A bespoke tour of the wonders of Mexico & the Cuba of today and yesteryear. MAGICAL MEXICO Welcome to Mexico. While this is an ideal jumping off point for Cuba, this magical and ancient land is a treasure in its own right. From the sun drenched beaches to the remote wilderness highlands, Mexico offers an unique experience for travellers. Our tour begins in Mexico City, a vibrant bustling metropolis founded in 1521 and built on the remains of the Aztec capital of the Mayan Empire. Here the past merges with the present in unusual ways. From here we tour the ancient pyramids and the palace of Quetzal-Butterfly, the feather snake temple and the Avenue of the Dead. Venturing south, you visit Taxco - a colonial town long associated with silver mining and a great place to buy silver products. A short flight brings us to Sumidero Canyon and an amazing boat ride through towering cliffs - and this is jus the start of our amazing tour. We will see ancient temples and pyramids, mingle with the local indians in markets, navigate caves & tunnels used by runaway slaves and swim at pristine tropical beaches. Mexico is much more than just sombreros! Tours depart 09 March & 03 September 2016 and 29 March & 23 September 2017
YOUR ITINERARY 2016 FRI 30 SEPT 2016 : AUSTRALIA LOS ANGELES - MEXICO CITY (L*) On arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel. Accommodation: MEXICO CITY SAT 01 OCT: MEXICO CITY (B,L) This morning we visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan and Shrine of Guadalupe. On the way to the sanctuary there is a short stop by the Plaza of the Three Cultures, where we see three different periods in the history of Mexico represented by three different kinds of buildings: an Archaeological site, a Catholic Church and a modern building of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. We continue our tour to the basilica, where we will see the original image of the Virgin Mary which appeared on a simple piece of fabric belonging to the Indian Juan Diego. We see both basilicas, the one of the XVIII century and the one devoted to the virgin almost three decades ago. Then passing on a modern highway we reach the site of Teotihuacan, where men become gods. During your tour we will have the time and opportunity to climb the amazing pyramids as well as to visit the palace of Quetzal-Butterfly, the feather-snake Temple and the Avenue of the Dead as well as the citadel. (duration approx 8 hours) SUN 02 OCT: MEXICO CITY (B,L) This morning our sightseeing tour will visit the main streets and avenues of Mexico City. The main square (called Zocalo) and the National Palace where you can admire the magnificent frescoes of Diego Rivera. These frescoes narrate with images, the most important events of the history over three centuries. See the ruins of the main temple of the Aztecs as well as the Cathedral, before making a stop in a handicraft centre. Then on to Chapultepec Park residential areas, where we will see the homes of famous artists, then it s a visit to the world famous National Anthropology Museum. (duration approx 8 hours) MON 03 OCT: MEXICO CITY (B) Early departure to Cuernavaca, the place of the eternal spring. About a one hour ride to the city of the Bougainvilleas on a modern highway. Visit the cathedral that was originally built in 1552 - a good example of the time of the viceroyalty. Our trip continues on the West Sierra Madre (amazing mountain chain) flanked by valleys and woods of pine trees. We reach the picturesque mining city of Taxco, the Silver City! Time to visit the church of Santa Prisca. Free time for shopping or taking a walk through its narrow stone paved alleys filled with picturesque houses of red tile roofs that have been the inspiration for many artists. Taxco is one of the most amazing towns in all of Mexico. Located in the heart of the country between Acapulco and Mexico City, this colonial town captures the imagination and senses. Taxco is a beautiful colonial town with strict laws on building in an excellent effort to retain the beauty of this extraordinary mountainside town. Silver shops (over 500) will entice even the cheapskates to buy!
