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GIR8 Terra Maya

Tours and Cruises6 days

Cancun, Mexico

Chicanna›Palenque›Campeche›Merida

Available departures

Languages

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Guaranteed

Abstract

A comprehensive overview of the most spectacular Mexican Mayan sites, UNESCO World Heritage sites, in the Chiapas region and the Yucatan Peninsula: the famous Uxmal, Chichen Itza, and Palenque, the evocative area of Chicannà, the grand pyramid of Calakmul and the jungle designated as a World Biosphere Reserve, the shifting colors of Bacalar Lagoon, the fortified pirate-proof port of Campeche, and the beautiful Merida with its colonial architecture. Finally, the turquoise sea and Caribbean climate of the Riviera Maya. A short tour, but full of emotions.,

Characteristics

Group tour with local guides

bilingual (Italian, Spanish, French, English), depending on departure day, services might be shared with Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American travellers

Itinerary

Day 1 — Chicanna

Tour will start from Oh! Cancun the Urban Oasis, departure to Chicanna, The gorgeous Laguna de Bacalar can easily be mistaken for the Caribbean Sea, thanks to its turquoise waters shimmering beyond the grove. The lagoon is Mexico’s second largest lake, and it’s home to an amazing number of birds., visit along the journey, lunch, continue to Chicanna, visit the archaeological site, Chicanná rises in the southern part of the Yucatán Peninsula. It belongs to the State of Campeche, located in the Rio Bec region – an area literally brimming with archaeological sites. Chicanná takes advantage of the natural elevation found in the region so structures seem higher. Its ruins were discovered as late as in 1976. One of its highlights is the stucco mask that is very likely to depict the Mayan solar deity., accommodation, free evening and night,

Car

Day 2 — Chicanna → Palenque

American breakfast, departure to Palenque, The Cala kmul Biosphere Reserve is located about one-hour drive away from Chicannà. Enjoy a 1.5-hour journey across this beautiful reserve until you reach the archaeological site, almost on the border with Guatemala. The UNESCO-listed site of Cala kmul, surrounded by the jungle, is still mostly unexplored. With about 7,000 ancient buildings in the heart of the city alone, it is one of the largest complexes of Mesoamerica. At its apex, between 500 and 830 AD, Cala kmul boasted 50,000 inhabitants, competing with Tikal for supremacy over the region. The site is also the largest natural reserve in Mexico. The only tall-trunk jungle in Yucatán, it is home to a huge variety of plants and animals, including howler monkeys, wild turkeys, peccaries, toucans, and jaguars., visit the archaeological site, box lunch, continue to Palenque, accommodation, free evening and night,

Car

Day 3 — Palenque → Campeche

American breakfast, morning visit to the archaeological site of Campeche, Palenque, at the heart of the forest, is considered the most beautiful Maya city state of the Archaic period. Excavation brought to light just a minor portion of this huge site; however, the magnificence of what has been dug out will inevitably leave the beholder speechless, awestruck at the splendour of this ancient religious and military centre. The civilisation of Palenque was outstandingly advanced in terms of architecture and engineering, and its artistic refinement was unmatched in the Pre-Columbian world. One example of this are the grave goods of Pakal, discovered in the Temple of the Inscriptions. Palenque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site., departure to Campeche, lunch en route, brief panoramic tour of the city upon arrival, Campeche – whose name is derived from the Maya name of “Ah-Kin-Pech”, “the place of snakes and ticks” – is a colonial seaside town, with matte-painted houses and massive walls built around the port: in the 17th century it used to be a sitting target to French, Dutch and English pirates. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site., accommodation, free evening and night,

Car

Day 4 — Campeche → Merida

American breakfast, The UNESCO-listed ceremonial centre of Uxmal is one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture. Its highlights are the Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor's Palace – two impressive edifices, wondrously decorated., departure to Merida, lunch at a restaurant, afternoon visit of Merida, The capital of the Yucatán, Merida is a colonial town, full of pleasant parks and humming streets, and lively with its several open air concerts and its rich craft market. Stop off at the main square, overlooked by the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Palacio Municipal, and the Casa de Montejo., accommodation, free evening and night,

Day 5 — Merida

American breakfast, departure to, visit along the journey, lunch at a restaurant, I will arrive in Riviera Maya in the evening, ending the tour at Barcelo Maya Grand.,

Notes

ROOMS: rooms only have one or two beds. “Triple”, “quadruple”, “family” room refers to the number of the guests, who will sleep in the beds provided (max. 2). The possibility of adding a rollaway bed – even if requested at the time of reservation – is subject to availability, with a supplement to be paid on site. Likewise, special requests for double or separate beds; adjoining, high-floor, low-floor rooms etc. are always upon request and these services can never be considered as granted.
DISABLED PEOPLE: disabled travellers can take part to the tour as long as they are self-sufficient. This is because means of transport are not equipped with a wheelchair platform; in addiction, due to insurance and security reasons, neither the guide nor the driver are allowed to help passengers getting on board. Disabled passengers must thus travel with an assistant of their own, to provide them all the help they might need during the tour. All bookings are on request.
HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The Organizing Body reserves the right to substitute the itinerary and/or the hotels to alternative of a similar or superior category in the event of unplanned circumstances, and if the safe and normal proceeding of the tour is threatened. Furthermore, when in the impossibility for all of the travellers to stay at the same hotel, the group will be split amidst several hotels of the same category.

Starts from

5 days / 4 nights – from Chicanna to Merida,

Price includes

Accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar), daily American breakfast; lunch and dinner as per program, domestic flights (when specified), bilingual (English-speaking) local courier / guide, admissions, visits and excursions: as scheduled, airport and hotel porterage, 1 piece per person,

Price does not include

Meals that have not been specified; beverage; any extra, tips, tourist tax for every entry into Mexico, air travel and taxes, administration fees and “no-risk” coverage, trip cancellation, medical expense & baggage coverage Hotels planned: 1 Chicanna: Villas Chicanna 2 Palenque: Villa Mercedes 3 Campeche: Plaza Campeche 4 Merida: Hyatt Regency Merida Hotels may be replaced with others of the same category without prior notice.