THE YUCATAN DISCOVERY TOUR
First & Third Saturday – Every Month – All Year Round
Explore the northern Yucatan Peninsula Maya & Spanish Colonial Heritage. Visit Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, Kabah, Celestun, Dzbilchaltun, Izamal and Cancun.
SCHEDULE Tour begins on the first and third Saturday of each month. Arrive to Cancun. Depart Cancun 6 days later on a Thursday or extend your stay to spend a weekend in the Caribbean Beaches.
PRICE per person: Double US$1,400, Single US$1,700.
DAY 1 SAT.
ARRIVAL TO CANCUN
Meet at Cancun International Airport. Transfer to Valladolid, a Spanish Colonial jewel located 2 hours away. Overnight in Valladolid. Welcome Dinner. (D)
DAY 2 SUN.
EK BALAM & CHICHEN ITZA
Ten miles due North from Valladolid, Ek Balam is a small site with some of the best preserved stucco reliefs, some of which with the original colors still visible. When the crowds coming from Cancun are about to leave, arrive Chichen Itza entering the site through the “back” gate located in its Eastern side. A site in the transition from the Classic to the Post Classic, Chiche Itza is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and its El Castillo Pyramids is probably the best known icon of the Ancient Maya. Later in the day, transfer to Merida for overnight. (B.L.)
DAY 3 MON.
MERIDA
Merida is Yucatan State Capital and Yucatan Peninsula largest city. These facts don’t make it loose the charm of its Spanish Colonial heritage in the downtown and the French influence mansions built during the XIX Century in the Paseo Montejo. One of these mansions is known as Canton Palace and it hosts an outstanding Museum of Archaeology that will be visited this morning. Afternoon transfer to Uxmal for overnight. Taking a Light & Sound Show that begins at 7PM is an option. (B.L.)
DAY 4 TUE.
UXMAL & PUUC ROUTE SITES
Uxmal and its neighbor sites, that share an architectural style called Puuc are all together, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the morning visit to Uxmal itself. In the afternoon, visit the nearby sites of Labna, Sayil and Kabah. Overnight in Merida.. (B.L.)
DAY 5 WED.
DZIBILCHALTUN & IZAMAL
The significance of Dzibichaltun is its stucco sculptures and ceramics from all Maya periods. Excavations here document continuous occupation from about 650 B.C. Explore the Temple of the Seven Dolls and other structures. After touring the seafront town of Progreso, enjoy lunch in Chicxulub in a cozy restaurant with a view of the inviting beach. At Izamal tour the huge convent that was built over a Mayan temple in 1561. See more of the Yucatan as you return to Cancun for Farewell Dinner and overnight at Ambiance Hotel. (B.L.)
DAY 6 THU.
DEPARTURE FROM CANCUN
Transfer to Cancun International Airport. (B.)
