Mayan Trail
From AUD $1424 Was AUD $1899
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Mayan Trail
11 days
Small Group
Budget
Light
English
Experience Overview
Leave the resorts of Cancún behind and embark on a true adventure that will take you from spectacular Mayan ruins to the cobblestoned streets of colonial towns and deep into the jungle of Mexico.
Leave the resorts of Cancún behind and embark on a true adventure that will take you from spectacular Mayan ruins to the cobblestoned streets of colonial towns and deep into the jungle of Mexico. Explore the ancient ruins at Chichén Itzá and Palenque and meet the descendants of those who built them in the vibrant streets and colourful markets of picturesque Mayan towns. Get your camera out—you're going to need it!
Highlights
- Explore the ruins of Chichén Itzá and Palenque
- Get lost wandering colonial San Cristobal de las Casas and Antigua
- Cool off with a swim at Roberto Barrios waterfall
- Bargain at colourful local markets
Trip Details
11 days
Public bus, private vehicle, boat.
Small Group
English
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Budget
Classic
Light
Itinerary
Day 1: Playa del Carmen
As travellers arrive throughout the day, there are no planned activities until the welcome meeting in the evening.
Day 2: Playa del Carmen/Mérida
Depart Playa del Carmen and head to the famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá for a guided tour. Spend time exploring this famous site, known for its huge stepped pyramids and elaborate stone carvings.
Continue on to Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán State, and take a short orientation walk. Also known as la ciudad blanca (the white city), Mérida offers the ideal opportunity to learn about Mexico's fascinating mix of cultural influences.
Day 3: Mérida
The area surrounding Mérida has tons to offer. Choose to visit nearby cenotes (water sink holes) in the town of Cuzamá. Inside, swim in the massive crystal-clear sinkholes. Transportation to the cenotes is half the fun, taking small wooden horse-drawn carts along old rail tracks.
Opt to visit ruins in Uxmal, ride the PUUC Route or go bird-watching. There's something for everyone.
Day 4: Mérida/Palenque
Day 5: Palenque
Day 6: Palenque/San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Day 7: San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Day 8: San Cristóbal de Las Casas/Panajachel
The first stop in Guatemala is on beautiful Lake Atitlán. Stay in Panajachel, a lakeshore town surrounded by spectacular volcanoes and small villages.
Day 9: Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna
Day 10: Antigua
There is so much to do in this charming colonial city, optional activities for the area include a city tour, salsa dancing classes, a Guatemalan cooking class, or relaxing with a massage. Further afield you can rent bikes and ride through the hills, visit a macadamia nut farm or check out some nearby villages.
Day 11: Antigua Guatemala
We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this charming city.
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
From
AUD $1899
Duration: 11 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Light
Leave the resorts of Cancún behind and embark on a true adventure that will take you from spectacular Mayan ruins to the cobblestoned streets of colonial towns and deep into the jungle of Mexico.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 28 Sep 2025
Customer Reviews
12/20/2023
Great tour for younger people.
12/06/2023
I like G Adventures core values and the trip was very well planned. The drivers were always at the location waiting for us to arrive and it was a good trip.
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
12/20/2023
Great tour for younger people.
12/06/2023
I like G Adventures core values and the trip was very well planned. The drivers were always at the location waiting for us to arrive and it was a good trip.
12/06/2023
Awesome experience and guide but accommodations were not the best
12/06/2023
it's wonderful to be able to cram so many experiences into a trip without taking on the burden of the logistical details.
12/06/2023
The quality of accommodation was very poor, hotel must have simple breakfast! Rooms very used up , and need renovations! Possibly for backpackers it is ok ?- for me disappointing, below expectations!
12/06/2023
This is my 11th trip with G and I did not think it came up to par. Full review emailed to Nicole Todd at G Dec 6, 2023.
11/29/2023
The CEO and a pretty thoughtful itinerary
11/22/2023
G Adventures as a company, yes, but with the advice to take a close look in advance at what the trip actually entails. I would also not recommend the Maya Trail trip with the current route to anyone. The travel times were just too long. You spend more time sitting in the bus than you can experience anything about the country and it's people.
11/22/2023
It was so well organized and the guide was really friendly and helpful.
11/22/2023
As this was our second trip with G Adventures! We weren't sure about the different grading and we will, for ourselves, for future tours, pick the highest grading, such as the National Geographic G Adventures trips!
11/22/2023
Good choice of locations to visit and experience central American culture
11/22/2023
My tour guide was really really bad. She did not do more than the absolute minimum. Whenever I would ask questions about where we were or more information about something she would simply not answer or say ',just because',. I also had the idea that she did not know anything and that that was the reason she did not want to answer questions.
11/15/2023
Absolutely loved this tour. Really well balanced between cultural and activities to do.
11/08/2023
Great for single travelers, but this particular tour has a bit too much time on busses for me.
11/08/2023
Good experience across three trips with GA
11/08/2023
Been on multiple trips with G Adventures and it was great all the time
11/01/2023
Amazing trip that exceeded my expectations. Pamela went above and beyond for us!
11/01/2023
G Adventures never fails. Always a great trip.
11/01/2023
The tour delivered everything it promised, CEO Pamela was also great
10/18/2023
Right now I'm in between. The trip I did recently was my first one, but due to the current situation in Guatemala and the way G handled it, I can't say that I'm fully satisfied and convinced to recommend them to family or friends.
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