MEXICO  BELIZE  GUATEMALA 141 CENTRALAMERICA A fantastic journey combining ' Tequila Express' and ' Mayan Explorer' • Explore the impressive Mayan sitesof Tikal, Palenque and Chichen Itza • Hike through the rainforest to overnight at a remote Lacandon settlement • See colonial Merida, charming Oaxaca and picturesque Antigua • Take a three day trekthrough the dense Peten jungle, full of exotic wildlife • Relaxon the sandy beachesof Caye Caulker and Playa del Carmen Mexico Belize Guatemala Mexico to Antigua DAY 1: MEXICO CITY- Arrival day. DAY 2: MEXICO CITY- A full free day in Mexico's capital city. Today we have the option of visiting the ancient city of Teotihuacan. The site is impressive for its scale, both in the size of the Pyramid of the Sun ( the third largest pyramid in the world) and the majesty of the Calle de los Muertos ( Street of the Dead) - originally 4km long and flanked by temples, palaces and platforms. DAY 3: MEXICO CITY - PUEBLA- Free morning for a last wander in Mexico City. In the afternoon we drive to Puebla. Established by the Spanish in 1531 on the main route between the port of Veracruz and Mexico City, Puebla was the principal city of colonial Mexico. Its historic downtown is a delight to explore and is filled with elegant 17th and 18th century European architecture and art. DAY 4: PUEBLA - OAXACA- Free morning to enjoy the city. In the afternoon we take a bus to the city of Oaxaca, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. DAY 5: MONTE ALBAN- This morning visit the ruins of Monte Alban, the capital city of the Zapotec nation, and one of the first and most populated Meso- American cities during its peak. After exploring the ancient city we return to Oaxaca by bike, riding back through small villages. DAY 6: OAXACA- A free day to explore this beautiful city that owes its fame to the beauty and harmony of its architecture, the richness of its cultural traditions, the wide variety of its typical dishes, and its soft temperate climate throughout the year. In the evening we take an overnight bus to San Cristobal. DAYS 7 & 8: SAN CRISTOBAL- Free time in San Cristobal, home to a large proportion of Mexico's indigenous population and with a character all of its own. 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 9: SAN CRISTOBAL - PALENQUE-We take a bus to the modern day town of Palenque. DAY 10: PALENQUE - YAXCHILAN - BONAMPAK- We head into the jungle early in the morning. 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 11: 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 12: PALENQUE- A free day to visit the amazing 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: CHICHEN ITZA - PLAYA DEL CARMEN- After a last visit to the ruins before the crowds arrive, we then head to the lively coast town of Playa del Carmen. DAYS 16- 18: PLAYA DEL CARMEN- Three full days to enjoy the stunning beaches and the many options in the area including a possible visit to the ruins of Tulum. This Mayan temple complex overlooks the Atlantic Ocean in a dramatic setting. In the evening we board the overnight bus to the Belizean border. DAYS 19 & 20: CAYE CAULKER- We stop in colourful Belize City before taking a boat ride to Caye Caulker, an idyllic island fringed with palm trees. Free time to relax. From here you can arrange a variety of excursions, including snorkelling and boat trips out to see the endangered manatee. Imaginative Facts Tour code: LAMA • Activities: Extensive walking at sites, cycling in Monte Alban, hiking in the Lacandon jungle, Peten jungle trek, many optional activities in Caye Caulker and San Ignacio. Trek grade - Moderate • Accommodation: 21 nights simple hotels, 1 night simple multi- share cabin, 2 nights cabins, 3 nights