WONDERS OF THE MAYA

Arrive at Cancun International Airport. Our representative will meet and greet you, and then transfer you to the hotel in Cancun. Have the rest of the day at leisure.  Overnight in Cancun.

DAY 2 : CANCUN – RIA LAGARTOS – CENOTE – VALLADOLID (360KM – 5 HRS)

Today’s adventure starts with a visit to Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, home to the largest flocks of pink flamingos in Mexico, in addition to the almost 400 bird species that have been identified here. Take a boat trip lasting around two hours through the mangroves in the reserve’s estuary to observe flamingos, other birdlife, and crocodiles. The trip also includes a visit to the feeding areas, a stop for a Mayan mud bath with the mineral-rich white mud, and a dip in the salt-rich waters of the lagoon. We then visit a cenote, a natural sinkhole, for some time to cool off and have a swim. After the visit, continue to the hotel in Valladolid. After the check-in at the hotel, we will have time for refreshing. Continue with a walking city tour by Valladolid, this is a city that preserves the tradition of Mayan culture in every corner and its historical legacy is unique. Discover the passage of time from pre-Hispanic times to the present walking through its streets.  Overnight in Valladolid.

DAY 3 : VALLADOLID – CHICHEN ITZA – IZAMAL – MERIDA (192KM – 3 HRS.)

Enjoy your breakfast before departing for Chichen Itza, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Maya. Learn about the Maya and their civilization and admire the scale and detail of this ancient city that has been laboriously reclaimed from the jungle. Behold the geometric perfection of the 25-meter-tall Temple of Kukulkan, popularly known as El Castillo (‘the Castle’), which was built both as a representation of the mystical Maya calendar and to reflect the optical illusion of a serpent snaking its way up or down the pyramid during the spring and fall equinoxes. Admire the Great Ball Court, the largest of 13 discovered at the site, see the haunting Skull Platform, where the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled, and catch sight of the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped. In addition, extremely well-preserved are the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and adjacent Church, and the large observatory known as the Snail. After this lovely morning, return to the hotel for breakfast. 

Next, we make our way to the Mayan town of Izamal, known as ‘the city of the three cultures”, combining remnants of its pre-Hispanic past, the colonial period, and the present. Izamal is one of Mexico’s ‘magical towns’, a designation awarded to selected locations famed for their cultural and historical heritage. Here you can see the Convent of St Anthony of Padua, which stands on a former Maya pyramid. You will have time to have lunch on your own in Izamal and continue to the ‘White City’ of Merida, the capital of Yucatan, to enjoy a tour of the historic downtown. Explore the Paseo de Montejo, where you will find a series of beautiful villas and palaces built in the 19th century. See the splendid Plaza Grande, home of the cathedral and the Casa de Los Montejo, built in the 16th century in the plateresque style. Admire its beautiful façade which is now a symbol of the city. Also visit the Government Palace and City Hall, before enjoying some free time to discover the city on your own. Overnight in Merida.

DAY 4 : MERIDA – UXMAL – CAMPECHE (250KM – 3 HRS.)

The tasty breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning exploring the ruins of another former Maya city clawed back from vegetation. Arrive at Uxmal and enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which as you approach, comes into view as it rises above the canopy of the jungle. Unlike other Mayan cities, Uxmal was devoured by the rainforest after the Spaniards had arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-meter-tall Pyramid of the Magician, towering over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle with its ornately carved interior and exterior walls. Across the central plaza, just beyond the ballgame court, is the Governor’s Palace with its elaborately decorated roof. At the southern end of the main complex is the Great Pyramid, of which only one side has been excavated with the other three still unclaimed from the bush.  After this experience, you will visit a Cacao Museum where the plant and its importance for the ancient Mayans will be explained. Continue to Campeche to your hotel for check-in.  Overnight in Campeche.

Day 5 : CAMPECHE – PALENQUE (360km – 4.5 hrs.)

