Southern Caravan
[Belize City to Mexico City]trip itinerary and details

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Southern Caravan 15 days: $3485 Currency Converter Belize City to Mexico City - contact us for help with flights Countries visited: Mexico, Belize and Guatemala Southern Caravan is for those who have already visited Chichen Itza and Cancun (or don't wish to this time) and want to delve deeper into some of the other sites and regions of Mesoamerica. We'll begin with a couple of days of fun and sun In Belize, snorkeling and sea kayaking on Caye Caulker, before heading into Guatemala for a visit to the mammoth Mayan site of Tikal.  From there we continue to Palenque, via Bonampak, and then up into the highlands and the city of San Cristobal de Las Casas. Then we head to the cultural and archaeological wonders of Oaxaca and Mexico City, including the sites of Monte Albán and Teotihuacan.  And as on all Southern Crossings tours, you're taken care of from beginning to end: airport transfers are included! Depart any day you wish! If traveling alone, please add a single supplement of $1250 for your very own tour!

Day Location 1 Arrive Belize City, transfer to Caye Caulker 2 Snorkeling - Caye Caulker 3-4 Tikal, Guatemala 5 Travel to Palenque, visit Bonampak 6 Palenque 7-8 San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico 9 Flight to Oaxaca - city tour 10 Oaxaca - Mitla ruins and market 11 Oaxaca - Monte Albán 12 Travel to Mexico City - city tour 13 Mexico City - Museum of Anthropology, Kahlo and Trotsky houses/museums 14 Ruins of Teotihuacan 15 Departure day - transfer to Mexico City airport

 

