We are thrilled to post this special web site announcing all of our programs.
The fascinating history of ancient Mexico and Central America rings with the apparent complexity of the names of many great civilisations, among them the Mayas, the Mixtecs, the Aztecs, the Olmcs, Tarascos and the Zapotecs and minor civilizations like the Apaches, Tarahumaras, Yakis among many other minor tribes. However, these civilisations had much in common and are best understood as manifestations of a single underlying culture known to historians as Meso-American. Almost all the ancient sites visited by these itineraries for example, though constructed in different parts of the country by different civilisations at different times, feature similarly shaped pyramids, temples dedicated to similar gods and a similar characteristic playing area for a sport today referred to as "the ball game". This high degree of commonality derives from sharing a single "mother culture", that of the Olmecs, who appear to have settled along the Caribbean coastline of Mexico around 1500 BC. Their legacy, in terms of an evolving cultural heritage, was to shape Mexican civilisations for over three thousand years, until in fact 1521 AD, when the Aztec Empire was overthrown by Spanish Conquistadors. With the demise of the Aztecs and the immigration of Spanish settlers a new mixed civilization came into being. Aztec power bases were dismantled and new Spanish cities were built to replace them. Jesuit priests converted the Aztecs and their subjects to Catholicism and immigrant landowners and entrepreneurs grew rapidly rich through the exploitation of Indian labour for silver mining and farming. Much of this wealth was then invested in beautiful architecture, sprawling haciendas, magnificent colonial mansions and above all stunningly opulent churches and cathedrals.
This highly satisfying arrangement explores both of these intriguing Mexico’s and Central America, the colonial and the ancient, utilising characterful accommodations in the historic centres of colonial cities as bases from which to explore nearby ancient sites.
MayanQuest all inclusive land cruises are scheduled to depart every week of the year, Two participants minimum are required to enjoy our adventure travel experiences, besides the maximum number of participants is 10.
We hope to share our excitement for learning through travel on the road soon! Best wishes from MayanQuest and the World of the Mayas,