Tropical Expedition 
Christmas Cruise 
Diving 
Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
15% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
- New
Natural sanctuaries & Caribbean encounters
Belize City - Belize City
Dates:
19/12/2023
to
28/12/2023
days
nights on board
On this all-new 10-day expedition cruise with PONANT, contemplate the various nuances of green offered by the lush forests of Belize and Honduras, and admire the Caribbean Sea’s many shades of blue, while delving into fascinating cultures. The idyllic landscapes and captivating encounters with the local population will make your journey unforgettable, as you discover Central America’s most beautiful sites.
During your odyssey aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville, expect to hear birdsong and see dense tropical forests and the intertwined roots of mangrove burgeoning with life. From Punta Sal, you will explore the Jeannette Kawas National Park, a haven of peace where the forest melts into the sea, allowing you to contemplate unique biodiversity. You will then explore a completely undiscovered island, Guanaja, which is full of treasures. Just its former name, the green island, is enough to conjure up its many gems. Here you will discover the Caracoles people, who take pride in their traditions, on the small key of Bonacca, also known as The Cay, with its mangroves, tropical rainforests and sandy beaches sheltering rich wildlife.
La Ensenada is another little-known and pristine paradise; it invites you discover its unique ecosystem, aboard traditional local boats, and explore its impressive mangroves, which shelter rich biodiversity. You can also take the time to explore this picturesque and authentic village, making the most of a dreamed-of opportunity to meet a welcoming community and discover their customs and traditions.
The stunning nature here will reveal itself in the heart of a Caribbean atmosphere imbued with history and tradition. The Garifuna people will welcome you on the small island of Chachauate in the Cayos Cochinos with a unique performance, a visit of their village and the possibility of tasting their singular gastronomy. In the small town of Placencia, a perfect spot to spend a moment relaxing on the main street running along the seafront, you will be able to hear all about the Mopan and Kekchi Mayan civilisations, a fascinating story that is inextricably linked to the region. You will also fall in love with its many mangroves and its exceptional sea beds. You will discover the local arts and crafts throughout your journey, thus learning about the heritage of these Caribbean shores.
Half Moon Caye, the picture postcard view of Belize, is also on the programme of this cruise; in this enchanting place, you will be able to see nesting frigatebirds and red-footed boobies close up. The Great Blue Hole cenote, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s most stunning diving sites. On Water Caye, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is also teeming with many treasures for those who venture into its waters.
Ref : EU191223
Your itinerary
Dive into Caribbean culture and soak up the soul of Honduras, as you enjoy lush landscapes, a stunning underwater world and memorable human encounters. Between the sea, lagoons and mangroves, explore this...
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Your trip in detail
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Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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LE BELLOT
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LE BORÉAL
28/8/2024 to the 19/9/2024
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Expedition programmes include activities such as zodiac outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landings"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. In remote areas, please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
- Cotton comfortable and light-weight shorts/bermuda shorts
- Light weight long trousers
- Long-sleeved breathable SPF50+ shirts
- Cotton short sleeved T-shirt
- Aquatic UV long-sleeved T-shirt for sun protection during snorkeling or swimming
- Aquatic non-slip sandals
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable outer layer
- Broad brimmed anti-UV hat with strap and veil to protect the neck
- Comfortable walking shoes
Accessories:
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and after-sun with high SPF index & insect repellent
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Please note:
During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
TECHNICAL OUTFITS:
- Shorts / bermudas
- Light weight long trousers
- Wind and waterproof light “breathable” outer layer
- Sweater/pullover for the evening
- Short and long sleeved cotton shirts
- Waterproof UV long sleeved T-shirt
- Long sleeved cotton shirt for sun protection during zodiac excursions and excursions ashore
- Ankle canvas shoes (which dry quickly and protect ankles)
- Aquatic shoes for wet landings on shore
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses with high UV filter
- Binoculars
- Walking poles
- Small waterproof backpack
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Sun portective hat/cap with strap and veil to protect the neck
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Mosquito and insect repellent
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Diving - Expedition Cruise
Supervision of the dives
Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.
Level required for scuba diving on this cruise
The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 2 star CMAS or the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.
