Yaxchilan – A hidden Mayan gem in the jungles of the Chiapas, while remote, is now easily accessible from Palenque. It takes about three hours by bus to get to the Usumacinta River which forms the border between Guatemala and Mexico.
The Mayan ruins of Palenque lie in the jungle of the Mexican state of Chiapas. While some areas in Chiapas are considered dangerous, the route from Palenque airport to the town and the amazing ruins are usually safe.
Lhasa – Monasteries: A peaceful couple of days exploring Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, and the equally impressive Ganden Monastery outside of Lhasa.
Lhasa – besides the amazing temples and palaces, the most interesting part of Lhasa is the old quarters known as the Barkhour. it is still strongly Tibetan.
The beginning of a journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa overland. First stop at the three cities of the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.
Patan is a separate city from Kathmandu. The short walk from Kathmandu to Patan goes through narrow alleys leading to quiet courtyards and old temples.
Bhaktapur has all the pleasure of a small and familiar centre with the advantages of a city. It has impressive historic areas and is close to Kathmandu.
To go from Kathmandu to Lhasa, overland, you have to use a tour operator because travelling in Tibet is very tightly controlled. I found a five-day option.
Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland – Day 2 – crossing the border and carrying on through mountain rainforests to reach the mountain deserts surrounding Tingri.
Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland – Day 3 – The river valley widens revealing villages surrounded by fields of yellow canola with high peaks in the distance.
Kathmandu to Lhasa overland – Day 4 – exploring one of Tibet’s most important monasteries, Tashilhunpo, and on to Gyantse to visit the Kumbum.
Kathmandu to Lhasa overland – Day 5. From Gyantse to Lhasa – the scenery was every bit as amazing as on the previous days’ journey.
The journey from Merida to the Caribbean island of Holbox took the whole day. Five hours by bus to Chiquila, a brief stop for lunch was long enough, and then a half hour ferry ride to reach Holbox.
Chichen Itza has a great collection of ancient temples, palaces, platforms and statues which have been painstakingly restored.
While Mexico holds many truly amazing ancient archeological sites, for me Uxmal is the one that has made the biggest impact. As you move around the site, it’s treasures reveal themselves one at a time.
The UNESCO site of Monte Alban is a short ride from Oaxaca. It was established 2500 years ago on a prominent hill by the people of the Oaxaca Valley, known as the “Zapotecs”.
Oaxaca (pronounced Wa Haka) is a six-hour bus ride from Mexico City. After leaving the capital, the road begins to take you through rolling countryside. A few of the mountain peaks are still snowy even in the summer.