MEXICO, GUATEMALA AND BELIZE

When you land in Mexico after your flight, you'll be met by your guide at the airport! Look for someone holding a sign saying “KILROY.” You'll transfer to your accommodation and settle in. In the evening you'll have a welcome dinner with the rest of your travel crew to get to know each other.

Get a glimpse into Mexico City's local way of life and learn about ancient Mexican dishes. Join this super fun Mexico City tour to see three of Mexico's best street markets with a local expert guide who will share all the secrets. After, you will discover the real Mexico City! Learn about the most iconic buildings and streets from the point of view of a local expert who will take you on a journey through 700 years of history, sharing little-known facts about one of the largest cities in the world. After your city tour you will head to a popular taco shop for lunch before taking part in a brief Spanish lesson.

Today, head out of Mexico City to explore a local town and wander around the Teotihuacan Pyramids. As you tour the grounds, you'll see the Moon Pyramid, the Calzada de los Muertos (Dead Pass), and the Sun Pyramid, which is the tallest and most spectacular in the area. Continue the day walking through the streets of a nearby town. Here, you'll stop at a family-run business to learn about obsidian, a material used by the Teotihuacan people. You'll also have the chance to try an ancient sacred drink called pulque, which is extracted from the heart of a cactus and considered by some to be the great grandfather of tequila.

Afterwards, you'll pay a visit to a cactus factory where you can find jams, candies, creams and more – all made by locals. You'll be able to sample products, and experience local traditions during this visit.

Today you can choose to take it easy or go out there an explore. We recommend visiting sites like Zocalo, the main plaza, Palacio Nacional, Templo Mayor, or Chapultepec Park – but there are many more options! You can ask your guide for additional recommendations on what to see and do today.

Head to the bus station to begin your transfer to Oaxaca. Here you will board your bus with the rest of your travel mates. On arrival to Oaxaca, you will be taken to your accommodation and will have time to settle in. The rest of the evening is free, to relax or explore.

Today you'll visit the Monte Alban ruins, the greatest ancient capital built by the Zapotec culture. This site is the most important archaeological site in all of Oaxaca. After this visit, you'll continue onwards to Arrazola to visit a famous wood-carving village, where you'll have the chance to check out some of the impressive creations and learn a thing or two about the process of making such intricate pieces.

Next you will head to Cuilapan de Guerrero, which is a 16th century Dominican ex-monastery. On your way back to Oaxaca, you'll stop in San Bartolo Coyotepec to visit the home of the popular regional black clay pottery. After a day on the road, you'll return to your accommodation for a free evening to check out the city or relax.

After a day packed with exploration, today is a free day in Oaxaca to do as you wish. There are many sites and activities to experience. Relax at Alameda Central Park while enjoying homegrown Oaxaca coffee, walk the bustling pedestrian street called Calle Alcala, or visit Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Ethno-Botanical Gardens, or Casa de Juarez. Be sure to check out the local marketplace of Mercado 20 de Noviembre to take in the smells of freshly stewing local specialties and the sights of fried grasshoppers! Don't be afraid to give it a try.

After breakfast, you'll continue onwards in your journey as you head for the coast. Puerto Escondido is known for its beautiful beaches and buzzing nightlife. The town's central Principal Beach is lined with palm trees and thatch-roofed bars. Zicatela Beach is renowned for its Mexican Pipeline surf break. After arriving in Puerto Escondido, you will check into your accommodation before having some time to enjoy the beach and relax.

Learn how to surf in one of the world's top surf spots! Today you will have a 2-hour surf class based on your experience and level. You'll be taken to beaches scattered around Puerto Escondido. Puerto Escondido is characterised by its easy-going surfer vibe, so don't be afraid to share some pointers and tips while you sip some beers with fellow surfers after your lesson! After your surf lesson you will have the remainder of the day free - but there are plenty of optional activities to keep you busy! Gather a few of your co-travellers for a boat tour to nearby bays for the chance to spot dolphins or sea turtles. We also recommend visiting Playa Carrizalillo for a truly relaxing afternoon on a secluded beach.

Today you have another surf lesson with your certified instructors. Hopefully you can continue to practise your skills catching waves! After this lesson, you will have the remainder of the day free. So choose to participate in some additional optional activities, relax on the beach, or rent a surfboard to continue practising!

Today is your final day in Puerto Escondido, so be sure to soak up the sea and sun! You will have the majority of the day to spend time enjoying the many beaches, do a little shopping, or participate in an optional activity like snorkelling or diving. In the evening, you will head to the bus station where you will board a bus to Tuxtla Gutierrez. Sit back and relax and try to catch some sleep, as you have some fun experiences planned for the next morning.

