The Isthmus Crossing

34 days from £4,698

34 days from £4,698 per person

A comprehensive holiday exploring the Central America of volcanoes, jungles, and sweeping beaches. See the many contrasts fashioned by the region’s agitated history, but also the captivating and unspoilt charm which unites these republics bordered by the Caribbean Sea and/or the Pacific Ocean.

Suggested holiday itinerary (flexible)

Day 1 Fly from the UK to Panama City, arriving same evening.

Day 2 Half day partial crossing of the Panama Canal

Day 3 Fly to David and on by road to Boquete.

Days 4,5 Full-day excursion to Finca Lérida; bird-watching and tour of coffee farm on the slopes of Barú Volcano.

Day 6 Fly to San José, capital of Costa Rica. Overnight.

Days 7,8 By road and boat to Tortuguero, among the lagoons and mangroves of the Caribbean coast. Stay at the renowned Tortuga Lodge, with guided wildlife excursions

Days 9,10 By light aircraft and road up to Monteverde Lodge with an escorted hike in the wildlife-filled cloud forest

Days 11,12 On by road to the wooded countryside close to lively Arenal Volcano. Visit the hotel’s dairy farm or go horse-riding or river rafting (optional).

Days 13,14 Fly to Managua. Transfer to colonial Granada on Lake Nicaragua. Tour of the city and Masaya craft market, a boat trip, and drive to the summit of Masaya Volcano.

Days 15,16 Across the water to Ometepe Island  to relax in unspoilt countryside.

Day 17 Fly to Managua, overnight.

Days 18,19 Fly to San Salvador, capital of El Salvador. Transfer to atmospheric Suchitoto, a friendly Spanish-style ridge-top town with lake and forest walks and views.

Days 20,21 Travel the enchanting Ruta de las Flores in the coffee and flower cultivation region. Enjoy an escorted hike.

Days 22,23 By road over the border to Antigua, Guatemala with time to explore the volcano-framed colonial city.

Days 24,25 Drive to Lake Atitlán via the craft and livestock market of highland Chichicastenango. Excursion across the lake to Santiago de Atitlán.

Day 26 Drive to Guatemala City, overnight.

Days 27,28 Fly to Flores and transfer to Tikal  the Mayans’ greatest city where temples and pyramids poke through the jungle canopy. Overnight at Jungle Lodge at the entrance to the site. Guided tour of the ruins.

Days 29-32 Fly to Belize City and continue to San Pedro for 4 nights at Sun Breeze, a laid-back beach resort offering water sports including diving: a chance to wind down and relax!

Day 33 Transfer to Belize airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving day 34