Code Starts (UK) Ends (UK) PriceEM 201 27 Jan 12 09 Feb 12 £3,068EM 202 30 Mar 12 12 Apr 12 £3,168EM 203 27 Jul 12 09 Aug 12 £3,288EM 204 29 Oct 12 11 Nov 12 £3,068EM 205 21 Dec 12 03 Jan 13 £3,498Single supplement £468 Business class supplement from £1,583 2013 departures 01 Feb, 22 Mar, 26 Jul, 29 Oct, 27 Dec.PACIFIC OCEANGULF OF MEXICOOaxaca.TuxtlaPalenqueVillahermosa. MexicoCity. vTeotihuacán vMonte Albán. . San Cristóbal. vMerida v v. CancúnMEXICOGUATEMALAChichénItza JOURNEY ROUTEAztecs, Mayas and conquistadores? a journey through Mexico's historyEAGLE CLASSIC JOURNEY 14 days, 12 nights Mexico City, a buzzing megalopolis brimming with history and world-class museums. An unexpected variety of natural landscapes from rocky desert to tropical forests. Relax in Oaxaca?city of colonial charm in a serene mountain setting. San Cristóbal de las Casas: graceful blends of colonial and indigenous culture. The terraced Maya city at Palenque, with its handsome sculptures, towers and patios. Jungle-clad cities of the Maya heartland, Chichén Itzá and Uxmal.Day 1 Fri, UK clients depart, direct non-stop flight to Mexico City with evening arrival.Day 2 Mexico City is a huge, vibrant metropolis of multilayered cultures. First, head out to the celebrated pre-Aztec site of Teotihuacán on the edge of the city. Little is known about the mysterious civilisation which built this huge complex of ceremonial buildings, artisans' dwellings, and merchants' trading houses, but you really get a feel for what it was like to live there. Later there's a guided city tour of the stately architecture in the historic centre and a chance to look in at the world-famous Museum of Anthropology. Day 3 A further day of exploration in the city: optional trips include the canals and artificial islands in the Xochimilco quarter, and the historic borough Coyoacán which still has its original village layout, in spite of having been absorbed into the city limits. You may like to visit the museum dedicated to the acclaimed artist Frida Kahlo.Day 4 Fly to Oaxaca, a delightful colonial city set scenically among rugged mountains with a lazy provincial feel and a colourful tradition of native arts and crafts. Walking tour to explore the arcaded plaza, museum and graceful churches.Day 5 Enjoy panoramic views of a rich, sparsely-populated landscape ranging from arid, savage rock to forests of oak and pine in the southern highlands, an area of predominantly indian culture. Visit the imposing hill-top site of Monte Albán, with its Zapotec pyramids and tombs, the pre-Hispanic mosaics of Mitla and the famous Tule tree.Day 6 Fly to Tuxtla in the Mayan Chiapas state, richly endowed with fertile farming land and wild, jungle-covered ridges. Continue?if there is time, via Sumidero Canyon, a striking, wildlife-abundant 1000m deep national park?to San Cristóbal de las Casas. This is one of the country's most exquisite cities. Here, indigenous and colonial cultures blend with a backdrop of towering mountains.Day 7 Included excursion to the highland villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. Each of the deeply traditional Tzotzil-speaking villages has its own culture and traditions.Day 8 A ravishing drive down through lush and winding valleys towards lowland tropical rain-forest and the Maya temples and palaces of jungle-clad Palenque. En route, stop at the waterfalls and pools of Misol-Ha and Agua Azul, where ribbons of crystal-clear water cascade 40m down to a deep refreshing pool.Day 9 Guided tour of the ruins.Day 10 Drive to Villahermosa and fly to the Yucatán Peninsula, home of the Mayan people. The friendly region hosts sunny colonial towns such as the White City of Mérida, our base for two nights.Day 11 Optional visits to the Mayan temples at Uxmal or the coastal lagoons brimming with exotic birdlife at Celestún, where you can swim off a white-sand beach in the Gulf of Mexico. Day 12 Drive to the extensive park of columns, friezes and pyramids at world-renowned Chichén Itzá (we overnight here to avoid the crowds of day trippers).Day 13 Depart for UK on a direct non-stop flight from Cancún arriving day 14, Thur. Transport 3 flights (longest 6hrs with connection); 4 road journeys (longest 5hrs).Accommodation Tourist class superior hotels with local character.Meals Breakfast daily.Included excursions Mexico City guided tour including Museum of Anthropology; Teotihuacán; Oaxaca walking tour; Monte Albán; Mitla and Tule; villages of San Jan Chamula and Zincantán, San Cristóbal; Sumidero Canyon; Misol-ha and Agua Azul; Palenque; Chichén Itzá.Summary of nights Mexico City 3; Oaxaca 2; San Cristóbal 2; Palenque 2; Mérida 2; Chichén Itzá 1.Group size Min 4, max 20. Led by Journey Latin America tour leader. JOURNEY PROFILEDeparture dates and prices42 Escorted Small Group Holidays 2012 » MEXICORAFE STONEISTOCKPHOTO.COMCONDORVERDEBelow: Mision de Fray Diego-our hotel in Mérida is an atmospheric converted 17th century convent.For more information, client reviews, trip dossiers, detailed extensions ?and to book online visit journeylatinamerica.co.uk

Call 020 8747 8315 to speak to one of our expert consultants for advice, additional information or to book your holiday 43 Escorted Small Group Holidays 2012ExtensionA FEW DAYS TO SPARE?Round off your Mexican holiday with a few days on the Mayan Riviera at the exclusive Orient Express Maroma Resort, set in its own tropical grounds on with access to across a powdery beach to the calm, glassy sea. For full details see extensions p73.MAROMAMexico is a wonderful place to visit and offers so much in terms of history, culture and scenery?the Eagle journey provides a wonderful experience and hits the right balance between 'ruins' and present day Mexico. JB, HendonAbove: Palenque, a 7th century Mayan city state absorbed into the jungle, has now been revealed and restored. Right: Chac Mool, the Mayan god of rain, can be seen in the fascinating Anthropology Museum in Mexico City.Left: Oaxaca has excellent museums and handicrafts, and the sites of Monte Albán and Mitla are close by.Below left: Much of Mexico's fruit and vegetable output is consumed locally, the markets are an inspiration for the 5-a-day habit.shutterstock.comshutterstock.com