Among the Ruins: Mayan Coasts & Jungles
February 14-21, 2001 7 nights 8 days
Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itzá, Ek Balam, Muyil, San Gervasio (on Cozumel) and other wonders of the ancient Maya on the white beaches and soothing waters of the Caribbean and in the lush jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Leave behind the cold, wet winter and journey to a tropical paradise filled with ancient lore. Gaze at the soft white sands & the azure Caribbean Sea and plan your afternoon adventure. Will you explore the jungle wonderland? Go deep-sea fishing? Snorkel in the pristine waters of the reef or visit a lively village marketplace to shop for indigenous handicrafts? Or, will you sit in your hammock by the sea and dream?
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Day 1: After arrival at Cancun airport, our adventure begins with a ferry ride to Isla Mujeres, the “Isle of Women,” where we spend our first 2 nights at a beautiful hotel on the beach. Dinner will mark the beginning of our adventure.
Day 2: Free day: Explore the island’s wonderful beaches, natural sanctuaries, colorful snorkeling and abundant shopping opportunities or visit the coastal ruins of the Temple to the Mayan Goddess Ixchel (Lady Rainbow, patron of weaving, fertility and divination). |
| Day 3: Today we begin our jungle explorations. Traveling inland, we begin with a visit to the exquisite ruins of Ek Balam. This is one of the latest finds, only recently opened to the public and not yet discovered by tour buses. In terms of art and architecture, not enough can be said when comparing and contrasting this unique site with other Mayan ruins seen in the area. Ek Balam has amazingly well preserved art. Noteworthy attractions include the mouth of the Witz Monster (entry to the underworld) and full figure sculptures. With its well-preserved, majestic palace and grounds, Ek Balam seems untouched by time. This is a site sure to change your fundamental concepts of the ancient Maya.
We´ll stop for lunch in the lovely colonial city of Valladolid. This is a Mayan city with an important history where you can experience the best in traditional Yucatecan dishes. We´ll also take time out to shop in the plaza, where authentic Mayan goods are sold. Then we´ll continue on to Chichen Itza, for dinner at our hotel in a lush jungle setting adjacent to the archeological site. In the evening we´ll attend the Light & Sound Show at the ruins. |
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Day 4: Today we visit the most majestic of Mayan ruins -- Chichen Itza. This is, without a doubt, the most famous Maya archeological site. With its careful preservation, powerful frescoes, shocking sacrificial imagery and grand pyramid, Chichen Itza is sure to impress you. Both the Old City and its newer structures attest to its tremendous political influence in the Terminal Classic and Post Classic Maya world.
After a guided tour you may enjoy the ruins on your own at any time throughout the day or you may visit a nearby cenote (natural limestone filtered pool) for a refreshing afternoon swim. Or relax at the hotel pool or bar with its wonderful jungle atmosphere, and enjoy dinner. |
| Day 5: This morning we visit the archeological site at Coba. Coba is unique in that it has been minimally restored. On an early morning walk through these extensive ruins you can hear the jungle waking up, with its symphony of monkeys, birds and animals announcing the beginning of another day in paradise. Coba is a startling example of how the Maya created structures that have stood the test of time. Climb the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan, and take in the breathtaking view of the jungle below you for miles in every direction. After a guided tour with a certified on-site guide you will have time to explore the ruins at your own pace. |  |
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In the afternoon we visit the spectacular Mayan ruins of Tulum. This site, perched atop cliffs overlooking the blue Caribbean, is the most visited of the ancient Mayan archeological sites. Graceful and elegant Mayan temples and art adorn this place blessed with incredible natural beauty. Turquoise waters lap onto pristine white sand while enigmatic iguanas accept tokens of fruit from curious tourists. Every angle is a photographer´s dream come true.
