BMM. Mexico City to Antigua BOLT Trek Tips 2018 DEPARTS: TREK INCLUDES ITINERARY: TOUR CODE: MEXICO CITY to ANTIGUA

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1 Mexico City to Antigua BOLT Trek Tips 2018 BMM TREK INCLUDES Visit Mexico, Belize & Guatemala BOLT Toe-tap to a mariachi band in Mexico City Br Explore the Maya ruins of Tikal P e National Park, a UNESCO world cheritage os site in the heart of the jungle os Embrace a kaleidoscope of colour at a Mexican market R io G ra Walk amongst waterfalls and clear limestone pools nd e DAY 1 S TART HRS DAY 1/2 MEXICO CITY ( ) DAY 3/4 PUEBLA, MEXICO ( ) DAY 5-7 OAXACA (2 x ) - OVERNIGHT BUS TO SAN CRISTÓBAL, MEXICO ( 1 x ) DAY 8/9 SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS, M MEXICO ( ) DAY 10/11 PALENQUE ( 1 x ) - OVERNIGHT BUS TO MÉRIDA, MEXICO ( 1 x ) DAY 12/13 MÉRIDA, MEXICO ( ) DAY 14/15 CHICHÉN ITZÁ - PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO ( ) DAY 16/17 TULUM, MEXICO ( ) DAY CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE ( ) DAY 21/22 SAN IGNACIO, BELIZE ( ) DAY 23 TIKAL, GUATEMALA ( ) DAY 24/25 RIO DULCE, GUATEMALA ( ) DAY 26 ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA ( ) DAY 27 CHICHICASTENANGO & SAN JORGE LA LAGUNA, GUATEMALA ( ) DAY 28 PANAJACHEL, GUATEMALA ( ) DAY ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA (2 x ) az ITINERARY: E X I C Escape O the Mexican heat in San Cristobal de las Casas Explore the cathedrals of the Yucatan capital, Merida Sparkling Caribbean Sea and sprawling jungles ssippi MEXICO CITY to ANTIGUA Bask on Playa del Carmen s white sand beaches ssi TOUR CODE: Mi DEPARTS: Learn the history of ancient Guatemalan ruins Kick back on the beautiful coast of Belize Experience traditional Guatemalan life with a local homestay Enjoy colonial buildings and surrounding volcanoes in Antigua Haggle in the markets of Chichicastenango CUBA Entrance and visit to Chichén Itzá Chichén Itzá Mérida Mexico City DAY 31 FINISH AFTER BREAKFAST iew a detailed day-by-day itinerary at: >> Vwww.trekamerica.co.uk/bmm Tulum Puebla Oaxaca Playa del Carmen Caye Caulker Palenque San Ignacio Tikal BELIZE Rio Dulce San Cristóbal GUATEMALA de las Casas Panajachel /Chichicastenango /San Jorge Antigua La Laguna HONDURAS EL SALVADOR CARIBBEAN SEA COSTA RICA PANAMA PACIF IC OCEAN For all departures in the USA & Canada call: From For allthe departures US: Toll-Free: in Central 1 (800) America: or From outside 4721 the US:

2 PLUS... Professional bilingual tour leader & all public and/or private transportation All accommodation: 1 night 1 night 26 nights 2 nights See website for specific accommodation information. ESSENTIAL INFO: Group Size: Max 16 Maximum age at the time of travel is 29. This trip can be booked as part of a longer combination trip. Please contact our sales team if you wish to book or know more information on these longer combination trips. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (paid locally) There are loads of exciting optional activities for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don t. Below are the main optional activities for this trip, these can be arranged once you are on tour via your tour leader and are paid for locally. Please note, all costs are subject to change. San Cristobal de las Casa El Chorreadero canyoning (MXN1250) Sumidero Canyon (inc. transport) (US$30) Mayan villages tour (US$20) Mountain bike tour (US$40) Caye Caulker Guided snorkelling trip (US$35-$75) Manatee tour (US$60) Sunset sailboat cruise (US$37) Bike rental (US$15 per day) Stand up paddle board rental (US$22 per hour) Antigua Bicycle tour (US$30) Coffee & Macadamia Plantation (US$45) Salsa lessons (US$7) Santiago Zamora village tour (US$10) Chocolate-making workshop (US$24) Mexico City Estadio Azteca football match (US$30) Floating