TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: CUBA

Communist Cuba - delve into the world of revolutionist
Fidel Castro and explore the political history that has
shaped this fascinating country
Old Havana - walking tour of this enchanting and
historic UNESCO World Heritage Site
Dinner at Bodeguita de Medio - one of Hemingway's
favourite hangouts
Cigar factory, Havana Club rum factory & the famous Necrópolis
Cristóbal Colón cemetery
Dinner at a traditional Paladar - families open their wonderful homes
to visitors
Hospital & health clinic - talk to a representative of the Ministry of
Public Health
Tropicana Nighclub - free-flowing rum and 200 Latin dancers
performing on stage
Medical school - Cienfuegos
Day trip to charming colonial Trinidad & Sugar Mill Valley
Visit Ernest Hemingway's villa - Finca La Vigia

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: MEXICO
Fly Havana to Cancun, Mexico, and then transfer to Flores, Guatemala

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: BELIZE
Mountain Pine Ridge - jungle, waterfalls, butterfly farm & plenty of wildlife
Caracol Ruins - largest Mayan site in Belize lost in the rainforest
Belize Zoo - recognised as a phenomenal conservation achievement
Belize has the highest HIV rate in Central America - visit a clinic
working to improve this
Placencia Peninsula - snorkeling, sailing and sunbathing in this Caribbean
paradise
Cross a Caribbean bay from Belize to Guatemala - sail the lush jungle
river to Rio Dulce

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: GUATEMALA
Magnificent Mayan ruins at Tikal National Park
Ak'Tenamit project - providing education, healthcare & community programmes
to Q'eqchi Mayans
United Fruit Company's hospital - visit one of the oldest hospitals on the
Caribbean coast
Del Monte Banana Plantation - observe the production process from tree
to export
Antigua - Guatemala's former capital (ancient, colonial & nestled amongst
volcanoes)
Hermano Pedro Hospital - charity run to care for Guatemala's poor &
abandoned
Pacaya Volcano - optional energetic hike to the top of this active volcano
Macadamia farms, coffee farms and the delightfully small Mayan villages
of Sacatepepquez
Effigy of Maximon - myth-drenched immoral saint
Chichicastenango Market - the largest and most colourful market in
Guatemala mixed with religious rituals
Lake Atitlan - deep blue lake home to villages of Panajachel, Santa Cruz,
Santiago flanked by enormous volcanoes

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1 - London to Havana, CUBA
Fly to Havana, one of the Caribbean's most romantic and picturesque destinations. Delve into the world of revolutionist Fidel Castro and explore the political history that has shaped this fascinating country.

Spend a night in one of Central Havana's top hotels for a good night's rest and wake bright eyed and ready to experience this incredible cultural and historic adventure.

Day 2 - Walking Tour of Havana, CUBA
Walking tour of old Havana, a historic and bewitching UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a wander to the Malecon, the old part of town and to the famous Museum of the revolution. With the streets full of classic American cars it's like stepping back in time to the 1950's. An incredible experience!

In the evening, enjoy a drink and meal at the Bodeguita del Medio, one of Hemingway's favourite hangouts. Be sure to one of their famous "Mojitos", a well-known and delectable Cuban drink!!

Day 3 - Cigar & Rum Factory Visits, Havana, CUBA
Another day to acclimatise and take in the charm and history of this world famous City. Visit a Cigar factory, a must when in Cuba, the Plaza de la Revolución or even the Havana Club Rum factory. Another fascinating visit is the mini-city of granite, marble and loved ones, the Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón. Here lie the graves of just under a million people, laid out like a metropolis of dearly departed, with numbered streets and avenues on a rectangular grid.

For dinner enjoy a meal at one of the traditional Paladares. These restaurants are run by families from their own homes and are an essential part of experiencing the true "Cuban dining scene".

Day 4 - Hospital & Health Clinic Visits, Havana, CUBA
On a more serious note, spend the day visiting hospitals and health clinics. Talk to a representative of the Ministry of Public Health on the most fascinating aspects of Cuba's health care system and the impact of the U.S. embargo.

Time for a reward with an unforgettable evening at the Tropicana Nightclub for a spectacular show, accompanied by free-flowing rum!! Watch 200 cabaret dancers perform at Cuba's most famous nightclub where artists such as Benny More, Nat King Cole and Maurice Chevalier have appeared.