After your guided tour take time to visit the beach below, so beautiful it is almost surreal. It´s easy to imagine the ancient Maya landing here with their canoes filled with trade goods. Take a swim, or for shoppers there is a market where you can browse local Mayan art and textiles. After seeing Tulum´s natural beauty you´ll know why it is treasured throughout the world. In the village of Tulum we will see a wonderful old Catholic church, displaying an intriguing mix of Mayan, Spanish and Mexican cultures, which was a focal point of the Dalai Lama’s stay in this area. |
| Day 6: On the final scheduled day we are planning two marvelous adventures. In the morning we will visit Xel-Ha, an eco-park featuring the largest outdoor natural aquarium in the world. This is a true swimmers’ paradise, with vast underground caverns and tunnels, offering snorkeling and floating, where over 50 species of brightly colored fish swim freely. Even if you don’t swim, just stand in the cool water and the fish will come to you. Xel-Ha also offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins (for an additional cost of around $100 per swim) in a natural setting. They strictly limit the number of dolphin contacts per day so you might want to make arrangements to spend your free day here as well. The ruins at Xel-Ha are small but contain the Temple of the Birds, with wonderful frescos. After lunch we will take a boat tour through the Sian Ka’an Bio-sphere, passing many Mayan temples and villages on our way to the magical ruin of Muyil, which is dedicated to the Moon Goddess. This ruin, one of the oldest Mayan cities in the Yucatan, is rarely visited by tourists, and offers the opportunity to experience an inner meditation chamber. Its location on a beautiful fresh water lagoon will introduce us to the remarkable variety of birds, butterflies and wildlife of this jungle area. |
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Day 7: Our final day is a free day: Choose from a trip to Playa del Carmen for shopping and sightseeing, stay in Akumal for diving or snorkeling, or catch the ferry to Cozumel Island, a favorite of underwater explorer Jacques Costeau. Cozumel translates to ¨Land of the Swallows¨ possibly in reference to the Mayan goddess Ixchel, who is often depicted with swallows at her feet. We´ll visit the ruins of her temple in the jungle at San Gervasio. Numerous statues of this Mayan goddess of fertility, weaving and medicine were found by archeologists here. With its lush jungle, San Gervasio is the perfect place to get a feel for the island ruins of the ancient Maya along the Caribbean. |
Cost: $1,399 per person (double occupancy -- single supplement add $395). Group limited to 25 participants. The price of this tour includes:
- 7 Nights first class hotels and tourist taxes
- Opening night dinner
- All ground transportation in private air-conditioned vans with chauffeur (including pick up and drop off at Cancun airport
- The assistance of a professional tour coordinator who will travel with you for the duration of the tour
- Evening lightshow at Chichen Itza
- All other entry & guide fees for scheduled activities
- Travel insurance covering trip cancellation, lost baggage, emergency medical assistance and evacuation
Airfare from the U.S. is not included. However, we are making arrangements for a low cost air fare for our group from Denver or other departure cities.
We will stay in First Class hotels, enjoy the finest foods, explore archeological wonders of the ancient Maya and romp in an international playground with pristine waters, soft, clean beaches, and friendly, interesting indigenous peoples. You’ll travel to these exciting locations in a modern, fully insured, air-conditioned van driven by a certified chauffeur. A local archeologist has been contracted to offer expert guidance as we tour these sacred sites. Our relaxed schedule and the wide variety of easily accessible restaurant choices allow you to chose cuisine according to your own personal tastes and budget. This tour allows plenty of time to enjoy the local and indigenous markets filled with all kinds of Mayan and Mexican arts and crafts. We’ll end this tour with a beach party, so plan to leave behind the cold winter for a while and join us on this Great Escape into the magic and mystery that IS the Maya land of Quintana Roo, the Yucatan and the Caribbean coast.
Please notify us right away to reserve your space in this small group. Your $700 deposit to secure a reservation is due by Oct. 14th. 2001, with final payment due by November 30, 2001. Detailed information and reservation forms will be sent to you as soon as you let us know you are interested. Any changes in these plans will be announced. Payment arrangements are check, cash or credit card. In Mexico you should plan to pay cash as very few places can take credit cards. Cancellations made at least 60 days before the tour will be refunded after a charge of $200 is deducted. From Dec.14th, 2001 until Jan. 14th 2002 cancellations will be refunded at 50% unless your place can be filled. Cancellations of less than 14 days are not refunded.
Your hosts for this exotic adventure are David & Mary Leonard, Directors of LionFire at Hovenweep Canyon, a primitive art and archaeological retreat in the 4-Corners area of SW Colorado. David, an internationally collected artist, specializes in the art and cosmology of the Ancient Americas,
especially the Anasazi and the Maya. He holds a double Masters’ degree in Fine Arts. Mary has traveled the world, and has extensive experience coordinating educational tours. She currently works with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. David & Mary will be joined by a local archaeologist and other specialists to provide you with a wide variety of experience and information.
For more information or to make reservations, call our representative 7 days a week at our toll free number 1-877-620-8715 or e-mail us at mayasites@yahoo.com for more information.
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