Process of the dives (certified divers)
The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety. As we will dive in remote places, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 5 metres will be mandatory. The depth that can be reached will depend on the certification of the divers:
- For those with PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 25 metres.
- If two PADI Advanced Open Water Divers (or equivalent) wish to dive together independently, they must have a briefing first. They must have dive computers and are allowed to go to a maximum depth of 20 metres.
Duration of the dives
The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants. For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption.
Supplied equipment
- Diving wetsuit
- Stabilising jacket
- Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
- Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)
- Fins,
Mask and snorkel: for health reasons due to Covid-19, we strongly recommend that you come on board with your own mask and snorkel .As an exception, you will be able to borrow them in accordance with sanitary conditions.
The passenger may participate in scuba diving activities, subject to compliance with certain conditions established in accordance with the health, scientific and medical measures applicable on the day of the dive.
* within the limit of available stock.
Fauna and flora of the Caribbean Sea
The fauna of the Caribbean Sea is very varied. During the different dives, divers can observe various species of benthic fauna such as French angel fish, queen angel fish, spotted drums, puffer fish, parrots fish, and pelagic fauna such as spotted eagle ray, barracudas, horse eyes jackfish, as well as fixed wildlife such as gorgonians and barrel sponges.
Scuba diving activities on this cruise
|
PORTS OF CALL |
CERTIFIED DIVES |
INITIATION DIVES |
|
Belize – Belize City |
NO |
NO |
|
Honduras – Punta Sal |
NO |
NO |
|
Honduras – Guanaja |
YES |
NO |
|
Honduras – Cayos Cochinos |
YES |
NO |
|
Honduras – Cuero y Salado |
NO |
NO |
|
Honduras – La Ensenada |
NO |
NO |
|
Honduras - Water Caye |
YES |
NO |
|
Belize – Placencia |
YES |
NO |
|
Belize - Half Moon Caye |
YES |
NO |
|
Belize – Belize City |
NO |
NO |
These sites are indicative. The proposed diving excursions may be changed depending on weather and safety conditions and the number of divers.
Rates
Excellence and Passion packages must be pre-booked with your travel consultant before departure. Beyond that, all reservations will be confirmed once on board and subject to availability.
Price per person
- Certified divers :
- Excellence Package (4 dives) : €460
- Passion package (6 dives) : €610
For any dive in the Great Blue Hole, the minimum certification required will be Advanced Open Water Diver or 2 Stars Cmas Diver.
Highlights
- Dive into Caribbean culture and soak up the soul of Honduras, as you enjoy lush landscapes, a stunning underwater world and memorable human encounters.
- Between the sea, lagoons and mangroves, explore this natural setting where contemplation and serenity mix with the discovery of abundant and extraordinary biodiversity.
- Christmas celebrations in an exceptional environment: change of scenery guaranteed.
- Enjoy unforgettable encounters with the local populations, especially with the Garifuna, who descend from a mix of freed slaves, with the Arawak Caribbean people and with the Kekchi Mayan community.
- Thanks to the presence of our experienced team and the local naturalist-guides in Honduras, you will learn more about the mysteries of this infinitely rich region and experience unique moments on snorkelling trips, hikes, Zodiac outings or visits using local transport.
- Exclusively with PONANT, a port of call in Guanaja to explore a splendid natural setting and to discover an authentic village inhabited by the Caracoles people.
- Set off to discover La Ensenada and its local community in an enchanting setting.
- Landscapes: palm-fringed beaches, blue lagoons, heavenly islands, mangroves, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, rich seabed, hot springs, rivers.
- Wildlife: Howler monkeys, white-headed monkeys, caimans, turtles, tropical birds, multicoloured fishes, dolphins, rays, manatees, alligator.
- Opportunity of diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board and of snorkelling with your expedition team.
- Extend your experience during an optional five-day pre-cruise package discovering the Mayan civilisation, including a visit of the famous Mexican archaeological site Chichen Itza.
Ports of Call & Excursions
19 December 2023 - Belize City
Embarkation 19/12/2023 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 19/12/2023 at 7:00 pm
Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolises the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures. The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.