After breakfast at the hotel, set out to see Campeche on a panoramic tour of this historic coastal city, driving through the heart of the picturesque old town, with its pastel-colored colonial houses, colonnaded arcades, and bell-gabled churches. Continue exploring by foot and seeing sights such as the ramparts of the old city walls and St Francis’ Cathedral. The state of preservation and quality of its architecture earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can see why as you explore. Continue the journey to Palenque, a bastion of the Ch’ol Maya people, in the state of Chiapas. We are now in Mexico’s ‘deep south’, where the colorfully dressed descendants of the Maya can be seen everywhere, and their languages are frequently heard on the streets and in the marketplaces. Check into your hotel, getting ready for an exciting new day.  Overnight in Palenque.

DAY 6 : PALENQUE – WATERFALL – PALENQUE (80 KM – 2 HRS.)

For thousands of years, the Maya’s writ stretched across what are now the five southern Mexican states as well as all of Belize and Guatemala, and the eastern parts of both El Salvador and Honduras – until their civilization mysteriously collapsed in the eighth and ninth centuries. It was during this period that the now ruined city of Palenque (or B’aakal as the ancient Maya called it) began its decline and was devoured by the jungle until it was encountered by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. In its heyday, Palenque was a sprawling city-state that spanned nearly 60 square kilometers, but archaeologists estimate that they have excavated only 5-10% of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. So far, more than 200 structures have been unearthed, with the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace, the Temple of the Count, and the Temple of the Cross being the most prominent. Enjoy exploring this ancient site on a guided tour before we set out on a visit to an incredible waterfall where you can appreciate Mexico’s natural beauty.  Overnight in Palenque.

DAY 7 : PALENQUE – BECAN – CHETUMAL (485KM – 6 HRS)

Depart Palenque after a delightful breakfast. Head east, arriving at the archaeological site of Becan, an interesting ceremonial center, and city of the ancient Maya. Despite archaeologist’s efforts, this place is still full of mysteries – even the original name of the site is unknown. Take the opportunity to admire the site’s main structures before we continue our trip, arriving in the capital of the state of Quintana Roo, Chetumal, where we check in to the hotel.  Overnight in Chetumal.

DAY 8 : CHETUMAL – BACALAR – TULUM – DEPART CANCUN (380KM – 5 HRS.)

After breakfast, you will visit the small town and lagoon of Bacalar, commonly known as the ‘Lagoon of Seven Colors’ due to the distinct shades of blue in the water. Be amazed by its beauty as we make a quick photo-stop before continuing north to the archaeological site of Tulum, one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Mayans. Tulum is perhaps one of the most visually impactful sites in Mexico, as it juxtaposes ancient ruins next to aqua-colored waters and white sand beaches. Continue to Cancun with drop-off at your selected extension hotel in Riviera Maya or Cancun (not included).

TOUR GUIDE: Operated with English and Spanish-speaking licensed guides on a shared basis

ACCOMMODATION: 7 nights’ accommodation

MEALS: 7 breakfasts 

TRANSPORT: Air-conditioned transportation with pickup/drop-off as indicated in the itinerary on a shared basis

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:  All monuments and visits as indicated: Rio Lagartos boat tour, entrance to the cenote, Chichen Itza, Valladolid walking tour, Izamal, Merida City Tour, Uxmal, Cacao Museum, Campeche City Tour, Palenque, Becan, Bacalar Lagoon photo stop

EXCLUSIONS

• Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks, and meals if not stated explicitly in the program
• Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Riviera Maya environmental sanitation right tax (payable on the spot)
• Optional tours 
• International flight tickets or Mexican visa fees and local taxes
• Airport departure tax
• Gratuities for drivers and guides.

Please note

• The estimated arrival time in Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel is 16.00 hrs. Departure transfer to the airport is not provided
• Please note that there are ongoing road works on the access road to the Cancun Airport which are affecting the traffic. As it is required to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure we suggest booking an additional night stay in Cancun
• Guests may be mixed with other guests of other nationalities, but the guide in the vehicle will speak your desired language and a maximum of one more language
• Local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.

What do I need to bring?

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for traveling in Mexico. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.