Dates: February 25, 2024 – March 4, 2024
Chiapas – The Path of the Maya
Join us as we experience Mexico’s most southern state, Chiapas. This is a place of incredible natural beauty, with massive canyons and tumbling waterfalls, wide rivers, wild green landscapes and pine forests.
We start our travel in San Cristobal de la Casas, 7200 feet into the mountains. This is a sweet Colonial city with so much to see and do. There is a great selection of restaurants, bars and cafes.
We will explore the Colonial Centro, visit museums, churches, cultural centers, markets and enjoy great shopping. Included is a boat trip down the magnificent Sumidero Canyon viewing the high canyon walls, wildlife and natural beauty.
Shopping here is plentiful and amazing: artistic weavings of all kinds as the Tzotzils are the most skilled and inventive in Mexico. We have an opportunity to experience the Mayan culture and their unique religious practices. These are Tzotzil Mayans, wearing their traditional clothing. We see their unorthodox churches which are a mixture of Catholic and traditional indigenous beliefs. Pine needles are strewn on the floor, there are no benches and the churches are lit by candles. Shaman set up for healings, including using live chickens and bottles of Coca Cola. Mayan is spoken. The air is rich with incense. Here we experience the feel of the mystical mountains. This is a time you will always remember.
We then travel to Palenque into the lush jungle where we’ll stay in luxury bungalows. We experience the magnificent waterfalls and visit archeological sites including the stupendous Palenque, considered one of the best examples of Maya architecture.
Continuing our explorations, we visit Bonampak, a Lacandon site with exquisite murals. Next, we visit one of the most incredible sites only accessible via boat. It is called Yaxchilan, an archaeological site in a vibrant jungle setting beside the Usumacinta River which is the border between Guatemala and Mexico.
Our last day will be spent in our lovely hotel villas where we enjoy relaxing among the lovely gardens, flowers and pools. At the end of the day, we gather for our Farewell Dinner and toast our magical adventure. We fly out of Villa Hermosa the next day.
Tour Includes:
Not included is a thank you to your driver and guide.
Per Person Double Occupancy
$1850 USD
Cost per Person- Single
$2150 USD
Additional Information
Final Date for Reservations: January 1, 2024
Level 111
Because we are going to some very remote sites, walking is necessary. Walking can be on uneven ground, especially at the archeological sites where the surface is often grass or dirt with rocks and is not often level. It does require stamina. At two sites we need to get on and off on boats. Two of the days require an early departure and the day to the Maya sites of Bonampak and Yaxchilan is a 12-hour day.
The temperature in San Cristobal can be 72 to 75 degrees. The temperature in Palenque is average 86 in the day and humid. The hotels don’t have elevators.
That said, you will be rewarded with awesome and unusual sites and experiences. It is a trip you will always remember.