TUE 04 OCT: MEXICO CITY - SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS (B) This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to adventure On arrival we are met and transferred to the amazing boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural reserves in Mexico with its towering rock walls, crocodiles, monkeys and various water birds, then it on to the small town of Chiapa de Corzo, which was the first settlement founded by the Spanish, with its Moorish Fountain, better known as La Pila (the font) before continuing to San Cristobal de las Casas and our hotel. Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital of the state of Chiapas, exudes a very special charm, strikingly positioned in the highlands of Chiapas at an elevation of 2,100 meters. Walking through the streets of Tuxtla gives visitors the feeling of crossing a thin line between their fast-paced present lives and a pleasant slower-paced past, full of history. Surrounded by impressive mountains and streets lined with colourful trees, Tuxtla is a mixture of old and new, with a perfect blend of traditional architecture and a young fast growing population, who have modernized the city yet still managed to maintain customs, legends and rituals reminiscent of Old Tuxtla. The mornings in San Cristobal are a truly mystical sight, as the sun rises - it can barely shine through the thick fog that forms over the city until it gets warm enough to reach the ground. All around San Cristobal you can smell the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee. San Cristobal is all this and more! Accommodation: SAN CRISTOBAL WED 05 OCT: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS (B) This morning a short drive to San Juan Chamula, a small highland village and home to the Tzotzil Indians, where the villagers live by a curious set of customs dating back to the Spanish invaders when the traditional local customs became entwined with Catholic practices. Visit the beautiful white church in San Juan Chamula - the mixture of candles, incense and chanting worshippers make a powerful impression, then onto the nearby village of Zinacantan, with its pretty church and handicraft market before returning to San Cristobal. Afternoon free to explore the city which is the heart of the Indian communities of Mayan descent; Explore on foot though the streets of San Cristobal and its markets to the Cathedral, Santo Domingo church as well as the Jade museum to view King Pakal s tomb replica. THU 06 OCT: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS - PALENQUE (B) This morning we head to Agua Azul waterfalls to admire a series of turquoise coloured waterfalls set in the lush valleys of the Sierra Madre Mountains with time to enjoy a refreshing swim! Later this afternoon travel through a mixture of farmland and tropical jungle to the small but thriving city of Palenque, one of the most interesting Mayan cities from the classic era, set in the foothills of the Tumbalá mountains of Chiapas Mexico, Accommodation: PALENQUE FRI 07 OCT: PALENQUE - CAMPECHE (B) Palenque is situated on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. It is this positioning that gives Palenque a mystical charm that enchants scientist and tourist alike. The vista of the flat plains to the north, and the misty green of the lush mountain backdrop to the south, captures the imagination of modern visitors and most certainly inspired ancient artists and architects. It seems that the gods were as enchanted with Palenque as today s visitors. This morning we will enjoy a visit to the archaeological site of Palenque; where we visit the Pyramid of the Inscriptions, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Foliated Cross before we continue by road to Campeche (approx 6 hours). Accommodation: CAMPECHE
SAT 08 OCT: CAMPECHE - MERIDA - CHICHEN ITZA (B,L) Today will be a long but bountiful day as we continue to Uxmal. The archaeological site of Uxmal is located 80 kms south from Merida. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful Mayan ruins. The dimensions of its buildings and the fine carvings of its facades are astonishing. According to a legend, the big pyramid of the dwarf was made in only one night. In Uxmal we can observe the purest Mayan architecture without foreign influences, such as the one of the Toltecs in Chichen Itza. The date of foundation of Uxmal is not exactly known, but it is estimated to be around the 5th or 6th Century. Lunch at a local restaurant prior to continuing to Merida the state capital, founded at the Mayan site of Tihoo. Merida is the business centre, hub of commerce and cultural heart of the Yucatan. It was known as the Paris of the West and had more millionaires per head than any other city in the world. Here we have a city orientation tour before continuing on to Chichen Itza Accommodation: CHICHEN ITZA SUN 09 OCT: CHICHEN ITZA - CANCUN (B,L) Wake up almost inside the park with magic views of the ruins. This morning we will visit Chichen Itza, the largest of the Mayan sites located south of Merida. The Mayans inhabited parts of the Yucatan Peninsula around 900AD and our tour of Chichen Itza shows you the many excellent restored ancient monuments including the steeply sided Sacred Castle and the Well of Sacrifice where children were sacrificed to the Mayan Rain God. Then its onto Ek Balam a little known treasure and fabulously preserved remnant of the ancient Mayan City, here you can still climb the 100-foot high tower for magnificent views, and the city boasts three massive ceremonial structures at the centre of the 1,0101 hectare Mayan ruins site. Ek Balam isn t as big as Chichen Itza and is a very rewarding experience! After lunch we continue to Cancun, Mexico s paradise along the Caribbean coast. Actually an island, this resort area is connected to the Yucatan Peninsula by two bridges Explore this resort, which consists of a 20km narrow strip of sand wedged between the Caribbean and the Nichupte Lagoon, along which an amazing array of exotic hotels, restaurants, clubs, and shopping-malls have been built to pander to a vacationer s every whim. The waters of the lagoon or the sea provide the opportunity to indulge in all types of water sports. Accommodation: CANCUN On to Cuba!
