Driving time from Oaxaca to Llano Grande is about 2 hours. We start our trekking in Llano Grande. The village is situated on 3000m (10,000ft) about 1.40h driving time from Oaxaca city. Llano Grande counting about 100 inhabitants is the smallest of the 8 Pueblos Mancomunados. The hike is about 4-5 hours and leads us through the cloud forest to "piedra larga", the highest viewpoint of this area and further to an old Zapotec offering place, which is still in use. We will hike through pine forest but depending on the season vegetation varies a lot, most of the year we have many wild flowers. The loop brings us back to the village where Kata will serve us a typical lunch. We stay overnight in the cabins of the village.

This hike leads us from Llano Grande to the neighbor village of Cuajimoloyas. We start going down to a lake in the middle of an alpine meadow, which is used to water the cows, donkeys and (wild) horses. We hike through a canyon called "Cueva de la Iglesia" (hiking time about 4-5 hours). During the Mexican revolution this canyon was used by "Bandidos" to hide stolen goods and people still tell a lot of stories about these times... We will have lunch in the village of Cuajimoloyas. In case you are interested we can visit a local healer for a ritual cleansing. Overnight stay in the cabins of Cuajimoloyas.

We will start hiking from Cuajimoloyas, which is the biggest community of the Pueblos Manco-munados, counting about 1200 inhabitants. From there we will hike steeply down to a little trout-farm in Latuvi on 2200m where we will have lunch. The vegetation changes from high pine forest to oak forest with a greater biodiversity. Hiking time is around 5 hours.

We hike on an old pre-Hispanic trading path (hiking time around 4-5 hours). The Camino Real used to reach from Veracruz at the Gulf Coast to the central valley of Oaxaca. Parts of this path still exist like our hike from Latuvi to Amatlan. Most of the vegetation is a very old oak forest but on the way, you will see spectacular phenomenon. On this hike, for example, you will find the Spanish moss that changes the woods into kind of a fairy tale forest. After the hike we have lunch in Amatlan one of the two pre hispanic villages of the Pueblos Mancomunados.

• Transport from Oaxaca city and back (the van drives from village to village, you only have to carry a daypack)
• 3 nights in the Pueblos Mancomunados
• English speaking tour guide
• Local guide
• Snacks during the hike
• Full board
• Entrance fee to the villages

• Alcoholic drinks
• All meals not mentioned
• Tips for tour guide and driver

Pick up by tour guide. Transfer to old Mayan port Tulum. Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayans, it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. The Maya site may formerly have been known also by the name Zama, meaning City of Dawn because it faces the sunrise. Tulum stands on a bluff facing east towards the Caribbean Sea. There are three major structures of interest at the Tulum site. El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God are the three most famous buildings. Continuation to the "Lagoon of the Seven Colors" in Bacalar with a visit to the small pirate museum in the Spanish Fort. Bacalar recently received the title "Pueblo Magico". Next visit the deep blue Cenote Azul where you can take a refreshing dip.
Overnight Bacalar

Transfer to border to Belize and border crossing. Continue to important Mayan site of Altun Ha which is located on the Old Northern Highway. Altun Ha means rock stone pan in modern-day Maya, it is thought to have been a commercial trading center between the waters of the Caribbean and the deep interior of the Mayan Civilization. The site consists of 500 structure including temples, residential buildings and altar all situated on just 1.8 acres. Transfer to popular Belize Zoo. It is home to more than 125 animals of about 48 species, all native to Belize. The natural environment of Belize is left entirely intact within the zoo. The dense, natural vegetation is separated only by gravel trails through the forest. Keeping to its goal of bringing visitors closer to Belize's natural heritage, the zoo only houses native animals. Late afternoon arrival in San Ignacio, capital of Cayo district.
Overnight San Ignacio

After breakfast visit of the Green Iguana Conservation Project which is an interactive exhibit that gives visitors a closer look at the life of Green Iguanas. The venture aims to conserve and look after the endangered species by educating the public about the role Green Iguanas play in the ecosystem. Visitors are given the opportunity to mingle with these wonderful reptiles and also, learn about the incubation, hatching, rearing, and releasing process. Continue to Mayan site Xunantunich towering high above the Mopan River Valley. Its name means "Stone Woman" in the Maya language and, like many names given to Maya archaeological sites, is a modern name; the ancient name is currently unknown. Most of the structures date from the Maya Classic Era, about 200 to 900 AD. One of the best preserved ancient stele is housed in a small weatherproofed building for conservation purposes. Short transfer to border to Guatamala. After border crossing transfer to Flores on Lake Peten.
Overnight Flores

