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Wonders of the Maya

Name: Wonders of the Maya
Brand: Elife Travel
Price: 1921.67 USD
Availability: InStock

Country:

Mexico

Flight:

Not included

Favorite

Tour id:

138243

Operator:

Destination Services Mexico
Length:

8 days
Group size:

30 pax
Age:

10 to 99
Difficulty:
Difficulty levels:
- Relaxing
- Easy
- Moderate
- Serious
- Heart-pumping

08.02-15.02.26 guaranteed
22.02-01.03.26 guaranteed
08.03-15.03.26 guaranteed
19.04-26.04.26 guaranteed
26.04-03.05.26 guaranteed
10.05-17.05.26 guaranteed
24.05-31.05.26 guaranteed
07.06-14.06.26 guaranteed
21.06-28.06.26 guaranteed
05.07-12.07.26 guaranteed
19.07-26.07.26 guaranteed
09.08-16.08.26 guaranteed
23.08-30.08.26 guaranteed
06.09-13.09.26 guaranteed
20.09-27.09.26 guaranteed
04.10-11.10.26 guaranteed
18.10-25.10.26 guaranteed
08.11-15.11.26 guaranteed
22.11-29.11.26 guaranteed
06.12-13.12.26 guaranteed

Itinerary

In addition to its beautiful beaches, Yucatan boasts an impressive cultural and historical heritage as the repository of treasures of Maya civilisation such as Palenque, Tulum, Chichen Itza and Uxmal. Travel back in time to appreciate the everlasting greatness of these ancient cities reclaimed from the jungle and discover the beauty of the colourful colonial towns of Izamal and Merida. Join this memorable eight-day tour and see a mesmerising part of impressive Mexico.

Tour program

Day 1

ARRIVAL CANCUN

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.

Start point

Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún (CUN), Carr. Fed. Cancún - Chetumal Km 22, Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo 77569, Mexico

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 birds 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 of 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 civilisation 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-metre-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 autumn 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. 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-metre-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-coloured colonial houses, colonnaded arcades, and bell-gabled churches. Continue exploring by foot and seeing sights such as 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 colourfully dressed descendants of the Maya can be seen everywhere, and their languages frequently heard on the streets and in the marketplaces. Check into your hotel, getting ready for a new exciting 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 civilisation 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 kilometres 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 centre and city of the ancient Maya. Despite archaeologist 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 Colours’ 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 coloured waters and white sand beaches. Continue to Cancun with drop-off at your selected extension hotel in Riviera Maya or Cancun (hotel not included).

End point

Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

20:00

Cancellation Policy

Full refund if cancelled at least 46 days prior to departure.

A cancellation fee of 40% is charged if cancelled or amendment of the travel dates 45 days or less before the event

A cancellation fee of 50% is charged if cancelled or amendment of the travel dates 29 days or less before the event

A cancellation fee of 60% is charged if cancelled or amendment of the travel dates 14 days or less before the event

Cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled or amendment of the travel dates 6 days or less before the event

Tour Details

Accommodation

7 nights' accommodation

Day 1 Cancun:

Standard Hotel Category = Fairfield Airport or similar 4*

Day 2 Valladolid:

Standard Hotel Category = Ecotel Quinta Regia or similar 3*

Day 3 Merida:

Standard Hotel Category = Del Gobernador or similar 4*

Day 4 Campeche:

Standard Hotel Category = Plaza Campeche or similar 4*

Day 5-6 Palenque:

Standard Hotel Category =Misión Palenque or similar 4*

Day 7 Chetumal:

Standard Hotel Category = Capital Plaza or similar 4*

OPTIONAL EXTRA

Pre/Post-Night in Cancun (Bed & breakfast, transfer included):

Standard Hotel Category = Fairfield Airport Cancun or similar 4*
Superior Hotel Category = Beachscape or similar 4*
Deluxe Hotel Category = Emporio Cancun or similar 5*

Transport

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

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered.

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Additional Services

Pre/Post-Night in Cancun (Bed & breakfast, transfer included):

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

Additional Services

Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme

Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Riviera Maya environmental sanitation right tax (payable on spot)

Optional tours

International flight tickets or Mexican visa fees and local taxes

Airport departure tax

Gratuities for drivers and guides.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The estimated arrival time in Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel is 20.00 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 prior to 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 maximum one more language

There is no guarantee that you will be part of the same group during the tour

The assigned guide and group size may change during the itinerary

Local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.

Meals

7 breakfasts

Guide

Operated with English and Spanish-speaking licensed guide on a shared basis

Good to know

Currency

MXN

Mexican Peso

Mexico

Customer reviews

Overall Rating

4.5

Itinerary

4.6

Guide

4.7

Transport

4.5

Accommodation

Food

Operator

4.5

Faq Tour

How can I book a tour?

You can order a tour on our website by selecting the desired dates and clicking the “Confirm dates” button. You can also contact our sales department by phone or email.

Which payment options are available?

We accept credit cards, bank transfers and other popular payment methods.

Can I change or cancel my reservation?

Yes, changes or cancellations are possible, however penalties may apply depending on the time before the tour starts.

What documents are required to participate in the tour?

You will need a passport with a valid visa (if required) to visit countries along the tour route.