Cuba Tour this land frozen in the 1950 s before time catches up with it! Come with us to experience Cuba before it changes forever. The thawing of relations between the USA and Cuba will change this time capsule country and, in many ways, spoil the unique style and pace of life seen nowhere else. Demand for travel to Cuba is straining the nation s tourism infrastructure, pushing up prices and making it difficult to secure firm arrangements for touring groups. However, with our extensive connections in the region, we have organised a tour which we believe will give you the opportunity to experience Cuba as it is today. See the natural beauty of this island, embrace its people and history, visit the historic cities such as Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Santa Clara and immerse yourselves in the Cuban lifestyle - all in the hands of expert local guides. As part of this experience of Cuban life, you must realise that Cuba has been isolated for over 50 years. The quality of the accommodation and transport, the sophistication of the cuisine and the speed of services are somewhat basic and generally short of 5 Star standards. Government imposed conditions can also impact on timetables. This is the reality of life in Cuba and just how everything works. If you come with a relaxed and flexible attitude, then you will enjoy yourself immensely. The people are friendly and live life with passion. Spend time here and that passion for life will seep into your very soul.
MON 10 OCT: CANCUN - MOKA (B,D) Morning at leisure prior to our transfer to the airport for our flight to Havana where we will be transferred west to our hotel. Accommodation: PINAR DEL RIO TUE 11 OCT: MOKA (B,L,D) After breakfast we drive to the beautiful Vinales Valley to enjoy the mogotes, unique to China and Cuba one of the most scenic areas in Cuba. Visit the Francisco Donatien cigar factory (if not open, we will visit a traditional cigar factory in Cienfuegos). Lunch will be at El Palenque near a small cave system where runaway slaves once hid. We visit Vinales town followed by the boat trip through the Cueva del Indio. This network of caves is said to have been used by the Guanathabey Amerindians well lit, it was used as a temporary dwelling although it was too damp for permanency. See the prehistoric mural, a huge painting made on a mogote (pincushion or haystack hills) and enjoy the views of the valley from the lookout at Jazmines. WED 12 OCT: MOKA - CIENFUEGOS (B) Early this morning we transfer south to Cienfuegos, also referred to as The Pearl of the Caribbean. The provincial city of Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 with the name of Villa Fernandina de Jagua. Located in the south centre of the island, it is one of the youngest and most beautiful cities of Cuba. The streets are lined with mansions well past their belle epoch. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Cienfuegos. There are many things to see in Cienfuegos including the Castillo de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Jagua fortress; Arco de Triunfo - the only Arco de Triunfo in Cuba; Cathedral de la Purisma Concepcion - cathedral with stained glass work, built 1833-1869; Delfinario - dolphins and sea lions in a saltwater lagoon; Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos - 97 hectares of botanic garden; Museo Provincial - furniture and porcelain museum; Palacio de Valle - built 1913-1917 in neo-gothic style; Palmira Yorubá Pantheon - museum of religious afro-catholic syncretism; Parque José Martí - park in Plaza de Armas. Accommodation: CIENFUEGOS THU 13 OCT: CIENFUEGOS TRINIDAD (B,L,D) This morning we tour the old quarter of the city, declared a National Monument on account of its heritage value: Martí Park, Ferrer Palace, and the Prado promenade, among other sites. After lunch, we will continue by road to Trinidad and our accommodation on the Caribbean coast. Spanish Governor Diego Velázquez founded the settlement of Santísima Trinidad (Holy Trinity) in what is now Sancti Spíritus Province in 1515. Explore this city starting from the Plaza Mayor (Main) Square. Around the plaza are the Museo Romantica and the Museo Arqueologia as well as the Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad Cathedral (1817). Stroll through the Parque Cespedes with its shaded archways of vines and trailing plants. This evening a night stroll through the village accompanied by a local to give us an insight into this magic destination! Accommodation: TRINIDAD
