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Central America Gold Tour29 days duration (33 days including travel days to and from Central America).
Today you depart on your flight to Santiago in South America. As you cross the Date Line you 'gain' a day so you arrive in Chile later the same day. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel for the night. This provides the opportunity to acclimatise to the new time zone and also breaks the long flight from Australia to Mexico. (Meals Inflight)
Mexico is the third largest country in Latin America and the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world. Its geography ranges from swamp to desert; from tropical lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation above the tree line; from thin arid soils to others so rich that they grow three crops a year! Mexico City, founded by the Spaniards in 1521, was built upon the remains of Teotihuacan, the Aztec Capital.
On arrival into Mexico City we will be taken to our well located luxury hotel for four nights.
After a leisurely start to the morning we will host a brief but informative Tour Orientation Meeting in which we get to know each other and outline the important aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Inca Gold Tour.
In the afternoon we take a comprehensive city tour visiting the Main Square with its centuries of tradition, the National Palace with its famous murals, the Metropolitan Cathedral and other sights of Mexico City. This is followed by a Tour Welcome Dinner at one of Mexico City's many excellent restaurants, where we can sample some fine local cuisine and perhaps try a sangria of two! (BD)
This morning we visit the renowned National Anthropology Museum with its many interesting exhibits. Following lunch we drivev to Xochimilco where we experience Mexico City as it was in the time of the Aztecs as we take a boat tour on the extensive waterways in the area. (BL)
Today we drive out of the city to see the spectacular Teotihuacan Pyramids. This vast archaeological site contains some of the world's most remarkable relics of an ancient civilisation. It is believed to date from around 300BC and housed 250,000 inhabitants. One of the largest of the pyramids covers almost the same area as the Great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt.
On the way back to Mexico City we stop at the Shrine of Guadalupe Virgin, the Patron Saint of the America. (BL)
This morning we will be transferred to Mexico City Airport for our flight to Merida, called the “White City” because of the cleanliness and beauty of its Colonial streets and houses. Many ‘Meridanoes’ wear immaculate embroidered costumes and speak the language of their Mayan ancestors, as well as Spanish. On arrival into Merida we enjoy a typical Yucatan lunch before undertaking a city tour and checking into our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this beautiful town. (BL)
You have the morning at leisure to enjoy Merida. Later we drive to Chichen Itza, the original capital of the ancient Mayan Empire. Founded in 432 AD, re-founded in 987 AD and taken over by the Toltecs in the 10th Century, this site is now surrounded by jungle, with iguanas occupying the palaces. Our hotel is located at the entrance to the ruins. (BD)
Today we are taken on a comprehensive tour of Chichen Itza. We see the Temple of Tigers and the Ball Court, where the first known ball games were played, as well as the Sacred Cenote, a sacrificial pool. The Cenote illustrates the paradox of a civilisation so barbarous and yet so scientifically advanced as to baffle archaeologists. After visiting this amazing site we return to our hotel to freshen up before departing by road to Playa del Carmen for a restful two-night stay. (BLD)
Today is at leisure to just relax or enjoy the atmosphere of the Caribbean Riviera, where the sun shines brightly and the unpolluted waters are warm and sparkling clear. (BLD)
Following breakfast we are taken to the airport for our flight to Havana de Cuba. Here we are met and taken to our historic hotel for a memorable three-night stay. Havana, the capital of Cuba, was founded in 1514 by explorer Diego Velazquez and the original city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. With narrow streets and a rich diversity of Colonial buildings, decorative balconies, shuttered windows and museums, Havana is one of the most appealing cities of the Americas.
At sunset, Havana's bars and cafes come to life with the rhythm of Salsa and Jazz, embracing all those who stroll her streets. This evening we enjoy dinner and typical Cuban music in downtown Havana. (BD)
After breakfast we undertake a comprehensive tour of old and new Havana which includes Revolution Square, the National Capitol, Arms Square, San Francisco Square and the Cathedral Square. We drive along the Malecon to Mora Castle for a view over the city and visit the traditional Del Medio Bar (an old haunt of writer Ernest Hemingway) and a cigar factory where we see the famous Cuban cigars being rolled by hand. (BL)
You have the whole day at leisure to explore Havana before we depart for dinner, which is followed by a spectacular Cabaret Show. (BD)
Today we leave Havana and drive to the Cuban city of Trinidad where we stay for two nights. This gives us ample time to soak up the atmosphere and history of this relic of early Spanish colonisation. Later after freshening up we have dinner at our Trinidad hotel. (BD)
Trinidad was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 and today this "Museum Town'' offers a great Spanish Colonial atmosphere of pastel painted buildings with tiled roof tops, cobbled stone streets, Baroque church towers and wrought iron gates. The classic old American cars and horse drawn carts add to the ambiance of a by-gone era. Today we undertake a tour of Old Trinidad with its museums and churches. One of the hightlights is a visit to the Borrell Family Mansion. This 1820's home now houses the Municipal History Museum. There is also a splendid view from the tower overlooking Trinidad. (B)
This morning we travel through mountain scenery and old sugar plantations in the area surrounding Trinidad, enroute to Santa Clara where we visit the Che Guevara Memorial Museum. We then continue our journey to Cienfuegos where we check into our hotel for two nights. (BLD)
The city of Cienfuegos, with its strong French influence depicted in its imposing Neoclassic architecture, sits on beautiful Cienfuegos Bay in the Caribbean Sea. This morning we are taken by boat to visit the historic Old Fort at the entrance of Cienfuego Bay. Following the visit we return for lunch before undertaking a walking tour of the old city. After some free time on our return to the hotel we are taken out to one of the city's best seafood restaurants. (BLD)
This morning we are driven from Cienfuegos back to Havana, where we have an early lunch before being taken to the airport for our flight to Panama. On arrival into Panama City we are met and taken to our hotel for two nights. (BL)
This morning we are taken to board our vessel for a visit to the greatest engineering masterpiece of the last century - the Panama Canal, considered the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World! Following the partial crossing we undertake a fascinating Panama City Tour.
