Drive to Oaxaca. Leaving the capital, you'll go through cactus country south to Oaxaca, one of the loveliest colonial cities in Mexico. Arriving in the afternoon, you will explore the city on foot. The colonnaded zocalo comes alive at night as families come to stroll in the shade, while street vendors and entertainers vie for their attention. Oaxaca also has several colourful markets.

In Oaxaca. Colonial Oaxaca was built with stones taken from ancient temples a few miles away. You'll explore the complex of temples, pyramids and strange rock carvings at Monte Alban, a high spur that looms over the fertile valley. This mystical site was created by Zapotec. Indians who flourished here a thousand years ago. There may be the chance to see some of the exquisite treasures of Monte Alban in the Santo Domingo museum (optional).

Drive to Chiapa del Corzo. During your full day journey, you'll stop to visit the 2000 year old cypress tree in Tule and explore the Mixtec/Zapotec site of Mitla. You'll continue through the hot and windy isthmus of Tehuantepec and on to our night stop in Chiapa del Corzo, near the Sumidero canyon.

Visit Sumidero Canyon, then drive to San Cristóbal. This morning you'll visit the spectacular Sumidero Canyon, a unique rift 41km long and 1000m deep, cut by the Rio Grijalva. This the spot where, in the 16th century, some 1000 Chiapas Indians committed suicide rather than submit to Spanish rule. You'll take boat trip to fully appreciate the towering gorge where raptors glide, before driving up a scenic mountain road to San Cristobal de las Casas.

In San Cristobal de las Casas. There is a unique atmosphere to this small colonial and indian town, 2134m high in the scenic Chiapas range. Indians from the surrounding hills fill the town and marketplace with their colourful dress including the distinctive Tzotzil Indians who have their own language. You'll travel by ‘colectivo’ to San Juan de Chamula, where the old Indian way of life has barely changed over the centuries. The Indians are noted for their bright textiles and weavings in bold designs and this is the place to bargain for some colourful souvenirs.

Drive to Palenque.
Leaving the highlands, you'll descend through the tangled forests of Chiapas stopping on the way at the little visited ruins of Tonina. The road is slow and winding, but there are scenic views as you descended from the highlands to the jungles of Palenque. You can bathe the delightfully refreshing waterfalls at Agua Azul or Misol Ha, before driving on to our hotel.

At Palenque. One of the highlights of your tour is today’s guided visit to the famous jungle ruins of Palenque, a fascinating and important Mayan site. Once the choking forest was cleared, the ruins revealed the tomb of the high priest Pakal, his body adorned with a marvellous jade death mask, one of the most prized relics of the Maya culture, discovered only in 1952. The entire site, shrouded by the steamy rainforest, has an aura of deep mystery.

Drive to Bonampak, boat via Yaxchilan to Bethel. Today you'll go to Frontera Corozal via the ruins of Bonampak. The discovery of the well preserved murals at this site had a profound impact on your understanding of the Mayans. Continuing to Usamacinta river, you'll board your launcha (river boat) and head for the remote site of Yaxchilan, famous for its stelae and roof combs. You'll continue along the river to small border settlement of Bethel.

Drive to Flores. Your Mayan rainforest experience continues today as you progress by road to Sayaxche, where we take a short relaxing river journey to El Ceibal. You reach the sleepy town of Flores on the shores of Lake Peten Itza.

Visit Tikal.Today you visit Tikal, the great Maya metropolis set amidst acres of rainforest, which can justly be compared with Egyptian and Greek masterpieces. Initially settled about 600 BC, Tikal was abandoned by its rulers around AD 890 and totally deserted a hundred years later. The city covered an area of 16 square kilometres. Rediscovered in 1848, only a few of its great temples and pyramids have been excavated as yet. The site is extensive so you include a guided tour in the morning with the afternoon free for personal exploration. Dusk is a magnificent times to appreciate the prolific birdlife in the surrounding rainforest. You return to nearby Flores for your overnight stay.

Drive to Belize City. You continue your journey by road to the Guatemala-Belize border, and drive on to Belize City. Parts of the former capital of the country are still largely built of wood and gal-vanised iron, a typically Caribbean town, where Creole English is spoken.

Tour ends Belize City. If you'll choose Yucatan extension you fly to Ambergris Caye. You take a light aircraft to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye (pronounced ‘key’) lying some distance off the coast. As we approach, the views of coral islands in the azure Caribbean are stunning. There are few cars on the caye – so shoes off and time to enjoy the sunshine!

At leisure on Ambergris Caye. The cayes form part of the longest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere, set in crystal clear waters. Boats and equipment can be hired for snorkelling, diving, and optional glass-bottom boat reef trips to view the psychedelic fish and underwater sea gardens (qualified divers should bring their certifi-cates). Alternatively you can relax, swim or soak up the sun.

Fly to Corozal, drive to Tulum, Flying from San Pedro to the tiny airstrip at Corozal, we drive to Tulum. The afternoon is free to explore this dramatically situated site sitting atop a cliff overlooking the turquoise water and golden sands below. The ruins of Tulum date back to the late period of the Mayan civilisation, when there was developing enmity between Mayan areas and so the city is guarded by thick ramparts and a watch tower.

Drive to Piste. The morning is free to relax in this idyllic spot, later you drive to Piste with the chance to swim in one of the many Cenotes, underground pools used by the ancient Maya as a source of water.

Visit Chichen Itza; drive to Merida. This morning you'll visit the ruins of Chichen Itza. Founded in AD432, refounded 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 for defeat), are adorned with astonishing sculptures. Under the pressure of the civil war, the great monuments deteriorated and the Maya civilisation collapsed. Chichen Itza remains one of the most outstanding sites in Central America. You'll drive than via the colonial backwater of Izamal to Merida, famed for its beautiful Spanish-Moorish style architecture.

In Merida; visit Uxmal. This morning you will visit the site at Uxmal. Encircled by hills, Uxmal is expansive in its design, with majestic palaces and temple-pyramids. Long geometrical friezes rank among the most splendid examples of ancient American Art. The incredible Pyramid of the Magician and the beautiful Governor’s Palace are two of the finest examples of Mayan art anywhere. Later in the day you'll return to Merida where you have time to wander along the narrow streets watching the horse drawn carriages trot past.