Contrasts of Mexico + Yucatan Peninsula Extension

21 days
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Small Group Tour
An exciting and varied journey through the ancient heartland of the Aztecs, Zapotecs and the Maya. Discover many ancient sites including Palenque and Tikal, as well as travelling through charming colonial towns and the jungles of Guatemala, trying tacos and tequila along the way. Some departures have been set to coincide with Mexico's Day of the Dead Festival...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Explore the impressive Aztec & Mayan sites of Mexico, plus enjoy the best of the Yucatan
    • Experience the local life & colour of Indigenous villages
    • Discover little-explored ruins, hidden by rainforest

What's this trip about?

    An exciting and varied journey through the ancient heartland of the Aztecs, Zapotecs and the Maya. Discover many ancient sites including Palenque and Tikal, as well as travelling through charming colonial towns and the jungles of Guatemala, trying tacos and tequila along the way. Some departures have been set to coincide with Mexico's Day of the Dead Festival. Palenque - Arguably the most enchanting of the ancient Maya ruins, set in dense jungle Oaxaca - Wander the streets and markets of this delightful UNESCO World Heritage City Oaxaca - Wander the streets and markets of this delightful UNESCO World Heritage City Sumidero Canyon - Take a boat trip through this towering gorge

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityMexico City
End CityMerida

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Caribbean
  • Caye Caulker
  • Central America
  • Chichen Itza
  • Flores
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve
  • Mexico City
  • Palenque
  • San Cristobal
  • San Ignacio
  • San Juan
  • Santo Domingo
  • Tehuantepec
  • Tikal
  • Tulum
  • Valladolid
  • Xunantunich

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join tour in Mexico City

Our tour starts today in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the bustling heart and soul of the country. CDMX, as the city is also known, gives 'metropolis' a whole new meaning with a new landmark, museum or gallery at every turn, not to mention the countless colou...

Day 2 Tour of Mexico City, including Museum of Anthropology

We'll head out to explore the city like a local this morning, on foot and by public transport. The Zocalo is the vibrant heart of the city; the main square that has been a cornerstone in public gatherings since ancient times. We'll walk down to the centre from the hot...

Day 3 Visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids and the Basilica de Guadalupe

Our destination today is Teotihuacan, a mysterious complex of pyramid ruins, abandoned 13 centuries ago. En route, we'll make a stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe, an important pilgrimage site for Mexicans which has a miraculous story to tell (our tour leader will fill...

Day 4 Journey to Oaxaca, free time to explore the city

Leaving the capital behind, today we'll drive south through cactus country to Oaxaca, one of the most charming colonial cities in Mexico. The drive will take around eight hours, but we'll make several stops along the way. During the latter half of our journey, we'll b...

Day 5 Visit the pyramids of Monte Alban, free afternoon in Oaxaca

As with many of Mexico's colonial cities, Oaxaca was built in the 16th century using stones from ancient civilisations in the surrounding areas. Today, we'll visit Monte Alban which was built by the Zapotec people who flourished here over 1,500 years ago. This complex...

Day 6 Journey to Tehuantepec via Teotitlan del Valle and the Mitla ruins

We have a long journey ahead of us today as we begin to head towards San Cristobal. The drive will lead us up through the winding roads of the Sierra Madre Mountain range and we'll make several stops along the way. Our first port of call is a 2,000-year-old swamp cypr...

Day 7 Sumidero Canyon boat trip and journey to San Cristobal

Leaving early this morning, we'll have a five-hour drive to Cahuare, the starting point for our visit to the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. The canyon is a unique rift measuring 41 kilometres long and up to 1000 metres deep, cut by the Rio Grijalva. This is the spot whe...

Day 8 Explore indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

San Cristobal has a unique atmosphere, located high in the scenic Chiapas Mountain range. The indigenous groups from the surrounding hills fill the town and marketplace with their colourful dress including the distinctive Tzotzil community who still retain much of the...

Day 9 Travel to Palenque

Leaving the highlands behind us, today we have a long driving day ahead of us (approximately eight hours, plus stops). The road is slow and winding, but there are scenic views as we descend to the jungles of Palenque. We'll be driving via the town of Villahermosa, whe...

Day 10 Explore the Maya site of Palenque

Today's guided visit to the ruins of Palenque is one of the highlights of our tour of Mexico. Palenque is both a fascinating and important site and we'll explore it in depth with a guide. Once the choking forest was cleared, the ruins revealed the tomb of the high pri...

Day 11 Cross the border into Guatemala and continue on to Flores.

We'll leave Palenque early in the morning and travel for around 3 hours to the El Ceibo Border. After crossing into Guatemala, we'll continue for another 3 hours to the picturesque town of Flores. Located on the shores of Lake Peten Itza, Flores is a very laid-back ci...

Day 12 Visit the Yaxha ruins and enjoy an optional boat trip on Lake Peten Itza.

After breakfast, we'll leave Flores and drive for an hour and a half to Yaxha, where we'll enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent ruins. This ancient city is located on the shores of two lakes, Yaxha and Sacnab, within the UNESCO-listed Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo biosphere r...