20 December 2023 - Punta Sal
Arrival 20/12/2023
Departure 20/12/2023
In the municipality of Tela lies Punta Sal National Park, renamed Jeannette Kawas as a tribute to the environmental activist murdered in 1995. Between coral reef and green jungle, the park unveils a succession of white sandy coves along its coastline giving onto crystal-clear waters in a marvellous palette of blues. Inland, the tropical forest unfurls, a real reserve for wildlife that you will be able to explore in a Zodiac dinghy between mangroves, lagoons and rivers.
21 December 2023 - Guanaja
Arrival 21/12/2023
Departure 21/12/2023
The island of Guanaja is a little-known paradise, one of Honduras’ real treasures, and will reveal itself to you between lush vegetation, idyllic deserted beaches and unique encounters with the local population of Bonacca (also known as The Cay). Off the coast, the wildest and most remote of the Bay Islands rolls out its coral reefs, which attract diving enthusiasts from around the world. This jewel of the Caribbean Sea also shelters a mangrove whose secrets you will attempt to discover as you explore it during a Zodiac outing. Then, during hikes, accompanied by our team of naturalist-guides, you will enter the heart of a rainforest dotted with majestic waterfalls and home to many bird species, like macaws. Here, the Caracoles people will welcome you and share their traditions with you on the small key of Bonacca (also known as The Cay). Do not miss this exceptional encounter!
22 December 2023 - Cayos Cochinos
Arrival 22/12/2023
Departure 22/12/2023
Lying northeast of La Ceiba, the Bay Islands are home to certain treasures that float on a palette of turquoise, dark or celadon blues. Les Cayos Cochinos, an archipelago made up of two islands, Cayo Menor and Cayo Grande, and thirteen coral cays, is one of them. Situated on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System in a marine reserve created in 1994, its underwater scenery features coral gardens in which multitudes of tropical fish scatter and provide you with a feast for the eyes. In this idyllic setting, you will infinitely enjoy swimming while other water-based activities will offer a delightful interlude in the heart of exceptional nature.
23 December 2023 - Cuero y Salado
Arrival 23/12/2023
Departure 23/12/2023
In the heart of the Central American isthmus, Honduras is a little-known paradise boasting rich biodiversity, as evidenced by the Cuero y Salado National Park, a real refuge for wildlife created in 1987. This magnificent reserve, located on the estuaries of the Cuero, Salado and San Juan rivers, will provide you with fantastic opportunities for observing fauna and the plant kingdom. In a boat going across the mangrove, accompanied by the song of birds answering each other, you will not tire of observing the bright plumage livening up the thick green forest with bursts of colour. As you watch the monkeys dancing from branch to branch, you will not know which way to turn. And if you are lucky, turtles and caimans will also make an appearance.
24 December 2023 - La Ensenada
Arrival 24/12/2023
Departure 24/12/2023
Lying on the Honduran shores, the small community of La Ensenada will charm you with its gentle way of life and breathtaking landscapes. Make the most of a timeless moment to go and meet the local population and learn more about their day-to-day lives and their customs. The mangrove, a unique ecosystem teeming with life, will also reveal itself to you with the possibility of a river cruise aboard a local boat.
25 December 2023 - Water Caye, Isla Utila
Arrival 25/12/2023
Departure 25/12/2023
The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkelling.
26 December 2023 - Placencia
Arrival 26/12/2023
Departure 26/12/2023
Placencia beckons travellers with the opalescence of its idyllic beaches and the blue hues of the Caribbean Sea that edges it. Lying in the south of Belize, in the Stann Creek District, this former fishing village exudes an Afro-Caribbean atmosphere in an unspoiled paradise combining brightly-coloured traditional houses and enchanting scenery. A veritable nature sanctuary both on land and at sea, Placencia has become an increasingly popular eco-destination in the Caribbean, particularly with diving and marine life enthusiasts. Its stunning lagoon is home to manatees, saltwater crocodiles and dolphins, among others, as well as numerous species of tropical fish. In addition to an excursion into the mangrove and some snorkelling, you will be able to discover the Mopan and Kekchi Mayan civilisations.
27 December 2023 - Half Moon Caye
Arrival 27/12/2023
Departure 27/12/2023
The tropical green crescent of Half Moon Caye is a natural monument of Belize stretching out over crystal-clear waters. The appeal of the oldest protected marine and ornithological area in Central America stems from its beaches lined with coconut trees, but most importantly from its incredible underwater world, which you will be able to explore with fins, mask and snorkel. Corals, sponges, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, eels and groupers live in the turquoise waters, while on land the coastal forest is home to amusing geckos and a large colony of red-footed boobies, spectacular divers that penetrate the water at high speed to feed on small fish and squid.
