Trip Overview
Explore the history of ancient civilizations during this grand Regional Discovery vacation. Spend the first night in beautiful Cancun, then see the beachfront ruins at Tulum and the Mayan city of Coba en route to legendary Chichen Itza. During your stay, visit the Ball Court, El Castillo, and the Cenote Sagrado. Next, stop in Izamal, a classic Mayan religious site, on the way to Uxmal with its famous ruins. Visit the Palace of Masks in Kabah before reaching Merida. There you will enjoy city sightseeing and a visit to the cathedral, and learn more about the Mayan culture at the Museum of Anthropology and History. On to the Mayan city of Ek Balam and its enormous pyramid. A stop in the charming town of Valladolid before returning to Cancun, the perfect ending to your Yucatan discovery.
Sightseeing Highlights
• Tulum: Sightseeing
• Coba: Sightseeing
• Chichen Itza: Sightseeing; visit the Ball Court, El Castillo, Cenote Sagrado
• Ek Balam: Sightseeing
• Uxmal: Sightseeing
• Kabah: Visit the Palace of Masks
• Merida: City sightseeing, visit the cathedral and Museum of Anthropology and History
• Cancun: Welcome reception; farewell dinner
What's Included
• Meals: Welcome reception; American breakfast daily; 5 lunches; and 4 dinners, including a farewell dinner in Cancun.
• Airport Transfers: Airport transfers may be included when you make your flight arrangements with Globus
• Inside Visits are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable
• Hotel Accommodations: Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling
• Quality Hotels: Cancun Omni Cancun Hotel, Chichen Itza Hotel Mayaland, Uxmal Hacienda Uxmal, Merida Hyatt Regency
• Professional Tour Director while touring, cruise director on River cruises, host services on Independent Vacations
• Private deluxe motorcoach with air-conditioning, extra leg room, and emergency washroom while touring
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Transfer to your oceanfront resort in this Caribbean paradise. This evening, enjoy a WELCOME RECEPTION and meet your traveling companions.
Day 2: Cancun–Tulum–Coba–Chichen Itza
First, we’ll visit the beachfront ruins of TULUM. This stunning 12th-century site, once inhabited by the Mayas and Toltecs, is set atop coastal cliffs overlooking the Caribbean. From here it is a short drive to COBA, an important Mayan city during the 8th and 9th centuries with an estimated population of 50,000 but which was abandoned for unknown reasons. The present-day village straddles Lago Coba and is surrounded by dense jungle. In the late afternoon, arrive at Chichen Itza, where the renowned Mayaland Hotel is your home for the next two nights.
Day 3: Chichen Itza
A full day to explore this most important and strategic ancient city. CHICHEN ITZA was built by the Maya between 600 and 900 A.D.; abandoned by the end of the 10th century’ and re-established in the 11th and 12th centuries, possibly by the Toltecs. The site sits amid three miles of cleared forest scrub. Visit the BALL COURT, site of many human sacrifices, EL CASTILLO, a formidable building dedicated to the high priest, and the CENOTE SAGRADO, the sacred well once filled with priceless treasures offered to the gods. This evening, enjoy a SOUND and LIGHT SHOW.
Day 4: Chichen Itza–Izamal–Uxmal
Today we drive to Izamal, a charming town that was once a classic Mayan religious site and later a center of the Spanish attempt to Christianize the Maya. Tour the Convent, built between 1549 and 1562, and visit the local market before enjoying lunch at an area restaurant. This evening, enjoy an exciting SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW.
Day 5: Uxmal–Kabah–Merida
This morning we visit UXMAL. Built during the Classic Period, Uxmal is the most famous of the ruins in the Puuc region. Its architecture is considered one of the masterpieces of the old civilization. Later, visit KABAH, a small but interesting archaeological site famous for its PALACE OF MASKS. Journey on to Merida, capital of the Yucatan state and its colonial heart. This evening, take a stroll around this friendly town and explore some of the interesting shops and restaurants. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for the best way to spend your evening.
Day 6: Merida
Conquered in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, Merida remained under Spanish control for the next 300 years. This morning’s city tour showcases a variety of European architectural styles by visiting the CATHEDRAL, the zocalo (main square), and the elegant Paseo Montejo boulevard. Later, visit the MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY with its excellent displays of Mayan artifacts from various sites in the Yucatan. Enjoy leisure time this afternoon to relax in your centrally located hotel, shop for local wares, or maybe visit nearby museums such as the Museum of Popular Art, showcasing Mayan art, handicrafts, and clothing.
Day 7: Merida–Ek Balam–Valladolid–Cancun
Today we visit the enormous, elaborate, acropolis pyramid located inside the Mayan site of EK BALAM. Meaning “black jaguar,” Ek Balam was at the height of its importance as a Mayan city during the Late Classic Period (600-900 A.D.). When the Maya abandoned the site, it went under cover as the dense low-lying jungle of the Yucatan engulfed it. Found by archaeologists and adventurers, its restoration has been ongoing since 1997. Next we visit the small but charming town of Valladolid before making our way back to Cancun. This evening your Tour Director hosts a festive FAREWELL DINNER.
Day 8: Departure
The vacation ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules.
Tour Pricing
Departure Dates |
Tour Rate: Land and Cruise |
|---|---|
September 21, 2008 |
$1729 |
October 5, 2008 |
$1729 |
October 26, 2008 |
$1729 |
| November 9, 2008 | $1729 |
| February 1, 2009 | $1869 |
| February 15, 2009 | $1869 |
| March 1, 2009 | $1869 |
| March 15, 2009 | $1869 |
2009 prices and itineraries subject to change.
By e-mail:
marylyn@casaq.com
