central america - Intrepid Travel

central america
real life experiences in central america…
Tap into the rhythms of Central America. Embark on a Guatemalan jungle jaunt,
dance from dusk until dawn at a Mexican street party, swim through the coral
reefs that dot Belize’s coastline or just relax over a cocktail and soak up the
vibrant atmosphere.
colonial charms
maya ruins
underwater bliss
sip tequila
mundo maya
page : 38, SOMM
la ruta maya
page : 39, SRRM
mundo maya
page : 38, SOMM
aventura mexicana
page : 39, SOAM
Stroll through the cobbled
alleyways in Antigua’s
colonial heart. Admire the
candy-coloured buildings
shaded by the cones of
three brooding volcanoes.
Peer into the jungle from
the top of the moss-covered
Palenque ruins. Spy scarlet
macaws darting through
the treetops and listen to
the call of noisy monkeys.
Don’t miss swimming
through Belize’s coral reef
surrounding Caye Caulker.
Discover heaven above
and below the water in this
island paradise.
Forget the lemon and salt,
and shoot tequila straight.
Perhaps chase it like a local
with a sangrita - orange
juice, grenadine, chili
powder and tomato juice.
mexican feast
cancun
baja sunset
mariachis
pista tropical
page : 38, SOPT
la ruta maya
page : 39, SRRM
aventura mexicana
page : 39, SOAM
pista tropical
page : 38, SOPT
Delight your tastebuds with
the many flavours on offer
throughout Mexico. Home
of tacos and tequila - this
is the ultimate destination
for foodies.
Discover beachside bliss
beside the warm turquoise
waters of Cancun. Stretch
out on the sand, sip a
tropical cocktail and soak
up the idyllic surrounds.
Sit under the shade of a
beach umbrella on one of
La Paz’s fine white sand
beaches. Watch a blazing
orange sun sink into the
ocean’s inky horizon.
Request a song from
a mariachi band for a
personal serenade. Listen
to the tunes and admire the
costumes that characterise
this Mexican tradition.
Above: Colours of Mexico - Eva Serna
central america
mundo maya
Overland
21 days, ex Cancun
ITINERARY... Day 1 Cancun/Tulum Drive along the Caribbean
coast to the ancient city of Tulum. Swim at the beach then camp at
Bacalar Lagoon. Days 2-3 Caye Caulker Take a speedboat to this
*plus Kitty US$105
Physical
culture shock
• Camp beside beautiful
Bacalar Lagoon
• Uncover Maya
mysteries in
San Ignacio
• Frolic beneath warm
Agua Caliente
tropical Belizean island. Strap on a snorkel and explore the vibrant
coral reef. Day 4 San Ignacio Uncover the legends of the Maya.
Days 5-6 Tikal/Flores Featuring 3,000 towering pyramids, royal
palaces and ceremonial platforms, Tikal is sure to fascinate. Listen
to the cacophony of monkeys and parrots, then drive to Flores on
Lake Peten Itza. Day 7 Rio Dulce Freshen up at Agua Caliente,
the world’s only warm waterfall and perhaps cruise over Lake
Izabal. Day 8 Copan Ruinas Trek to Honduras’ most important
Maya ruins. Days 9-10 Antigua Framed by massive volcanoes,
Antigua presents its visitors with a surreal landscape. Days 11-13
Lago de Atitlan Pass by an impressively deep volcanic lake and
explore the colourful Chichacastenango markets. Days 14-15 San
Cristobal de las Casas Head into the Chiapas highlands and visit
villagers who combine Catholicism and indigenous religious beliefs
Island paradise, Caye Caulker - Amy McGraw
to create a fascinating hybrid. Days 16-17 Palenque Admire the
cascading water and lush vegetation of Agua Azul, then head to
Misol-Ha and wallow in its warm pools. Journey to Palenque, an
ancient Maya city. Days 18-20 Playa del Carmen/Chichen Itza
Head to Xpu-Ha and try cavern-snorkelling or diving before hitting
Playa del Carmen for a night out. Chichen Itza is a place of wonder the grounds contain carved pyramids, temples and shrines. Day 21
Cancun The adventure ends back in Cancun.