28 December 2023 - Belize City
Arrival 28/12/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 28/12/2023 at 8:00 am
Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolises the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures. The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Le Dumont-d’Urville belongs to a new generation of ships fitted with innovative equipment and designed to be environmentally friendly, and which come equipped with lounges that are largely open to the exterior, an outdoor swimming pool and a Blue Eye, an underwater lounge. Everything is in place for an extraordinary cruise experience. It's now possible to depart for adventure to the most remote places on the planet onboard a ship offering luxury services.
Decks
Tropical Expedition
Explore the planet’s most remote tropical regions during a PONANT expedition cruise. In the heart of Oceania’s archipelagos or the Indian Ocean atolls, along the wild coastlines of Central America or Australia, our luxury amenities and services will make your expedition cruise an unforgettable experience. Our expedition leaders and their teams of naturalist guides devise exceptional itineraries and organise daily outings, shore visits in Zodiac® dinghies, or snorkelling when the cruises are conducive to it, to take you as close as possible to nature. Aboard the ship, they share their knowledge during lectures on a variety of topics such as the fauna and flora, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology. On land, using the local transport options or during hikes, discover the must-see natural sites and, for a few hours, partake in the life and ancestral customs of the local populations.
Christmas Cruise
Christmas celebrations in an exceptional environment: change of scenery guaranteed.
Diving
During an introduction to scuba diving or a more advanced dive for holders of the necessary certifications (level 1 on yachting cruises and 2 on expedition cruises), explore the planet’s most beautiful underwater environments in the company of a PONANT diving instructor, as well as a local instructor when required by local legislation. They will ensure that your dives are conducted smoothly and safely: supervision of four certified divers at a time, evaluation of diving skills and experience, adherence to safety stops, zones and the maximum depth authorised.
A recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to the main diving instructor.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
VISIT TULUM RUINS AND TRANSFER TO BELIZE CITY (2 NIGHTS)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – Cancun/Playa del Carmen
Meet at Cancun International Airport in the Arrival Hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen 5*.
Check-in.
Diner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Playa del Carmen/Tulum
After breakfast, board your coach for a 1-hour drive to Tulum.
Along with your guide, discover the famous maya site of Tulum, built on a small cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. This Maya site may formerly have been known by the name Zama, meaning City of Dawn, because it stands on a bluff facing east, facing the sunrise. Upon arrival at the site, ride small train to the main entrance. Then your guide will lead you into the City to see the main buildings and show the remaining painted walls as well as the stucco decorations in front of the buildings.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
After lunch, board your coach for 30 minutes to reach to your hotel Hilton Tulum 5*.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3 – Tulum/Belize City
Check-out.
Board your bus for a 3,5 hrs transfer to the border with Belize City.
Border crossing to Belize.
Board your board for 1,5 hrs with an enroute lunch break.
Transfer to the ship for embarkation onboard your ship.
Your hotels:
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort 5* is located on the coveted Mamitas Beach. It offers 3 outdoor pools by the sea and a fitness centre. Rooms feature an elegant and refined decoration with a Wifi access.
The Hilton Tulum 5* is located on a bay isolated from Tulum and features a private beach and 9 outside pools. You may enjoy on of the 13 bars and restaurants with your all-inclusive formula. All rooms feature partial sea view, air-conditioning and a private balcony.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 1-night accommodation in partial sea view room at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen 5*, local standards (or similar) including breakfast.
- 1-night accommodation in partial sea view room at the Hilton Tulum 5*, local standards (or similar) including breakfast.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverages package during meals (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 coffee or tea).
- Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
- The services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
- We recommend for you to wear a comfortable outfit during the visit of Tulum (walking shoes, suitable clothing adapted to the heat, solar protection).
- Tulum attracts many visitors, your visit is scheduled early morning, however we ask for your patience and understanding if the site is crowded.
- This program involves great driving distances.
