Multi-Country Landmark Tours Holidays
Mayan ruins, markets, culture and colonial splendour
Dulce Tour - 30 Night Itinerary
Explore magnificent Mayan temples, beautiful Lake Atitlan, colonial Merida, famous markets, the pine forests of Belize and relax on the beach at the Riviera Maya.
Select your Preferred Departure Date OR Default to Today's Date
Tour Route
- Fly to Antigua, Guatemala - 3 Nights
- Panajachel and Lake Atitlan - 2 Nights
- Chichicastenango - 1 Night
- Antigua - 2 Nights
- Copan, Honduras - 1 Night
- Quirigua - 1 Night
- Rio Dulce - 1 Night
- Livingston - 1 Night
- Punta Gorda - 2 Nights
- Mountain Pine Ridge - 3 Nights
- Tikal - 2 Nights
- Palenque - 2 Nights
- Merida - 4 Nights
- Chichen Itza - 1 Night
- Caribbean Beach and Tulum - 4 Nights
- Fly back to the UK - 0 Nights
Travel Highlights
- Enjoy the relaxed ambiance of colonial Antigua and visit a local weaver
- Take a boat ride on scenic Lake Atitlan and meet local Mayan villagers
- Visit the famous market at Chichicastenango.
- Travel to the Mayan site of Copan in Honduras
- Cruise on the Rio Dulce on the Guatemalan coast
- Spend a few days exploring the protected pine forest in Belize
- Visit the extra-ordinary Mayan ruins at Tikal, lost in the jungle
- Explore the Yucatan, from colonial Merida to Uxmal and Chichen Itza
- Spend 4 nights on the beach at Tulum on the Riviera Maya
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
Tour Itinerary
Fly to Antigua, Guatemala - 3 Nights
Day 1 - Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Guatemala
Day 2 - Transfer to Antigua
Day 3 - Colonial Antigua
Day 4 - At leisure in Antigua
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Saturday, 14 December 2024
Fly to Guatemala
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Guatemala City.
Sunday, 15 December 2024
Transfer to Antigua
On arrival in Guatemala City, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your chosen hotel in Antigua for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Your guide will give you a short orientation tour to help you settle in. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Monday, 16 December 2024
Walking tour of Antigua
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Antigua today, visiting the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city including ruined churches, convents, and cathedrals. Your guide can personalise your tour depending on your interests.
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
At leisure in Antigua
Enjoy the charming ambience of this historic city at your leisure.
Casa Encantada
Antigua - First Hotel
Casa Encantada is one of the most intimate and relaxing boutique hotels in Antigua. Once you enter the hotel from the cobbled street enjoy the tranquility, calm and warmth of a private residence. Rustic but elegant architecture and charming decoration create a deep sense of tranquility and peace.
The cozy interior patio and garden has a small pool and sun loungers. There is also an excellent restaurant and rooftop bar.
There are 3 types of room: standard, studio and rooftop suite. Each room has a private bathroom, minibar, safe flat screen TV and luxury linens.
The rates are on a bed and breakfast basis.
El Convento
Antigua - Luxury Hotel
Situated in one of Antigua's famed cobblestone streets, in front of the superb 18th century Capuchin convent, El Convento is a sanctuary from which you can discover the city's magnificent sites.
The all-suite El Convento gracefully marries the ancient with the modern. Combining artisanal brick vaulted ceilings, exposed stone walls and hand-crafted doors with the simple elegance of contemporary design. Whether unwinding in the deep-set living room sofas or stopping by for a glass of wine beneath the domed cupula of the bar, staying in can be just as tempting. Fine dining is available at the hotel's restaurant.
Serene and private, each of the nineteen suites flows from a central courtyard graced by a hundred year old Tempixque tree. There are two grand suites, six suites and eleven junior suites. All offer cedar-beamed ceilings, sumptuous linens, some of them have a private garden. In each suite, the soothing décor combines eye-pleasing neutrals with vibrant accents from local, hand-woven textiles and fine pieces of art and sculpture.
The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.
Panajachel and Lake Atitlan - 2 Nights
Day 5 - Travel to Panajachel
Day 6 - Santiago village and Lake Atitlan
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Travel to Panajachel
This morning we drive to Panajachel, a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Atitlán. The word "atitlan" is a Mayan word that translates as "the place where the rainbow gets its colours". In the highlands of Guatemala, especially around Lake Atitlan, the Maya culture thrives. On arrival, check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. There will then be time to visit the street market and surrounding indigenous villages, famous for their weavers.
Thursday, 19 December 2024
Santiago village and Lake Atitlan
This morning we cross scenic Lake Atitlan and visit the village of Santiago. Here, we visit the house of the Maya God Maximon where you may see local shaman performing rituals for local people. We also visit the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art that is famous from this area. Lunch is included today.