Gardens and boat tour (MXN350) Museum entrances US$FREE-(US$10 each) Teotihuacan archaeological site (US$50) Mariachis in Garibaldi Square (MXN150) (for band hire) Metropolitan Cathedral (MXN200 National Palace murals (US$FREE) Torre Latino 360 lookout (MXN100) Puebla Visit to Cholula - (US$15) Cooking class - (US$85) Lucha Libre show (ticket price depends on seating area) - (US$15) Museum of Art US$5 Santo Domingo Church and Rosary Chapel US$FREE Oaxaca Mitla Ruins, Hierve el Agua & mezcal distillery tour (US$45) (full day) Monte Alban Ruins (US$10) Cooking class (US$80) Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (US$8) San Ignacio Actun Tunichil Muknal cave tour incl. transport, guide & lunch (US$95) Barton Creek canoe trip (US$80) Bicycle rental (US$4 per hour) Butterfly farm (US$10) Guided Caracol Ruins tour (US$80) River tubing (US$95) Xunantunich Ruins (US$10) Cahal Pech Ruins (US$10) Iguana Conservation Project (US$9) Mountain Pine Ridge tour (day trip) (US$80) Palenque Jungle Trail tour (US$15) Archaeological site (entrance & transport) (US$5) Merida Celestun Bird Sanctuary (US$50) Cuzama cenotes tour ($US45) Guided city tour (US$15) Uxmal Ruins tour (MXN800) Dzibilchaltun Ruins tour (US$70) Playa del Carmen Chichen Itza guided tour (US$80) Bike rental (MXN185 per day) Dos Ojos Cenote snorkelling tour (MXN300) Ferry to Cozumel (MXN300) Cenote Ikil (US$6) Tulum Akumal Bay snorkelling tour (US$35) Bike rental (MXN185 per day) Archaeological site visit (US$10) Snorkel rental (US$12 per day) Tikal Guided private tour of ruins (US$40) Zipline tour (US$45) Rio Dulce Boat trip to Livingston (US$30) Natural hot springs (US$20) Quirigua ruins (US$30) San Felipe Fort (US$1) Panajachel San Pedro Volcano hike (US$65) Bike rental (US$10 per day) Kayak rental (US$6 per hour) Lakes & villages tour (US$30) Mountain bike tour (US$50) Water taxi to Santiago, San Pedro or San Juan (US$8) Zipline ride (US$45) JOINING YOUR TREK FINISHING POINT Trek joining instructions Your tour will begin with a pre departure meeting at approximately 18:00 hrs on the evening of day one. These times do occasionally change so make sure you check your tour voucher for the most up to date info on your departure date. You will spend a while filling out paperwork and meeting your fellow trekkers before getting on the road. Finishing up All good things come to an end, and your trek will typically finish in the morning on your final day of the tour. If you need accommodation for after your tour, you must book this in advance. You will be responsible for any transportation costs if you have to arrive for an earlier flight. JOINING POINT: MEXICO CITY HOSTEL For joining point hotel information, please check your voucher for most up to date information. Transfer: The easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel is by taxi. On your left as you exit customs you will find Transporte Terrestre - you need to purchase your ticket from the named Sitio 300. Rates are fixed and a ride to your hotel should cost you approximately US$15. You should avoid taking taxis from outside the airport. ANTIGUA HOSTEL For finishing point hotel information, please check your voucher for most up to date information. Arrival complications Transfer: Please arrange a transfer/taxi to the airport with the hotel reception. To book nights in hotels before or after your trip, contact our sales team on: The unexpected can happen. Your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it! If you have missed your trek departure, first check with the hotel to see if your tour leader left you a message. If not, call the relevant TrekAmerica emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. You are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred because of a missed trek, so please be on time.

