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Day 1 - Thursday
Mexico City
Meeting at the international airport with the Ofakim representative and transfer to the hotel. |
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Day 2 - Friday
Mexico City
This morning we will begin at La Plaza de la Constitucion, also known as El Zocalo.
From there we will walk to the Historic Center, passing by palaces and magnificent houses from the colonial era.
We will stop at the Palacio Nacional, built on the ruins of Montezuma’s palace. There we will ‘learn’ about Mexican history through the murals of Diego Rivera, Mexico’s greatest artist. We will have a special tour of the Plaza of the Three Cultures - Aztec, Spanish Colonial and Modern.
We will also go to Templo Mayor, the ancient Aztec temple ruins, and to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest cathedral on the entire American continent.
In the evening those who wish to can go to the cafe and entertainment area. |
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Day 3 - Saturday
Mexico City
This morning we will go to the National Museum of Anthropology, unique both for its exhibits and for its architecture.
From there we will go to another, very different type of museum: Frida Kahlo’s Museum, situated in the beautiful Coyoacan quarter.
We will then go out into the suburbs to Xochimilco and join the Mexicans who go there to sail on the canals off Texcoco Lake, so named in ancient times when the city was called Tenotichlan.
Lunch on the boat.
We will also go to the unique Dolores Olmedo Museum.
Back to Mexico City. |
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Day 4 - Sunday
The Pyramids of Teotihuacan, Basilica of Guadaloupe
Today we will go for a special visit to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan, the center of pre-Columbian culture (1st to 7th centuries).
We will go to the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl), the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon and climb to the top.
We will walk along the Avenue of the Dead and go into the Citadel and the area where the high priests and rulers lived.
From there we will continue to the Basilica of Guadaloupe, the most sacred of all the churches in Latin America. At the Basilica we will get our first glimpse of the strange coexistence of Catholicism with the pantheon of the Indian gods.
In the evening we can go to Garibaldi Square and listen to Mariachi music. |
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Day 5 - Monday
Mexico City, Palenquei
This morning we will fly to Via Hermosa. Upon arrival we will go to La Venta Park, the site of the oldest archaeological ruins in Mexico (from the Olmec period).
We will continue from there to the town of Palenque, named after the ancient site near which it was built. Palenque is the most important site of the Mexican Mayas.
We will take at the site and in the town and spend the night at a hotel nearby. |
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Day 6 - Tuesday
Agua Azul, San Cristobal
Today we drive north to the state of Chiapas, the area of Mexico that has most preserved its Indian authenticity.
On the way, we will see the lush vegetation and will stop at the Agua Azul (Blue Water) Waterfalls.
After lunch, we will continue to San Cristobal de las Casas, the municipal center of the different Indian tribes that live in the area. We will go to the beautiful, lively town square, to the Cathedral, to Santo Domingo Church and more.
Overnight in San Cristobal. |
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Day 7 - Wednesday
San Cristobal, Chamula, Sumidero
We will get up early to go to San Cristobal’s colorful market and then we will go out of town to see the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan where we will see the churches and the fascinating combination of Christianity and Shamanism.
We will drive down from the 1000 meter high hills towards the Grijalva River and Chiapa de Corso where we will have lunch and then take an exhilarating boat ride into the spectacular Sumidero Canyon with its vast limestone rock formations rising out of the waters.
The local legend goes that the local Indians preferred to throw themselves into the canyon's torrential waters rather than submit to Spanish rule during the colonial era.
Back to San Cristobal. |
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Day 8 - Thursday
San Cristobal, Quetzaltenango
We will take our leave of San Cristobal de las Casas and head for the Guatemalan border.
On the way, if we have time, we will go to the Montebello Nature Reserve.
We cross the border at La Mesilla and drive through mountain landscapes via Los Encuentros to Cuatro Caminos to Quetzaltenango, where we will spend the night. |
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Day 9 - Friday
San Francisco Alto, Panajachel
This morning we will go up to San Francisco to the enormous regional market that takes place there every Friday.
You can find anything there…from art to sheep and pigs to old sewing machines with pedals.
We will wander around the market and from there we will drive through Indian villages to Solola where we will have a fantastic view of Atitlan, a beautiful lake surrounded by three (non-active) volcanic mountains.
We will go down to the ‘big’ city on the lake, Panachel, where backpackers from all over the world meet because of its authentic, colorful, lively markets and restaurants. |
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Day 10 - Saturday
Atitlan Lake
Atitlan Lake magnetizes for two reasons: its natural beauty and the authentic villages dotted around it. A mixture of Indian naivete’, shamanism, churches and Christianity, characterizes the villages.
We will take a boat trip to the other side of the lake and the highlight of today will be a visit to the village of Santiago Atitlan.
From there, we will visit other villages.
Back to Panajachel. |
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Day 11 - Sunday
Chichicastenango, Antigua
This morning we will pass by the market in Solola and continue on to ‘Chichi’ which is famous for its picturesque, colorful and lively market, the best, most interesting and most plentiful of all the markets in Central America.