Day 5 - Medical School Visit, Cienfuegos, CUBA
Onwards, to the town of Cienfuegos, with its legacy of 19th Century migrations from France and Louisana. Spend time at a medical school and hear, directly from the Vice Dean, how this training programme educates 4,500 students. Mostly Cuban, the school is home to medical students, dentists, technicians and other ancillary workers. Many qualified doctors go on from here to work in places such as Haiti, Guatemala, Angola and the Congo.

Day 6 - Day Trip to Trinidad, CUBA
It's a short, but beautiful, trip to Trinidad. Pass by endless rolling green hills and palm trees. Catch glimpses of ranchers herding their cattle with the assistance of farm dogs and lassos held high. Once in Trinidad you will feel the history that soaks this unique terracotta-roofed colonial town, founded in 1514 by the Spaniard, Velazquez. Slavery was abolished here in 1880, the sugar trade slumped and many of the mill owners returned to Spain. The old town survived and, with its cobbled streets, is now a World Heritage site. Walk around the Plaza Mayo, tour the Cathedral with its hand-carved gothic alter and soak up the atmosphere created by the African musicians and dancers that play in the streets.

Discover the African connection by visiting Sugar Mill Valley and the Museum of Slavery where the economic importance of sugar and its link to the slave trade is explained. Climb the watchtower and imagine being a guard looking down to spot the slackers and sound the alarm should any of the slaves try to escape.

Day 7 - Ernest Hemingway's Villa, Havana, CUBA
Head back towards Havana, to San Francisco de Paulo, and visit Ernest Hemingway's remarkable villa, Finca La Vigia, 15kms from the centre of Havana. Ernest Hemingway lived there until 1960 when he moved back to the U.S. The villa's interior has remained unchanged since that day.

Later, check back into the hotel in Central Havana and have a free afternoon to explore more of this historic area.

Day 8 - Fly to Cancun, Mexico & on to Flores, GUATEMALA
Fly Havana to Cancun and then on to Flores, Guatemala, and transfer to a charming hotel nestled on a hillside overlooking the sparkling Lake Peten Itza. Hear the spectacular howler monkeys calling their mates through the night with their lion like roar!

Take a well earned night of rest at the end of this transfer day.

Day 9 - Tour of the Mayan Ruins at Tikal, GUATEMALA
Full day tour exploring the diverse and dramatic Tikal National Park, the greatest Mayan City in the whole of The Americas, dating back to 300 BC. Climb to the top of steep-sided temples and entrancing pyramids and look out over the jungle canopy at the magnificent view of these hidden ruins. The park sits in the core of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Bring binoculars and be prepared to spot oscillated turkeys, toucans, parrots, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, deer and foxes. Even pumas and jaguars have been spotted in this park

Day 10 - Mountain Pine Ridge, BELIZE
Journey today by bus to Flores, Santa Elena, and then into Belize. From here, transfer to the serenely beautiful and blissfully remote area of Mountain Pine Ridge. On the way, there will be a short stop in San Ignacio. Western Belize's largest town is an agricultural center serving the citrus, cattle and peanut farms of the area. In the afternoon, visit Belize's finest butterfly house. Walk amongst brilliant blue morpho peleides and other bright yellow and orange varieties as these spectacular and large species flutter past you.

Mountain Pine Ridge is a 300 square mile area full of Caribbean Pine. It is dotted with streams and waterfalls and has a unique beauty of its own. In the early evening, enjoy a leisurely hike through the jungle, learn about the medicinal uses of plants and end up by the icy fresh river pools.

Spend the night at the Five Sisters Lodge, perched atop the edge of a steep valley, overlooking the five waterfalls that flow over the rocks below. Enjoy waking to the stunning views of this very magical area of the Ridge.

Day 11 - Caracol, Mountain Pine Ridge, BELIZE
Take this full day trip through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and deep into the interior to visit the largest Mayan site in Belize. Caracol was first discovered in the 1930's but was not actively excavated and offers an opportunity to witness the reconstruction and preservation process that continues to this day.

The centre of this National Monument Reservation has about 20 major plazas, the largest which is Caana rising 145 feet above the forest floor. There is evidence on site to suggest that Caracol actually defeated Tikal, during the Early Classic Period. Enjoy this 'Indiana Jones' experience!!

