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Other Sections
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AMERIKA VENTURE
inbound travel agency
& tour operator
across the Americas
since 1996
Member of
BBB, TIES & STI
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| La Ruta Maya: Mexico, Guatemala & Belize - 15 days - RMA |
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| Since 1996, one of the most complete tours and safest way to explore the Maya Civilization! |
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Cancun
Playa del Carmen
Tulum
Coba
Belize City
Tikal
Flores
Guatemala City
Antigua
Atitlan Lake
San Cristobal
Palenque
Yaxchilan
Bonampak
Uxmal
Merida
Chichen Itza
Valladolid
Cancun
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This 15 day tour
starts and ends
in Cancun, Mexico. |
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High quality accommodations, top guides, small groups (6 to 12 travellers);
A comfortable, easy and safe way to explore the Maya Lands and cultures!
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A fascinating journey exploring history, culture and nature through the splendors surrounding the Mayan civilization! A safe and intimate encounter with today's Mayas travelling with a friendly and professional tour guide and lodging in charming - localy owned and centraly located - inns and hotels. Most of the major maya sites & mayan ruins are included in this maya tour.
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Communications & documents provided prior departure: Handled very well. Tour documents were comprehensive.
Tour leader and guides: Both our tour leader and driver were excellent. Nothing was too much trouble. The guides at the various sites were all very knowledgeable.
The tour: Excellent! The route and program gave us the right amount of free time as well as organised activities.
The accomodations: I was very impressed with the quality and service in the hotels / accomodations we stayed at. Each was different and excellent.
The transports: The bus was quite comfortable for the size of our group. Our driver was excellent. I am often a nervous passenger but had no problems with him or his driving.
The meals: Fantastic. I am sure we all put on weight. The quality and variety was excellent.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in Mexico. I would have no hesitation in recommending your company to any of my friends and associates."
Dianne Sammut, Australia
La Ruta Maya 15 day tour
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" I would recommend Amerika Venture, it was a very good adventure well organised and executed. Well done ! "
Mr Whitechurch, U.K
La Ruta Maya 15 day tour
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" If I were speaking to someone about Amerika Venture, I would stress that you are a "blue chip" travel company, with accommodation and dining near the top of your priorities. I myself have usually traveled in a little less style. At the same time, it was not so expensive and I thoroughly enjoyed the comforts. Thanks! "
Mr Bowles, USA
La Ruta Maya 15 day tour
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Day 1: Playa Del Carmen
Arrival in Cancun, transfer to Playa del Carmen. Overnight in a charming and friendly Inn near the beach and Avenida Quinta.
NB: You will be picked up at the airport upon arrival, which can be any time in the day. If you are already in Cancun, we will pick you up at your hotel or at any convenient location for you.
Day 2: Tulum & Coba
Meet your guide and travel mates for breakfast. Exploration of the archaeological site of Tulum, the "City of Dawn" (dating from 900 to 1600 AD), one of the only Maya sites surrounded by protecting walls and located right on the Caribbean sea; our first steps in the exploration of this famous empire. Visit the Coba site ruins (600 to 900 AD). Hidden deep in the tropical jungle, Coba was once the largest city of the Mayan civilization. Nohoch Mul, the great pyramid, is one of the tallest of the whole Maya world. In the afternoon, you may wish to enjoy a refreshing swim in the Gran Cenote, one of the crystal clear lakes "gateways'" to the submarine caves of Yucatan. Beach and relaxation in the afternoon. Overnight in a charming 3* hotel near the Tulum beach.
Day 3: Tulum > Belize City
Early departure towards the colourful metropolis of this small coastal country (7 hours drive). Exploration of Belize City, a real Caribbean style city where you'll have good opportunities to meet Belizeans going about their everyday lives. Overnight in a charming upscale inn on the seashore.
Day 4: Tikal & Flores in Guatemala
Drive towards Tikal in Guatemala (4hrs). Exploration of the majestic Maya site (300 to 1100 AD), among the most impressive archaeological sites in Latin America. It's so vast, pyramids are so high and the jungle is so dense that we can easily find ourselves on our own to enjoy the splendours of the architecture and the flora and fauna surrounding us. Tikal is one great experience! Transfer to a charming hotel in the peaceful Flores island-village. (Evening meal NOT included today, your guide will recommend you the best places in town.)
Day 5: Flores > Antigua
Early morning flight leaving Flores towards Guatemala City (45min.). Transfer (30 min.) to your Antigua hotel upon arrival - you'll then have plenty of time to relax and explore while your driver-guide covers the distance to meet you for dinner. Overnight in a charming superior Inn in the colonial city of Antigua.
NB: You will be arriving in Antigua too early for checking-in your hotel room but you will have the possibility of leaving luggage at the hotel reception upon your arrival. You can leave luggage with your driver-guide, but keep in mind you will only gain access to it in the late afternoon or in the evening. (Evening meal NOT included today, your guide will recommend you the best places in town.)
Day 6: Colonial Antigua & Panajachel on the Atitlan Lake
Exploration of La Antigua, considered the most beautiful city of Guatemala; multicoloured, lively markets, impressive churches and delightful colonial architecture lend an irresistible character to this cultural center. Transfer to Panajachel (2 to 3hrs drive) in the afternoon. Overnight in a nice hotel of Panajachel.
Day 7: Atitlan lake region exploration
A magnificent region surrounded by tall volcanoes and charming villages all around the lake... Cruising the waters and hiking in the villages we explore the region. Overnight in Panajachel.
Day 8: Panajachel > San Cristobal (Mexico)
On our way back to Mexico (7 to 8hrs + border crossing). We're heading off towards San Cristobal de Las Casas, a charming colonial city located in the Chiapas Mountains of Mexico. Overnight in a friendly hotel in the San Cristobal center.
Day 9: San Cristobal de Las Casas
Today we relax in San Cristobal... no road, no sites, no schedule - free time. San Cristobal is a beautiful and friendly city with a lot to see. Colonial architecture, handcraft markets, museums, art galleries ... an unforgettable encounter with the Chiapas people and region. Overnight as previous one. (Evening meal NOT included today, your guide will recommend you the best places in town.)
Day 10: San Cristobal > Aguas Azul > Palenque
On our way to Palenque (4hrs drive) we visit the cascades of Agua Azul, a marvel of geology, a pure pleasure for the body and the spirit. Then, we head for the tropical jungle region of Palenque, a magical place. Overnight in bungalows bordering the dense jungle surrounding the Palenque Maya site.
Day 11: Palenque Ruins
Exploration of the Palenque Maya site (600 to 900 AD) located in the dense jungle at the foot of the Chiapas Mountains. Palenque is one of the most extensive Maya sites, but of its 500 buildings only a few have been excavated to this day. We will discover some of the marvels left behind by the ancient empire: canalizations, pyramids, administration buildings; the whole site illustrates a highly developed sense of architecture. The clear water cascades of the area are still refreshing visitors; turbulent, polishing the stones on which once walked the Mayas. Overnight in jungle cabins as previous night.
Day 12: Bonampak / Yaxchilan
Exploration of Bonampak and Yaxchilan Maya sites. Bonampak was a major find for archaeologists because of its brilliant murals depicting 8th century Maya court life, rituals and battles. These murals were preserved for centuries by a coating of calcite washed down from the ceilings. Yaxchilan ruins lie on the left bank of the Usumacinta River just a little northeast of Bonampak and have mostly not been restored due to their difficult-to-reach location. Even the major monuments are mostly covered in trees, but there are many amazing carvings to see, plus the chance to get a feel of what a major Maya archaeological site was like before restoration. To reach these mystical places we transfer very early in the morning by mini-bus from Palenque to Corozal, where we board a boat to Yaxchilan. Here, we visit the site and return by boat to Corozal from where we continue to Bonampak by mini-bus. After our exploration of the site, we return to Palenque, for another night in our jungle cabins.