Keep an eye out for the beautiful panoramic views as you drive through the clouds to reach Sumidero Canyon. You will arrive at the colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo, from where you will embark on a boat trip that will take you on a 2-hour ride down the river, where the steep walls of the canyon tower above you. Look out for waterfalls, caves and the dramatic cliffs.

You may have the chance to spot the occasional crocodile and tons of other natural wildlife, especially birds. After the boat ride, you'll be taken to the colonial town of San Cristobal along the curvy mountain roads. You'll be dropped off right in the city centre, so you can continue your day by sightseeing, shopping or popping into a local café for lunch on your own. From the city centre, it's a short walk to your accommodation.

Visit the local indigenous communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, where you will have plenty of time to wander around the local artisan markets and peek inside the beautifully preserved churches. Here, a local guide will explain the history of the region as you drive through the beautiful and peaceful countryside to reach these remote towns. Discover first-hand the ancient native traditions and ways of life. Observe how ancient Mayan traditions are now intertwined with modern-day Catholic practices.

Explore San Cristobal de las Casas on your own. Visit sites like Cathedral & Plaza de Mayo or Iglesia de Santo Domingo. If you like coffee we recommend visiting the Museo De Cafe which is a café dedicated to the history of the coffee cultivation and trade in Chiapas.

Say “adios” to Mexico as you begin your journey to Guatemala. You will have an early day today for your transfer. Upon arriving at the border, you will need to pay approximately 600 Mexican Pesos (so be sure to have this amount ready). You will then continue onwards towards your final destination for today – Panajachel.

The word "Atitlan" is translated from Maya as "the place where the rainbow gets its colours" and accordingly you will understand why so many people have been drawn to this magical lake for hundreds of years. Panajachel alone is an 800-year-old town home to mostly Cachikel Maya. During your tour, you will visit several indigenous communities scattered around the lake. There you'll get to learn about various traditional practices like coffee production, crafts and more – giving you insights into the local way of life. You'll explore the various villages by boat. Later, you'll be taken to the home of a Guatemalan family from the Kakchiquel Indigenous group in San Jorge La Laguna. Here you will learn more about their unique customs and traditions and will join a host family for dinner.

Say goodbye to the stunning lake surroundings as you begin your transfer to Antigua (approx. 2.5 hours). Antigua is a small city surrounded by volcanoes in southern Guatemala. It's known for its Spanish colonial buildings, many of them restored following a 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua's 200-year reign as Guatemala’s colonial capital.

Grab some breakfast and check-out of your accommodation. You will then be transferred to Aldea la Soledad. Around 11 you will start your walk to Acatenango volcano, stopping for lunch along the way. There are approximately 5 hours of walking to reach the camp, along the way there will be several stops for rest, hydration and food. You should arrive to Acatenango in the late afternoon, where you can then rest, enjoy the incredible views, climb to the summit and sit around the campfire. You will spend the night in the shadow of the volcano.

Rise and shine to the stunning views from above as you take in sunrise from your camp. Today, you should expect an early start at 4:00AM, but for good reason! You'll walk approx. 15 minutes to the top of the volcano to catch the best views. After sunrise, you'll head back to camp and have breakfast and pack up before making your way back to Aldea la Soledad. From here you'll be transferred to your accommodation in Antigua. The rest of the day is free. Be sure to check out the many sites of Antigua as this is your last day in the city.

Note: there are no ATMs during your next few days so make sure to have some cash!

Enjoy an extra day in Antigua to relax or explore at your own pace.

Note: there are no ATMs during your next few days so make sure to have some cash!

Be ready in reception around 8AM to begin your next transfer towards Lanquin. You will have limited access to wifi and connection so be sure to let your friends and family know beforehand. On arrival to Lanquin you will check into your accommodation and will have the remainder of your day to relax, or explore your surroundings on foot. ​

Spend your day visiting the stunning national park. Take a hike through caves filled with extraordinary limestone formations and where the Mayan's once preformed sacred rituals. Enjoy free time to swim or go river tubing (optional activity) in the crystalline waters of Semuc Champey. Here you'll find natural pools filled with fresh mountain spring water above a 300-meter-long limestone bridge. Flowing underneath the bridge is the Cahabón River, the perfect place to take a swim. At the end of the bridge you will visit waterfalls over 40-feet in height where the water from the pools rejoins the Cahabon River.

Spend a full free day in Lanquin. Rest your legs, enjoy the local cuisine, or explore your surroundings: it's all up to you! 

