Journey Mexico Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula extends northwards from Central America and is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the west and north, Guatemala in the south, and the Caribbean Sea on the north and east. The Yucatan offers a fascinating blend of pre-Columbian, Colonial, and modern day culture and a variety of unique and diverse natural wonders. The restored ruins of the once flourishing Mayan civilization consistently surpass even the most seasoned travelers’ expectations. Abundant wildlife, dense jungles, crystalline underground rivers and pools, and of course, the translucent, turquoise Caribbean Sea make this magical region of Mexico a must see destination.

Present day residents of the Yucatan have not forgotten their traditions, and their culture still shines in their markets, handicrafts, and traditional celebrations. There is never a dull day in the Yucatan and opportunities for the experiential traveler are abundant: exploring restored Mayan cities, appreciating the colonial architecture and history, venturing into the vast underground rivers and cenotes, enjoying the varied and delicious regional cuisine and spirits, and observing a variety of wildlife and flora in numerous reserves are only a few of the possibilities. Of course there is no shortage of hammocks to laze away an afternoon or two in a restored Hacienda. Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula has something for everyone.

Highlights

Haciendas:

• Hacienda Xcanatun
• Hacienda San Jose
• The Mayaland Lodge at Chichen Itza
• Hacienda Temozon

Pre-Columbian, Colonial and Modern Day Yucateca Culture:

• Locally guided visits to the amazing archeological sites of Chichen Itza and Uxmal
• Visit to the Mayan Village and "Magical Pueblo" of Izamal
• Explore Merida, charming Colonial capital city of Yucatan State
• Enjoy the varied and tasty Yucatan cuisine from typical Mayan dishes, to modern day Mexican Favorites

Natural Wonders:

• Explore the mysterious underground river systems accessing them through cenotes
• Marvel at and swim with the largest fish in the world the Whaleshark

Insider / Limited Access Experiences:

• Special site visit to the Los Dos Cooking School
• Private off hours visit to Chichen Itza
• Visit to private Cenote

Conservation and Sustainability:

$50.00 USD of your trip fee goes to Fundacion Haciendas del Mundo Maya, which works with local communities in the Yucatan Peninsula on a range of sustainable development projects including: Housing, Health and Nutrition, Education & Culture, Sustainable entrepreneurship, and the Environment. Please visit their web site for more information: http://www.haciendasmundomaya.com/index.html

Dates

This trip can be run all year

Price Includes

Pricing for this trip range from $1,995 to $7,980 per person depending on the number of people traveling and the level of accommodations. Please contact us for an individual quote.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival Cancun Airport and Transfer to Hotel: Today you will be met at Cancun International Airport and privately transferred to your Cancun Hotel.

Day 2

Cancun / Holbox Island: Today you will be privately transferred to Holbox Island (3.5 hours from Cancun). After arriving to Chiquila Dock, you are transferred in our speedy launches (30 min to land). Upon arrival to this tranquil island, you will be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. (Breakfast Included)

Day 3

Holbox Island / Swim with Whalesharks: After breakfast, you will go on private tour snorkeling to swim with the elusive whale sharks that are found here from June to September during their annual migration. The docile animals range between 10 and 65 feet! You will have a box lunch during the tour. Return to your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Day 4

Holbox Island/Morning Whaleshark Swim/Merida: After breakfast, you will go on another whale shark snorkeling tour to spend more time with these amazing creatures. We will have a box lunch during the tour. After the excursion, we will be privately transported by boat to Chiquila and then on to Merida, where we will stop in Tixkokob (time permitting) to visit a hammock weaving family. You will enjoy a delicious Lunch at Hacienda Teya before arriving to Merida City and having an orientation tour in late afternoon. Finally we arrive to our charming hotel to relax. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Day 5

Merida City / Uxmal: Today you will enjoy a Market and Cooking Class with one of Merida’s greatest chefs at his beautiful colonial home. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a more in-depth City Tour including Palacio de Gobierno, Paseo de Montejo (emulating the Champs Elysees in Paris) and Merida’s Anthropology Museum. After, you will be transferred to the ancient city of Uxmal. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Day 6

Uxmal / Pibil Lunch: After breakfast, we will visit the world renowned Mayan temples and ball courts of Uxmal. Our expert guide will bring the site to life and add color to what many consider to be the finest examples of classic Mayan architecture on Earth. We will visit and learn about the amazing Palace of the Governors and the mystical Pyramid of the Magician, which consists of 5 super-imposed temples. After visiting the archeological site, we will enjoy a delicious Pibil Lunch before returning to the hotel in the afternoon. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Day 7

Uxmal / Sotuta de Peon / Izamal / Chichen Itza: The day begins at the living-museum of Hacienda Sotuta de Peon. Here, we'll learn about haciendas, which functioned like the plantations in the southern US, and about Henequen (sisal fiber), which was the source of the Yucatan's wealth during the Colonial Era. We'll tour the processing plant, which is still in action, visit the beautiful main house, and take a mule-drawn rail cart tour of the fields, ending at a refreshing cenote (natural pool of water that leads to an underground river). We'll have a traditional lunch at the hacienda and then we're off to the city of Izamal to visit the magical Franciscan monastery and a Crafts cooperative. The crafts cooperative here is part of the Fundacion Haciendas del Mundo Maya's sustainable entrepreneurship; part of your trip fee goes to support this foundation. After, we head to our hotel nestled beside Chicen Itza, the most famous Mayan archeological icon and USESCO World Heritage Site. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Day 8

Chichen Itza Off Hours Visit / Private Cenote: This morning we will be the first to visit Chichen Itza as we privately access the archeological site. Under the expert knowledge of our guide, the ball courts, temples, and plazas come alive. We depart as the heat rises and the crowds thicken and head to a little known cenote where we can access the cool, dark, crystal clear waters of the vast underground fresh water river system that criss-crosses the Yucatan Peninsula! Don’t forget your bathing suit for an optional swim! (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Day 9

Chichen Itza/Departure: Today you are privately transferred to the Airport to catch your flight back home. (Breakfast Included)

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