Hotel Atitlan
Lake Atitlan - Tourist Hotel
The Hotel Atitlan is nestled within an ancient coffee plantation and has large, beautifully landscaped gardens. All 65 rooms are individually decorated and contain furniture designed and crafted in the hotels own workshops. There is a pool with spectacular views over the lake & volcanoes. One of the highlights of this hotel are the well kept gardens with plants & exotic flowers.
Chichicastenango - 1 Night
Day 7 - Travel to Chichicastenango
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Friday, 20 December 2024
Travel to Chichicastenango
This morning we travel to Chichicastenango, known for its traditional K'iche' Maya culture. Chichicastenango is a small and stucco-white town, lying on the crests of mountaintops at an altitude of 1,965 meters. The town is home to perhaps the most colourful native market in North and Central America, perhaps in all the Americas.
The famous handicraft market of Chichicastenango draws not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala. They represent many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others, each hawking his or her products in a riotous cacophony of colour, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells.
Transfer to your chosen hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Santo Tomas Hotel
Chichicastenango - First Hotel
The Hotel Santo Tomas is a colonial hotel situated in the marketplace in central Chichicastenango. There are 43 well decorated rooms and also a swimming pool, sauna, bar and restaurant. The staff all wear traditional costume. Accommodation includes room and American breakfast.
Antigua - 2 Nights
Day 8 - Chichicastenango market and Antigua
Day 9 - San Antonio
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Saturday, 21 December 2024
Chichicastenango Market
This morning, experience the famous Chichicastenango market, with its wide variety of fruit and vegetables and most notably the endless beautiful textiles, wooden and ceramic works. We also visit Saint Tomas Church where local Maya people come to perform rituals within the Catholic church - demonstrating the interesting way the two faiths have combined in recent times.
We then travel back to Antigua and transfer to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Sunday, 22 December 2024
San Antonio
Enjoy a half-day guided visit to the village of San Antonio where you will meet a local family as well as local weavers who will explain the textiles and traditions of their village.
Casa Encantada
Antigua - First Hotel
Casa Encantada is one of the most intimate and relaxing boutique hotels in Antigua. Once you enter the hotel from the cobbled street enjoy the tranquility, calm and warmth of a private residence. Rustic but elegant architecture and charming decoration create a deep sense of tranquility and peace.
The cozy interior patio and garden has a small pool and sun loungers. There is also an excellent restaurant and rooftop bar.
There are 3 types of room: standard, studio and rooftop suite. Each room has a private bathroom, minibar, safe flat screen TV and luxury linens.
The rates are on a bed and breakfast basis.
El Convento
Antigua - Luxury Hotel
Situated in one of Antigua's famed cobblestone streets, in front of the superb 18th century Capuchin convent, El Convento is a sanctuary from which you can discover the city's magnificent sites.
The all-suite El Convento gracefully marries the ancient with the modern. Combining artisanal brick vaulted ceilings, exposed stone walls and hand-crafted doors with the simple elegance of contemporary design. Whether unwinding in the deep-set living room sofas or stopping by for a glass of wine beneath the domed cupula of the bar, staying in can be just as tempting. Fine dining is available at the hotel's restaurant.
Serene and private, each of the nineteen suites flows from a central courtyard graced by a hundred year old Tempixque tree. There are two grand suites, six suites and eleven junior suites. All offer cedar-beamed ceilings, sumptuous linens, some of them have a private garden. In each suite, the soothing décor combines eye-pleasing neutrals with vibrant accents from local, hand-woven textiles and fine pieces of art and sculpture.
The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.
Copan, Honduras - 1 Night
Day 10 - Copan
- Full Description
Monday, 23 December 2024
Travel to Copan, Honduras
Early in the morning we cross into Honduras and travel to the ancient ruins at Copan. Here, enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful site, famous for its intricately carved stelea and amazing hieroglyphic stairway as well as its comprehensive museum. We overnight at a hotel in Copan on a bed and breakfast basis.
Quirigua - 1 Night
Day 11 - Quirigua
- Full Description
Tuesday, 24 December 2024
Quirigua to Rio Dolce
Today we visit Quirigua, a small Mayan site situated in the middle of a banana plantation and famous for the tallest and well preserved stelaes from the Mayan culture. The site was protected by UNESCO in 1981. Then continue to Rio Dulce where we stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
Rio Dulce - 1 Night
Day 12 - Rio Dulce
- Full Description
Wednesday, 25 December 2024
Rio Dolce boat tour & Guatemala City
This morning explore the Rio Dolce on a boat tour. Visit bird island, cruise through the impressive Rio Dulce canyon, visit the Ak ́ Tenamit development project providing education for local Maya Queq'chi children, and Castillo of San Felipe. We then drive to Guatemala City for an overnight stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Livingston - 1 Night
Day 13 - Travel to Livingston
- Full Description
Thursday, 26 December 2024
Travel to Livingston
This morning drive to Livingston, located at the mouth of the Rio Dulce. Check-in to your chosen hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Livingston is a laid-back town, with an interesting variety of cultures to enjoy.
Punta Gorda - 2 Nights
Day 14 - Drive to Punta Gorda
Day 15 - Punta Gorda
- Full Description
Friday, 27 December 2024
Drive to Punta Gorda
Depart Livingston and cross the border into Belize. Continue to Punta Gorda and check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Saturday, 28 December 2024
Exploring Punta Gorda
Today explore Punta Gorda. Although the town bears a Spanish name, its inhabitants are mostly Garifuna, East Indian, Kriol, and Maya descent, giving it a lovely multi-cultural feel. Enjoy traditional markets, a swim in the sea or perhaps a visit to the Maya archaeological sites of Lubaantun & Nim Li Punit.
Mountain Pine Ridge - 3 Nights
Day 16 - Drive to Mountain Pine Ridge
Day 17 - Explore the reserve
Day 18 - Explore the reserve
- Full Description
Sunday, 29 December 2024
Travel to Mountain Pine Ridge
Drive to Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and check-in to your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Monday, 30 December 2024
Explore the reserve
Today explore Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, established in 1944 to manage the native pine forests. This broad upland area of multiple ridges and valleys was also a ritual site for the Mayan Culture, as well as being home to abundant wildlife from the lowlands; acorn woodpeckers, rufous-capped warblers, crossbill and eastern bluebirds. Explore rivers, pools, waterfalls, caves and limestone caverns. The most spectacular cave is the Rio Frio caves, considered the largest accessible cave in the country.
Tuesday, 31 December 2024
Explore the reserve
A further day to explore the forest with its fascinating birdlife.
Tikal - 2 Nights
Day 19 - Drive to Tikal
Day 20 - Guided tour of Tikal
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Wednesday, 01 January 2025
Drive to Tikal
This morning we visit Xunantunich ruins and the cross back into Guatemala and continue to Tikal, where we check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Thursday, 02 January 2025
Guided tour to Tikal
The ruins at Tikal are spectacular, set in dense forest. For many, Tikal is the most impressive of all the Mayan ruins. Appreciate the Mayan architecture, and the many species of wildlife, particularly spider monkeys, toucans and parrots.
Camino Real Tikal Hotel
Tikal - First Hotel
In the lush Peten jungle, the Camino Real Tikal provides guests with a unique opportunity to explore one of the world's most spectacular archaeological sites and relax in an unspoiled natural paradise.
Public areas include the Ceibal Restaurant, bar, a Mayan sauna, jacuzzi, swimming pool, shop travel agency, jacuzzi and lounge.
All rooms at the Camino Real Tikal are housed in thatched-roof bungalows and offer modern comforts including air-conditioning, private bathrooms, direct-dial phones, cable TV and private balconies. Every balcony enjoys magnificent views of Lake Petén Itzá.
There are many activities on offer including kayaking on Lake Peten Itza, excursions to Tikal National Park and Yaxha and Topoxte National Parks, zip wire adventures and catamaran boat ride on the lake.
The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.
Palenque - 2 Nights
Day 21 - Drive to Palenque
Day 22 - Palenque archeological site
- Full Description
Friday, 03 January 2025
Drive to Palenque
We depart Tikal today, and travel by boat and road crossing the border into Mexico. From here, we drive the the city of Palenque, famous for its Mayan Archeological site. On arrival in Palenque, check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Saturday, 04 January 2025
Palenque archeological site
Enjoy a half day guided tour of the Mayan archaeological site of Palenque. The site is hidden in the lush jungle surrounded by howler monkeys, streams and waterfalls. The temples are well preserved; the main complex containing a tomb is one of the most beautiful of all pre-Hispanic Maya sites. We also visit the temple of inscriptions, the observatory, and governor's palace.
Merida - 4 Nights
Day 23 - Fly to Merida
Day 24 - Guided City tour
Day 25 - Haciendas, cenotes & Izamal
Day 26 - Uxmal and Kabah
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Sunday, 05 January 2025
Fly to Merida
Transfer to Villahermosa airport and fly to Merida. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel for a 4-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Throughout the colonial period, Mérida was by far the most important city in the Yucatan, known as the "Paris of the New World". At the turn of the last century, the city became very rich from the profits from henequen. The colonial centre is ideal for watching the world go by, and it is impossible to resist buying a beautiful hammock the city is also well-known for.
Monday, 06 January 2025
Guided tour of Merida
Explore an elegant mixture of colonial and neoclassical architecture characterise the city on a half-day guided tour. Visit the main square with the cathedral, government palace, town hall and house of Montejo. Enjoy local life and markets with their modern Mayan influence.
Tuesday, 07 January 2025
Haciendas, cenotes and Izamal
Today we drive to Chunkanan where we visit a former natural Sisal fibre production plantation, now a hacienda. Take a horse pulled ride to a Cenote. We continue to Homún to see also cenotes of Tza Ujun Kat and Santa Rosa, where you can have a refreshing jump into its crystal clear and refreshing water! We then visit Hacienda Ednakán, famous for its neogothic church, and Hacienda Tepich, where we stop for lunch (not included). In the afternoon we explore Izamal, with its golden yellow buildings. Discover picturesque lanes flanked by elegant houses and the monastery of San Antonio de Padua with its elegant archways.
Wednesday, 08 January 2025
Uxmal and Kabah
Today enjoy a full day guided excursion to the ancient ruins at Uxmal and Kabah. At Uxmal, the buildings are in a Puuc style from the Classic period. Kabah is an ancient Mayan town not far from Uxmal and its name means "the chiselling hand". The most impressive monument here is Codz Poop (literally "furled mat") a grandiose, multi-storey building dedicated to Chac, the Rain God, its façade adorned with many masks.
Casa del Balam
Merida - Tourist Hotel
El Hotel Casa del Balam is one of the oldest and most distinguished hotels in Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula, but also one of the few original Mexican Art Deco houses left in the colonial city. Newly renovated, this historic mansion has been carefully outfitted with today's modern comforts and conveniences. The Casa del Balam has an advantageous location, situated only two blocks from the Main Square or Plaza Grande in the heart of the Historic Centre, near the Jose peon Contreras Theatre and the Yucatan University.
The air-conditioned rooms are elegantly decorated with colonial antiques, wrought iron accessories and marble floors.
Public facilities include a garden cafe-bar, "Las Palomas" Bistro featuring Mexican and International Cuisine and a swimming pool.
Chichen Itza - 1 Night
Day 27 - Chichen Itza
- Full Description
Thursday, 09 January 2025
Chichen Itza
Drive to Chichen Itza and check-into your hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Chichen Itza is the most visited of all the Mayan sites, and is probably the best preserved with a variety of architectural styles from different influences. The main pyramid 'El Castillo' (The Castle), also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, dominates the centre of the site. Nearby you can visit and swim in the sacred Ik-Kil Cenote. A sunken lake with lianas and vegetation all around the stone walls.
Caribbean Beach and Tulum - 4 Nights
Day 28 - Transfer to the Mexican Caribbean
Day 29 - Explore the ruins at Tulum
Day 30 - At leisure
Day 31 - At leisure
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Friday, 10 January 2025
Transfer to the Mexican Caribbean
Today drive to Riviera Maya and check-in to the Hip Hotel, set on a beautiful, white, sandy beach just 9km from the Tulum archeological site, for a 4-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis The rest of the day is at leisure.
Saturday, 11 January 2025
Explore the ruins at Tulum
Today, take an optional tour to the nearby ruins at Tulum, once one of a set of Mayan forts along this stretch of coastline. The 'castle' area stands 12 metres above the Caribbean Sea, and nestled at the foot of the cliffs is a small cove ideal for a refreshing swim.
Sunday, 12 January 2025
At leisure
Today is at leisure at your hotel. Or perhaps take a trip to the nearby Sian-Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, where you can explore rainforests and coral reefs.
Monday, 13 January 2025
At leisure
The last day of your Central American adventure. Relax on the beach and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.
Hip Hotel Tulum
Riviera Maya - Tourist Hotel
The Hip Hotel Tulum is the perfect choice for travellers seeking a base to explore the ruins of Tulum, which are only 0.6km from the hotel. Located on the edge of Tulum on its own gorgeous Caribbean beach, the chic Hip Hotel Tulum offers peace, tranquility and a certain infectious style. The staff have a passion for providing excellent service, as evidenced from our reviews.
The hotel has a restaurant serving Mexican fusion cuisine, a spa, beach bar and stunning white powdery beach.
There is a choice of garden view, ocean view and ocean front rooms. All rooms have an air of casual elegance, are air-conditioned, with a king size bed, hammock, storage space, a ceiling fan and private bathroom.
The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.
Fly back to the UK - 0 Nights
Day 32 - Transfer to Cancun Airport and fly back to the UK
Day 33 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
Fly back to the UK
Transfer to Cancun Airport and fly back to the UK
Wednesday, 15 January 2025
Arrive in the UK
Arrive in the UK in the morning.
Price Guidelines
Season | Low Season | ||
---|---|---|---|
Travel Dates | Year round | ||
Room Arrangement | Tourist | First | Deluxe |
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room | £8,432 | £9,842 | £12,715 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 33 Days / 30 Nights
- International flights (2 overnights)
- Internal flight
- Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
- Breakfast everyday and 2 lunches
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Prices are per person
- Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request
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