Day 2. Ek Balam & Zazil Tunich Cenote and
   Caverns tour

At a Glance

*Ek Balam archaeological site & Cenote Zazil Tunich tour

*After breakfast and check out from the hotel in Cancun, bring your expeditionary spirit and let yourself go on this Mystical journey to Ek Balam archaeological site & Zazil Tunich Cenote and Caverns.
Ek Balam is a little known treasure in the Yucatan Peninsula. Ek-Balam in Mayan means “Black Jaguar”, a legendary animal considered a God that took care of this site and of the people whom live there. It is a fabulously preserved remnant of the ancient Mayan City. Here, you can still climb the 100-foot high tower for magnificent views, and the city boasts three massive ceremonial structures at the center of the 2,500 acre Mayan ruins site. Our licensed tour guide will share with you the history, legends and secrets of this amazing Mayan City. At the end of the tour, we will enjoy lunch (dinks not included) in a local restaurant.
In the second part of our tour, we will visit one of the most beautiful Mayan Gems of the Yucatan Peninsula; the Zazil Tunich Cenote and Caverns. In this unique experience, we will forget about time and enjoy a guided tour in a site full of history and where wonderful Mayan events took place. Through Xibalbá Legend, we will get to know part of the Mayan Mythology and its 9 Levels of the Mayan Underworld to continue with participation of a Mayan Purification Ceremony. We will tour the cavern and experience a fascinating subterranean paradise shaped by tiny droplets over millions of years. We will have the opportunity to “splash” and cool off the heat, swimming in the shallow cenote.
After a nice day in contact with nature, history, mysticism and legends; we will head to the hotel in Valladolid, Yucatan.

*Overnight: Hotel in Valladolid, Yucatan
Meals: Continental breakfast in the hotel in Cancun
   Lunch in (drinks not included)

Day 3. Rio Lagartos Flamingos and crocodile tour & Las Coloradas visit

At a Glance

*Rio Lagartos flamingo, crocodile and birds watching tour
& Las Coloradas visit

*Enjoy an extraordinary “nature” journey and let yourself go on this adventure to Rio Lagartos. During the tour you will discover one of the most mysterious lagoons of Mexico, also known as “the sanctuary of the pink flamingo”, surrounded by the mangroves and home of more than 320 species of birds. Here, we will enjoy the boat ride watching the flamingos and the local flora and fauna; we can even watch crocodiles. We will enjoy an exfoliating natural mud bath. This is a unique experience. We will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch in Rio Lagartos Town (drinks not included) and then, our tour continues to the Salinas “Las Coloradas”, unique place because of its pink color. After a nice day in contact with nature, we will enjoy the panoramic ride to Merida, Yucatan.

Overnight: Hotel in Merida, Yucatan
Meals: Continental breakfast in hotel in Valladolid, Yucatan
   Lunch in Rio Lagartos (drinks not included)

*Rio Lagartos National Park tax not included. Pay on the spot

Day 4. Chichen Itza, Cenote Saamal & Valladolid “Magic Town” tour

At a Glance

*Chichen Itza, Cenote Saamal, Mayapan Aquave Tequila Distillery & walking tour in Valladolid, Yucatan

*Bring your expeditionary spirit and let yourself go on this journey to the most iconic archaeological site of the Mayan World. Meet one of the New Wonders of the Modern World at Chichén Itza, Included as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. It is considered the most important Mayan site for its imposing vestiges, famous for the mathematical precision with which they were built. During the tour, lead by an experienced certified guide, we will visit among others the Temple of Kukulkan (Mayan feathered serpent deity) “El Castillo” (The Castle); the main ball court which is by far the most impressive and largest well-preserved ball court in ancient Mesoamerica. Then, we will enjoy lunch (drinks not included) in a local restaurant to proceed with a visit to Cenote Saamal. After cooling off the heat of the Peninsula, we will enjoy the best of Valladolid, Yucatan; consider “Pueblo Magico” (Magic Town) based on its natural beauty, cultural and historical relevance to the country. We will visit the Mayapan Aquave Tequila Distillery, where we will learn about the tequila making process; form blue agave, to burning, to distilling and finally storage. In addition, of course, at the end of the tour Tequila tasting wearing sombreros and ponchos for a great Mexican traditional picture! And if time allowed us, we will stop at San Bernardino Ex-convent, which was the first Franciscan Monastery built in Mexico, and one of the first in the Americas. Built in 1592 and re-built after a fire in 1804 is one of the most visited sites in this beautiful town. Finally, a short walking tour in Valladolid Center.

Overnight: Hotel in Valladolid, Yucatan
Meals: Continental breakfast in hotel in Valladolid, Yucatan
   Lunch (drinks not included)
   Tequila tasting at Mayapan Aquave Tequila Distillery

Day 5. Mayan World Museum of Merida
& Merida panoramic & walking tour

At a Glance

*Merida tour with photo stops.

