take a tour to the nearby Agua Azul [564] and Misol-Ha [565] waterfalls. Escape the heat and spend the day swimming in the sensationally refreshing water or simply sunbaking on the bank."
"We now leave behind the lushness of the Chiapas region and board a comfortable overnight bus to steamy Merida [455], capital of the Yucatan state.
Thursday 13th March
"This will be our base to explore the nearby ruins of Uxmal [479], (optional) famous for the ‘Temple of the Magician’. Merida is a vibrant city and home to the traditional Mexican hammock. You will find a huge array of colours and designs, and you can even visit a master of hammock making and watch him work. There are markets galore, great restaurants serving traditional Yucatecan food, and small plazas that come alive at night with local dancing and singing."
Friday 14th March
"From Merida, it is an early morning departure to get to Chichen Itza [492] before the buses arrive from Cancun. Probably the most famous of all the Mayan ruins, it is also one of the most spectacular. The imposing Castillo pyramid is an incredible sight. See the cenote where remains have been discovered, marvel at the awesome ball court and just be amazed at the complexity of this huge city. In the afternoon we continue on to Cancun, our final destination."
"We will have a farewell dinner in the evening."
Saturday 15th March
"Tour finishes."
Sunday 16th March
Land back in the United Kingdom.
INCLUDED: • Services of a Kumuka Tour Leader. • All transport (unless on an optional excursion) • All accommodation (except pre and post) • Tulum • Agua Azul Waterfall and Misol Ha • Tikal • Boat trip on Lake Atitlan • Palenque • Tonina • Chichen Itza • Flight Flores to Antigua, Guatemala
NOT INCLUDED: • International flights • Visas • Airport departure taxes - Mexico USD $20 - Guatemala $1 overland, USD $30 air - Belize USD $13.75 • Any other taxes • Food • Drink • Personal items • Optional excursions • Pre and post accommodation
SUGGESTED SPENDING MONEY: • We recommend USD $30-35 per day [nowhere near enough!] • Budget for more if you intend on doing all, or any of the optional activities on offer
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
MEXICO Sumidero Canyon USD $22 [yes] Indian Village Tour USD $10 [yes] Museum Na Balom USD $5 [yes] Horseriding Ocosingo ranch USD $20 [no] Uxmal Ruins USD $15 [yes]
BELIZE Snorkelling on manatee tour USD $20-40 [yes] Diving Caye Caulker from USD $70 [yes] Ambergis Caye Trip USD $12 [no] Caving/canoeing San Ignacio USD $28 [yes] Panti Medicine Trail USD $15 [no] Cahal Pech USD $20 [yes]
GUATEMALA Pacaya Volcano Climb USD $5 [yes] Bike Riding from USD $25 [no]
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