CTG - The Best of Yucatan (TUR)

CANCÚN · EK BALAM · CHICHÉN ITZÁ · VALLADOLID · CENOTE · MÉRIDA · UXMAL · CELESTUN · RUTA PUUC · HACIENDAS AND CONVENTS· CANCÚN

Day 1 (MONDAY) CANCÚN - EK BALAM - VALLADOLID - CHICHÉN ITZÁ – MÉRIDA

Early departure from Cancun to the archaeological site of Ek Balam (star-jaguar), known as the “City of the Black Jaguar” and possessing imposing constructions sheltered in the dense vegetation; most date from the Late and Terminal Classic periods (550-950 A.D.). Ek Balam was the capital of the Kingdom of Tah, which dominated the entire eastern Yucatan peninsula between 600 and 850 AD. Ek Balam's combination of architectural styles is unique in the Maya World, and its 45 structures are protected by a walled ring. In the so-called North Plaza, the great Acropolis stands out, which contains the imposing tomb of the ruler Ukit Kan Lek Tok' . After an exhaustive hike, we will refresh ourselves in the crystalline waters of a cenote; these natural wonders were considered sacred places of life and death, and were a vital source for the development of the Mayan civilization. Continuaremos con una visita panorámica de la ciudad colonial de Valladolid; fue fundada el 28 de mayo de 1543 sobre los vestigios del antiguo asentamiento maya de Zací. Es la segunda ciudad más importante del estado de Yucatán, y ha sido protagonista de dos importantes capítulos de la historia de México: el inicio de la Guerra de Castas en 1847, y fue testigo de la primera chispa de la Revolución Mexicana en 1910.

At the end of the tour, we will move to Chichén Itzá, religious capital of the Itzaes, whose greatest apogee occurred during the Early Postclassic period (900-1200 A.D.). In 1988, the site was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, and in its constructions we can distinguish two styles of architecture: Puuc (600-800 A.D.) and Maya-Toltec (800-1100 A.D.). The tour begins at the world-famous Castillo, or Temple of Kukulcan. This imposing building, the most emblematic of the site, was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World on July 7, 2007. At the end of the visit, we will transfer to Merida, capital of the state of Yucatan.

Check-in at the hotel in Merida.

Day 2 (TUESDAY) MÉRIDA - UXMAL - CELESTUN - MÉRIDA

Departure to the spectacular archaeological site of Uxmal. This beautiful Mayan city, belonging to the Classic period (250-950 A.D.), was the capital of the ancient Xiu Kingdom, which exercised rigid control over the Mayan communities of the north, until it became the political and economic capital of the Puuc region. Among its constructions, of the architectural style also known as Puuc, stand out the Quadrangle of the Nuns, the Ball Court, the Dovecote, the House of the Old Woman, the House of the Turtles, and the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, the most outstanding, for its singular elliptical structure and its 35 meters of height. The Governor's House is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Mesoamerica; its façade was exquisitely decorated with very detailed mosaic-like sculptures. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since December 7, 1996.

Two hours from Uxmal is the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve in which wetlands have developed, extending through Yucatán and Campeche. It is the eco-tourist paradise of the state of Yucatán. Its exceptional landscape is part of the world heritage of the special biosphere reserve of the same name; with an area of 59,139 hectares, and a length of 21 km, officially declared a wildlife refuge since 1979. Due to its unique ecosystem, a combination of fresh water from the Celestún Estuary and salt water from the Gulf of Mexico. Among its natural attractions are, to the east the Baldiosera spring where you can swim and dive; there is also the Cambay spring which is an eye of fresh water, and finally there is Tambor, where the main attraction is the pink or Caribbean flamingo, the only known population in North America and that has the Celestun estuary as a feeding and resting point; the flamingos of Celestun are the pinkest in the world, due to the concentration of carotene in the water. Return to Merida and overnight.