FRI 14 OCT: TRINIDAD (B) Today we walk the streets of this beautiful city exploring Trinidad s historical quarter including the Romantic Museum, the beautifully preserved 18th century mansion of the Brunet Family dating from 1741, the Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences housed in the impressive Padron Family Villa, the Museum of Colonial Architecture, which reveals Trinidad s development and the fine craftsmanship of the period, and many other small buildings that make this city so enchanting! This town is a perfect relic of the early days of the Spanish colony with beautifully preserved streets and buildings and hardly a trace of the 20th century anywhere! This afternoon is free to explore on your own. SAT 15 OCT: TRINIDAD HAVANA (B,L,D) Morning departure to Santa Clara. Here there is time for a visit to the memorial to Ernesto Che Guevara and to the museum. The remains of Che and his comrades who fell in Bolivia have been interred at this site and the mausoleum is open to the public. Under the monument is a museum, the Museo Histórico de la Revolución with good displays about Che s life and role in the revolution. Lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to Havana and our hotel, located in Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) a beautiful location! All rooms have private facilities. Havana is a very attractive and modern city full of cultural traditions. Havana offers a number of attractions for the visitor, night and day, with a busy social life. Walk along the Malecon Habanero, the famous Paseo de America alongside the seashore. This evening enjoy a nice dinner on the roof garden of the hotel. Accommodation: HAVANA SUN 16 OCT: HAVANA (B,L,D) After breakfast our local guide will meet us at our hotel for a Colonial Walking Tour of Old Havana. Continue on through the cobblestone streets of Old Havana where we can enjoy the live theatre of La Habana Vieja - offering you a fascinating viewing of this wonderful city s historical and cultural value. A light lunch will be enjoyed at local restaurant where a local Cuban will join us. His knowledge, perception and anecdotes of life in Cuba will give us a real insight into the cultural and political diversity that makes up this fascinating country and to really get us into the mood for the rest of our trip. This afternoon enjoy a 90 minute Salsa lesson! Dinner and show tonight at the famous La Parisian cabaret! MON 17 OCT: HAVANA (B,L,D) This morning we will be picked up from our hotel and taken for a tour around modern Havana. This includes a visit to the Museum de Revolucion. Formally a Presidential Palace and site of an unsuccessful assassination attempt against Fulgencio Batista in 1957, today it houses a permanent exhibition which provides a complete documentary and photographic account of the Cuban Revolution. Located next door to the Museum is Pavillion Granma, which houses the 18 metre motor vessel Granma that carried Fidel Castro and 82 others from Tuxpan in Mexico to Cuba in 1956. Today this glass encased memorial is one of the holiest shrines of Cuban Communism. Lunch will be enjoyed at an outdoor café in Old Havana at either Plaza Vieja or the beautiful Plaza San Francisco (weather permitting) with our guide so you can ask all the pertinent questions. Afternoon at leisure & dinner tonight will be at our hotel.