ACCOMMODATION (11 nts) Multishare hotels/hostels/cabins, camping (9 nts)
TRANSPORT Private van, walking GROUP SIZE Max 13 MEALS Trip Kitty covers
some breakfasts & dinners BUDGET Allow US$420 for meals & activities not
included DEPARTS Selected Sun GUARANTEE Subject to min 4
Start
2009
04 Jan
01 Feb
01 Mar
29 Mar
Finish
24 Jan
21 Feb
21 Mar
18 Apr
26 Apr 16 May
24 May 13 Jun
21 Jun 11 Jul
19 Jul 08 Aug
16 Aug 05 Sep
13 Sep 03 Oct
11 Oct
08 Nov
06 Dec
2010
03 Jan
31 Jan
31 Oct
28 Nov
26 Dec
28 Feb 20 Mar
28 Mar 17 Apr
23 Jan
20 Feb
SOMM
TRIP CODE
pista tropical
Overland
14 days, Mexico City to Cancun
ITINERARY... Day 1 Mexico City/Teotihuacan Embark on a
scenic drive to Teotihuacan, known for its imposing Pyramids of
the Sun and Moon. Days 2-3 Puebla/Oaxaca Soak up views of
a valley flanked by four volcanoes, en route to Puebla. Chocolate
*plus Kitty US$70
lovers will be tantalised by Oaxaca’s cocoa-infused cuisine - even
Physical
culture shock
• Bliss out in
Puerto Angel
• Experience indigenous
culture in the
Chiapas highlands
• Explore the jungle
of Palenque
grasshoppers come coated in it. Peruse ancient Zapotec and Mixtec
ruins and browse colourful markets. Visit the bewitching Monte
Alban ruins and solve the Mezcal worm riddle with a trip to a local
distillery. Days 4-6 Puerto Angel Visit the Mexican Turtle Center.
Embark on a range of adventures in this laidback fishing town
and perhaps snorkel or dive to spot dolphins, orcas and turtles or
head out to sea on a fishing trip. Days 7-8 San Cristobal de las
Casas Visit an indigenous community and learn more about the
world of the Maya. The city of San Cristobal de Las Casas brims
with charming old colonial buildings and traditionally dressed
locals. Days 9-10 Agua Azul/Palenque Built in a jungle more
than 1,300 years ago, the Palenque ruins are an exotic spectacle.
Hibiscus and thatched roof, Belize - Jeremy Doorten
Visit the gorgeous Agua Azul waterfall and then wander through
lush jungle to plunge into the waters of Misol-Ha. Day 11 Cenote
Azul Luxuriate in the intense blue waters of Cenote Azul. Around
90 m deep and 220 m wide, it is the largest cenote (waterhole)
in the world. Days 12-13 Tulum Set against a stunning coastal
backdrop, Tulum is framed by ancient temples. Relax on the
beaches of Xpu-Ha or go cavern-snorkelling. Day 14 Cancun
Unwind from the adventure on a beautiful beach.
38
ACCOMMODATION Multishare hotels/hostels (7 nts), camping (6 nts)
TRANSPORT Private van, walking GROUP SIZE Max 13 MEALS Trip Kitty covers
some breakfasts & dinners BUDGET Allow US$200 for meals & activities not
included DEPARTS Selected Sun GUARANTEE Subject to min 4
Start
2009
18 Jan
15 Feb
15 Mar
12 Apr
Finish
31 Jan
28 Feb
28 Mar
25 Apr
10 May 23 May
07 Jun 20 Jun
05 Jul 18 Jul
02 Aug 15 Aug
30 Aug 12 Sep
27 Sep 10 Oct
25 Oct
22 Nov
20 Dec
2010
17 Jan
14 Feb
07 Nov
05 Dec
02 Jan
30 Jan
27 Feb
14 Mar 27 Mar
TRIP CODE
SOPT
mexico
la ruta maya
Basix
14 days, ex Cancun
ITINERARY... Day 1 Cancun/Chichen Itza/Merida Head to an
ancient Maya city built around 360 AD. Explore temples, shrines
and pyramids, then travel to Merida, Yucatan’s wealthy capital.
Day 2 Uxmal/Campeche Stop by the Maya monument of
Uxmal en route to historic Campeche. Once a main port of Spanish
Physical
culture shock
• Peruse the ruins
of Chichen Itza
• Catch a sublime
Campeche sunset
• Swim in colourful
coral reefs off
Isla Mujeres
colonies, Campeche endured years of pirate attacks, which led
to the construction of thick ramparts that extended out to sea.
When the sun has lowered, stroll down the malecon (waterfront)
in time for sunset. Days 3-4 Palenque Built 1,300 years ago,
these Maya ruins hold an enchanting, mystical charm. Days 5-7
San Cristobal de las Casas Perched in the Chiapas highlands,
this mist-shrouded city is a sight to behold. Day 8 Ocosingo Pay
homage to the ruins of Tonina, the last of the classic Maya cities.
