11 Day Mexico's Mayan & Aztec Illumination 2017 Itinerary
11 days
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
Small Group Tour
1 Cancun, 1 Chichen Itza, 2 Merida, 1 Campeche, 2 Palenque, 1 Veracruz, 2 Mexico City
Overview
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Highlights
- Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals.
- Exploration of the Yucatan begins at Ek Balam, one of the largest Mayan ruins in Mexico
- In magical Valladolid, stroll the picturesque square with its rows of colorful historic buildings
- Tour the wondrous ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- View the distinctive architecture of Merida at the ornate 15th century Casa Montejo
- Enjoy hospitality, a home-cooked dinner and conversation with a local family in Merida
- At the dramatic archaeological site of Uxmal, view the pyramids and temples from 600 AD
- Watch weavers create pliable straw hats called jipijapas right before your eyes in Becal
- Tour Campeche, a colonial city with baroque Spanish architecture and a walled historic district
- Visit the astonishing soaring jungle swathed temples of Palenque, a national treasure!
What's this trip about?
1 Cancun, 1 Chichen Itza, 2 Merida, 1 Campeche, 2 Palenque, 1 Veracruz, 2 Mexico City
Details
Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed
- Flights Miami-Cancun, Mexico City-MiamiOther departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
- Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- 10 nights accommodations 1 night Cancun 1 night Chichén Itzá 2 nights Merida 1 night Campeche 2 nights Palenque 1 night Veracruz 2 nights Mexico City Hotel porterage
- All transfers and sightseeing per itinerary in modern motor coach
- 22 meals: 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners (including Welcome and Farewell dinners)
- Bottled water during sightseeing excursions
- Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
- Active itinerary with unique cultural features
Itinerary
DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Mexico, Arrive in Cancun
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cancun, Mexico's vivacious resort city on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea known for its white sand beaches and energetic nightlife; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax at the hotel's pools or, on the beau...
DAY 2, Tuesday - Mayan Ruins: Ek Balam, Magical Valladolid, and Chichén Itzá
The exploration of the Yucatan Peninsula begins at Ek Balam, one of the largest Mayan ruins in Mexico, where you can see the extraordinary wonders of Mayan culture from thousands of years ago. The well-preserved ruins of the ancient town are accented by elaborate statues...
DAY 3, Wednesday - Wondrous Chichén Itzá, The "White City" of Merida
Today, a visit to the astonishing ruins of Chichén Itzá, considered the most famous and most spectacular of Mexico’s Mayan sites. This magnificent metropolis, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the principle ceremonial center of the Yucatan. Learn about the fasci...
DAY 4, Thursday - Explore Merida, Home Hosted Dinner
Merida has been the cultural capital of the entire Yucatan Peninsula since its conquest by the Spanish. The exploration of the city begins at the Plaza de la Independencia, bordered by the fortress like Merida Cathedral and the white limestone Iglesia de la Tercera Orden...
DAY 5, Friday - Uxmal Pyramids, Historic Campeche
At the dramatic archaeological site of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, view the pyramids and temples that date back to 600 AD. Superb examples of Puuc style architecture can be seen at the terraced Governor's Palace with its 20,000 intricately carved stones that cre...
DAY 6, Saturday - Palenque's Gardens
On the drive from Campeche to Palenque the scenery changes from the flatness of the Yucatan to rolling hills and mountains with tropical flora at every turn. Upon arrival in the town of Palenque the afternoon is yours for personal pursuits. Settle in at the hotel, enjoy ...
DAY 7, Sunday - Palenque, a National Treasure
One of the highlights of your Mexican journey is surely today's visit to the soaring jungle swathed temples of Palenque, a national treasure! Abandoned for unknown reasons, the vast, mysterious and enchanting ruined city of Palenque is one of the most beautiful Mayan ci...
DAY 8, Monday - Villa Hermosa's La Venta Park, Romantic Veracruz
The visit today is to Villa Hermosa’s intriguing outdoor La Venta park where you view the displayed giant Olmec heads from the settlement of La Venta. Enter through a zoo, devoted to animals from Tabasco and other nearby regions that include jaguars, ocelots and many spe...
DAY 9, Tuesday - Puebla, México City
Departing the lowlands of the Gulf coast, begin the drive towards Mexico City following the Camino Real once used by early Conquistadors to transport silver and other treasures from the Aztec capital to Spain. En route you may view the astonishing sight of the towering s...
DAY 10, Wednesday - Mexico City
The tour of the capital starts at Teotihuacán, the impressive archaeological site that was once the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. Visit the Jaguar Temple before continuing to the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Avenue of the Dead flanked by temples and...
DAY 11, Thursday - Depart Mexico
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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Dates & Availability
Price From $2,599
Price per day$236
Last Updated: 2/1/2018
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Discovery Tours by Gate 1.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- *Not Included:Prices do not include optional tours and gratuities for guides/tour managers.
Accommodation
Travel Insurance
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.
Trip ID
discovery-DSCV-MX-11DMXMAI-PKG-17
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