MEXICO
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE MAYA
8 Days / 7 Nights

2 nights Puerto Morelos, 1 night Chichen Itza,
2 nights Uxmal, 2 nights Playa Del Carmen

Day 1 - CANCUN - PUERTO MORELOS Meet & Greet on arrival in Cancun. Transfer by road to PUERTO MORELOS Only 30km from Cancun, relax in the tranquil surroundings of this exquisite hotel and feel the gentle breeze of the sea. The hotel consists of 19 rooms, all equipped with air conditionning and television. It also has a restaurant, bar, and pool all of which are on the beach front. Two night stay at the lovely Casita del Mar Hotel Day 2 - PUERTO MORELOS Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure on the beach. Overnight in Casita del Mar. Day 3 - PUERTO MORELOS - CHICHEN ITZA Breakfast at the hotel. We will depart from the Riviera Maya to take you to CHICHEN ITZA, the main ceremonial site of the Itzae dynasty, covering an area of more than 3,5km. There, amid the impressive structures of "el Castillo", the Ball Court and the Observatory, just to name a few, you will understand why CHICHEN ITZA was considered for many centuries - and still is - a sacred place. When we finish this extraordinary visit, we will check into the MAYALAND HOTEL located in the very heart of the archaeological site for an afternoon of leisure around the pool. As an option you might like to do some horseback riding or visit the caves of Balankanche. In the evening a beautiful spectacle will unfold before your eyes during the Sound and Light Show at the site. Overnight at the Mayaland Hotel. Day 4 - CHICHEN ITZA - YAXCABA - SOTUTA - MAYAPAN - OXKUTZCAB - UXMAL Breakfast at the hotel. A day in the life of the Mayans, past and present. We depart CHICHEN ITZA, after breakfast, via a secondary road, through the village of Libre Union to YAXCABA, a colonial jewel, complete with a 17th Century church built in honour of St Peter. The building preserves traces of a monastery and a nearby chapel dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi and the Holy Cross, which contains seven baroque style altar pieces laminated in gold. Of importance is the 18th century "Huay Cot" of Moorish architecture. A few miles down the road is SOTUTA where we shall see the palace of the last Mayan high priest "Nachi Cocom". From SOTUTA we shall travel onto MAYAPAN, founded in 1007 by Kukulkan. MAYAPAN did not become dominant until 1200 after the fall of Chichen Itza when the League of Mayapan was founded. Such dominance lasted until 1400 when a rebellion led by the rulers of Uxmal brought on the downfall of the League of Mayapan. Today it has a peaceful and reflective atmosphere. We continue our journey to the typical mayan town of Mani to enjoy lunch (not included). After lunch we shall visit the town of OXKUTZCAB, where a colourful market offers a wide variety of fruits from this area known as the Orchard of Yucatan. We will end this day in UXMAL, where we will check into to the LODGE AT UXMAL, located in the very heart of the archaeological park for a 2 night stay. As an option you may wish to enjoy the Sound and Light show. . Day 5 - UXMAL Start off your day of exploration with a delicious breakfast in the natural jungle setting of the hotel before you set off to immerse yourself in the mystical aura of the ceremonial site of UXMAL. The Governors Palace, Sorcerer's Pyramid and the House of Turtles, set among the rolling hills, are but a few of the many constructions that will capture your curiosity. In the afternoon a short visit of the typical village of San Simon, set in the remains of a sisal hacienda, where the sensation of stepping back in time prevails. Rest of the afternoon at leisure for you to relax around the pool, or enjoy some bird watching Overnight at the Lodge at Uxmal. Day 6 - UXMAL - MERIDA - IZAMAL - PLAYA DEL CARMEN After breakfast, we will take the road to MERIDA, stopping on the way to visit the HACIENDA YAXCOPOIL, formerly one of the largest Haciendas in the area and presently transformed into a museum. Here you will learn about the sisal manufacture, once the main industry and source of employment of the Yucatan Peninsula. Once in MERIDA we will take you on a City Tour so you may appreciate the colonial style of the City. Founded in 1542 on the site of a Mayan city named T'Ho, MERIDA is today the capital of the State of Yucatan and boasts of a delightful and animated colonial center as well as the treelined avenue of Paseo Montejo where you can view the exterior of beautiful French style residences. You will have plenty of time to visit the city center, browse around the shops or enjoy the renown Yucatan cuisine in any restaurant of your choice. (Due to the enormous diversity of restaurants, we do not include this meal in your package. Your guide will be more than happy to offer you some suggestions based on your preferences). After lunch we will visit the town of IZAMAL just outside Merida on the way to Playa del Carmen. Legend has it that IZAMAL was founded by the God Zamna and for years it served as a pilgrimage destination for the Mayan populace. The convent of St. Anthony was erected on top of the ruins of an ancient indigenous center and boasts the largest enclosed atrium in Mexico. Towards the end of the afternoon we will drive back to the Riviera Maya and drop you off at your hotel to relax and enjoy the white sand beaches and turqouise waters of the Caribbean. Two night stay at the hotel Villa Amanecer in PLAYA DEL CARMEN. A unique stylish hotel, located a block away from the beach, in one of the most romantic spots of PLAYA DEL CARMEN about 5 minutes away by bike from the center of town. Day 7 - PLAYA DEL CARMEN Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a day of leisure. You may want to try out some snorkelling or diving as the Riviera Maya boasts the second largest coral reef in the world.. Or we can arrange an optional day trip to the coastal Mayan city of Tulum. Day 8 - PLAYA DEL CARMEN Breakfast at the hotel And Transfer to the airport Or SECOND WEEK EXTENSION For your second week you may want to relax at the beach, indulge in the many water activities or decide to join us on our FROM THE RIVIERA MAYA TO BACALAR AND KOHUNLICH: AN EXPEDITION THROUGH SOUTHERN YUCATAN TOUR

RATES -Valid until December 20th 2001
SINGLE	DOUBLE	TRIPLE
$947.00	$803.00	$758.00
DEPARTURE DATES	October 21st November 25th December 16th
RATES - Valid 21st Dec 2001 to April 30th 2002
SINGLE	DOUBLE	TRIPLE
$1,138.00	$934.00	$863.00
DEPARTURE DATES	January 20th February 17th March 17th April 21st
INCLUDES:	Transportation in deluxe air-conditioned vehicles Assistance at the airports on arrival and departure Bilingual Guide (Spanish - English) American Breakast Daily Entry Fees to sites and museums Entry Fees for Light & Sound Show All accommodations
NOT INCLUDED:	International Flights to/from Cancun Lunch and Dinner Optional tours mention in itinerary Tips to Driver and Guide
NOTES:	Rates per person in USD subject to 15% Value Added Tax For Carnaval, Holy and Easter week, please check availability Rates do not apply for the period of Dec 24th to Jan 02nd. Available on request.

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