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First Half Central America Gold Tour17 days duration (20 days including travel days to and from Central America).
Today we depart on our flight to Santiago in South America. As we cross the International Date Line we 'gain' a day so we arrive in Chile later the same day. On arrival we will be met and taken to our 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)
Following a leisurely breakfast we return to the airport for our flight to Mexico City. 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 later this evening we are met and taken to our well located, luxury hotel for four nights. (B & Meals Inflight)
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 where you board your overnight flight to Santiago de Chile. (BL)
On arrival into Santiago early this morning you are met and taken to your hotel for the day. This evening you are taken back to the airport for your flight home. (Meals Inflight)
Today is spent inflight as you re-cross the Date Line and 'lose' one day. (Meals Inflight)
This morning you 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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