From there we will go to the top of the mountain to the site of religious rituals, Pascual Abaj, another example of the combination paganism and Christianity that so characterizes this part of the world.
On our way back, we will stop at St. Thomas Church where they also perform pagan rites alongside Christian ones.
In the evening we will arrive in Antigua, the ancient capital of Guatemala.
Overnight. |
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Day 12 - Monday
Antigua
Antigua means ancient city and, indeed, this was the capital until 1773 when it was destroyed by an earthquake and the subsequent eruptions of the volcanoes that surround it.
We will tour the colonial center of the town and will also go outside the town to the local music museum, Casa Kojom, and to the nearby coffee plantation. |
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Day 13 - Tuesday
Guatemala City, Quirigua, Livingston
We leave Antigua early this morning for the long bus ride down towards the Caribbean Coast via Guatemala City, which we will make a short tour of, time permitting.
On our way, we will stop in Quirigua, a relatively small Maya archaeological site, but an impressive one because it has the most important collection of stelae (stones with ancient writing on them - a Maya version of the Hieroglyphics) from the Maya Era.
We will then continue to Livingston on the Caribbean Coast, home to the Garifuna, a black ethnic minority group who are the descendants of black slaves brought here in the 16th century. Here we will find a different language, different music, a different atmosphere.
Overnight in the area. |
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Day 14 - Wednesday
Livingston, Flores
After a tour of Livingston, we will take a boat on the Rio Dolce and sail amid lush vegetation and interesting animal life toward Lake Isabel.
From there we continue towards the town of Flores, the starting point for tours to Tikal.
Overnight in Flores. |
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Day 15 - Thursday
Tikal, Cancun
Tikal is the largest of the surviving ancient ruined cities of the Maya civilization. It was also destroyed later than most of the other sites and it is no wonder that UNESCO has proclaimed it a World Heritage Site nor is it a wonder that no tour of Central America is complete without a visit to Tikal.
We will tour this site and also go to the little museum outside Tikal.
From there we will go directly to the little airport at Flores for the flight to Cancun.
Transfer to hotel in Cancun. |
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Day 15 - Friday and Saturday
Cancun
Two free days for rest, relaxation and fun on the beautiful beaches of Cancun on a coastline a bit like the Miami one.
Those who want to can also go to some more Maya ruins or on a cruise to a lagoon that lies among mangrove swamps or take a tour to Tulum and Xcaret or go to Isla Mujeres (Women’s Island). |
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Day 15 - Sunday
Cancun, Home
We take our leave of Cancun today.
Transfer to the airport for the flight back home.
END OF SERVICES. |
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Mexico City, The Pyramids of Teotihuacan, Palenque, Agua Azul, San
Cristobal, Sumidero, Panajachel, Atitlan Lake, Chichicastenango, Antigua, Guatemala City, Quirigua, Livingston, Tikal, Cancun
Guided tours in:
- Mexico City, San Cristobal, Palenque, Sumidero Canyon, Maya sites, Panajachel, Chichicastenango, Antigua, Guatemala City, Tikal.
Special visits:
- Mexico City: Historical Center, Palacio Nacional, Metropolitan Cathedral, Anthropological Museum, Frida Kahlo Museum, Boat trip on the canals.
- Teotihuacan: Pyramids of the Sun and of the Moon.
- Xochimilco: Floating Gardens.
- La Venta Park: Olmec statues.
- Palenque: Maya sites.
- San Cristobal: Local arts and crafts and Indian villages.
- Sumidero Canyon: Boat trip
- Panajachel: Boat trip on Lake Atitlan, the hippies’ area.
- Chichicastenango: Santo Toma Church.
- Antigua: Solola Indian market.
- Livingston: Boat trip on the Rio Dolce.
- Tikal: Maya pyramids.
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Domestic flights abroad |
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Hotels: First class and good tourist class. Double rooms with adjoining bathrooms. |
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Meals: American breakfast throughout the tour and half board everywhere except in Mexico City. |
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Air-conditioned bus for all touring and transfers |
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Experienced, professional guide |
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Visa: Please check with your travel agent |
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Visits: Entrance fees included as per the itinerary |
The price also includes: local airport
taxes, fuel tax as per 6/1/07, tips for
services rendered. The price does not
include: international air, optional
tours, travel insurance. We recommend
that you read the chapter at the end of
the brochure devoted to general
information and general terms. |
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| TOUR CODE: OMG |
Arrival date to
destination |
Land only - per person in USD |
| 2007 |
| Oct 11 |
$3,345 |
| Nov 8 |
$3,345 |
| Dec 17 |
$3,345 |
| 2008 |
| Jan 17 |
$3,345 |
| Feb 21 |
$3,345 |
| Sep 24 |
$3,345 |
| Oct 1, 8 |
$3,345 |
| Nov 12, 26 |
$3,345 |
| Dec 17 |
$3,315 |
| 2009 |
| Jan 7, 21 |
$3,395 |
| Feb 4, 18 |
$3,395 |
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