Day 1 Arrival Day: Cancun / 16th Century Hacienda.
Transfer from Cancun Airport at 2:00 p.m. to our hotel on the edge of Chichen Itza (2:30 hrs.). Settle in, stroll the hacienda grounds and acclimatize to the warm Yucatan climate. Meet with the other members of the group and your guide for dinner and an orientation at 7:00 pm in the hotel lobby. Please note, if arriving later than 2:00 pm, transfers will be arranged at extra cost. (Overnight Hacienda Chichén Itzá / Mayaland Lodge)
Day 2 Chichén Itzá/Mérida.
Morning exploration of the impressive ruins of Chichen-Itzá in a private tour with your expert guide. This site is world renowned for the sophistication of its structures and the high level of astronomical and engineering accomplishments on exhibit as well as the variety of temples, ball courts and ritual centers. The site comes alive with the expert interpretation of your guide adding color and contour to the sprawling site. As the mid-day heat descends you will head to Cenote Ikkil one of Yucatan’s most enchanting fresh water underground pools where you can opt for a refreshing swim before enjoying an excellent buffet lunch. You will continue on to Mérida (2:15 hrs.), the colonial capital of the Yucatan Peninsula for local fare and optional night out on the town. (Overnight Casa del Balam)
Day 3 Mérida/½ Day Bike Tour/Historic Center
After breakfast be prepared to enjoy a bike ride tour (2:00 hrs.; 20 miles) north of the city including two Mayan communities with free time to swim in the cenote of Dzibilchaltun. After the bike tour you will have a delicious Yucatan meal before we continue on a historic city tour including Merida’s colonial architecture, churches, and monuments of this thriving Yucatan city ending with a short “Calesa” ride. (Overnight Casa del)
Day 4 Loltun Caverns/Uxmal
Today after breakfast we explore deep into the Loltun Cavern where evidence has been found of human use dating back 7,000 years and mammoth bones have been found. The Yucatan Peninsula is a porous limestone shelf full of underground rivers, lakes, sinkholes and caves that were sacred places for the Mayan and are impressive geological formations to explore. We leave the caverns and head to the ancient ruins of Uxmal (:45 minutes) to view the amazing Palace of the Governors (considered by many to be the finest example of classic Mayan Architecture) and the mystical Pyramid of the Magician, which consists of 5 super-imposed temples. After the tour a typical Mayan lunch await us. Check-In at our hotel and get ready for our dinner. Enjoy an optional evening sound and light show presented in the ruins of Uxmal and learn more about the Mayan civilization. (Overnight Hacienda Uxmal/Hacienda Temozon)
Day 5 Valladolid/Coba/Mayan Riviera
After breakfast this morning you will head eastward towards the magic Mexican Caribbean. En route you will stop at Valladolid (2:00 hrs.), the former colonial capital of the Yucatan Peninsula. The charming city center has preserved its small plaza and fine architecture that reveal the glory of a bygone era. After a tasty lunch of local fare, our journey towards the Caribbean Sea takes us to the ruins of Coba (2:00 hrs.), buried in lush rainforest habitat where monkeys abound. We visit in afternoon, when the monkeys and birds become active again after their rest through the day time heat. Coba is among the largest Mayan city-ruins of the Yucatan region and maybe the most beautiful. Restored ruins and stone-paved avenues surrounded by lush rain forests teeming with wildlife stimulate the mind to imagine ancient times. Coba's architecture remains a mystery because its pyramidal temples and stelae resemble those of Tikal rather than Chichen Itza or Tulum both much closer in proximity. We continue on to Tulum and the Mayan Riviera, but not before an impromptu stop at one of the Yucatan’s newest discovered cenotes (:30 mins.) (underground fresh water sink hole) deep in the Yucatan Jungle! You will enjoy the opportunity to swim and relax around the refreshing waters before continuing on to your oceanfront accommodation (:30 mins.). Enjoy a tranquil evening as we transition into the magical Mexican Caribbean. (Overnight Los Lirios/ Hotel Esencia)
Day 6 Sian Kaan
Today we will visit the fascinating Sian Kaan biosphere reserve, where we set off in our boat to explore the channels, mangroves and estuaries that harbor a unique marine wilderness. Sian Kaan is one of the largest protected areas in Mexico and home to a diverse population of birds and mammals. You will also visit a small archeological site that illustrates the extensive Mayan Trading routes. After the visit you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your charming accommodation for some free time to relax on the white sands and turquoise sea directly out front or to just laze in a hammock Yucatan style! (Overnight Los Lirios/ Hotel Esencia)
Day 7 Mayan Village
After breakfast you will be transported to Mayan community about 1 hour south of Tulum. We will be welcomed into the community to learn about everyday life, traditional medicine, workshops of musical instruments, artisan processing of henequen (sisal), and how they raise honeybees. You will also be treated to a traditional Maya lunch in the village. You will then return to your beachfront hotel. (Overnight Los Lirios/ Hotel Esencia)
Day 8 Tulum Ruins/Free Day
After breakfast, you will be transported to the spectacularly situated Maya ruins of Tulum. Maya temples with the Turquoise Caribbean in the background offer excellent photo opportunities. The afternoon is free to relax on the sparkling Caribbean; wander the local markets; or sit by the sea. Optional cave diving / snorkeling excursion at a cenote (natural sinkhole) is available upon request. Farewell dinner at your lodge. (Overnight Los Lirios/ Hotel Esencia)
Day 9 Departure Day: Cancun/Home Early A.M. transfer to Cancun (2:00) for onward flights home or other trip extensions in the Mayan Riviera, Cancun or beyond. Please consult with Journey Mexico before booking your departure flight from Cancun.
Price:
Groups up to 4 clients starting at $3,990 per client
Price Includes:
CPR, First Aid Certified, bi-lingual local host in country guide throughout; all accommodation starting with Day 1 and ending with Day 9 in Cancun (doesn't include accommodation night of Day 9); airport transfers on the designated arrival and departure days; all transfers throughout starting from hotel on Day 2 and ending in the Hotel on Day 8; all meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary below (B,L,D); local guides; entrance fees to parks and reserves; entrance fees to all archeological sites, national parks, protected areas; local gratuities to wait-staff, maid service, and porters. All Park / Archeological Entrance fees; kayaking & snorkeling on the Caribbean Coast.
Price Excludes:
International and internal flights, airport taxes, immigration card ($17 U.S.), meals on Day 1 and Day 9, lunch on Day 8, gratuities to trip leader and local guide
