Mayan Highlights Itinerary

Laze on powdery white beaches, swim in the warm waters or simply relax at a bar with a margarita and enjoy the luxury Cancun has to offer. Enjoy a brief guided walk through this busy resort town.

Visit Chichen Itza's ancient city and marvel at the splendour of the Chichen ruins - one of the best examples of Mayan architecture. Spend the night in the colonial splendour of Merida, the gem of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Stroll around Mexico's jungle-tangled Palenque ruins and admire temple walls sculpted with images of gods, rulers and ceremonies. After the ruins, you have the option of visiting the waterfall of Misol-Ha and the natural pools of Agua Azul.

Head to the cooler climes of San Cristobal de las Casas, a city rich in local culture and tasty cuisine. Take an optional day trip to San Juan Chamula.

Cross the border into Guatemala to the lakeside town of Panajachel. Take an optional cruise on beautiful Lake Atitlan.

Experience the local way of life at a homestay. Practise Spanish and enjoy a home-cooked meal with a friendly host family.

Visit the famous market in Chichicastenango and bargain for some of Guatemala's best handicrafts. Travel to Antigua, a colonial city flanked by smouldering volcanoes.

Travel by bus to Flores and unwind in a town where canoes are still a mode of transport. Take a dip in Lago Peten Itza then be awestruck by Tikal's ruins towering above the jungle. Climb to the top of a temple at Tikal to spy scarlet macaws darting through the forest canopy.

Get off the beaten track with a journey into stunning Belize. Surrounded by fast-flowing rivers and forested hills, this is a great base to see the San Ignacio ruins.

Kick back on a white sand beach off the coast of Belize or take an optional Belize diving adventure in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve - see coral, tropical fish, sharks and manta rays.

Travel into Mexico and laze on the sands or watch the sun set over the sea from the Mayan ruins of Tulum. This idyllic site perched on a cliff overlooking the beach affords staggering views over the Mexican coastline.

This beach town offers a final chance to go souvenir shopping, have some fun in the sun or enjoy the easygoing Mexican nightlife.