camping/ hammocks, 3 nights overnight bus • Transport: Private and public bus, boat, foot • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, local guides in the Lacandon jungle, services of local guide and crew on jungle trek DAY 21: CAYE CAULKER - SAN IGNACIO-Today we travel back to the mainland and head inland to San Ignacio, a small town situated within the Belize jungle, where we stay in simple wooden cabins. DAY 22: SAN IGNACIO- A free day in San Ignacio. The town is a great base for exploring the surrounding area and there are plenty of options to choose from, including horse- riding, jungle trekking, caving, canoeing and visiting some of the excellent Mayan sites in the area, such as Caracol. DAY 23: SAN IGNACIO - FLORES- We take the bus to Flores, a pleasant island town on Lake Peten Itza in Guatemala, where we spend the night. DAYS 24- 26: PETEN JUNGLE TREK- We embark on our trek into the thick jungle of the Peten region, spending our nights camping near little- visited Mayan ruins. On Day 26 we arrive at Tikal and spend the night in the national park, watching the sunset over the jungle from the top of one of the pyramids. ( Day 24 - LD, Day 25 - BLD, Day 26 - BL) DAY 27: TIKAL- Time to explore Tikal, perhaps the most impressive of all Mayan sites and set amidst imposing jungle that echoes to the calls of monkeys and exotic birds. We return to Flores in the afternoon. DAY 28: FLORES - LIVINGSTON- We leave the jungle behind and drive to the Rio Dulce to sail to Livingston, home to Guatemala's Garifuna population. DAY 29: LIVINGSTON - ANTIGUA- Drive to Antigua, one of the most beautiful of Central America's cities. Surrounded by volcanoes and full of colonial architecture, Antigua is a delight to explore. DAY 30: ANTIGUA- Free day in Antigua. If you are feeling energetic, try a hike up one of the nearby volcanoes for fantastic views over the city. ( B) DAY 31: ANTIGUA- Tour ends. ( B) Single Supplement £ 445 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 20.89 * Price includes tour price of £ 1235and local payment of US$ 400All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1445pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 31 days Starts ThuEnds Sat Mexico CityAntigua 2009 08- Jan- 0907- Feb- 09 05- Feb- 0907- Mar- 09 05- Mar- 0904- Apr- 09 25- Jun- 0925- Jul- 09 23- Jul- 0922- Aug- 09 12- Nov- 0912- Dec- 09 10- Dec- 0909- Jan- 10 Starts ThuEnds Sat Mexico CityAntigua 2010 07- Jan- 1006- Feb- 10 04- Feb- 1006- Mar- 10 04- Mar- 1003- Apr- 10 01- Apr- 1001- May- 10 24- Jun- 1024- Jul- 10 22- Jul- 1021- Aug- 10 14- Oct- 1013- Nov- 10 11- Nov- 1011- Dec- 10 09- Dec- 1008- Jan- 11 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

CENTRALAMERICACUBA 142 " I have never been on a trip where the leaders have showed so much interest and enthusiasm and looked after the whole group so well. I thought the trip was fantastic! " Sonya Ball central america Imaginative Facts Tour code: LTCR • Activities: Hiking in the Sierra Maestra Mountains • Accommodation: 14 nights tourist class hotels • Transport: Private air- conditioned bus, truck in Sierra Mountains • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and/ or local Cuban guide DAY 1: HAVANA- Arrival day. DAY 2: HAVANA- Morning orientation tour of the old city of Havana on foot. Free afternoon to further explore this vibrant city with its creaking old cars, beautiful colonial buildings and lively street life. ( B) DAY 3: HAVANA - CIENFUEGOS - TRINIDAD- Drive to Cienfuegos, ' The Pearl of the South'. This famous Caribbean port was redesigned by French colonists in 1819. We have time to explore the city and sample the local speciality of fresh seafood before driving to Trinidad. ( BD) DAY 4: TRINIDAD- Free day. ( BD) DAY 5: TRINIDAD - CAMAGUEY- Drive to Camaguey, known for its narrow, twisting streets and alleys which form a complicated labyrinth designed to confuse pirates in the past. Free day to explore. ( B) DAY 6: CAMAGUEY - SIERRA MAESTRA-Head into the Sierra Maestra Mountains. ( B) DAY 7: SIERRAMAESTRA- The Sierra Maestra Mountains form a rugged massif that stretches along Cuba's south- eastern coast. We spend the day hiking through this wild landscape up to the Comandancia de la Plata, Castro's former headquarters. ( BL) DAYS8 & 9: SIERRA MAESTRA - SANTIAGO DE CUBA- After a free morning to enjoy the stunning views we drive to Santiago de Cuba. Sandwiched between the Caribbean and the mountains, Santiago is Cuba's second city and the undisputed home of the nation's music scene. As well as many opportunities to hear live music, there is also a wealth of colonial and revolutionary sites to visit. ( B) DAY 10: SANTIAGO - BARACOA- Free morning in Santiago de Cuba. We then drive to Baracoa, the oldest city of the island in the easternmost point of Cuba. ( B) DAY 11: BARACOA- Baracoa was the first city in Cuba founded by the Spaniards, back in 1512. We have a free day to explore the city's historic centre, enjoy the tropical landscape, or relax on the beaches. ( B) DAY 12: BARACOA - HOLGUIN- With beautiful trails, archaeological sites and stunning beaches, Holguin has many attractions to explore on our day here. ( B) DAY 13: HOLGUIN - SANTA CLARA- Drive to Santa Clara, a buzzing provincial town that was the first major city to be liberated by the communists. We visit the Che Guevara monument and have time to explore the old city. ( B) DAY 14: SANTA CLARA - HAVANA- Return to Havana. End your trip drinking a Mojito in ' La Bodeguita del Medio', Hemingway's favourite waterhole in Havana. ( B) DAY 15: HAVANA- Tour ends. ( B) Get into the swing of Cuba! • Enjoy a mojito cocktail to the backdrop of salsa in lively Havana • Explore the exquisite colonial citiesof Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba • Hike to Castro's former HQin the rugged Sierra Maestra Mountains • Wander the winding alleys of Camaguey and dine on seafood in Cienfuegos • Relaxon the beautiful beachesat Holguin and Baracoa Caribbean Rhythms Cuba Caribbean Rhythms Havana Trinidad Santa Clara Cienfuegos Santiago de Cuba Baracoa Holguin CamagueySierra Maestra Cuba Havana Trinidad Ancon Beach Santa Clara Cienfuegos Vinales Puerto Esperanza Cycling Cuba • Christmas Supplement £ 25 * High Season Supplement £ 60 Single Supplement £ 155 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.44 * Price includes tour price of £ 865and local payment of € 250All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1055pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat HavanaHavana 2009 24- Jan- 0907- Feb- 09 * 21- Feb- 0907- Mar- 09 * 21- Mar- 0904- Apr- 09 18- Apr- 0902- May- 09 16- May- 0930- May- 09 13- Jun- 0927- Jun- 09 11- Jul- 0925- Jul- 09 * 08- Aug- 0922- Aug- 09 * 05- Sep- 0919- Sep- 09 03- Oct- 0917- Oct- 09 31- Oct- 0914- Nov- 09 28- Nov- 0912- Dec- 09 26- Dec- 0909- Jan- 10 • * High season supplement applies Starts SatEnds Sat HavanaHavana 2010 23- Jan- 1006- Feb- 10 * 20- Feb- 1006- Mar- 10 * 20- Mar- 1003- Apr- 10 17- Apr- 1001- May- 10 15- May- 1029- May- 10 12- Jun- 1026- Jun- 10 10- Jul- 1024- Jul- 10 * 07- Aug- 1021- Aug- 10 * 04- Sep- 1018- Sep- 10 02- Oct- 1016- Oct- 10 30- Oct- 1013- Nov- 10 27- Nov- 1011- Dec- 10 25- Dec- 1008- Jan- 11 • • Christmas supplement applies If you are keen on cycling holidays then we also run our Bangkok to Saigon by Bike trip and the new Cycle Thailand tour. See pages 31 and 37. don't forget ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243