Tour programme - Destination Services

Haciendas and Mayas.
Tour designer: Melanie Goldbecker
Telephone: +52 998 881 7500
Email: mgoldbecker@destinationservices.com
MEXICO | 4DAYS / 3NIGHTS
Route: Round-trip from and to Cancun
Type of tour: Culture
Departure days: Two Tuesdays per month
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TOUR OVERVIEW
Beyond her beautiful beaches, Yucatan boasts an impressive cultural and historical heritage as the repository of treasures
of Maya civilisation such as Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Ek’ Balam. Journey back in time to appreciate the greatness of these
ancient cities clawed back from the jungle and discover the beauty of the colourful colonial cities of Izamal, Merida and
Valladolid. Accommodation is in atmospheric historic haciendas, which enhances the trip’s magical experience. Groups
vary in size but are typically made up of about four to 10 travellers.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Chichen Itza: Uncover the mysteries of Maya civilisation
at this ancient archaeological site dominated by the
imposing Temple of Kukulkan
Izamal: This ‘magical town’ is known as the ‘city of hills’
because of its numerous ruins of Maya pyramids
Uxmal: The Pyramid of the Magician in this UNESCO
World Heritage Site rises above the jungle canopy
Merida: Yucatan’s ‘White City’ is famed for the elegant
tree-lined boulevards from the 19th century
Ek’ Balam: Its golden age was brief but the city of the
‘Black Jaguar’ is home to some of the best-preserved
Maya ruins in Mesoamerica
Valladolid: Visit the Hubiku cenote in the outskirts of this
historic colonial city and enjoy free time to explore this
‘magical town’
DON'T MISS
Pitahaya: Savour this yellow or pinkskinned sweet fruit, which is low in
calories and rich in vitamins
Cenote: Bathing in one of these natural Tequila: Pop into a tequilería and taste
pools is one of the ultimate
the many varieties of the national spirit
experiences of any visit to Yucatan
and its close cousin, mezcal
DAY BY DAY
DAY 1 | CANCUN/ RIVIERA MAYA – CHICHEN ITZA – IZAMAL – DZIDZANTUN (325km – 4 hrs)
Depart Cancun and head deep into the rainforests of the Yucatan peninsula in search of the legendary Maya city of
Chichen Itza, which has been laboriously reclaimed from the jungle. Learn about the Maya and their civilisation as you
admire the scale and detail of this ancient city. 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 also the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice
victims were dumped. Also extremely well-preserved are the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and
adjacent Church, and the large observatory known as the Snail. After a delicious lunch in a traditional restaurant in
Chichen Itza, continue to Izamal, whose Mayan name means ‘Heavenly Dew’. In the centre, see the Convent of St
Anthony of Padua, which stands on a former Maya pyramid. Izamal is known as the ‘Yellow City’ due to the yellow and
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cream hues of its buildings. Head to Dzidzantun for check-in at the hotel, spending the night in a luxurious Maya-style
cottage. Dinner with live music in the hacienda.
 Overnight in Hotel Hacienda San Francisco Tzacalha in Dzidzantun hotel on a half-board basis.
DAY 2 | DZIDZANTUN – TIXKOKOB – UXMAL – SOTUTA DE PEON (230km – 3.5 hrs)
Morning free at leisure after breakfast at the hacienda. Maybe explore the landscaped gardens or cycle around the
estate, or avail of an optional boat tour in the waters of Dzilam de Bravo to learn about the fauna of the Caribbean – and
with a bit of luck, spot some flamingos. The tour also includes a swim in a cenote. After lunch at the hacienda, depart for
Tixkokob to learn about the townspeople and see the marketplace, the main church (18th century) and find out about
the local economy, with the most famous product being hammocks, whose manufacture can be seen in many of the
homes. Continue towards Uxmal and enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which as you approach it
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,
which towers 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. Enjoy also a spectacular sound and light show with dinner included. Continue
to Sotuta de Peon for check-in.
 Overnight in Hotel Hacienda Viva Sotuta de Peón on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
DAY 3 | SOTUTA DE PEON – MERIDA – SOTUTA DE PEON (65km – 2 hrs)
Enjoy a morning free at leisure after breakfast at the hacienda. Perhaps join an optional guided tour of the estate, which
dates from the 19th century and which has a still-functioning factory producing henequen fibre, using the traditional
method. The tour ends with a swim in the hacienda’s cenote. Lunch is in the hacienda. In the afternoon, head to the
‘white city’ of Merida, the capital of Yucatan, to enjoy a tour of the old town. Explore the tree-lined Paseo de Montejo,
which boasts a beguiling collection of mansions and palaces built by wealthy planters in the 19th century. In the city
centre, appreciate the splendid Plaza Grande, location of the cathedral and the 16th century Spanish plateresque-style
Montejo House, whose carved stone façade is one of Merida’s most popular landmarks. See also the Governor’s Palace,
the city hall and more, and then have some free time to wander around the city before returning to the hacienda.
 Overnight in Hotel Hacienda Viva Sotuta de Peón on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
DAY 4 | SOTUTA DE PEON – EK’ BALAM – VALLADOLID – CANCUN (530km – 6 hrs)
Breakfast at the hacienda is followed by departure for the archaeological site of Ek’ Balam, which in the Mayan language
means ‘Black Jaguar’. Visit the Central Square and its ceremonial structures such as the main pyramid, which is known as
the Acropolis, to enjoy the views over this complex boasting some 45 structures. It is one of the most impressive Maya
ruins and features a royal entrance with a remarkably well-preserved stucco fresco surrounded by the open jaws and
fangs of a jaguar. Continue to Hubiku, an almost-circular, half-open cenote for a swim followed by lunch. Hibiku is located
some 10km from Valladolid (one of Mexico’s ‘magical towns’, a designation awarded to select locations famed for their
cultural and historical heritage) where you have free time to explore the town.
 Continue to the Riviera Maya / Cancun for drop off at your hotel.
END OF SERVICES
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INCLUDED
TOUR GUIDE:
 Operated with qualified guides bilingual in English and Spanish
ACCOMMODATION:
 One night on a half-board basis in the Hotel Hacienda Francisco de Tzacalha and two nights on a bed-and-breakfast
basis in the Hotel Hacienda Viva Sotuta de Peon
MEALS:
 Three breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners
TRANSPORT:
 Air-conditioned transportation in a luxury vehicle for transfers to and from hotels, between cities and during
excursions
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
 All monuments and visits as indicated: Chichen Itza, visit plus sound and light show with dinner in Uxmal; Mérida
tour; Ek’Balam; and Hubiku cenote
NOT INCLUDED
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Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme
International flight tickets or Mexican visa fees
Airport taxes for domestic and international flights
Gratuities for driver and guide
Optional tours
RECOMMENDATIONS
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mexico. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts,
shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sun glasses, a
hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay
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