Contact of your hotel:
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort 5*
1A Avenida Esquina Calle 26, Centro
77710 Playa del Carmen,
Q.R., Mexico
Telephone: +52 984 875 1234
Hilton Tulum 5*
Carretera Cancún Tulum 307 Tulkal Chemuyil
Tulum, 77774, México
Telephone: +52 984 195 1100
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$3,000
ON THE PATH OF THE MAYA CIVILIZATION (5 NIGHTS)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – Cancun/Playa del Carmen
Meet at Cancun International Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the hotel Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen 5*.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Playa del Carmen/Valladolid/Chichen Itza
After breakfast, board your coach for a 2-hour drive to the colonial city of Valladolid, named after a city in Spain and founded in the 16th century. Your guide will bring you to the main cathedral, San Servasio, where you will learn about the history of the city, which was one of the first settlements in the area founded by the Spaniards, as well as the history of the Maya people of the region.
You will then have the opportunity to visit La Casa de los Venados, a private home and national cultural tourism asset. It has the largest museum quality collection of Mexican folk art in private hands. Learn about the history of this house, as well as about the handcrafts and pop art that come from all over Mexico, while touring this amazing home.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
Board your bus for a 45-minute drive to Mayaland Chichen Itza 4*.
Enjoy some time at leisure. You may have the opportunity to enjoy a light show in the evening at Chichen Itza, weather permitting.
Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 3 – Chichen Itza/Bacalar
Depart early in the morning to visit Chichen Itza by foot.
You will visit Mexico’s most famous archaeological site, Chichen Itza. Named for the large cenotes (natural wells fed by underground rivers) on the site that provided the otherwise dry landscape with life-giving water, Chichen Itza is an iconic example of the elaborate Mayan architecture. An important city in the Mayan region between 600 CE and about 900 CE, Chichen Itza reflects different periods of architecture as well as different regional influences. Discover why Chichen Itza has held its place in the imaginations of visitors for hundreds of years, helping to answer questions about the life of the ancient Mayans, while having confounded historians for centuries with its seemingly endless mysteries. You will walk through the spectacular ruins with a professional guide, who will share facts about the buildings and their significance to the larger Mayan way of life, as well as explain the legacy of their ingenious culture.
After the visit, return to your hotel to refresh.
Check-out.
Leave for your next stop: lake Bacalar.
Board your coach for a 2.5-hour drive.
Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
Return to your coach for a 1.5-hour drive to Bacalar and check-in at your ecolodge at Habitas Bacalar 5*.
Enjoy some time at leisure to take in the peaceful environment and the laguna.
Meet by the laguna at sunset and enjoy a private mezcal tasting.
Dinner will be served at the restaurant.
Day 4: Bacalar/Becan/Kohunlich
Enjoy a tasty local breakfast with a view, and depart mid-morning for Becan.
Becan is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The first settlement dates to the middle of the Preclassic Era. Monumental architecture appeared by the late Preclassic Era as the site grew in economic and political importance. Many trade goods from the Mexican cultural and administrative centre of the era, Teotihuacan, have been found here. The name Becan was bestowed on the site by archaeologists who rediscovered the site, and it means "ravine or canyon formed by water" in Yukatek Maya, named after the site's most prominent and unusual feature, its surrounding ditch.
After your visit, drive for one hour to your next stop, Explorean Kohunlich 5*.
Enjoy lunch at the hotel.
Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at your hotel.
Meet your guide for a visit to Kohunlinch, a Maya site located a few minutes away from the hotel. The site is best known for its Temple of the Masks, an early Classic pyramid whose central stairway is flanked by huge humanized stucco masks. The Temple was built around 500 A.D. and is one of the oldest structures at Kohunlich. After 700 A.D., this temple was covered over with a late Classic construction, which protected the masks and preserved them in the marvellous state they find themselves in today. The only standing remains of the later temple are some steps in the lower portion of the stairs.
Return to your hotel.
Diner will be served at the restaurant.
Day 5: Kohunlich/Calakmul/Kohunlich
Depart early (between 4 and 5 am) from the hotel to arrive at the UNESCO site of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve at dawn. After an hour drive on the freeway, start a bumpy drive for 1.5 hrs through the jungle. Look out and observe the ecosystem, it is considered to be the largest forest mass in Mexico and, together with the forests of Guatemala and Belize, the second largest remnant forest left in Latin America after the Amazon. You may spot some of the inhabitants of the region, such as pheasants, howler and spider-monkeys.