Check out of your accommodation to transfer to your final destination in Guatemala – Flores. Your transfer will take approximately 8 hours. On arrival you will be taken to your new accommodation where you'll have the chance to check in and spend the rest of the evening at leisure with the rest of your crew.

Get ready for another early day (but it's worth it)! Depart at 4:30AM to begin your experience to Tikal archaeological site. Walk among giant pyramids towering over 200 feet at dawn to feel the magical vibration of Tikal and its historic splendor. Listen to the jungle sounds of exotic birds, monkeys and small mammals and feel the humid jungle air on your skin as the Maya inhabitants of this site felt it 2000 years ago. Your tour will end at 10:00 leaving you time to have breakfast. You'll then go back to Flores where you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore on your own.

Enjoy an extra day in Flores to relax or explore at your own pace.

Depart your accommodation in Guatemala and begin your journey to Belize! You should plan to depart around 6:00AM. Once you make it to Belize City you will board a ferry to get to Caye Caulker. Check into your new accommodation and have the rest of the evening at leisure.

Caye Caulker is a small Caribbean island home to stunning beaches and crystal-clear water, as well as a dense mangrove home to diverse wildlife. The island's mangroves are protected by a forest reserve and the reefs are part of a marine reserve. Be sure to spend some time taking in the stunning natural environment the island offers.

Say goodbye to Belize as you make your way back to Mexico. Today you will transfer to Bacalar by taking a ferry and then a bus. You'll depart in the early afternoon. As you pass through the boarder, you will need to pay an exit tax from Belize (approx. 20USD) and an entry tax to Mexico (approx. 638MX). Once you're back on dry land after the ferry ride, you'll board a public bus to get to Bacalar where you'll have the evening at leisure.

Bacalar is a town in southeastern Mexico near the Belize border. It's on Lake Bacalar, also called the Lake of Seven Colours due to its blue and turquoise hues. During your free day today, we recommend enjoying the lake, either from the shore, or on an optional boat tour. To the south is Cenote Azul, a small, deep lake with underwater caves. This cenote (sinkhole) is filled by an underground source, making it a refreshing dip after a hot day. A restaurant serves as the main entrance. Due to the presence of ladders and ropes, this cenote is easily accessible to most. Divers can explore the underwater caves. Admission costs 120 pesos. You can also choose to check out Bird Island, Cenote Negro, Fuerte da San Felipe, or take a day trip to Mahahual.

Relax, paddle, and enjoy a breathtaking sunrise over the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon first thing in the morning. You'll be greeted with world-class views, tranquility and peaceful natural sounds right from your SUP (Stand-Up-Paddleboard). In the afternoon, board a public bus towards Tulum. This is where you'll part ways with your guide. The rest of the days in Mexico are unguided. On arrival to Tulum, you and your travel crew will make your own way to your accommodation.

Arguably one of Mexico's best beaches (if not, the best), Playa Paraíso is an ideal place to start your day. This is especially true since the beach can get busy in the afternoon, so head over early to catch a good spot and avoid the harsh sunshine of the afternoon. In the afternoon, you can catch some shade at one of the many beach bars, or venture inland to explore some of the incredible cenotes, like Gran Cenote, Cenote Caracol and Cenote Choo-ha. You can get to nearby cenotes by taxi, but we recommend renting a bike if possible - it's sustainable and the cheaper option. In the evening, indulge in the many food options available in Tulum. You'll be able to find a lot of local places offering delicious bites and great drinks.

Today you will have a bit of free time in Tulum before making your own way to the bus station in the center of Tulum City. Here you will board a public bus that will take you to your next destination approximately 1 hour away: Playa del Carmen. Please get to the bus station a minimum of 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. On arrival to Playa del Carmen, you will make your own way to your accommodation, check in, and will have the remainder of the day to do as you wish. Playa del Carmen is known for its palm-lined beaches and coral reefs. Its Quinta Avenida pedestrian thoroughfare runs parallel to the beach, with blocks of shops, restaurants and nightspots ranging from laid-back bars to dance clubs.

Like Tulum, Playa del Carmen is home to stunning beaches that line the coast. Choose to relax on the beach, or arrange some optional activities like a snorkel tour, scuba diving or stand up paddle boarding. You can also choose to visit Akumal, the marine preserve with many sea turtles, if you didn't have the time to do so while in Tulum.

Departure day is here. Bid farewell to Mexico, and all the strangers who have become good friends as you make your way to the bus station to transfer to the airport for your departure flights home. Please plan to arrive at the bus station a minimum of 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. You will then make a approx. 1-hour journey to the international airport in Cancun.