Day 13 Explore Tikal, Guatemala

Today we'll visit Tikal, the great Maya metropolis set amid the rainforest, which can justly be compared with the celebrated ancient cities of Egypt and Greece. Initially settled in about 600 BC, Tikal was abandoned by its rulers around 890 AD and totally deserted a h...

Day 14 Travel to San Ignacio, Belize

Today we'll say goodbye to Guatemala and drive over the border to San Ignacio in Belize. En route, we'll visit the little-known site of Xunantunich, with its fantastic array of pyramids and temples. Then, we'll make our way to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoo...

Day 15 Drive to Belize City and boat to Caye Caulker

Today, we'll drive to Belize City and catch our first glimpse of the Caribbean. In the city, we'll board our water taxi for the one-hour journey to the tropical island of Caye Caulker. Once a pirate lair, this tiny but beautiful island lies 34 kilometres/21 miles nort...

Day 16 Relax on Caye Caulker; optional snorkelling trip

The island of Caye Caulker remains uncrowded and authentic - the local fishermen catch lobster, conch, fish and crab to supply domestic and foreign markets. It's a popular place with backpackers, so there's a good number of reasonably priced restaurants. Today, th...

Day 17 Boat back to the mainland then drive to Bacalar

This morning, we'll leave Caye Caulker by boat, sailing back to the mainland and driving north to the Belizean border before crossing into Mexico via Chetumal. We'll then continue by vehicle to the small town of Bacalar, situated on the banks of the beautiful Lake Bac...

Day 18 Visit Tulum before driving to Valladolid

We'll head northeast from Bacalar this morning, towards the ruins of Tulum - situated on a clifftop perch overlooking the turquoise water and golden sands below. The ruins date back to the late period of Mayan civilisation. During this time, there was a developing enm...

Day 19 Explore Chichen Itza; travel to Merida

This morning, we'll visit the ruins of Chichen Itza. Founded in AD432, re-founded in 987 and conquered by the Toltecs in the 10th century, the culture of the Maya and the Toltec gradually fused. The pyramids, palaces, temples and ballcourt (where death was the penalty...

Day 20 Visit the ancient Maya city of Uxmal

We'll have our final site visit this morning; to those in the know, Uxmal is one of the Yucatan's most underrated ancient cities. Encircled by hills, Uxmal is expansive in its design with majestic palaces and pyramids, and long geometrical friezes that rank among the ...

Day 21 Trip ends in Merida

Our trip ends this morning at our hotel in Merida. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Merida at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,050
Price per day$288
Last Updated: 3/14/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
22 Mar 2025
11 Apr 2025
$6,050
$1,240
02 Aug 2025
22 Aug 2025
$6,050
$1,240
28 Oct 2025
17 Nov 2025
$9,490
$1,210
29 Oct 2025
18 Nov 2025
$7,040
$1,210
08 Nov 2025
28 Nov 2025
$6,610
$1,240
18 Dec 2025
07 Jan 2026
$6,920
$1,380
20 Dec 2025
09 Jan 2026
$6,920
$1,380

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,321
Great
3,322
Average
522
Disappointing
158
Terrible
79
T

Trusted Customer

Feb 2025

Written on

Contrasts of Mexico + Yucatan Peninsula Extension

Tour guide and itinerary excellent but some of the accommodation was poor eg dark with no fridge and in some cases the bathrooms were not clean. Often better accommo...

T

Trusted Customer

Feb 2025

Written on

Contrasts of Mexico + Yucatan Peninsula Extension

Tour leader and itinerary excellent but accommodation and breakfasts generally poor Having a fridge as a basic standard in a hot climate is a must but most accommod...

T

Trusted Customer

Feb 2025

Written on

Contrasts of Mexico + Yucatan Peninsula Extension

Excellent itinerary and leader. Generally poor accommodation

S

Sheila

Jan 2025

Written on

Contrasts of Mexico + Yucatan Peninsula Extension

This is a varied and interesting tour with many unexpected cultural experiences. Ana Davila is an excellent tour leader who brings the archaeological sites, history...

T

Trusted Customer

Dec 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Mexico + Yucatan Peninsula Extension

Absolutely fabulous trip. Experienced so many different cultures and saw such a contrast of beautiful countries. Our guide Mayra made the trip so special, her knowle...

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Efficient and easy to navigate online booking

Booked online. Very easy to do with full information abou...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Mexico: Citizens from UK, New Zealand, Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada require a Mexican Tourist Card to enter. This is obtained on arrival if flying into Mexico City Benito Juarez Airport or Cancun International. Some airlines may give this to you at the check-in desk. Once you receive the tourist card you must keep this on you until you exit Mexico. If entering by another port - you will have to apply for this in advance online - website - https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. Guatemala: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. Belize: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. USA: If your flights pass through the USA, even if only in transit, you will require either a visa or an ESTA (an e-visa). Please read on for more information. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary. Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Also on the NaTHNaC site there is a list of Countries (and specific areas within a country) which are at risk of infection and a vaccination is therefore recommended. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 20
  • Dinner : 1
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-MXY

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