Day 3 (WEDNESDAY) MÉRIDA – PUUC ROUTE

Departure to the Puuc Route. We will visit three sites in the area known as the Puuc Route. This group of archaeological sites, whose name means “mounds or mountain range” reached their apogee during the Terminal Classic period (830-950 A.D.). Their constructions share the same architectural style, characterized by pyramids topped by crests; small, false columns embedded in the facades; and stylized Maya huts. In their designs, rhombuses and fretwork are widely used, as well as serpents and masks of Chaac, the god of rain, for which numerous pieces of carved stone were used, assembled in the form of mosaics, which produced a superb decorative effect.

Our first stop: the magnificent archaeological site of Kabah, located just 23 kilometers southeast of Uxmal. Its name means “the powerful hand”, and it belongs to the Late Classic period (550-830 A.D.). The site is considered the second largest religious center of the Puuc style for its sacred white roads (sacbeob) and magnificent constructions. Among the most outstanding are the Palace, the Great Pyramid, the monumental arch that marks the access to the sacbeob that reached Uxmal; the building known as Manos Rojas; and the impressive Codz Pop, also known as the Palace of the Masks, decorated with more than 250 masks of Chaac, the god of rain, carved in stone along the entire length and width of its façade. Like Uxmal, its heyday was around 800 A.D. and, like Uxmal, it was abandoned in the 11th century.

We continue to Labná, which means “house of the old woman”; among the notable constructions of this small but important Mayan city, we find the Palace, the Mirador and the Arch, carved in stone and famous for its remarkable perfection and fine ornamentation.

Afterwards, we will visit Xlapak, translated as “old wall or place”. Here is one of the greatest jewels of the Puuc style, the Palace, with its beautiful facade and spectacular masks of the god Chaac protruding from the roof.

The tour will end at Sayil, the place of the ant herders”. The size and architectural remains of the site indicate that it was one of the most important cities in the Puuc region. Its most notable constructions are the Palace, decorated with figures of the descending god, and the Mirador. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

Return to the hotel in Merida.

Day 4 (THURSDAY) MÉRIDA – HACIENDAS AND CONVENTS

Tour through beautiful sites that will tell us the history of another of the golden ages of the Yucatan Peninsula. We will visit the hacienda of San Antonio Tahdzibichén, where we will learn about the history of the hacienda owners and the “green gold” of Yucatán, the henequen (Agave fourcroydes). We will continue to the famous Uayalceh hacienda, whose different architectural styles are present in its ancient vestiges and beautiful buildings that seem to have stopped in time. Afterwards, we will visit the Yaal-Utzil and Peba cenotes, unique natural jewels hidden among the vegetation.

Afterwards, we will head to the town of Maní to delight ourselves with its rich local gastronomy. Then we will visit the former convent of San Miguel Arcángel, which served as the first school of evangelization and hospital in New Spain; there is one of the largest and best preserved open chapels in the region. One of the most violent chapters of the Inquisition took place here; and in 1562, the tragic burning of the great majority of Maya codices was justified as an “auto de fe” under the orders of Fray Diego de Landa. Later, we will make a brief stop at the former convent of San Pedro and San Pablo in the town of Teabo, or at another convent along the way.

Day 5 (FRIDAY) MÉRIDA – CANCÚN

Visit the capital of the state of Yucatán. Founded on January 6, 1542, Mérida was built over the ancient Maya city of Ichcaanziho, also known as T'Hó. Among its magnificent and elegant constructions --traces of its different historical stages-- are the Casa de Montejo, the Cathedral of San Ildefonso (the oldest in continental America) and the Government Palace, located around the famous Plaza Grande, as well as the impressive Peón Contreras Theater. During the panoramic tour of Paseo de Montejo, one of Mexico's most important avenues, we will be able to see the Twin Houses, the Canton Palace and the Monument to the Homeland. Merida was named American Capital of Culture in 2000 and later in 2017.

Departure from the hotel (checkout), and return to Cancun, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.