Located in the national park with the same name, a 576 km²-jungle reserve rich in wildlife, Tikal was declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and is famous for its temple pyramids that tower above the forest canopy. The sheer size of the majestic city of Tikal is the culmination of almost 2,000 years of occupation (800 B.C. 900 A.D.). At the height of its glory Tikal stretched over 123 km² and is thought to have had a population of 100,000 inhabitants. Nowadays only a few of the 4,000 buildings that dot the 16 km² city core have been excavated. Start of a guided tour through Complex Q, North- and Central Acropolis, Main Square, Temple IV and Mundo Perdido. In the afternoon visit a Museum with a collection of local findings of jade and ceramics. Return transfer to island city of Flores.
Overnight Flores

Transfer on country roads to village Bethel on mighty Usumacinta river where we embarque a river boat travelling down to arqueological site Yaxchilan, an ancient Maya city located on the bank of the Usumacinta River in what is now the state of Chiapas, Mexico. In the Late Classic Period Yaxchilan was one of the most powerful Maya states along the course of the Usumacinta. The site is particularly known for its well-preserved sculptured stone lintels set above the doorways of the main structures. These lintels, together with the stelae erected before the major buildings, contain hieroglyphic texts describing the dynastic history of the city. Return by boat to Frontera Corozal and landtransfer to Palenque.
Overnight Palenque

Early morning visit of mystic ancient Maya city of Palenque built admidst lush emerald rainforest. Visit famous Temple of Inscription carrying deep inside tomb of ruler Pakal. Discover the longest Maya text carved in stoneglyphes. Walk the maze of the well preserved palace with its unique observatory tower. Climb up the the Temple of the Cross with its remarkable narrative inscriptions. Walk down a jungle trail spotting more silent witnesses of a long gone high civilization. Afternoon transfer along Gulf of Mexico to colonial port city of Campeche.
Overnight Campeche

City tour in Campeche. The city was founded in 1540 by Spanish conquistadores as San Francisco de Campeche atop the pre-existing Maya city of Canpech or Kimpech. The Pre-Columbian city was described as having 3,000 houses and various monuments, of which little trace remains.Due to the notorious pirate attacks, city was protected by bullwarks (baluartes) which can still be seen today. Recently historical center of Campeche was carefully restored and shines in its old splendor. City tour including visit of small pirate museum in Baluarte San Carlos and botanical gardens. Traveling on country roads passing by citrus plantations we reach Maya site Kabah which is divided by road. Interesting its temple Codz Pop which was dedicated to the rain god Chaac. Continue to Uxmal. The place name is Pre-Columbian and it is usually assumed to be an archaic Maya language phrase meaning "Built Three Times", Uxmal holds some of the most complex and beautiful examples of the regional Puuc-style architecture, and its magnificent pyramids and structures make it a popular tourist destination. Amazing the steep pyramid of the Dhwarf, the Nunnery, Ball Court and Governeurs Palace. Late afternoon arrival in the capital of state Yucatan, Merida.
Overnight Merida

City tour in Merida which begins on the Zocalo (main plaza). Visit the oldest cathedral, Governors Palace with the stunning murals painted by local artist Pacheco, city founders former residence Francisco de Montejo. Transfer and visit of the biggest Maya site in Yucatan, Chichen Itza. Dominating the center of Chichén is the Temple of Kukulkan (the Maya name for Quetzalcoatl), often referred to as "El Castillo" (the castle). This step pyramid has a ground plan of square terraces with stairways up each of the four sides to the temple on top. Along the south wall of the Temple of Warriors are a series of what are today exposed columns, although when the city was inhabited these would have supported an extensive roof system. The columns are in three distinct sections. Learn more about the famous Kukulkan pyramid with the Equinox spectacle, Temple of Warriors, Holy Cenote and ObservatoryLearn more about the famous Kukulkan pyramid with the Equinox spectacle, Temple of Warriors, Holy Cenote and Observatory. Transfer to hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.

• 7 nights in a good middle class hotel. Room with shower / bath & toilet
• Continental breakfast on day 02
• American breakfast or breakfast buffet from day 03-08
• Lunch on day 4 (Tikal)
• English speaking tour guide (tour guide changes at every border)
• Transport in an air-conditioned car, SUV or minibus
• All entries according to the program
• Yaxchilan boat trip

• All extras in the hotels
• All meals not mentioned
• Tips, porters and maids
• Drinks at lunch
• Tips for drivers and guides
• Guatemala entry / exit tax (approx USD4 per person)
• Exit Tax Belize (approx USD20 per person)
• Mexico tourist tax (approximately USD27 per person)