Day	Activity/Location
1-2	Day 1 arrive into Belize City and transfer by water taxi to Caye Caulker.  Caye Caulker is a heavenly Caribbean island within sight of the world's second longest barrier reef.  Many are content to relax and enjoy the island’s delicious seafood and plentiful rum punch, but really it's the snorkeling and diving we're here for on day 2, with an all-day included excursion by sailboat to Shark and Stingray Alley, the Coral Gardens and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.  If you arrive in time, we've also included on day 1 an afternoon paddling around the island on sea kayaks, ending up with a spectacular Caribbean sunset!
3-4	A short plane ride lands us near Tikal, just over the border in neighboring Guatemala. Tikal is truly the granddaddy of all excavated Mayan sites, with five enormous pyramids towering over the jungle canopy and countless other palaces and temples jutting out of the lush green rainforest. Lose yourself amid this ancient splendor to the sounds of red howler and spider monkeys, toucans and macaws. The archaeological site is situated within the protected Tikal National Park, so exploring the miles and miles of jungle trails is an adventure of natural as well as historical discovery. Also, don’t miss the experience of sunset from atop one of the pyramids, as the sun disappears over the jungle expanse and the creatures of the forest come to life in a symphony of sounds.  We'll have two days to explore the ruins, staying in El Remate, an attractive town on the shores of Lake Peten Itza.
5	Today is an exciting day of travel as we make our way across the Peten rainforest of northern Guatemala, and then hop into a dugout canoe for a trip down the Usumacinta River to the Mexican border post. After border formalities, we'll visit the beautiful and well-preserved Mayan murals at Bonampak before continuing on to Palenque.
6	Palenque, though not the largest of Mayan sites, is many people’s favorite by far. Its architecture, particularly the ornate and well-preserved "bell tower", is highly advanced and its inscriptions, murals  and paintings are some of the best in the Maya world. Trace the rise and fall of Palenque's dynasty as you explore this ancient city, then trek past a series of beautiful riverine pools in the hills below the site.
7-8	Today we make our way into a whole new ecosystem as we twist and turn into the Chiapas highlands and arrive at the colonial city of San Cristobal. On the way we'll visit the spectacular waterfall sites of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha.  In the San Cristobal region, many ancient Maya ways are still vividly alive in the dress and customs of the region’s inhabitants, and we’ll spend days 7 and 8 getting to know the San Cristobal area and its people. We'll shop for textiles, jewelry, and weavings in the many indigenous markets, visit the well-known Casa de Bolom, former home of activists and researchers Gertrude and Frans Blom, and take walks and excursions to small villages in the nearby countryside. Compared by many to Cuzco in Peru and Antigua in Guatemala, San Cristobal is an extraordinarily special place that you won’t tire of spending time in.
9	We catch a flight this morning from nearby Tuxtla Gutierrez to Oaxaca, set in the rugged, mountainous south of Mexico. Oaxaca is many people's favorite city in all of Mexico because of its vibrant blend of indigenous and modern cultures, its wealth of daytime and nighttime activities, and the spectacular nearby ruins of Monte Albán.  It also happens to be the home of mescal, tequila's sister beverage and the one that does actually come with a worm at the bottom.  We'll spend three great days here in Oaxaca, starting with this afternoon's city tour. Our city tour of Oaxaca begins at the zócalo, or the main plaza, with its ornate, art-filled churches and finely-carved facades.  We'll continue on to Santo Domingo Church and the adjoining Museum of Oaxacan Cultures, which has a spectacular exhibit of Mixtec treasure from Monte Alban as well as an adjacent ethnobotanical garden.  We'll finish off with Oaxaca's world-class contemporary art museum and then wind down our day at the Casa del Mescal to sample one of Mexico's many great contributions to the world!
10	Today is Saturday, which, lucky for us, is market day in Mitla, a Zapotec human sacrifice site well-known for its intricate stone mosaics.  Markets in the Oaxacan Valley go back thousands of years, and a market day is a must-see, as buyers and sellers come from all over the region in a grand cacophony of sounds, smells, colors and regional costumes. After the market, we'll visit the Mitla ruins, where hundreds if not thousands of sacrifice victims has their hearts ripped out amidst some of the most stunning mosaics in all of pre-Columbian art.
11	This morning we visit one of Mexico's major archaeological jewels, Monte Albán, set on a hilltop high above the city.  Monte Albán was the capital of the ancient Zapotec culture and includes many pyramids, tombs and ball courts as well as the absolute best 360° view of any ruin in Mexico. Our afternoon is free to roam the cobblestone streets of Oaxaca's center, visit an extra museum or two, or perhaps shop in Oaxaca's central market for "mole" sauce, chocolate, mescal or one of the many other items for which the Oaxaca region is famous.
12	Hold on to you hats! We're off on an early morning bus journey up Mexico's "Volcano Alley" to one of the world's truly great cities.  Called simply "Mexico" by Mexicans, Mexico City can be a daunting and huge destination, but just stick with us for three days of safe but exciting exploration of this massive megalopolis. After settling into our hotel, we'll head first to the zócalo, one of the largest public spaces in the entire world.  After spending some time visiting the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the main temple of the Aztecs, we'll walk a few blocks to Alameda Park, home to the Palace of Fine Arts and the Mural Museum of Diego Rivera. To round out our first day, we'll have dinner in the Zona Rosa, a glitzy neighborhood of shops, restaurants and discos.
13	We'll spend this morning visiting Parque Chapultepec and its massive National Museum of Anthropology, where we can see art and artifacts from the pre-Columbian sites we've visited as well as those we won't have time for on this trip.  The highlight for many is the giant golden sun disc of the Aztec Empire. In the afternoon we'll stop in at Frida Kahlo's "Blue House" as well as the Trotsky Museum, both in the lively bohemian neighborhood of Coyoacán.  Dinner overlooking one of Coyoacan's lively plazas.
14	This morning we visit one of the great archaeological centers on the planet, the massive Temples of the Sun and Moon at Teotihuacan.  Mistakenly believed by many to be Aztec, the Teotihuacan were their own pre-Aztec civilization, leaving behind two of the biggest pyramids on the planet.  Afternoon free for independent exploration, shopping, or a sidewalk cafe coffee.
15	Departure Day - transfer to Mexico City airport

TRIP DETAILS

15 days: $3485 Currency Converter
Belize City to Mexico City - contact us for help with flights
Countries visited: Mexico, Belize and Guatemala
 

Joining the tour
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives(holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel.  No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis! 

What's included in the trip 

• Airport pickup/drop off and transfer to/from hotel

• Southern Crossings bilingual guides

• All internal transport

• Internal flights, Belize City-Tikal, Tuxtla Gutierrez-Oaxaca

• Ten nights tourist-class hotel accommodation

• Four nights clean, comfortable beach/jungle cabana

• Entrance fee and guided tour of the ruins of Tikal, Bonampak, Palenque, Mitla, Monte Albán, Aztec Templo Mayor, Teotihuacan ruins.  Two day entrance to Tikal

• Caye Caulker full-day snorkeling excursion, including equipment (mask, snorkel, flippers) and lunch

• Caye Caulker half day kayaking excursion

• San Cristobal half-day city tour and full-day Mayan villages tour

• Entrances to Agua Azul and Misol-Ha waterfalls

• Oaxaca half-day city tour and full-day Mitla market/ruins tour

• Mexico City city tours including Templo Mayor, Cathedral, Presidential palace (murals of Diego Rivera) Palace of Fine Arts, Mural Museum of Diego Rivera, houses/museums of Kahlo and Trotsky

• Half day tour of the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

• All internal transport

What's not included
International flights, international airport departure taxes, pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, optional excursions, tips and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy. Check www.travelguard.com to purchase a policy for your trip.