3 PACKING Packing Tips You know what the Scouts say... BE PREPARED! Central America is huge, and you re likely to encounter lots of different climates during your trip. Check the weather averages for the time of year you re travelling and pack accordingly. Here are some of the things that should be in your case as well as your general clothes: Day pack Casual clothes and a few evening out options Water bottle Towel Waterproof jacket Comfortable day shoes / sandals or flip-flops Sensible footwear for walking, ideally walking boots with ankle support, but trainers with good grip will suffice Warm sweater / fleece Warm hat / gloves Swimwear Sun hat / sunglasses Sunscreen / insect repellent (20% DEET) Toiletries / personal medicine Camera & charger Travel power adaptor / USB car charger and cord Weather Weather can be changeable so it s wise to pack something to cover all seasons! Here s a guide to the average high and low temperatures in some of the places you ll visit to help you decide what to pack. High/Low Temperatures JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Mexico City HIGH LOW Oaxaca HIGH San Cristóbal de las Casas LOW HIGH LOW Palenque HIGH LOW Mérida HIGH Playa Del Carmen LOW HIGH LOW Tulum HIGH LOW Caye Caulker HIGH LOW San Ignacio HIGH LOW Tikal HIGH LOW Rio Dulce HIGH San Jorge La Laguna LOW HIGH LOW Panajachel HIGH LOW Antigua HIGH LOW C / F Conversions: -10ºC = 14ºF 0ºC = 32ºF 10ºC = 50ºF 20ºC = 68ºF 30ºC = 86ºF 40ºC = 104ºF EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour, please contact us on the number below. READY TO GO? DON T FORGET! R Trek vouchers R Pre & post hotel confirmation R Spending money R Flight booking confirmation R Visa / ESTA for entry via the USA R Travel Insurance These Trek Tips were last updated on 18/04/2018

4 Making the most of your trip KEEP IN TOUCH As a TrekAmerica customer receive a FREE 4G SIM card when you purchase an inclusive data plan including unlimited domestic calls and texts. trekamerica.co.uk/ekit CURRENCY CARD Get a FREE FairFX currency card and top up in advance for the best rates available and no fees. fairfx.com/refer/trekamerica Before you go Tour vouchers Once your trip has been paid for in full, we ll you with your tour vouchers which you can either print or download to your smart phone. If you ve booked pre and post tour hotels, your accommodation vouchers will also be sent at the same time. As a helpful reminder, six weeks before travel all vouchers will be ed again as a PDF. Please keep these vouchers safe and refer to them for the full details of your trip. Pre & post tour hotels The first day of the tour is an arrivals day and you are free to arrive at any time. We include a pre departure meeting at approximately 18:00 hrs, please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. Should you wish to reserve additional pre tour nights, accommodation is offered on a single basis if travelling solo, or in a twin share room with two single beds if travelling in a pair. Make sure you book your hotel well in advance as availability is limited. Flight arrangements We can book flights departing from most UK airports, but cannot be held responsible for any delays, cancellations or changes to your flights. We recommend you book your flight to arrive into the gateway city at least one day prior to your Trek s departure, allowing you some adjustment time and opportunities for sightseeing. If possible, book your return flight for at least one day after your Trek finishes. If you do have to return home earlier than the tour finishes, we are unable to finish a tour early due to your flight times. Travel insurance It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance, and helicopter rescue service). Our insurance policy is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our holidays-particularly the optional activities offered, and covers those residing in the EU. Contact us for more information or to get yourself covered or visit Passports, visas & rules for entry to Central American countries It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and any necessary visas for your tour. As a general rule you will need a passport with at least six months validity following the end of your trip. The visa requirements for your trip may vary depending on where you are going, and where you are from. It is important that you check which visas you will need, and apply for each of the necessary visas whilst in your home country. Please bear in mind that some tours may spend time in more than one country. Visas for entry to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama are not required by holders of UK, EU, Australian, New Zealand or US passports at the time of updating this document. Other nationalities should consult the relevant embassy. If you are planning to transit, or intend to stopover in the USA on your way to Central America, you will still need to follow the rules for entry to the USA. Rules for entry to the USA Holders of UK, Australian, New Zealand and most EU country passports are eligible to travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver program is open to people for travel in the USA for up to a 90 day stay, and is still a requirement even if you are planning to transit in the USA or intend to stopover on the way to your destination. All eligible travellers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for electronic travel authorisation from the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) at least 72 hours before arrival. You can apply for an ESTA at: You will require your passport details and your address in the US (you can use the starting point hotel address). At the time of compilation there is a US$14 fee for the electronic approval (ESTA.) Your ESTA will be valid for a period of two years, or until your passport expires. We recommend you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel. All travellers wishing to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program will need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an epassport). New rules also exclude most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since 1 March 2011, and those who have dual nationality of these countries. This means that existing ESTAs could be revoked, and you will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate Residents from countries who cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Programme must consult their relevant embassy. For more information about who is eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, and the eligibility requirements please visit Anyone that has not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA prior to travel may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at the US port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the VWP, guarantees admission to the United States. