Discover ancient civilisations and modern history
Three main civilisations dominated Latin America at various times before the arrival of Europeans in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. These's were the Mayans in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, the Aztecs in central Mexico and the Incas, mainly in Peru. These civilisations flourished within their local surrounds, gaining wealth and power from which they built great cities and empires. Religion was also very important, with each civilisation constructing great temples for the performance of ceremonies and rituals to appease the gods, in return for bountiful harvests and victories in battle.
The Mayas thrived throughout the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, creating a complex society built on agriculture and trade, which consisted of several large city-states, with large pyramids and palaces. They also created an accurate calendar and a numbering system.
The Incas settled in Peru, near the Urubamba Valley, establishing Cusco as their capital and building nearby the 'lost city' of Machu Picchu, high in the Andes Mountains. They built their famed terrace farms, as well as an elaborate system of roads to maintain control of their empire.
The Aztecs were a fierce warrior society, who built a huge empire through military conquest and subsequent taxation of neighboring peoples. They built there mighty capital Tenochtitlan on floating islands in Lake Texcoco, located on the site of present-day Mexico City.
The Spanish conquered Latin America in the 1600s, sacking and destroying the many monuments created by the incumbent civilisations and introducing strong European influences to city architecture planning. Yet Inca descendants still speak their ancient language, Quechua.
Today we can explore the remains of these mighty civilisations, marveling at their extraordinary capacity and ingenuity, at some of the best preserved archaeological sites in the world.
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Peru - 15 Day Itinerary from £3,472 from €3,266 from $3,513
Our comprehensive journey through Peru. Discover Andean landscapes, ancient civilisations, stunning ruins and the magnificent islands of Lake Titicaca
Lima - Arequipa - Colca Canyon - Lake Titicaca - Sacred Valley of the Incas - Machu Picchu - CuscoView Tour
Landmark Tours - 17 Day Itinerary from £4,204 from €4,144 from $4,465
The descendant of the Empire of the Incas maintain their identity and traditions blending with colonial history, in a setting of impressive mountains landscapes and the riches of P…
Lima - La Paz - Sucre - Potosí - Lake Titicaca - Train - Sacred Valley of the Incas - Machu Picchu - CuscoView Tour
Mexico - 10 Day Itinerary from £1,562 from €974 from $1,030
Explore the Aztec remnants of the past, stepping back in time at Calakmul for the pyramids of mighty civilisations, small villages, the walled city of Campeche and colonial Merida.…
Cancun - Tulum - Chicanna - Campeche - Uxmal - Merida - Chichen ItzaView Tour
" Valle Sagrado de los Incas - Urubamba valley near Pisaq, Peru, " by Jason Hollinger - licensed under CC BY
Peru - 11 Day Itinerary from £2,597 from €2,216 from $2,376
Our essential tour of Peru, including the most important sites of Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas & Lake Titicaca
Lima - Lake Titicaca / Puno - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - CuscoView Tour
Mexico - 14 Day Itinerary from £3,414 from €3,196 from $3,438
A land steeped in ancient history, colonial past and scattered with Mayan and Aztec pyramids. We include the stunning Chiapas region with villages nestled in mountains.
Mexico City - Oaxaca - San Cristóbal - Palenque - Mérida - Chichén ItzáView Tour
Guatemala - 12 Day Itinerary from £3,552 from €3,362 from $3,617
Dotted with fabulous archaeological sites and picturesque colonial towns, we browse through the colourful markets and scale the magnificent, soaring pyramids set in the lush jungle…
Antigua - Lake Atitlan - Chichicastenango - Antigua - Copan - Guatemala City - Aguateca Lodge - Tikal - AntiguaView Tour
Insights & Highlights
Valle Sagrado de los Incas - Urubamba valley near Pisaq, Peru, by Jason Hollinger - licensed under CC
Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley is characterised by traditional agriculture, bustling markets and outstanding Inca ruins.Learn More
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