Single Accommodation supplement: $600
Please add this amount to the payment if you wish to have private accommodation throughout the trip.

Diving?
Please add $200 for one two-tank dive (at Caye Caulker).

PRE-TRIP PLANNER

All travelers to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. Other nationalities, visit www.mexicanconsulate.org.uk/visas/AVISA_WEB.htm for Mexico and consult the nearest embassy or consulate for Belize and Guatemala.  An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, is sufficient for proof of funds.

Before you can confirm your booking through Southern Crossings, we need proof that you have Travel Insurance. To get a policy, we recommend www.travelguard.com

No immunizations are required of travelers except a yellow fever vaccination if coming directly from a yellow-fever infected area such as sub-Sahara Africa or South America.  Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations.  Some areas are technically a malaria zone, and travelers may wish to take a malaria prophylaxis.  Please consult your physician or local health department.

Travelers should expect some mild, temporary discomfort such as diarrhea from the change of diet.  For more serious intestinal illnesses, medicines such as ciprofloxacin and metronidazole are available over the counter from pharmacies.  We will not reach any elevations above 2400m on this trip.

Our trip will be a backpacker-style adventure which includes rainforest walking, exploring ruins, snorkeling (or diving if certified), boat rides and day hiking. Please note you are not required to snorkel.  One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A suggested list of things to bring would include:

•Passport and, if necessary, visa
•Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
•Airline ticket
•Photocopies of airline ticket, documents
•Wearable pouch for documents and money
•Large, sturdy backpack (much preferable to a suitcase)
•trekking boots, comfortable and worn-in
•Sandals or flip-flops for beaches, showers
•Rain poncho or jacket
•Hat for sun
•Warm clothing for moderately cold weather
•T-shirts, shorts, for hot weather
•Socks, undergarments
•Towel
•Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
•Sunscreen lotion
•Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
•Lip balm
•Earplugs
•Camera and film
•Alarm clock or watch
•Sanitizing hand wipes or lotion
•Camera and film
•Camera batteries
•Playing cards, games, reading material
•Prescription medications
•Toiletries

Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are available in the region. Best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries.

Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in the rainforest and in high mountains, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:

Belize: hot and humid with chance of rain.

Palenque: rainforest conditions. Humid, very hot days. Warm nights. Some rain likely.

Tikal (Guatemala): rainforest conditions. Humid, very hot days. Warm nights. Some rain likely.

San Cristobal: Warm when sunny, can be chilly at night or with clouds.  Good chance of some rain.

Oaxaca: hot, usually sunny days with the chance of strong afternoon thunderstorms.  Pleasant evenings.

Mexico City: temperate, pleasant climate, except for all the smog!  Cool evenings.

Money guide

The unit of currency in Mexico is the peso.Currency Converter

The currency of Guatemala is the quetzal.  Currency Converter

The currency of Belize is the Belizean dollar. Currency Converter
 

Automatic cash points are available in all cities we will visit (Belize City, Flores, Palenque, San Cristobal, Oaxaca, Mexico City). Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. For Caye Caulker, best to grab cash in Belize City beforehand - we'll make a stop.  Banks and exchange houses are available in all cities.  For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged.

Expect to spend about US$8-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer or soft drink in Mexico.  Prices are slightly lower in Guatemala and almost double in Belize.

info@southerncrossings.com

 Consultants and
participants in the

Kids TV Series
Are We There Yet?
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"Southern Crossings arranged for us to see so many wonderful things, to enjoy so many activities and to meet so many interesting and wonderful people.  There  is no way that we could have organized such a complex and interesting itinerary ourselves and no way that we would have known which of the many sites to visits.  On top of this, the local guides are all impressively knowledgeable and present this information so clearly - it makes the locations come alive." - Bishop Family, UK, Mayan World Custom Tour, August 2008

"It was a great pleasure working with Doug Newton and Southern Crossings on our National Geographic family travel TV series ‘Are We There Yet?’.  Doug showed a great flair for coming up with fun things for kids to do at Machu Picchu, and put a lot of thought and time into working with our specific needs.  He was reliable, organized and thorough, plus he was so friendly and calm that he was a pleasure to work with!  Thanks again, Doug!" - Stacey Jenkins, Associate Producer, Sinking Ship Entertainment

info@southerncrossings.com