Chiapas Extension

On arrival at Tuxtla airport you will be whisked away and welcomed to the area with a thrilling motorboat ride on the Grijalva River through the Sumidero Canyon. Enroute you will visit the colonial town of Chiapas de Corzo. There you will discover the temple ruins of the Olmecs, the oldest known civilisation of Mesoamerica. The town’s main square, complete with a sacred Pochota tree, and the local markets are more sights to explore. You will continue to San Cristobal de las Casas for two nights. This colonial town has cobblestone streets and buildings with red roofs and stucco walls.

Today you will explore the town centre of San Cristobal de las Casas. Highlights include the main plaza, the Cathedral de San Cristobal, the Templo de Santo Domingo Church and the Mercardo de Dulces y Artesanias Ambar. Next you will head to the Chiapas highlands to visit two Tzotzil Indian Villages, San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. During your visit you will uncover the unique customs and beliefs of the people of these villages who are descendants of the ancient Maya.

A visit to the San Juan Chamula Church, complete with its striking white façade, chanting worshippers, candles and incense smoke, will leave an impression. In Zinacantan explore the local handicraft market and it’s two churches, the Iglesia de San Lorenzo and the Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia De Zinacantan.

From San Cristobal de las Casas you will drive to Agua Azul, a series of five hundred blue waterfalls located on the Xanil River. Surrounded by rainforest, the turquoise waters of Agua Azul cascade into pools where you can take a swim whilst enjoying nature at its finest. Continuing from Agua Azul you will travel to the town of Palenque, the gateway to the Maya temples which share the town’s name.

Today you will visit the archaeological site of Bonampak. Set within the dense jungle, the ruins of this ancient Maya city lay hidden until 1946. Known for its colourful murals depicting Mayan life and mythology, with its frescos completed in 790 AD. From Bonampak you will head to the border town of Frontera Corozal and board a boat to travel along the Usumacinta River which separates Mexico and Guatemala.Arriving in Yaxchilan you will visit the ruins of this significant Maya site. There are three main complexes, the Great Plaza, the Grand Acropolis and the Small Acropolis, with around 120 structures in total to explore.

From Yaxchilan we’ll head to the UNESCO World Heritage listed ruins of Palenque. The site consists of around five hundred buildings set within the natural surroundings of the Tumbala Mountains and amongst the cedar, mahogany and sapodilla trees of the jungle. This environment also provides a habitat for the local toucans and howler monkeys. Highlights of the ruins include the Temple of Inscriptions, or El Palacio, and the Temple of the Crosses. From Palenque, we’ll continue to the walled port city of Campeche for the night.

Departing Campeche, you will travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site in Uxmal. This ancient Maya city is considered one of the best preserved ruins with highlights including the Great Pyramid, The Pyramid of the Magician, the Quadrangle of the Birds and the Quadrangle of the Nuns. From Uxmal you will visit Kabah, the second largest ruin in the Puuc region. Here, a guide will take you to Codz-Pop, the most preserved and restored building at this site. In the afternoon you will arrive in Merida, the vibrant capital of the state of Yucatan. Merida is a foodie haven and there are several attractions to visit from its grand museum, main plaza and cathedrals to its nearby underwater cenotes.