Day 12 - Belize Zoo & on to Placencia, BELIZE
Stop at the Belize Zoo, which is relatively new and contains all the species indigenous to Belize. The Belizean people are very proud of their zoo and it offers a wonderful opportunity to see the rich and varied wildlife it is noted for.

Belize has the highest HIV rate in Central America. Visit an AIDS health clinic to discover how this situation is being handled.

Later that day fly from Belize City to Placencia.

Day 13 - Caribbean Beach at Placencia, BELIZE
Placencia, on the Placencia Peninsula, has sixteen miles of natural sandy beach. It is a wonderful place to snorkel, take boat trips, sunbathe, relax in a hammock and watch the sunset sizzle with some rum cocktails. Placencia is abundant with plants and flowers, birds and butterflies and even iguanas. A perfect spot for the nature lover. It's up to you how you enjoy this Caribbean paradise.

Day 14 - Sail to Rio Dulce & Ak'Tenamit Project, GUATEMALA
Cross a Caribbean bay by boat and continue to sail up the river from Punta Gorda to Rio Dulce. An unparalleled nature experience. Enjoy the tranquil magic of the river, the virgin forests, the sounds of the howler monkeys and the thousands of aquatic birds on this gentle boat ride to Rio Dulce. Spot pelicans, cormorants, terns, egrets and frigates flying overhead while chugging between sheer limestone cliffs dressed in tall trees and watch fishermen paddle in their dugout canoes.

Once at Rio Dulce spend time at the Ak'Tenamit project. This famous, Mayan run, non-profit organisation is working to reduce poverty in the rainforests of Eastern Guatemala. Founded in 1992, the project now provides the Q'eqchi Mayans in the area with education, healthcare and community development while supporting the sustainable use of national park resources.

Day 15 - United Fruit Company's Hospital & the Del Monte Banana Plantation, GUATEMALA
Today's visit will be to the United Fruit Company's hospital, the first medical center on the Caribbean coast built 1899, which effectively controlled malaria and yellow fever. Built uniquely on stilts, it was set up for local workers, who had to contribute a small amount of their salary to be able to use these excellent health services. Still functioning, it is one of the best hospitals in the area. In the afternoon, return to the hotel to relax by the pool, or take a walk to a natural water hole, and enjoy a body mudpack!!!

On the way to Antigua, stop at the Del Monte Banana Plantation learn how the bananas are transferred from field to factory via a monorail train systems, suspended from hooks to avoid bruising on the ground. Watch the selection and cleaning process and how the bananas are moved around the factory ready for distribution to Europe.

Travel on to Antigua, the stunning colonial ex-capital of Guatemala. Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is steeped in history and is overflowing with magical ruins that haven't changed since the time of the major earthquakes. Stay in one of Antigua's most charming and exclusive hotels.

Day 16 - Walking Tour, Hospital Visit &/or Volcano Hike, Antigua, GUATEMALA
Take an informative walking tour through the cobbled streets of Antigua to learn about the history-soaked Spanish colonial architecture. The walk offers a wonderful opportunity to visit the Cathedral of San José, the Casa Popenoe (a superbly restored colonial house), several atmospheric ruins and finishes up at The Jade Factory. Don't forget your camera!

Visit the Hermano Pedro hospital, built in 1680, a charity run by Franciscan priests to care for Guatemala's poor and abandoned. For those feeling energetic, take a hike up one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, Pacaya. Or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan town in one of the many charming cafés.

Day 17 - Villages of Sacatepepquez & Maximon, GUATEMALA
A full-day tour exploring the little-known Mayan villages of the region includes visits to macadamia and coffee plantations. Appreciate the fabulously fertile and breathtakingly beautiful countryside that surrounds Antigua and catch glimpses of delightfully small villages waiting to be explored. Visit the effigy of Maximon (also known as San Simón), the myth-drenched, immoral saint who resides in a candlelit pagan chapel in the village of San Andrés Itzapa. Local men and women sit around the saint and accompany him in his vices of smoking and drinking the popular aguardiente, or gut rotter, Quetzalteca!

Day 18 - Lake Atitlan, GUATEMALA
Drive to Panajachel, the gateway to Lake Atitlan. Flanked by vast volcanoes and mountains, this astonishingly beautiful lake is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular in the world.. On the way, enjoy a hearty lunch in the Pedragel Farmhouse, surprisingly unknown by tourists.

