Itinerary

Ancient Maya Cities
of the Yucatán
December 3–11, 2016
ITINERARY
DECEMBER 3
Arrive at Mérida International Airport (MID) by 4
p.m. Meet your tour representative for transfer to
Hotel Mision de Fray Diego, located a block and a
half from the main square in Mérida, the capital of
the Mexican state of Yucatán. Meet the group for
dinner and program orientation with our scholars,
Ed Barnhart of the Maya Exploration Center and
Joseph Suina (Cochiti). Overnight, Hotel Mision de
Fray Diego, Mérida. D
DECEMBER 4
We begin our exploration of the Maya world at
the excellent Regional Anthropology Museum in
Mérida. This afternoon we visit the Gran Museo
del Mundo Maya. This new museum showcases
Maya artifacts—stone sculptures, jewelry, and
more—in a way that offers many insights into the
Maya worldview. The evening is yours to explore
the beautiful, historic center of Mérida. Overnight,
Mérida. B L
Mérida
DECEMBER 5
We tour Dzibilchaltun, located 10 miles north of
Mérida in the extreme north of the Maya region.
The site was continuously occupied for about 3,000
years, until the arrival of the Spanish. Continue on
to Izamal, a regional capital known locally as the
“Yellow City.” It is one of the largest northern Maya
cities, with five great temples that can be seen from
far away. We walk along two of the larger sacbeóob
(stone roads) that connected Izamal with other
important centers nearby. Evening lecture: Maya
archaeoastronomy. Overnight, Villas Arqueológicas,
Chichen-Itza. B L D
Chichen-Itza
DECEMBER 6
Occupied for nearly a thousand years, until its
abandonment in the A.D. 1400s, Chichen-Itza
was one of the great cities of the ancient Maya
world. It is thought to have had a diverse
population, including influence from the Toltecs—
as seen in the variety of architectural styles at the
site. El Castillo and the Warriors’ Temple are two
Uxmal
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of Chichen-Itza’s most well-known and intriguing
structures. We also visit the Sacred Cenote, a
natural water-filled sinkhole used in Maya rituals.
Overnight, Chichen-Itza. B L D
DECEMBER 7
Our journey continues in Mayapán, the “Banner
of the Maya”—the last great Maya capital, known
for its defensive stone wall that ringed the city.
Mayapán was abandoned in the mid-1400s. We
continue on to Mani and the church where, in
the early 1560s, Bishop Diego de Landa burned a
number of Maya codices along with thousands of
other objects. Overnight, Hotel Hacienda Uxmal,
Uxmal. B L
Maya passageway, Uxmal
DECEMBER 8
Spend a full day exploring Uxmal, an enormous
Maya city of the Classic period; it is famous for the
artwork of its “Nunnery.” Uxmal is considered one
of the most important sites in the ancient Maya
world, along with Chichen-Itza, Caracol in Belize,
and Tikal in Guatemala. Evening lecture: Maya
terminal Classic period. Overnight, Uxmal. B L D
DECEMBER 9
This morning, we visit Kabah, a Maya site in the
Puuc region. Kabah is famous for its Palace of
Masks, decorated with hundreds of images of
Chaac, the rain god—an important figure in this
more arid part of the Yucatán. This afternoon, we
tour the Loltun Caves, an extensive network of
caverns where you can see Maya cave paintings
as well as older pictographs. The human history
here goes back about 12,000 years; bones of
mammoths and ancient tools have been recovered
from the caves. Overnight, Uxmal. B L
Pyramid, Uxmal
DECEMBER 10
This morning, we stop in Muna for a pottery
demonstration by Patricia Martin Morales, who
creates masterful reproductions of Maya pots. We
are treated to a traditional Yucatec lunch in Muna,
then return to Mérida. Enjoy free time in the city
before we gather for a farewell dinner. Overnight,
Hotel Mision de Fray Diego, Mérida. B L D
Kabah
DECEMBER 11
Depart from Mérida International Airport
anytime. B
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
= breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
Itinerary subject to change
B
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800.422.8975, ext. 457
travel@crowcanyon.org
© 2016 by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. All rights reserved.
CST 2059347-50
4.28.2016