For those leaving us for home today, this will be the end of their tour. For those continuing on to Guatemala, their flight today will take them to Belize City (see Guatemala extension). TUE 18 OCT: HAVANA DEPART (B*) Today depart for further arrangements or to the airport for our flight home. Hotels are subject to change without notice due to local conditions. In the event of this, a hotel of similar standard will be substituted or the best available. Bear in mind that hotel standards vary considerably depending on the region of travel. -o-o-o-o-o- -o-o-o-o-o- Itinerary, meals and hotels are subject to change without notice. (B,L,D) Indicates meals included - (B*,L*,D*) Indicates meals in flight. MEAL INDICATORS ACT AS A GUIDE ONLY. Graham Strachan Managing Director Suite 1, 157 Main Street Croydon Vic 3136 Tel: (03) 9725 4655 Email: info@south-america.com.au Web: www.south-america.com.au Please read on for the Guatemala Extension
Guatemala We invite you to extend your tour by visiting beautiful Guatemala, a country rich in natural beauty and history. Called the cradle of the Mayan civilization, this land has everything to offer - from the cool highlands to the tropical jungle to the paradise that is the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. Our tour will immerse you in the ancient Mayan culture and history, the colonial districts from the Spanish era, the people and markets of the indigenous population and the unique wildlife - all surrounded by the most amazing landscapes. We visit the deepest freshwater lake in South America (surrounded by three volcanoes), meet the local inhabitants and see their amazing lifestyle. Everywhere we go, we will see the colourful garments worn by the locals and sold at all the local indian markets. Our tour will give us the chance to see the weavers using the waist looms to create these masterpieces. This extension showcases what this wonderful country has to offer. It is like the whole of Central America rolled into one country. The remains of an ancient culture, the architecture of bygone colonial times, the natural scenic beauty, the unique wildlife and the charm of the indian people and their markets will amaze you. This is Guatemala!
TUE 18 OCT: HAVANA CANCUN (B) Later this morning transfer out to the airport for your flight. Accommodation: CANCUN WED 19 OCT: CANCUN - BELIZE CITY (B) Morning at leisure prior to our transfer out to the airport for our flight. Belize City has some relaxing breathtaking beaches, but it is also filled with history, boasting the only manual swing bridge in the world, which is still being swung daily. The oldest Anglican Cathedral Church in Central America, St. John s Cathedral, was built in 1812 from bricks brought as ballast from European sailing ships. The Lighthouse monument at Fort George Point towers over the harbour entrance. This was built from money donated to the country by Belize s greatest benefactor - Baron Bliss, the 5th baron of Portugal. The Museum of Belize, built as a colonial prison in the mid 1800s, has a permanent exhibit of ancient Maya pottery as well as displays on the history of Belize City and Belize s rich Maya history. Located on the Belize River, next to the Swing Bridge, the Maritime Museum introduces visitors to a history of Belize s fishing and boat building industries. This afternoon free day to explore on your own. Accommodation: BELIZE CITY THU 20 OCT: BELIZE CITY - FLORES (B) This morning you will visit the Belize Zoo was originally founded as a retirement home for old natural history movie stars. The Zoo has become a refuge and rehabilitation centre for injured wildlife, as well as a home for abused and abandoned pets. Learn what the indigenous birds and animals of Belize look like and how to spot them in their natural habitat. This afternoon we transfer by road (pick up at 13:30 for an approx 4 hour trip) to the picturesque island of Flores, Capital of the Province of Peten. In the afternoon transfer to our hotel Accommodation: FLORES FRI 21 OCT: FLORES (B,L) Full day to visit the National Park of Tikal., declared Heritage of Humankind by UNESCO. Admire the main plazas, complexes and tall temples such as Temple IV, the main Acropolis, and the Lost World. All the complex is surrounded by lush tropical forests which is also the nesting place of hundreds of birds and exotic wildlife. SAT 22 OCT: FLORES GUATEMALA CITY ANTIGUA (B) This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight. No other place in the world is as colourful and as hospitable as Guatemala! It offers visitors legacies spanning many thousands of years, from the monumental cities of the ancient Mayans through the heritage of the Spanish, who came ashore in the 15th Century. Today s Guatemala is a blend of the past into the present, with an Indian Community still as it was with their Mayan ancestors. Their basic food and clothing is still worn as it was in the past. Traditional Guatemala offers the world a background rich in history and folklore.