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port of entry. We keep the above visa information as up to date as much as possible, but it is important that you check this for yourself. Immigration & customs On entering a country you will need to proceed through customs. As long as you have a valid passport and the necessary visa/s you should have no problems. You may be asked how you intend to support yourself during your visit, if this happens please present your return airline ticket and tour voucher. Health requirements If you have any medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy or asthma, please take prescribed medicines, or have a condition that will affect your participation in the trek, you must tell us or your travel agent at the time of booking. Please be aware we may require a doctor s note prior to travel for some conditions. This information is essential in case of emergency. Please bring your own medical supplies, such as, pain relievers, antibiotic cream, upset stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent. Vaccinations We recommend that you contact your doctor or travel medicine clinic at least two months before travel in order to allow enough time for any immunisations that may be required. A health professional will be able to assess your individual need for immunisations or preventative medication depending on your health situation, previous immunisation history and your travel itinerary. More information can be obtained from the Fit for Travel website Luggage allowance & storage The baggage allowance for your tour is one suitcase, soft holdall or rucksack (23kg maximum) per person, plus a sleeping bag. A small daypack and camera can also be carried in the van. Before you travel, please check the baggage allowance with the airline you re flying with as this may be less than 23kg. TrekAmerica is unable to offer luggage storage facilities however some of the pre and post tour hotels we use can provide this service. Please contact them directly. Whilst you re away Your tour leader Your tour leader will take care of all the planning and organisation throughout your tour, taking you from A to B and making sure everything runs smoothly. Your tour leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting out any queries or problems you may encounter. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do on your tour, then please let your tour leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do their best to help you. We will also use specialist tour guides in certain locations, to provide in depth information. Accommodation on Trek Accommodation on this trip is in local hotel accommodation on a twin share basis, with occasional budget lodging nights or multi share accommodation and overnight buses. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than en suite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different trips than your own. The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. Very occasionally, alternative arrangements may be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. Please contact our UK Sales team

5 Please note, some hotels may require a debit or credit card as a deposit at check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible. Optional Solo Sleeper The accommodation on our tours is based on twin-share, so if you re travelling on your own, you ll share a room with a fellow passenger of the same sex. However, if you would prefer your own space we offer a Solo Sleeper option where you can have your own room for an additional fee. On this tour, we are able to provide the option of pre-booking a guaranteed single room for every night of the tour. Please note that the number of single rooms we can offer per tour is limited, so it s best to book early if you would like this option. Please see our website or call us for the for the Solo Sleeper option cost. Transport A variety of transport is used in Central America from public bus, private bus, overnight coach, ferry, boat and taxi. Please note at times it may be more time efficient to use private transport depending on the group size. Whilst travelling on public transport your main luggage will be stored on another area of the transport however, you will carry a day pack with you. During overnight bus journeys, it is safest to carry all your valuable belongings in the main luggage compartment which remains locked and out of reach of anyone throughout the journey.. For parts of this tour you will travel by plane. Airlines are subject to change, but typically we use the below airlines for the journeys between: Mexico City to Merida - Volaris or Interjet Flores to Guatemala - Avianca or TAG Bocas del Toro to Panama City - Air Panama Keeping in touch In Central America some accommodation offers free Wi-Fi within the rooms or common areas. TrekAmerica has partnered with e-kit to provide some of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with family and friends while on tour. E-kit can provide international calling cards, prepaid SIMs or international mobile handsets. For discounted data and calls in Central America, we recommend purchasing an International SIM prior to departure. See for more details. Spending money We recommend you take at least US$15-$20 per day for meals not included in the trip however, please note everyone has different meal preferences so this is only to be used as a guideline. You should also budget for the optional activities that you would like to do. Guideline prices for the most popular optional activities are listed on page one and on the tour pages on our website. We suggest you bring US$300 with you in cash. With ATMs being widely available in major towns and cities, credit and debit cards are the most convenient way to access money in Latin America. Please alert your bank prior to travel to avoid blockage, check if charges apply, and ensure your card is accepted in the country. It is advisable to carry some cash in small denominations notes, for those times when ATMs may not be available. IMPORTANT: US dollars (US$) is the most readily changeable currency but ensure bills are unmarked and unblemished, otherwise can be difficult to exchange at banks. In some off the beaten track destinations ATM s and cash machines may be limited. Pre-paid credit cards can be a cost effective and safe way to take funds overseas. See: Tipping Although it may not be customary in your country, it s normal and expected in Central America to tip waiters, bar staff, private coach drivers, guides, taxi drivers and anyone who offers you a service. The following amounts are per person suggestions based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers: Restaurants: Local markets and basic restaurants - round your bill up to the nearest US$5. More up-market restaurants we suggest 10% to 15% of your bill. Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your tour leader. We suggest US$10 per passenger per day. Drivers: You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We suggest US$3-6 per day for drivers. In total, we recommend you budget approx. US$5-US$10 per day of your trip to cover tipping. Your driver and tour leader work long and hard for you and although they may well become your close friend during the trek, they also need to pay their bills. If your leader or driver s performance meets or exceeds your expectations we recommend a tip of US$2-4 per person, per day. We have found that travellers find the need for tipping can be embarrassing. With this in mind we have established a tipping kitty system where your tour leader may discuss the idea of running a group tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips while keeping a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. Clothes washing You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes while on Trek. This can often be done at hotels, or in a nearby town. Ask your tour leader for local information. Battery charging Many of our Trekkers bring mobile phones, music devices and cameras that require frequent battery charging during a tour. We recommend bringing a charger with travel adaptor. Drinking ages / drugs The legal drinking age is 18. If you are under the legal drinking age you will be refused entry to bars and most nightclubs. Proof of age (ID) is your passport, so never forget to take your passport on nights out. Obviously these restrictions are not within TrekAmerica s control. Possession of drugs without a proper medical prescription will not be tolerated. If anyone is found with an illegal drug, they will be instantly removed from the Trek. Security No matter where you find yourself in the world you need to look after your valuables. Use your common sense! We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won t need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A strong lock is recommended for securing your luggage. In general, the safest place for items such as passports, flight tickets and cash is on your person or in a hotel safe, where available. When in doubt consult your tour leader. Special Information Petty thefts happen from time to time during overnight bus journeys. These opportunistic individuals are not only an annoyance, they are also unfortunately extremely talented. They wait for passengers to be asleep to skilfully search through carry-on luggage in search of cameras, money and credit cards. During overnight bus journeys, it is safest to carry all your valuable belongings in the main luggage compartment which remains locked and out of the reach of anyone throughout the journey. Responsible travel The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit us at The advice can change so check regularly for updates. You and your fellow Trekkers are sure to be really excited for your trip, but please be considerate to those around you. Please also be aware of the delicate balance that exists in the variety of natural wonders you will visit. National parks and monuments, archaeological sites and other sensitive areas should and MUST be treated with respect. TrekAmerica strives to operate tours with minimum impact on the land. So, if you see a notice to stay on the path or pick up litter, please be a responsible traveller and understand that there is a good reason for the notice. And the rest... Itinerary changes We endeavour to run all tours as they are published; however, it s sometimes necessary to alter itineraries to adapt to local conditions and park entrance regulations. We will do our best to keep you posted if this happens and your tour leader will provide a more detailed trip outline at the beginning of your particular tour. Please note: Hurricane season is between June to November when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to services can occur. We monitor any situations that arise and may need to change itineraries or services in response to these natural weather occurrences. Departure tax Please allow for departure taxes as follows; US$25 for international departure tax from Mexico (usually included in your airfare). US$19 departure tax from Belize. US$3 for each entry and departure for Guatemala by land. US$3 for each entrance and departure for Honduras. US$12 tax when entering Nicaragua and US$4 when departing by land. US$27 international departure tax from Costa Rica and $7 if departing by land. US$4 if entering Panama by land. Please contact our UK Sales team