Mayan Trail
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
From AUD $1499 Was AUD $1999
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Mayan Trail
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
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.
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Posadas Mayas Homestay, San Juan La Laguna Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Mérida Your Discover Moment: San Cristóbal de Las Casas
- Chichén Itzá guided tour
- Mérida orientation walk
- Palenque guided tour
- Roberto Barrios waterfall visit
- San Cristóbal de las Casas orientation walk
- Antigua orientation walk
- Free time in Mérida and San Cristóbal de las Casas
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (9 nts), homestay (1 nt).
- 1 dinner
Transport
- Public bus, private vehicle, boat.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
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.
English
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Budget
Classic, Budget
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.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel Nautilus
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.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Join up with a local expert and learn about the history of Chichén Itzá and the beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient Mayan civilization. This dramatic site includes a 30m (98 ft) high temple, known as the Pyramid of Kukulcan, famous for its balustrade of 91 stairs up each of the four sides, a ball court with a grandstand, and towering walls. Visit the highlights of the site including the famous Castillo, the ball court, the cenote, and the Nunnery.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel Santa Lucia by Kavia
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.
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy free time in this fascinating area.Accommodation - Hotel Santa Lucia by Kavia
Day 4: Mérida/Palenque
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - First-class buses in Mexico have very strong air-conditioning. Bring a sweater.Accommodation - Hotel Maya Tulipanes
Day 5: Palenque
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Experience the elegant jungle site of Palenque on a guided tour. See the highlights -- the Temple of the Cross Group, Temple of Inscriptions and the Grand Palace. Howler monkeys sound in the distance as the fog rolls in and out of this mystical site, one of the most important centres for trade and culture during the end of the Classic Maya period.Activity - Visit the Zapatista community of Roberto Barrios and swim in stunning turquoise cascade waterfalls. Then, join an agroecological experience at the Pej'Pem Center you will support local entrepreneurship and the sustainable transformation of communities in Chiapas.Accommodation - Hotel Maya Tulipanes
Day 6: Palenque/San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Baron de las Casas
Day 7: San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Use a full free day to explore all this area has to offer.Accommodation - Baron 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.
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.Accommodation - Hotel Chinimaya
Day 9: Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna
Meals included: Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard and get your float on.Activity - Visit the town of San Juan la Laguna and immerse yourself in the Tz’utujil culture for an afternoon. Focus on three different associations originating in San Juan la Laguna; textiles, medicinal plants, and paintings. See groups of women making textiles using natural dyes. Your guide will explain the dyeing techniques and observe the waist loom in action. Next, see how plants are used for their medicinal properties within these communities. Enjoy the sights of traditional paintings by local artists/painters who portray their traditional way of life, ceremonies, customs and traditions through large scale murals found throughout the town of San Juan la Laguna. Souvenirs/products from all points of this tour will be available for purchase if you'd like to bring something home and also support this village community.Activity - Submerge yourself in Mayan culture during this home stay run by a Planeterra community tourism project. Set on the northwest shore of Lake Atitlán, arrive by boat to the laid-back village of San Juan La Laguna and immediately feel at home. Meet your host family, stash your stuff, then set off to explore the area. Admire the paintings of local artists, watch weavers who use traditional techniques to dye wool, go for a hike and admire the view across the lake. Feel good knowing you are supporting local families eager to benefit from tourism in their community.Activity - Visit the town of San Juan la Laguna and immerse yourself in the Tz’utujil culture for an afternoon. Focus on three different associations originating in San Juan la Laguna; textiles, medicinal plants, and paintings. See groups of women making textiles using natural dyes. Your guide will explain the dyeing techniques and observe the waist loom in action. Next, see how plants are used for their medicinal properties within these communities. Enjoy the sights of traditional paintings by local artists/painters who portray their traditional way of life, ceremonies, customs and traditions through large scale murals found throughout the town of San Juan la Laguna. Souvenirs/products from all points of this tour will be available for purchase if you'd like to bring something home and also support this village community.Accommodation - Rupalaj Kistalin Posada Homestay
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.
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.Free_time - Opt to check out more of the city with a little free time.Transport - Climb aboard and get your float on.Accommodation - Hotel Bucaros Express
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 (unless otherwise stated)
- 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 will do 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.
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 $1999
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 22 Mar 2026
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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