On arrival we are met and taken on a tour of Guatemala City. Highlights include the Cathedral, National Palace, Church of La Merced and the Ixchel Museum of Mayan Textiles. Before continuing by road to Antigua, one of the major coffee growing centres in the world and the old capital of Guatemala. Accommodation: ANTIGUA SUN 23 OCT: ANTIGUA (B) Today we have a full day tour, including a historic walking tour of Antigua, declared Heritage of Humankind by UNESCO in 1979, visiting the churches of San Francisco, Santa Clara, La Merced and Las Capuchinas. Once the country s graceful capital and the first fully planned settlement amongst Spain s New World colonies, much of the city has been repeatedly devastated by earthquakes, yet has still managed to retain an elegant charm, whilst its buildings and ruins give it the air of a snapshot in time. MON 24 OCT: ANTIGUA (B) Free day. We suggest you visit the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, famous for the waist loom Indian weavers. Or free for you to explore more of this fascinating city with its colonial atmosphere walking on the cobblestone streets. Free time. TUE 25 OCT: ANTIGUA CHICHICASTENANGO (B) Morning free to explore the cobble streets on your own prior to your scenic drive to the fabulous town of Chichicastenango. It s a small stucco-white town, lying on the crests of mountaintops at an altitude of 1,965 meters. It is located about 140 km and 2-3 hours drive northwest of Guatemala City and is home to what is surely the most colourful native market in North and Central America, perhaps in all the Americas. Accommodation: CHICHICASTENANGO WED 26 OCT: CHICHICASTENANGO LAKE ATITLAN (B) Today make sure you have plenty of memory in your camera as you have this morning in this magical town. Enjoy Chichicastenango Market, reputedly the most colourful market in the world. Witness the interesting religious ceremonies famous because of the blending of Pre Hispanic and Catholic rituals performed by the shamans of the Indian Community. These are held on the steps of, and inside, the Church of Santo Tomas. Another major attraction in Chichicastenango is the 400- year old church of Santo Tomas which is situated next to the market. Shamans still use it for their rituals, burning incense and candles and in special cases, offering a chicken for the gods. Each of the 18 stairs that lead up to the church stands for one month of the Mayan calendar year. The Mayan calendar has 18 months of 20 days each. Later this afternoon travel to the most beautiful lake in the world, Atitlán, set amongst three towering volcanoes. Afternoon at leisure to explore Lake Atitlan at your own pace. Accommodation: LAKE ATITLAN THU 27 OCT: LAKE ATITLAN (B,L) In the morning, aboat ride across Lake Atitlan to the south shore to visit the picturesque Santiago Atitlan, a Mayan Tzutuhil village. Visit the Church of Saint James and take time to see the beautiful handmade handicrafts unique from the village. After lunch, a visit by road to the small but also picturesque Mayan village of San Antonio Palopo. Rest of the afternoon at leisure
FRI 28 OCT: LAKE ATITLAN LOS ANGELES (B) This morning transfer to Guatemala City and the airport: Accommodation: LOS ANGELES SAT 29 OCT: LOS ANGELES - DEPART Today depart for further arrangements or to the airport for your flight home. Hotels are subject to change without notice due to local conditions. In the event of this a hotel of similar standard will be substituted or the best available. Bear in mind that hotel standards vary considerably depending on the region of travel. -o-o-o-o-o- -o-o-o-o-o- Itinerary, meals and hotels are subject to change without notice. (B,L,D) Indicates meals included - (B*,L*,D*) Indicates meals in flight. MEAL INDICATORS ACT AS A GUIDE ONLY. Graham Strachan Managing Director Suite 1, 157 Main Street Croydon Vic 3136 Tel: (03) 9725 4655 Email: info@south-america.com.au Web: www.south-america.com.au