GUATEMALA  MEXICO 137 CENTRALAMERICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: LAMR • Activities: Extensive walking at sites, hiking in the Lacandon jungle • Accommodation: 10 nights simple hotels, 1 night homestay, 1 night simple multi- share cabin, 1 night overnight bus • Transport: Private and public bus, boat, foot • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, local guide in Lacandon jungle • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Mayan Explorer' tour DAY 1: ANTIGUA- Arrival day. DAY 2: ANTIGUA - PANAJACHEL- Drive to Panajachel, on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Visit Chichicastenango, home to Guatemala's most colourful market. ( B) DAY 3: PANAJACHEL- Take an optional boat ride to visit some of the fascinating nearby villages, and find Maximon, the mysterious Mayan god that lives here. DAY 4: PANAJACHEL - TOTONICAPAN-Today we travel to the village of Totonicapan, a wonderful place to find artisan workshops. This evening we enjoy the privilege of staying with a local family. ( LD) DAY 5: TOTONICAPAN - SAN CRISTOBAL-We cross the border into Mexico and head to the town of San Cristobal, home to a large proportion of Mexico's indigenous population and with a character all of its own. ( B) DAY 6: SAN CRISTOBAL- You can visit the nearby Sumidero Canyon, a series of cliffs that reach an impressive 1,500m in height. Alternatively, you could take a horse ride into some of the nearby villages. DAY 7: SAN CRISTOBAL - PALENQUE-We take a bus to the modern day town of Palenque. DAY 8: PALENQUE - YAXCHILAN - BONAMPAK- We head into the Lacandon jungle. A boat ride take us to Yaxchilan ( Place of the Green Stones), one of the few Mayan cities where women have ruled as well. In the afternoon we visit Bonampak, a site that is known for its well preserved frescoes. The Lacandon Indians are the original inhabitants of this part of the jungle, and we spend the night at an original Lacandon settlement in a simple multi- share cabin. ( BLD) DAY 9: LACANDON JUNGLE - PALENQUE-After breakfast we take a walk through the Lacandon jungle with an indigenous Indian guide. Along the way we stop at small waterfalls to take a swim. Later this afternoon we drive back to Palenque. ( BL) DAY 10: PALENQUE- A free day to visit the amazing and little visited Mayan ruins at Palenque, set amidst stunning rainforest. We also have the option of visiting Agua Azul, an area of beautiful jungle scenery and superb waterfalls. In the evening we take an overnight bus to Merida. DAY 11: MERIDA- We arrive in Merida, capital of the Yucatan state and packed full of markets and old colonial buildings. Nearby are the ruins of Uxmal and the Celestun National Park, home to huge flocks of flamingos. A free day to enjoy the city. DAY 12: MERIDA - CHICHEN ITZA- In the afternoon we drive to Chichen Itza. We have plenty of time to visit this magnificent Mayan site and spend time exploring its temples and pyramids. DAY 13: CHICHEN ITZA - PLAYA DEL CARMEN- After a last visit to the ruins before the crowds arrive, we head to the lively coast town of Playa del Carmen. DAY 14: PLAYA DEL CARMEN- Tour ends. Colourful markets, dense jungle and ancient sites • Enjoy colourful Chichicastenango, Guatemala's famous market • Visit rural villagesor the impressive Sumidero Canyon from San Cristobal • Hike through the jungle to overnight at a remote Lacandon settlement • Explore the impressive Mayan sitesof Palenque and Chichen Itza • See the colonial sites of Meridaand modern- day sights of Playa del Carmen Guatemala Mexico The Mayan Road Single Supplement £ 160 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 19.66 * Price includes tour price of £ 599and local payment of US$ 220All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 715pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 14 days Starts SatEnds Fri AntiguaPlaya del Carmen 2009 10- Jan- 0923- Jan- 09 07- Feb- 0920- Feb- 09 07- Mar- 0920- Mar- 09 04- Apr- 0917- Apr- 09 27- Jun- 0910- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0907- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0904- Sep- 09 14- Nov- 0927- Nov- 09 12- Dec- 0925- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Fri AntiguaPlaya del Carmen 2010 09- Jan- 1022- Jan- 10 06- Feb- 1019- Feb- 10 06- Mar- 1019- Mar- 10 03- Apr- 1016- Apr- 10 26- Jun- 1009- Jul- 10 24- Jul- 1006- Aug- 10 16- Oct- 1029- Oct- 10 13- Nov- 1026- Nov- 10 11- Dec- 1024- Dec- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

Mexico Guatemala Playa del Carmen Caye Caulker Belize City Livingstone Flores Tikal San Ignacio Rio Dulce Chichen Itza Merida Antigua Panajachel Totonicapan San Cristobal Palenque Lacandon Jungle CentralAmericanAdventure CENTRALAMERICAMEXICO  BELIZE  GUATEMALA 138 " Book with Imaginative Traveller! This was my second trip and I'm planning another one later this year. It's the way to travel ' properly' without lifting a finger in organising." Alexandra Marsland central america Mexico Guatemala Playa del Carmen Caye Caulker Belize City Livingstone Flores Tikal San Ignacio Rio Dulce Chichen Itza Merida Antigua Panajachel Totonicapan San Cristobal Palenque Lacandon Jungle Central American Adventure © Imaginative Traveller Mexican children are given both their father's last name and their mother's maiden name. amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights