- Beautiful and Mysterious Chiapas -

Villahermosa - Palenque - Agua Azul - Misol Ha - Tonina - San Cristobal de las Casas

sumidero Canyon - Bonampak - Yaxchilan - La Venta Park and Museum

This exciting 8 day / 7 night tour explores the unique ethnic cultures and beautiful scenery of Chiapas, the “Land South of the Clouds”

Of the many pre-Columbian civilizations of the western hemisphere, the Maya civilization alone developed a writing system that provided a complete expression of their language, thus they are the only indigenous people of the Americas with a written history. While only four of their folding-bark books survived the fanatical purges of the Spanish priests, their writings in stucco, stone and pottery remain. But the voices of the ancient Maya stood silent for centuries, waiting for the advances in decipherment made in the past three decades.

This exceptional cultural experience will take us to some of the most impressive archaeological sites in Chiapas: Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilan and Tonina. Our learning adventure will also be a journey through time – from modern Chiapas to the cradle of Mayan civilization – and through Chiapas Rainforest eco-system.

Physically active program; light hiking, 2-4 hours per day on undulating trails; climbing old, uneven steps at some ruins.

Starts and ends in Villahermosa

Agua Azul is one of those places where the magical is real, and the real is magical. It is as if the aquamarine waters of the Caribbean had tunneled beneath the ground to burst forth in cascades amongst the rainforest. After descending from Tonina we will break our journey here and have time to explore and swim among this spectacular series of waterfalls. Refreshed and dried off, we will continue on to the secluded waterfall of Misol Ha that cascades into a pool surrounded by tropical forest. At both places, it will be hard to ignore the presence of colorful tropical birds, such as parrots, trogons, hummingbirds, motmots, tanagers, and oropendolas. Contact with nature is essential to an understanding of the Mayan world, for it was knowledge of the natural rhythms of life in the tropics, knowledge accumulated through centuries of village life, that underpinned the awesome power of the kings and spawned perhaps the greatest civilization of ancient America.  Continue to San Cristobal de las Casas and overnight at the Hotel.

San Cristobal de las Casas it’s a magic village. The ethnic population mixed with the Caucasian Spanish has created a unique atmosphere prevailing the respect for the Indigenous costumes and the respect to the imported costumes of the Spaniards.

In the morning, we will drive the short distance to San Juan Chamula. The Chamulans are well aware of the double-edged sword that goes by the name of tourism. On the one hand, tourism is a welcome addition to their economy, but its influence can also pose a threat to traditional values. Over the centuries, they have had good reason to be suspicious of outsiders. A visit to the church here never fails to leave a lasting impression on visitors and will leave us in no doubt that the Chamulans take their religion seriously. Though nominally Catholic, the religious syncretism so characteristic of indigenous beliefs is clearly evident. Inside the plain and unassuming church, the air is often thick with the heady scent of pine needles that carpet the floor, and the smoke of candles and copal incense burned as offerings. The faithful kneel before one of their favorite saints, a gallery of whose effigies flank the nave, and arrange offerings of alcohol, herbs, and food to accompany the candles and incense. In some cases the alcohol and food may be “shared” with their patron as they converse aloud and beseech favors and blessings. Our experience here will provide insight into why Catholicism was apparently so fervently adopted by indigenous communities. We will also explore the craft market here and then continue on to colorful Zinacantán who are close neighbors of the Chamulans. The Zinacatecans are said to be descended from a mixture of Tzotzil and Aztec blood. They themselves were formerly inveterate travelers and traded between the great Aztec market of Tlatelolco, Chiapas, and Central America beyond. After lunch back in San Cristobal, you will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the town at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the Na-Bolom Museum, where the Danish archaeologist and explorer Frans Blom and his wife Gertrudis Duby established a library and research center. The Bloms were famous for their work at Palenque and among the Lacandon Indians of the lowland rainforests. Gertrudis documented their disappearing way of life in a series of stunning black and white photographs. For those interested in nature, we can arrange a walk through the private cloud forest reserve of Huitepec. The luxuriant cloud forest with mighty trees and a profusion of orchids and bromeliads has disappeared from many areas in Chiapas. This private reserve, run by the local conservation group, PRONATURA, gives us a taste of  this magical habitat without having to hike miles into the mountains. Several rare and endemic birds are found here, such as the Bearded Screech-Owl and Pink-headed Warbler – characters that sound as if they have come straight from a Lewis Carroll fantasy.

In the afternoon we will provide you with a tour of the town center and some of its most notable buildings, as well as visiting a local cooperative that produces fine textiles. After helping you get oriented, you will be free to explore the town at your leisure. Dinner at the hotel.  "fiestas"(celebrations). 

After leaving our hotel in San Cristobal de laas Casas, we will drive the short distance to Chiapa de Corzo and board a boat that will take us on a spectacular trip through the Sumidero Canyon. Now the canyon walls and forest soar above us and waterfalls have created strange mineral deposits on the rock face. We may be lucky enough to spot one of the Morelet’s Crocodiles that often haul up on shore to sunbathe or glide quietly through the water with only eyes and nostrils visible. We will spend some time exploring the town of Chiapa de Corzo before driving the scenic road to Villahermosa, where we will arrive in time for Dinner. In the afternoon we will provide you with a tour of the town center and some of its most notable buildings, as well as visiting a local cooperative that produces fine textiles. After helping you get oriented, you will be free to explore the town at your leisure. Dinner at the hotel.  Continue to Villahermosa for overnight.