Day 9 Agua Azul Imagine white, frothy water cascading off
the cliffs into a turquoise pool surrounded by lush jungle - Agua
Azul is all that and more. Explore the verdant surrounds before
venturing to Misol-Ha to cool off. Day 10 Cenote Azul Rejuvenate
Chichen Itza ruins, Mexico - Bob Smith
in the world’s biggest waterhole, which the Maya believed to be
sacred. The intense, blue colour is impossible to resist. Days 11-12
Tulum/Playa del Carmen The Tulum ruins boast a location that’s
hard to beat: tropical Caribbean coastline with breathtaking vistas.
Revel in Playa del Carmen’s beautiful beach and wild nightlife. Day
13 Isla Mujeres Ferry to an island surrounded by jade waters and
coral reefs. Day 14 Cancun Squeeze in some sightseeing before
bidding fellow adventurers farewell.
ACCOMMODATION Multishare hotels/hostels/cabins (13 nts) TRANSPORT
Private van, ferry, walking GROUP SIZE Max 13 MEALS No meals included
BUDGET Allow US$400 for meals & activities not included DEPARTS Selected
Sun GUARANTEE Subject to min 4
Start
2009
25 Jan
22 Feb
22 Mar
19 Apr
Finish
07 Feb
07 Mar
04 Apr
02 May
17 May 30 May
14 Jun 27 Jun
12 Jul 25 Jul
09 Aug 22 Aug
06 Sep 19 Sep
04 Oct 17 Oct
01 Nov
29 Nov
27 Dec
2010
24 Jan
21 Feb
14 Nov
12 Dec
09 Jan
06 Feb
06 Mar
21 Mar 03 Apr
TRIP CODE
SRRM
aventura mexicana
Overland
15 days, ex Los Angeles
ITINERARY... Day 1 Los Angeles/Tucson Get an early start from
LA and head to Tucson, nicknamed Old Pueblo. Day 2 Nogales/
Guaymas Cross the border into Mexico and spend the afternoon
in Guaymas. Be sure to try local delicacies such as camarones
*plus Kitty US$75
gigantes (giant shrimp). Day 3 Los Mochis Revel in the urban
Physical
culture shock
• Admire ancient
Barranca del Cobre
• Sip tequila to the tune
of a mariachi band in
Baja’s oldest cantina
bustle and enticing mix of restaurants and bars in this city by the
sea. Days 4-7 Barranca del Cobre A series of interconnected
canyons caused by over 60 million years of erosion, Barranca
del Cobre is four times the size of the Grand Canyon. Day 8 Los
Mochis/Overnight Ferry Relax by the Sea of Cortez before
travelling by ferry over the Gulf of California to La Paz, the capital
of Baja California Sur. Days 9-10 La Paz/Cabo San Lucas Enjoy
a sublime sunset from La Paz’s malecon (waterfront). Live it up in
Cabo San Lucas, a party town perched on the tip of Baja California’s
peninsula. Days 11-12 Bahia de Concepcion/Mulege Witness
the desert landscape transform into lush valleys, concealing
Traditional carpet seller, Mexico - Sven Edquist
beautiful Mulege. Venture to Playa Concepcion for adventure
sports, or hike to view ancient rock art. Day 13 San Ignacio/
Guerrero Negro Journey back into the Catavina Desert and stop
at San Ignacio and Sanata Rosalia. Explore the landscape, dotted by
giant cacti, elephant trees and boulders. Day 14 Ensenada Spend
some pesos in this port city that also happens to be a shopper’s
heaven and perhaps drop in at Hussong’s Cantina - serving tequila
to the tune of raucous in-house mariachi since 1892. Day 15 Los
Angeles Hop back into the USA and wind-up in the City of Angels.
ACCOMMODATION Multishare hotel/hostel (5 nts), camping (8 nts), overnight
ferry (1 nt) TRANSPORT Overnight ferry, train, private van, walking GROUP
SIZE Max 13 MEALS Trip Kitty covers some breakfasts & dinners BUDGET Allow
US$300 for meals & activities not included DEPARTS Selected Sun GUARANTEE
Subject to min 4
Start
2009
04 Jan
01 Feb
01 Mar
29 Mar
Finish
18 Jan
15 Feb
15 Mar
12 Apr
26 Apr 10 May
24 May 07 Jun
21 Jun 05 Jul
19 Jul 02 Aug
16 Aug 30 Aug
13 Sep 27 Sep
11 Oct
08 Nov
06 Dec
2010
03 Jan
31 Jan
25 Oct
22 Nov
20 Dec
17 Jan
14 Feb
28 Feb 14 Mar
28 Mar 11 Apr
TRIP CODE
SOAM
39