Central Trail (Start Cancun, end Mexico City)

Day 1: Arrive Cancun

Touch down in Cancun, Mexico's gateway to the Caribbean where sun music and sights await. Meet your Contiki team, then get into the fun, festive vibes of Cancun and settle in on an open terrace beachside or at a small, local bar. Keep it moving until the sun comes up if you want – Cancun nightlife is the stuff of legends.

Day 2: Cancun to Caye Caulker

Adios Mexico, but we’ll be back! This morning we leave Cancun and head to Chetumal for some exploring & maybe bite to eat, before boarding our water taxis into Belize. We’ll park up on this Caribbean island, where the motto is “go slow.” Tonight it’s dinner we’ll offer a feast of fresh seafood & your chance to sample the reggae nightlife!

Day 3: Caye Caulker

The day is all yours! Fuel up at breakfast, then you get to make the most of our ME Time optionals, like swimming with sharks at Belize’s World Heritage Barrier Reef, Kayaking the mangroves or lazing on “The Split” (a break in the island), where sipping and sunbathing is the scene! Enjoy included snacks, drinks and music during for our last night on the island.

Day 4: Caye Caulker to Tikal

Next up, Guatemala's El Petén ragion via Belize City! On arrival at our awesome Jungle Lodge there's the option to fly through the rainforest canopy on ziplines.. why not! Explore the local ruins then drift off to sleep to the sounds of the forest.

Day 5: Tikal to Santa Elena (Flores)

We rise before the sun to watch daybreak unfold from atop the Mayan ruin, Templo IV… so prepare for amazing! Enjoy an included guided tour of the area or explore the magnificent jungle ruins, before our afternoon trip to the island of Flores, built atop another ancient Mayan center known as Tayasal. Make the most of your time, and opt for a lake cruise on arrival if you feel like getting out on the water before more relaxing over tonight’s dinner.

Day 6: Santa Elena to Antigua

From the relaxed Flores to Guatemala’s bustling capital city! Today we’ll skip the queues and make a beeline for the unique beauty and relaxed vibe of World Heritage Antigua. You’ll be shown many of the historic and beautiful facets of town, among rooftop flowerbeds and horse drawn carriages bouncing over cobblestones.

Day 7: Antigua

With the day all yours, see the sights & tick those boxes. Adventure seekers can hike a volcano or ride mountain bikes. Or if you want to relax you could try making local native chocolates or shop for traditional textiles.

Day 8: Antigua to Panajachel

We'll take a private boat to a Mayan Lakeside community & meet local artisans who'll teach us to make yummy tortillas by hand. Afterwards, relax on a hammock & take in beautiful lake views!

Day 9: Panajachel to San Cristobal de las Casas

We'll make our way through small Mayan communities of Guatemala's highlands before we reach the beautiful & rugged territory of Chiapas. Next on the list, the evergreens & cool cultural centre of San Cristóbal de las Casas via Comitán!

Day 10: San Cristobal de las Casas

It’s time to get up and discover all city has to offer! Adventurers can take to the landscape for horseback riding or mountain biking this morning. After your Backstage Pass will take you to the Mayan hillside communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, learn about the untold generations of merging Native American and European cultures before hitting the town to move to local rhythms. Get festive!

Day 11: San Cristobal de las Casas to Tehuantepec

After a morning relaxing, we'll descend from the forested hills on to the beautiful coastal plains of Tehuantepec, where you'll visit the city square. This evening, chill by the pool before a delicious local meal.

Day 12: Tehuantepec to Oaxaca

First we head to World Heritage Oaxaca then it's on to Matatlan. Later we heat to Mitla, sacred rites were once carried out among the still intact geometrical stonework. We'll see colonial architecture this evening, stopping at the local market for some delicious chapulines... yum!

Day 13: Monte Albán

Discover local museums & shops before we visit Monte Alban, built on a mountaintop. Famous for its traditional crafts, we will visit a local workshop before our last night… Salud!

Day 14: Oaxaca to Mexico City

This morning we travel to the centre of the ancient Aztec universe. We'll take a panoramic tour of World Heritage Puebla, then head to Cholula. Choose to enjoy a relaxed lunch in the small town plaza or enter the ruins & explore the ancient tunnels (entrance fee not included). This evening, we arrive in Mexico City, where you can say 'adios' to your amigos!