15 Days Mayan Heritage Trail , Central America

About the destination: Mexico City is a vivid metropolis and cosmopolitan city situated on a plain in the central highlands at an altitude of 2, 286 metres. It is the capital city of Mexico, and the largest city in North America by population. Spanish administrative buildings and private houses in the heart of the city have replaced the temples of ancient Mexico and has resulted in a synthesis of both old and new architectural styles. Located at the Plaza de la Constitución, in the Historic Downtown, the Catedral Metropolitana is the country's largest cathedral and its construction took 250 years. The lower section is quite plain but the upper section is of Baroque and Neo-Classical design. It contains many altars and the main altar is made from solid gold. An elevator ascends the Torre Latino America, an earthquake-proof tower that was built in 1958. A viewing platform provides a wonderful panoramic view that includes the Palacio de Bellas Artes, with its orange and yellow dome, and the Juárez Monument. Of course a visit to Mexico DF would be incomplete without the Mariachi music. Go to the Plaza Garibaldi in the evening, and enjoy the Mariachi music.Located 50 kilometres from Mexico D.F. are the ancient remains of Teotihuacan that was once a centre of trade, art and ritual ceremonies. Its Sun Pyramid is one of the greatest building achievements of ancient times and it is considered by one of the most important cultural centres of mankind.The city's fascinating history is reflected in both its art and architecture with age old charm, Indian roots and elegant buildings. For surprises, sights and history galore, Mexico D.F. definitely deserves a visit.

About the destination: Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala, and it's the largest and most modern city of the country. Guatemala City is a sprawling city with a mix of modern, colonial and traditional architecture. It has an interesting Old City, great Churches, some good museums and markets, and it´s a good place to see the real Guatemala with its mixtures of Ladino and Indian culture.In zona 13 and 14, in the southern part of the centre of Guatemala City, you will find the impressive Avenida las Americas. This wide boulevard is a tribute to every country in Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina and Chile. It runs from Calle 1 to Calle 20, through what is called the cultural area of the city.The central square in Guatemala City known as Parque Central is the heart of the city and is always a centre of activity. It is also one of the most attractive areas for visitors since many of Guatemala City's most notable features, such as the Cathedral, many museums, the National Palace, and the National Library, surround the Plaza. Most of the Plaza is an open paved area, perfect to do some shopping, or just sit back and watch everyone else go about their business. There are also splashing fountains where children play and quieter shaded areas, where young lovers seem to occupy every bench. Nearby we have the Central Market, huge market for Guatemalan handicrafts. The genuine and profound hospitality of its inhabitants combined with the city's outstanding cultural legacy and astonishing natural beauty makes Guatemala City a compelling place for travellers.

About the destination: Belize is a country on the eastern coast of Central America. This country has a lot to offer, from the lush jungles with exotic plants and animals of inner Belize to the white sand beaches of the islands. Relaxation, outdoor adventure, diving, culture, you can do it all in a week. Belize is famed for its Mayan culture, it has some of the best excavated Mayan temples and cities within Central America. Actun Tunichil Muknal is a Mayan sacrificial burial site near Belmopan, the country’s capital. The site is contained entirely within a cave system. The cave was a sacred site for the Mayans and it contains many examples of pottery, ceramics and stoneware, as well as several sets of human sacrificial remains. Near Belmopan we have the Guanacaste National Park, a tropical forest with a vast array of wild flora and fauna, especially the many tropical birds that inhabit this forest where Roaring Creek flows into the larger Belize River. Belize is a great tourist destination to get away from the hectic city life and get lost in the natural beauty of its surroundings. In Belize time does not matter, just soak in its nature and beaches and relish the simple life.

About the destination: Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization located in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. The city was located in the extreme southeast of the Mesoamerican cultural region, on the frontier with the Isthmo-Colombian cultural region. The city has a historical record that spans the greater part of the Classic period and has been reconstructed in detail by archaeologists and epigraphers. Las Copán Ruinas are the highlight of Copán. Although quite extensive, they are not as huge as Tikal in Guatemala or Teotihuacan in Mexico, but there is more sculpture here than any other Pre-Columbian city. The ruins are prized for the carved stellae of ancient rulers, and the well preserved hieryoglyphics including the hieryoglyphic stairway. Also in the archeological park is a marvelous Mayan museum (entry $7/person) with a reconstructed temple and fabulous artifacts. It's recommended to be there when it opens at 8AM, as the site gets very hot by mid-day. Hire a guide at the entrance to the ruins for $25 divided between however many people you can collect. Cesar (30s, good accented English) and Antonio (60s, few teeth, excellent English) are recommended if they're around. Besides the ruins, the countryside is attractive. Slow paced local life is quite calm, and farming of corn, beans, coffee, and tobacco is the main vocation.