Day 13: Uxmal
Early departure towards Uxmal (6½ hrs drive). Check-in at the hotel near the Uxmal ruins, break for refreshments before exploring the Uxmal Maya site (500 to 900 AD). It is located in the Puuc Mountains, whose name was given to the special architectural style one finds here. Some of the special characteristic features of the Puuc style are the columns and arches made out of carved stones. Uxmal is one of the major sites in Yucatan. Overnight in a nice hotel in Uxmal.
Day 14: Merida & Chichen Itza / Valladolid
Exploration of Merida (1½ drive), city of hammocks and multicoloured textiles. This colourful, friendly and charming city dates before the Spanish colonization but was much transformed by it and it is now one of the moste beautiful cities to visit in southern Mexico. In the afternoon, after a 2 hours drive, you will explore the archaeological site of Chichen Itza (600 to 1000 AD): popular, impressive, inevitable, one of the popular Maya sites! Overnight in Valladolid, a typical, peaceful and charming colonial city between Chichen and Cancun.
Day 15: Cancun
Transfer to the international airport of Cancun or to Cancun city center. End of the adventure.
Through the beauties of the Yucatan Peninsula
and Guatemala's highlands, crossing Belize and Chiapas, discover the mysteries of yesterday's Mayan empire and its wonders of today.
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See also The Great Maya Tour, a 20 day SEMI GUIDED adventure |
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NOTE: The description of this program is provided as a general indication of the tour's itinerary. Your program could be slightly different according to weather conditions, availabilities or changes in the accessibility of a site and/or service.
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 LODGING provided during this tour is in charming meticulously selected 3* inns, eco-lodges and hotels. We mainly use, throughout our tours, exactly & carefully selected small or medium sized genuine hotels and Inns offering friendliness and a homey touch along with the comfort and services provided in larger hotels. Inns are locally owned and managed - often family run - and provide a warm and friendly atmosphere to the visitors. The large charming rooms always count a private bathroom, a ceiling fan and/or air conditioning. * Unless otherwise indicated in the tour's day by day description.
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Exclusions
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- An excellent tour guide with you from the beginning to the end and a specialized local guide on each Maya site.
- All the transports in a private mini-bus with private driver, from airport arrival to airport departure.
- Lodgings in charming and very comfortable hotels, eco-lodges and inns, private bathroom, pleasant ambience.
- All the activities included in the description of the tour.
- A national flight from Flores to Guatemala City.
- All the breakfasts and most evening meals served in hotels and restaurants.
- The entry fees on all the Maya sites.
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- International flights; get a quote
- Personal insurance; get a quote
- Lunches and 3 evening meals (see itinerary);
- Tips, drinks and personal expenses.
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For additional practical travel information on this tour RMA - click here
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| Rates $US 2008 starting from: |
Coming departures: |
2895 / pers. in double occ.
+ 795 / pers. in single occ. |
| 2008 : |
JUL 19, AUG 02, AUG 16, DEC 26 |
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Change currency: $US | $CAN | €EURO
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Click on a date to book or propose a new departure |
| For all our tours' DATES & PRICES please Click here |
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Prices DO NOT include international flights, please CONTACT US for an estimate.
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Comparing our tours and prices with others, consider...
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- The number of participants in the tour. The GROUP SIZE has a major incidence on the quality of the services provided by the tour leader and the driver. Small groups remain personal unlike large groups.
- What IS and what is NOT respectively included in the tours you compare.
- Our tours respect the principals of ecotourism. Our guides, staff members and providers are meticulously selected to meet our exacting requirements and standards and they are remunerated equitably and considered with great esteem as we much value their participation to our mission.
- The quality standard of the services and accommodations we provide in our tours is high and our customer service is exceptional. We are committed to offering the very best to our travellers before, during and after their tour.
- We provide our travellers with the contact information of their tour manager who is available 7 days a week, reachable at all time before and during the tour to promptly assist them with any situation or simply answer questions or doubts before the tour starts.
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Tours & Destinations