The Spaniards' efforts to settle colonies in the Atlantic Region of Darien failed due to the unhealthy location and food scarcity. This led to a move to the Pacific Ocean, founding Old Panama City on 15th August 1519. Panama rapidly became a wealthy country of legend, attracting buccaneers who roved alongs its coasts. The pirate-captain Henry Morgan attached and 'sacked' the old city in 1671. Today's tour visits many of these sites. (BL)
After breakfast we return to Panama City Airport for our flight to San Jose in Costa Rica. On arrival we are met and taken on a scenic drive across the Cordillera Tillaran, passing through quaint villages, rolling mountains and dense tropical jungle to the classic cone-shaped 1633 metre high Arenal Volcano. We have views of the volcano from our resort-style hotel, our home for two nights.
Come nightfall, we may hear loud rumbles and see red hot lava as it is spewed from the volcano and tumbles down its sides (BL)
Costa Rica's main attraction is its countryside, nature and wildlife. With a quarter of the country preserved in national parks and wildlife conservation areas, a trip to Costa Rica would not be complete without visiting Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, where we undertake a boat trip into this wildlife paradise. On our return tonight, we can enjoy the hot springs and soak in their natural thermal waters. (BL)
This morning we depart Arenal and travel to Santa Elena, where the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is situated. This private reserve is home to the shy and very rare Resplendent Quetzal. Later in the day we undertake a canopy walk along suspension bridges through and above the tree tops of the cloud forest with our expert naturalist guide. (BD)
Following breakfast we visit the Monteverde Mariposario (butterfly farm) for a glimpse into the life and variety of butterflies and other insects from Monteverde and its surrounding areas.
Later in the day we depart for the beach-side village of Manuel Antonio with its beautiful beaches, views and lush national park. (BL)
Early this morning we are taken on a guided walk in the Manuel Antonio National Park by our naturalist guide, who will point out the many and varied species of birds, animals and plants which call this park home. On our return, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and explore further. Tonight we dine high above the Manuel Antonio cliff face, with Pacific Ocean sunset views. (BD)
Later this morning we are taken back to San Jose Airport where we board our flight to Guatemala City. On arrival we are met and taken to the bohemian lakeside village of Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan, considered by many as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Here we spend two picturesque nights. (B)
Today we undertake a boat excursion on Lake Atitlan, during which we visit the village of San Antonio Polopo. On our return we have lunch overlooking the lake before having the afternoon at leisure. (BL)
Following breakfast we are driven to Chichicastenango, the centre of the Maya-Quiche Highlands. Here we visit the magnificent Church of Santo Tomas with its famous markets offering a variety of handmade textiles, pottery and crafts. As we wander around the square, we may also witness the ancient incense-burning ritual on the steps of the church. From here we continue onto Guatemala City to board our evening flight to Flores where, on arrival we are met and taken to our hotel near Tikal for a two-night stay. (BL)
Today we visit the ruins of Tikal located in the Tikal National Park. Here we see the 'Q' Complex, the Great Plaza, the Palace of the Nobles and Pyramid IV, the highest of the Mayan Pyramids. From the top of this pyramid a complete view of Tikal and its surrounding jungle can be enjoyed. We also visit the Lost World Complex, recently discovered structures from the late pre-Classical period which pre-date Tikal itself. (BLD)
Early this morning we fly back to Guatemala City where we are met and driven to our hotel located in the beautiful Colonial City of Antigua. On arrival at our historic hotel we undertake a comprehensive tour of this spectacular hotel and its grounds!
Antigua is surrounded by three volcanoes, providing a dramatic backdrop to this quaint town. It overflows with fine churches, beautiful Colonial architecture, ruins and great shopping opportunities. In the afternoon we undertake a city tour which includes many of these highlights. (BL)
This morning we undertake a tour of Antigua's Coffee and Music Museum before visiting some of the surrounding indigenous villages and a coffee farm where you may be lucky enough to witness the beans being harvested and sorted for export.
Our afternoon is at leisure to further explore Antigua. Tonight we meet for our End of Tour Dinner. (BD)
This afternoon we bid farewell to Antigua, Guatemala and Central America as we return to Guatemala City Airport for our flight to Mexico City. Here we remain in transit before connecting with our overnight flight to Santiago de Chile. (B & Meals Inflight)
On arrival in Santiago this morning we are met and taken to our hotel for the day. Later tonight we are taken back to the airport for our flight home. (Meals Inflight)
Today is spent inflight as we re-cross the Date Line and 'lose' one day. (Meals Inflight)
This morning we arrive back home.
All prices are subject to currency fluctuations, additional airline charges and changes in costs from ground suppliers. We reserve the right to vary any part of the tour at our sole discretion as circumstances may require.
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