Intrepid Travel
Maya Encounter
Maya Encounter
Dive into a 17-day adventure through Central America, from the calming sea breezes of Playa del Carmen’s beaches to the bustling chaos of Chichi market. On this journey to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, enjoy a hearty, homecooked dinner in a lakeside Maya village, amble down the coast to the island paradise of Caye Caulker, cut inland to the lush jungle around Tikal National Park, cruise to the vast Rio Dulce, watch a pottery demonstration using ancient Maya techniques and finish among the clouds in Panajachel and under the volcano in Antigua. On this trip, you’ll get the right balance of local-led experiences and independent exploration in a whole load of incredible places ready to be discovered.
Activities
- Playa del Carmen – Cenote Azul visit
- Bacalar – Beach club entry
- Caye Caulker – Leader-led orientation walk
- Caye Caulker – Cooking Class
- San Ignacio – Leader-led orientation walk
- Tikal National Park – Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Rio Dulce – Guided jungle nature walk
- Chichicastenango – Market Visit
- Chichicastenango – Shaman Visit
- Panajachel – Leader-led orientation walk
- San Juan La Laguna – Traditional Maya Homestay
- Antigua – Leader-led orientation walk
- Santa Apolonia – Traditional Pottery Demonstration
Highlights
- Spend three days exploring the island paradise of Caye Caulker – munch on barbecued lobster, snorkel around a coral reef, nap under palm trees, go kayaking or just kick back with a couple of worry-free beach days.
- See some of the most significant remnants of the ancient Maya civilisation – plus an array of local wildlife, including coatis and howler monkeys – during a guided tour of Tikal National Park.
- Get to know contemporary Maya life during a homestay in San Juan La Laguna – a lakeside village where you can share meals and conversation with a local family and see how they harvest their local medicinal plants.
- Wander between stalls of rainbow handicrafts, fruits and flowers in the popular and colourful Chichicastenango Market.
- Cruise up the Rio Dulce to your waterfront jungle lodge, where you’ll head out on a birdwatching walk and relax while the sounds of nature fill the air.
| Day 1 |
A popular tourist destination in Mexico's Quintana Roo, Playa del Carmen is a coastal playground with plenty of nightlife, dining, and shopping. |
| Day 2 |
A popular tourist destination in Mexico's Quintana Roo, Playa del Carmen is a coastal playground with plenty of nightlife, dining, and shopping. |
| Day 3 |
Located in the southern Yucatan, this capital of Quintana Roo, is on the border with Belize and is known for its fine hardwoods and agricultural products. |
| Day 4 |
Measuring less than five miles north to south, Caye Caulker has become the more affordable alternative to Ambergris Caye, its sister island 11 miles north. With its laid-back vibe and short list of available activities Caye Caulker is well-suited to visitors seeking a relaxing atmosphere, enjoying the warm sea breezes with a cold drink in hand. |
| Day 5 |
Measuring less than five miles north to south, Caye Caulker has become the more affordable alternative to Ambergris Caye, its sister island 11 miles north. With its laid-back vibe and short list of available activities Caye Caulker is well-suited to visitors seeking a relaxing atmosphere, enjoying the warm sea breezes with a cold drink in hand. |
| Day 6 |
Measuring less than five miles north to south, Caye Caulker has become the more affordable alternative to Ambergris Caye, its sister island 11 miles north. With its laid-back vibe and short list of available activities Caye Caulker is well-suited to visitors seeking a relaxing atmosphere, enjoying the warm sea breezes with a cold drink in hand. |
| Day 7 |
San Ignacio is a lively little town on the Macal River. In this area of Belize, you will find a vivid mix of mountains, jungle, caves, waterfalls, wildlife and archeological ruins. The city is an excellent base for hiking, horseback riding and canoeing. |
| Day 8 |
San Ignacio is a lively little town on the Macal River. In this area of Belize, you will find a vivid mix of mountains, jungle, caves, waterfalls, wildlife and archeological ruins. The city is an excellent base for hiking, horseback riding and canoeing. |
| Day 9 |
The Tikal National Park, 370 square kilometers is part of the even larger Maya Biosphere Reserve. Home of hundred of species, including spider monkeys, toucans and parakeets. Towering above the rainforest are the ruins of Tikal, one of the most magnificent of all the Maya sites. The ruins are dominated by five enormous temples, step-sided granite pyramid that rise some 40 meters from the forest floor. Around them are bitterly thousands of others structures, many still hidden beneath mounds of earth. It's well worth staying overnight, partly because you will need the extra time to do justice to the ruins themselves, but more importantly to spend dawn and dusk at the site, when the forest canopy burst into a frenzy and sound activities. |
| Day 10 |
For the adventurer, Río Dulce has several places to visit like the Río Dulce Gorge, the Caribbean sea al Livingston, the Seven Altar Waterfalls, El Paraíso and its hot waterfall, Manatí and the Howler Monkey reserves, The Chocon-Machaca Biological Reserves and its lagoons. |
| Day 11 |
For the adventurer, Río Dulce has several places to visit like the Río Dulce Gorge, the Caribbean sea al Livingston, the Seven Altar Waterfalls, El Paraíso and its hot waterfall, Manatí and the Howler Monkey reserves, The Chocon-Machaca Biological Reserves and its lagoons. |
| Day 12 |
Antigua, Guatemala's prized colonial monument, is just an hour from Guatemala City, and a pleasant alternative to staying in the capital. Good walking shoes are needed for its cobblestone streets. The most spectacular time to visit is Holy Week, when processions walk on handmade sawdust carpets with beautiful floral and geometric designs. |
| Day 13 |
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| Day 14 |
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| Day 15 |
Antigua, Guatemala's prized colonial monument, is just an hour from Guatemala City, and a pleasant alternative to staying in the capital. Good walking shoes are needed for its cobblestone streets. The most spectacular time to visit is Holy Week, when processions walk on handmade sawdust carpets with beautiful floral and geometric designs. |
| Day 16 |
Antigua, Guatemala's prized colonial monument, is just an hour from Guatemala City, and a pleasant alternative to staying in the capital. Good walking shoes are needed for its cobblestone streets. The most spectacular time to visit is Holy Week, when processions walk on handmade sawdust carpets with beautiful floral and geometric designs. |
| Day 17 |
Antigua, Guatemala's prized colonial monument, is just an hour from Guatemala City, and a pleasant alternative to staying in the capital. Good walking shoes are needed for its cobblestone streets. The most spectacular time to visit is Holy Week, when processions walk on handmade sawdust carpets with beautiful floral and geometric designs. |
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05/24/25 - 06/09/25 |
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