Yucatan and Southeast Mexico
13 Days / 12 Nights
The
Real Maya World - This program provides the Maya areas top guides
and professional archaeologists who offer real behind the scenes insight
while observing the incredible natural wonders that abound.
Highlights:
Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Loltun Caves, Merida, Palenque, Bonampak, Agua
Azul, Tulum
Day
1 - Arrival Cancun transfer to Chichen Itza
Smooth
and easy flight south (no jet leg) to Cancun. Upon arrival you'll be
met by our bilingual guide and archaeologist who will accompany you
on the program. We'll depart for the lovely Villas Archeologicas Lodge
adjacent to Chichen Itza, offer an early evening bird walk, and wrap
up our day with a welcome dinner and program orientation.
Day 2 - Chichen
Itza Archaeological Site
At Chichen
Itza we'll be offered real behind the scenes information about this
famed Postclassic Maya city-state the best preserved site on the peninsula.
Highlights include the Observatory, the Nunnery, Temple of the Warriors,
one of the new world's largest ball courts, and the sacred cenote. We'll
have another peaceful evening at our comfortable lodge adjacent to the
site.
Day 3 -
Ek Balam & Historic Cities of Vallodolid and Merida
The Classic
period Maya site of Ek Balam (Black Jaguar) offers us unique fortifications,
chultunes, and a corbelled Maya arch. We'll lunch, sightsee, and shop
in historic Valladolid before we continue our journey to the Yucatan's
capital city of Merida. Your afternoon is free to explore the colonial
significant city of Merida.
Day 4 -
Uxmal and Kabah Maya Ruins & Evening Light Show
We open
our day at the Late Classic Maya site of Uxmal which exhibits the most
complex expression of Puuc architecture. Then on to Kabah where the
building Codz Poop has a facade with 250 Chac masks. We'll be treated
to the evening light show at the Maya site of Uxmal.
Day 5 -
Labna, Sayil & Loltun Caves
Labna
with the spectacular structure known as the Arch will be our first stop
of the day. We'll wrap up our Puuc region tour at the site of Sayil
after which we'll visit Lolton Caves, the longest cave system in the
Yucatan. An afternoon stop at Ticul Maya Arte Studio will allow us to
see some talented artisans produce some of Mexico's most accurate reproductions.
Day 6 -
Champoton & Agua Azul
En route
to Palenque we'll lunch on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Champoton.
And in the afternoon we can take a cool swim at one of the 500 exquisite
cascades at Agua Azul National Park offering Mexico's most beautiful
waterfalls.
Day 7 -
Palenque and Pacal's Tomb
Our group
will visit Palenque one of the most well preserved and imposing Maya
sites due to its beautiful jungle setting. We'll see the main site in
the morning and in the afternoon we'll be privileged to areas that are
closed to the general public. Inside the Temple of Inscriptions Pacal's
tomb is accessed via shafts that took three years to clear out before
Pacal's Tomb could be studied. New archaeological finds and discoveries
will be presented to our group.
Day 8 -
Usumacinta River Excursion, Yaxchilan, Lacandon Rainforest, & Bonampak
An early
morning excursion on the Usumacinta River will offer views of Black
Howler Monkeys, Toucans, and other wildlife to name a few. The site
of Yaxchilan is only accessible by boat and is one of the most dramatic
of all Maya sites. A spectacular hike to Bonampak brings us to this
truly undisturbed site that provide us with a chance to see the remarkable
Temple of the Paintings. These vividly colored murals help us understand
life ways of the ancient Maya. (Lunch included).
Day 9 -
Palenque Museum & The Maya Rio Bec Region- Becan
We stay
amongst and visit a group of stylistically similar Maya sites located
in the Rio Bec region. The ancient city of Becan whose occupation began
around 550 BC and is thought to be the principal Maya Center of this
region will occupy our late afternoon.
Day 10
- Kohunlich Ruins & Cenote Azul
An optional
early morning bird walk will be offered for those who are interested.
Later in the morning the entire group will see the Temple of Masks at
the fascinating site of Kohunlich whose stairsides are flanked with
what may be the Maya sun god, Kinich Ahau. We'll eat a delicious lunch
while overlooking Cenote Azul prior to departing for Akumal where we'll
wrap up the remainder of our program.
Day 11
- Yax' Ka Laguna Snorkeling
A
truly magical snorkel - which may include viewing, from a distance,
nesting sea turtles - will certainly include a diverse amount of fish
species will start our day at Yax' Ka. Your afternoon can be spent by
the pool, at the beach, diving, fishing, or chilling out in your air-conditioned
room!.
Day 12
- Tulum & Ancient Maya Ballgame Re-enactment
This day
will take us to the most spectacularly positioned of all Maya sites
on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. In the evening Xcaret will
offer us a fascinating re-enactment of the ancient Maya ballgame found
nowhere else.
Day 13
- Departure
This day
brings the end to our program as we catch our international flights
home from Cancun.
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End Of Our Services ***