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, located at the base of the Yucatan Peninsula, is the largest forest reserve in Mexico. It covers 723,185 hectares of protected land with some 52 ‘ejidos’, or local communities, counting almost 23,740 inhabitants (2000) in its buffer zone. Pristine though the forest is, it bears testimony to the Maya with remnants of cities abandoned in A.D. 900.
Return to your hotel, lunch will be served at the restaurant.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 6: Kohunlich/Belize City
After check-out, board your bus for an hour drive to the border of Mexico and Belize.
After finishing the border crossing procedures, enter Belize and drive for 1.5-hour to reach the Maya site of Altun Ha.
It is an important archaeological zone from the Classic Period (200-900 A.D.). Many exotic trade items have been discovered here, the most important being the largest jade artifact known to be from the Maya area. The archaeological park contains a large selection of flora and fauna typical of lowland tropical forests.
After the visit, drive an hour to Belize City to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
Transfer to your ship for embarkation.
Your hotels:
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort 5* is located on the coveted Mamitas Beach. It offers 3 outdoor pools by the sea and a fitness centre. Rooms feature an elegant and refined decoration with Wifi access.
The Chichen Itza Lodge 4* is ideally located within a 15-minute walk of Templo del Hombre Barbado at Chichen Itza. Each room features cosy wooden decorations.
The Habitas Bacalar 5* is a luxury retreat that allows you reconnect with nature, with a private lagoon access and a gourmet restaurant. The lodges are spread across the property, in between the Mayan jungle and the Bacalar Lagoon. Each room features air conditioning and an outdoor rain shower.
The Explorean Kohunlich 4* is an all-inclusive jungle Resort offering a nature experience. It features an infinity pool, and all rooms are bungalow-style and feature air-conditioning, a private patio, and a hammock.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
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1-night accommodation in Partial Sea view room at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen 5* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
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1-night accommodation in Standard Bungalow at the Mayaland Chichen Itza 4* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
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1-night accommodation in Partial Sea view Bungalow at Habitas Bacalar 5* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
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2-nights accommodation in Standard Bungalow at Kohunlich Explorean Resort 4* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
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Meals as mentioned in the programme.
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Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer and 1 coffee or tea).
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Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
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The services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
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Dinner on day 1.
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Personal expenses.
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Visa if necessary.
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Tips for the driver and local guide.
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Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
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It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
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This programme involves a great amount of walking and hiking in the jungle. It requires good physical condition and is not suitable for people with reduced mobility
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This programme involves long drives on certain days and is not suitable for people with back issues. Most of the transfers are on the freeway except in Calakmul where the drive is over uneven dirt.
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This tour involves overnight stays in or near the jungle, therefore you might encounter a few local, harmless bugs.
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Tap water is not drinkable in Mexico and Belize. Plastic bottles will be available, a few hotels offer glass bottles in the room. We recommend you bring a water bottle to fill and avoid the use of plastic.
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It is highly recommended you pack a separate luggage for your pre-tour. We suggest you pack suitable clothing for hiking in the jungle. We also recommend bringing sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a hat and sunglasses.
Contact of your hotel:
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort 5*
1A Avenida Esquina Calle 26, Centro
77710 Playa del Carmen,
Q.R., Mexico
Telephone number: +52 984 875 1234
Mayaland Chichen Itza 4*
Km. 120 Carretera Merida
Piste, 97751, Mexico
Telephone number: +52 99 88 87 24 95
Habitas Bacalar 5*
Carretera Federal 307 Xul Ha
Bacalar, 77963, Mexico
Telephone number: +52 983 980 1388
Explorean Kohunlich 4*
Km 5.6 Carretera Chetumal Escárcega
Chetumal, 77981, Mexico
Telephone number: +52 983 689 0042
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$5,930
TRANSFER FROM THE PORT TO THE AIRPORT
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of embarkation and the airport.
Belize City
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.
Your programme includes:
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Transfer as mentioned in the programme.
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Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
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Tips for the driver and local guide.
-
Personal expenses
-
Other services not mentioned in the programme.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.
Total : AU$120