Once in Panajachel take a magical boat ride to Santa Cruz. Be mesmerised by the dark blue surface of the lake, the hazy outlines of the spectacular volcanoes looking down over the lake and the pretty villages dotted around the edge. The beauty and tranquility of these villages is enhanced by being accessible only by boat.

Day 19 - Santa Cruz, Lake Atitlan, GUATEMALA
Today, a relaxing one-day boat trip visiting some of the villages scattered around the shores of Lake Atitlan. Stop at San Antonio and Santiago to visit a textile museum to learn about indigenous weavings. Relax for another tranquil night in the small village of Santa Cruz and enjoy more of the fresh air, restful water and beautiful wildlife and tropical flora.

Day 20 - Chichicastenango Market & Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, GUATEMALA
Take the boat to Panajachel and enjoy the breathtaking drive to Chichicastenango and take in the spectacularly colourful K'iche Mayan market. As well as offering an abundance of Guatemalan handicrafts to buy, it also provides a fascinating insight into local religious practices. A visit to the Santo Thomas church is a good example of how Mayan and catholic beliefs collide. Those that wish can take part in a Mayan fire ceremony at Pascual Abaj, a shrine located on one of the surrounding hills.

Return to Panajachel with handfuls of beautiful techni-coloured handmade linen, artisan pots and jewellery.

Day 21 - Shopping & Farewell Dinner, Panajachel, GUATEMALA
Spend the afternoon sunbathing by the water's edge or sit in a street-side café watching tourists and locals mill around. Or go and barter at the stalls, that line the streets of Panajachel, for some last minute Guatemalan handicrafts.

Reminice the magical events of the past 21 days over Margaritas, a farewell dinner and live music at the Circus Bar in Panajachel!

Day 22 - Guatemala City to Home, GUATEMALA
Fly home to your country of origin, fully relaxed, as you say farewell to this unique part of the world and the trip of a lifetime!

OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER

Using your medical expertise, give something back to the projects you've visited. If you wish to stay on in Guatemala at the end of your tour we can arrange a volunteer placement, for a week or even months, for you on a number of NGO projects - including accommodation.

You can choose to work in the field and and gain a real life understanding of these healthcare systems and local cultures and maybe even learn some Spanish along the way. More information available on request.

FREE HOLIDAY

We are also offering a FREE PLACE to anybody who would like to get a group of 15 people together and offers to be the group coordinator BEFORE departure.

PRICE

Price is £2,950  per person (based on sharing a double room).

If you would like to join the tour from abroad, please contact us directly to discuss your travel arrangements.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?
International & internal flights:Cuba-Mexico-Guatemala-Belize-Guatemala
All ground and water transportation
20 nights of accommodation
Welcome drink and snack the first day
Briefing meeting the second day
Meals: All breakfasts and dinners
An expert English/Spanish speaking guide
Entrance fees to all scheduled visits and sites
All talks and lectures
Tips to porters
Donations to some of the projects you visit
Local tourism and sales taxes
Visa for Cuba
 

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?

International flight from your origin to Cuba and return from Guatemala

Personal expenses
Lunches
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Expenses for Doctor's fees, medicines, etc
Costs of souvenirs, gifts, or similar purchases
Cuban departure tax (USD20), Belize departure tax (USD35), Flores departure
tax (USD4), Guatemalan departure tax (USD34)
Travel insurance (compulsary)
Tips to your driver and tour guides
Activities in Ambergris Caye, e.g. Diving, snorkeling trips, fishing trips etc

AVAILABLE DATES

JULY 2005  Booked
AUGUST 2005  Booked
SEPTEMBER 2005  Booked
OCTOBER 2005  Booked
NOVEMBER 2005  8th Nov to 30th Nov Booked
DECEMBER 2005  1st Dec to 23rd Dec

For 2006 & 2007 please contact Mayan Tours & Travel for availability at enquiries@mayantoursandtravel.com or telephone +502 5502 5353, leaving your number and we will return your call.

Mayan tours and travel reserves the right to change any of the following if deemed necessary: the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities, and mode of transport may be subject to alteration without prior notice, due to local circumstances or events. This may include sickness or mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, strikes, events emanating from political disputes, entry or border difficulties, climate, delayed flights, and other unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances.