Mayan Highlights of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Chichen Itzá / Dzibilchaltun / Izamal / Uxmal / Palenque /
Calakmul / Tulum / Mérida / Campeche
MARCH 18-28, 2011
MARCH 18 - Friday: Arrive at Cancun airport and Transfer to Hotel
Hosting Talk and welcome and orientation for travel
MARCH 19 - Saturday: CANCUN/CHICHEN ITZA WITH EQUINOX OBSERVATION
Buffet Breakfast and departure to the archeological zone of Chichen Itza
Arrival at the site and meeting with noted archeo-astronomy expert, Dr. Eddie Salazar.
Guided tour to the site with particular interest in the pyramid of Kukulkan for Observation of the Spring Equnox. Also exploring some of the many other features of the area such as: El Castillo or Temple of Kukulkan, Great Ball Court, Temple of the Bearded Man, Temples of the Jaguar, Tzompantli, Platform of the Eagles and the Jaguars, Platform of Venus (This platform is dedicated to the planet Venus. ), Sacbe Number One, Cenote Sagrado, Temple of the Tables, Temple of the Warriors, Group of a Thousand Columns, Steam Bath, El Mercado, Ossario, Temple of Xtoloc, House of the Metates and House of the Mestizas, Casa Colorada, The House of the Deer, Las Monjas, El Caracol, Akab Dzib, (With specialized explanations of the most important astronomical discoveries by Dr. Salazar)
Lunch at the Ikil ecological park.
Time for swimming in the magnificent natural wonder cenote or if you prefer walk the extensive gardens to observe the flora and fauna.
Departure to the Archaeological Villas Hotel. Check in and register
At the appointed hour departure to the archeological zone of Chichen Itza where we can see the light and sound show
Return to the hotel for Observation of the sky with the assistance of Dr. Salazar in the hotel gardens.
MARCH 20: CHICHEN ITZA / MERIDA
After Breakfast departure to the city of Merida, on the way we visit the colonial city of Izamal known as the city of 3 cultures and where Pope John Paul II held a meeting with ethnic Mayans of the region. A tour of downtown.
Arrival in Merida and check into the Hotel Caribe, located in the Historical downtown district. Evening free for personal activities. We recommend a walk through the historical downtown district of this beautiful city.
MAR 21: MERIDA / DZIBILCHALTUN
After breakfast at the hotel departure to the archeological zone Dzibilchaltun, guided tour by Dr. Salazar. On the Spring equinox, the sun rises so that it shines directly through one window of the most famous Temple Of The Seven Dolls, and out the other. This is a similar event to the descending snake of Chichen Itza designed to show the power of the gods. The temple is connected to the rest of the site by a long sacbé. Return to Merida, afternoon visit to the Planetarium and talk with Dr. Salazar. Farewell to Dr. Salazar. Afternoon free to walk through the historical downtown district
MAR 22: MERIDA / UXMAL
Visit the market and Main Square in Uman, then after breakfast departure to Uxmal on the journey to visit the community of Uxmal. The Maya architecture here is considered matched only by that of Palenque in elegance and beauty. Thanks to its good state of preservation, it is one of the few Maya cities where the casual visitor can get a good idea of how the entire ceremonial center looked in ancient times. Arrival and guided tour of the site. Lunch at the restaurant Yaxbeh. Check into the Archeological Villas Uxmal Hotel. At the indicated time return to the site to witness the spectacle of the light and sound show
MAR 23: UXMAL / CAMPECHE
After breakfast we continue our journey to the walled city of Campeche, the walled city full of stories of pirates, corsairs and filibusters. Arrival and panoramic city tour. Check into the hotel Del Mar located in the historical district, near the seaport and overlooking the bay of Campeche and Gulf of Mexico Sea. Afternoon free for personal activities I suggest paying close attention to every corner of the Historical Downtown District.
MAR 24: CAMPECHE / PALENQUE
After breakfast departure to the Great Mayan Acropolis of Palenque, located in the middle of the Lacandon jungle and surrounded by rivers. Palenque contains some of the finest architecture, sculpture, roof comb and bas-relief carvings the Maya produced. After its decline it was absorbed into the jungle. Arrival at the hotel Chankah, registration and lunch. Departure to visit the site. At night enjoy observing the night sky in the hotel gardens.
MAR 25: PALENQUE / CHICANA
After breakfast departure back to Chicana, Lunch at Hotel and visit the site of the same name. Return to hotel
MAR 26: CHICANA / CALAKMUL
After breakfast departure to the nature reserve and park Calakmul. The 'City of the Two Adjacent Pyramids' is the site of one of the largest ancient Maya cities ever uncovered. Calakmul is one of the most structure-rich sites within the Maya region. The site contains 117 stelae murals, the largest total in the region. great opportunity for wildlife observation in the 1,800,000 acre Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Guided Tour.
Return to Hotel Overnight.
MAR 27: CALAKMUL / TULUM
After breakfast continue towards Tulum, visit the site. The Maya site may have been formerly also known by the name Zama, meaning city of Dawn. Both coastal and land routes converged at Tulum, one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites. Hosting and relaxation time In Cabanas Copal, prepare to disconnect electricity, no telephone, TV and so on. Ideal place to watch the sky along the Mexican Caribbean in full darkness.
MAR 28, END OF TOUR
Check out and transfer to your hotel for flight home, or take extra days in Cancun.
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