*Today, after early breakfast, check out from the hotel in Valladolid, and 2 hours trasnfer to Merida, Yucatan, we will enjoy the most important Museum on Merida; the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Merida; where we will have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in this amazing “world” in this Museum consider one of the most important in Latin America.
The, we will enjoy traditional lunch (drinks not included) in a local restaurant to proceed with hotel check in; and later, after a short rest, we continue with Merida City tour with photo stops. First, discover Merida's Downtown. This city is full of culture and history. During this journey, we will go through the ancient history to the modern life in Merida. We will see Merida Cathedral, Montejo house Museum, the Government Palace among others in Downtown. Then, we will continue in Paseo Montejo, notable avenue named after Francisco de Montejo, the Spanish conquistador who founded the city in 1542. We will finish our tour visiting Monumento a la Patria “Plaza de la Independencia” (Independence Square).
Transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Merida, Yucatan
Meals: Continental breakfast in hotel in Oaxaca
   Lunch in Merida, Yucatan (drinks not included)

Day 6. Traditional Mayan Cooking Class,
   Uxmal archaeological site
   & Chocolate Museum private tour

*Today, have a great day with 3 activities in Uxmal; the traditional Mayan Cooking Class, the walking tour to Uxmal archaeological site & the Chocolate Museum tour.
At arrival to Uxmal, enjoy a cooking class where you will be shown how to prepare Chicken Pibil, one of the most traditional Yucatecan dishes, by following a recipe that has been handed down through generations. Enjoy your own creation while you learn about the Yucatecan people’s way of life. During this Gastro-cultural experience you will be taught how to prepare Chicken Pibil inside a “pib” (in Maya), a hole in the ground used as an oven for cooking a variety of true Yucatecan dishes. Besides, we will learn how to make tortillas by hand and how to prepare the habanero chili sauce that accompanies this traditional dish. Meanwhile the chiken pibil is cooking; our journey will continue with the tour to Uxmal, situated within a series of hills known as the Puuc or “mountainous area”. The name was later given to describe the architectural style of the region, such as the colossal Magicians Pyramid, impressive Governors Palace, intricate Dove’s Temple, and grand Nuns Quadrangle.
The archaeological structures and buildings located throughout Uxmal are ornamented with geometrical figures and masks of the God of the rain, Chaac, considered by the Mayas as one of their most important of deities.
We will return for lunch. Accompanying the Chicken Pibil you previously created, will be other traditional dishes including: “sikil pak” tacos, Chaya soup, and candied papaya as a dessert along with lima or sour orange water. This is a true Mayan-Yucatecan gastronomical experience.
At the end, we will get to know what in ancient times used to be a “coin” for trading goods; the cacao, and its famous processed product, the chocolate with a tour to the Chocolate Museum.
After a day full of experiences, transfer back to hotel in Merida, Yucatan

Overnight: Hotel in Merida, Yucatan
Meals: Continental breakfast in hotel in Merida
   Lunch. (drinks not included)

Day 7. Tulum tour

At a Glance

*Tulum private tour

*After early departure from Merida, enjoying the panoramic trip to Playa del Carmen. We will experience an adventure day visiting one of the most important Mayan sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum. During the tour, we will walk this impressive archaeological site; an icon of the Mayan culture in the Mexican Caribbean, whose location is unique as it is right on the coast of Quintana Roo. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea from a privileged spot and contemplate the turquoise color of the sea. Explore this ancient ceremonial center and get to know the history of this place with a certified guide that will reveal secrets of this walled city. After the walking tour, you will have time to swim and explore the beautiful beach of Tulum at your own pace.
Then, we will head to a local restaurant for lunch (drinks not included).

Our journey will finish with transfer and drop off to the hotel in Playa del Carmen

Overnight: Hotel in Playa del Carmen
Meals: Continental breakfast in a local restaurant in Merida, Yucatan
   Lunch in a local restaurant (drinks not included)

Day 8 & 9. Playa del Carmen beach days

At a Glance

*Day on the beach

*These days, relax on the white sandy beaches in Playa del Carmen. Forget about schedules and enjoy the day, the sun, the beach and your loved ones

Overnight: Hotel in Playa del Carmen
Meals: Continental breakfast in the hotel

Day 10. Departure from Cancun

At a Glance

**Beach day – Departure from Cancun International Airport

*Free morning at leisure.
Private transfer to Cancun International airport for departure

Meals: Continental breakfast

END OF SERVICES

*If you feel like adding more fun and relaxing days on the beach,
or tours, ask your YUCATAN TRAVELS Rep.
Suggestions are bed & Breakfast hotels, or All-inclusive Resorts beach days in Tulum,
Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel Island or Isla Mujeres.