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March 18: We pick you up at any hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya between 6:30-8:30 am (depending on hotel location). We begin the journey with a visit of the spectacular coastal ruins of Tulum, the most visited of Mayan archaeological sites. Graceful columns and elegant carvings give one an appreciation for the architectural achievements of the ancient Maya. Inside the Temple of the Frescoes are fantastic 13th century murals depicting ancient ceremonies. One of the few surviving images of the Mayan goddess of fertility and medicine, Ixchel, can be found here. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Tulum is a photographers dream come true! Colorful iguanas bask lazily on rocks in the sun; gentle waves caress the shore. It is easy to imagine the ancient Maya landing at this bustling seaport with their canoes filled with trade goods.
Afternoon we visit Coba. Cobá is situated in a lush jungle filled with many species of animals, birds and butterflies and is a real nature lover's delight. It is home to the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan. From its top you can see above the jungle canopy for miles in each direction. On these quiet and peaceful grounds it's hard to imagine that Cobá may have once had the largest population of all ancient Mayan cities. This vast Mayan archaeological site dates from 600-900 A.D. and there were an estimated 100,000 people living in its domain. Then we travel to Chichen Itza for an overnight at Hotel & Bungalows Mayaland, adjacent to the ruins. In the evening we'll enjoy "Tales of the Maya Skies", the new digital full-dome planetarium show produced by Chabot Space & Science Center. "With unprecedented realism Tales of the Maya Skies immerses us in Maya science, art and mythology, using full dome digital technology to transport us back into the world of the Maya."
March 19: Today we visit Chichen Itza, the most famous of Mayan archaeological sites and one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World". We'll enjoy an all morning tour of the site including: the Main Ball Court (the largest discovered from the ancient Mayan world) the Sacred Well or Cenote, where archaeologists discovered a number of well-adorned skeletons of sacrificial victims; the Temple Of The Warriors, with its 1,000 columns dedicated to the warriors of Chichen Itzá; the Caracol or Observatory and El Castillo, or the grand pyramid, which has a staircase on all four sides, each with 91 steps that totaled with the last step on top equal the 365 days in a solar year. We'll have lunch at, and a chance to take a refreshing dip in, beautiful Cenote Ik Kil. Then we visit Ek Balam, a recently uncovered Maya archaeological site with very distinct features. The wonderfully preserved state of the sculptures and frescos at Ek Balam are some of the most outstanding examples of the art of the ancient Maya. Some figures are winged, some in the meditative ¨lotus¨ position, one sits headless above the center of the "Witz Monster". All are beautiful and exquisitely crafted. Ek Balam's most striking temple is one with a huge ¨monster mouth¨. To the Maya this represents a portal to the ¨other world". Then we travel to Uxmal where we'll overnight at the faithfully restored Hacienda Uxmal.
March 20: We start the day at the elegant ruins of Uxmal. Uxmal is one of the finest examples of the Puuc architectural style. Graced with two of the largest pyramids in the Yucatan and a multitude of incredibly preserved frescos paying homage to the rain god Chac and the serpent god Kukulkan, it is a site that inspires awe and mystery. Uxmal´s most famous structure, the Temple of the Magician, is an awesome feat of building prowess. This temple was rebuilt three times; this is where Uxmal got its name, which means thrice built. Towering above the surrounding jungle and crowned with intricately carved stonework, it is a treasure of the ancient world. Then we visit nearby Kabah. The Palace of Masks with its 250 masks of the Mayan rain god Chac is one of the most impressive in Mayan architecture. Kabah also has a large arch with a sacbe (ancient road) leading to Uxmal. In the afternoon we visit Labna. The corbelled arch at Labna is famous for being one of the most intricately decorated discovered in the world of the ancient Maya. Chac masks are seen on both of the arches upper corners. Carvings of stylized Mayan huts appear above the doorways. An interesting feature is a carving of a Vision Serpent with a human head emerging from its mouth.
Then to colonial Merida for a walking tour. Merida is one of the most elegant and cultured colonial cities in the Maya World. Before the arrival of the Spanish, ancient Maya temples and pyramids dominated the landscape of this large city called T'ho. After the conquest the Spanish used the stones from ancient structures to build their cathedrals and government buildings, remains of ancient Maya glyphs are visible in some of the stones. Then you have time to explore Merida on your own. It is a great place to shop for goods produced by Maya artisans: Panama hats handwoven in caves (in order to keep the sisal soft for weaving); handsome guayabera shirts; finely embroidered textiles; hammocks; ornate pottery; Cuban cigars and more. The city comes alive in the cool of the evening and on a short walk to the "Zocalo" or one of the small plazas you will see traditional Yucatecan dancers, musicians and other performers. Stroll the avenues, take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city, enjoy the best in Maya cuisine. Or, cool down in the pool and relax. Overnight Hotel Gran Real Yucatan, 3 blocks from the main square.
March 21: Today we witness first-hand the incredible accuracy of Mayan astronomy as it was integrated into architecture. We depart early to see the Equinox sunrise in alignment with the Temple of the Seven Dolls at Dzibilchaltun. This ancient Maya city dates back to 300 B.C. and may have been one of the mother cities of the Maya. After the sunrise event we will enjoy a tour of the site and visit the Museo del Pueblo Maya. Then we return to Chichen Itza. On the afternoon of the Equinox the Feathered Serpent descends in a glory of shadow and light down the great pyramid, signaling the most auspicious time to plant the essential and most revered food staple of the Maya, corn. This event is one of the most dramatic displays of Mayan astronomical knowledge encoded into architecture of any Mayan site. Overnight Hotel Gran Real Yucatan.
March 22: This morning we visit the new Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Mérida. Then we visit Mayapan, one of the last cities built by the ancient Maya and a "mini-Chichen Itza" with many structures designed exactly like those at Chichen Itza but smaller in scale. We'll stop for lunch in colonial Valladolid, where one can experience the best in traditional Yucatecan dishes and take a little time to shop in the plaza, where authentic Mayan goods are sold. Then we return to the coast and end our journey with drop off at any hotel in Cancun/Riviera Maya. Those going to Palenque for the March 23-27 Palenque tour extension will return to Merida after Mayapan and overnight at the Gran Real Yucatan before going to Palenque on March 23. |
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