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- mayan discovery tour -
Featuring Villahermosa, Palenque, Calakmul, Chetumal, Tulum.
A magnificent 9 day/8 night journey to the Mayan archaeological sites and museums.
Begins in Villahermosa Mexico and ends in Cancun.

 | Day 1 – Arrival in Villahermosa - Welcome and greetings at Airport, Tour members will be transfer to Hotel Cencalli. Welcome to Mexico. Look forward to a journey through majestic, unspoiled landscapes and magnificent archaeological sites. An evening orientation in the gardens of The Hotel. Your tour leader will
give a short briefing about the excursion routine. Dinner at the hotel. (D) |
 | Day 2 - Kolem Jaa - After breakfast, transfer to "Kolem Jaa", in Chol language means "The Splendor of the water", wonder of nature with many waterfalls, botanical garden, jungle paths and caverns. The adventure begin with a boat ride for a 10 minutes, to get in to Kolem Jaa, once in there, the first activity will be the zip line, a very impressive length of 150 meters, the zip line of Kolem
Jaa, has been designed in order to please the
most intrepid adventurer. Then continue to the rappel activity, going down through a water cascade. Afterwards lunch will be served at the site, and continue to take the boat back to the transportation, and back to the Hotel Hacienda Los Azufres and Spa, for a massage session. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D) |
 | Day 3 - La Venta Park, Museum Carlos Pellicer, Palenque - In the morning, after breakfast check out and transfer to Villahermosa with a visit to the La Venta Park, great opportunity to walk and learn through history of the mother of all Mesoamerican civilizations, afterwards continue to visit Carlos Pellicier Museum, located at the convection center, the Museum
contains over a 1000 original pieces of the Olmec and Maya culture, with dates from Pre-classic until Post-classic. Lunch will be served at the Museum, and then continue to Palenque, check in at the hotel. Before dinner formal lecture on Pakal´s Tomb by the Archaeologist Dr. Christopher Powell. Dinner served at Don Muchos Restaurant. (B, L, D) |

 | Day 4 – Palenque - In the morning after breakfast, full day walking site lecture in Palenque, lead by the Archaeologist Dr. Christopher Powell, afterwards lunch at Selva Negra restaurant, then visit the Mayan Museum and continue to the hotel. Dinner served at the hotel. (B, L, D) |

 | Day 5 - Chicanna, Becan, Xpujil - After breakfast, departure to Xpuhil, right on the bottom center of the Peninsula. Visiting on the route, Becan, Xpuhil and Chicanna. Lunch at the Calakmul Restaurant. Check in at the hotel, in the afternoon before dinner, Formal Lecture on Mayan calendar. (B, L, D) |
 | Day 6 - Calakmul - Early morning, transfer to Calakmul, walking site lecture through, what is considered by the archaeologist one of the most important cities in Mayan culture. This large Maya center stands amidst the high forests of southern Campeche, only 30 km from the Guatemalan border. The archaeological site was first discovered in 1931 by American Biologist Cyrus Lundell while conducting an aerial survey of the region. Based
upon recent excavations and epigraphic research there, William Folan and Joyce Marcus have concluded that the ancient city of Calakmul was occupied from the Middle Preclassic to the Postclassic periods. The apogee of the site, however, appears to have occurred during the Late Preclassic through Late Classic times, the period associated with Calakmul's numerous carved monuments. Calakmul is one of the largest known Maya
sites. It is estimated to cover 70 square kilometers, and to have had a population of 50,000 during the height of its power. The central urban core of Calakmul is delineated on the north by a substantial wall, probably for defense of the most important political structures and residences. Folan and Marcus also discovered that the site is ringed by water management features including canals and arroyos, isolating a central
22 square kilometers. The area of the site open to the visitor today can be broken up into two sections. The first is the Central Plaza, a large open area bounded by Structures II - VIII. The second is the Grand Acropolis, located in the northwestern quadrant of Calakmul's central core. After the visit, lunch will be served at local restaurant, in the afternoon transfer back to the hotel. (B, L, D) |
 | Day 7 - Dzibanche, Kohunlich - After breakfast, transfer to Chetumal, visiting on the way, Dzibanche and Kohunlich. Then check in at the Hotel, dinner at las Arracheras de Don Jose, located right on the Malecon, in front of the Bay of Chetumal. (B, L, D) |
 | Day 8 - Museum of Maya Culture, Tulum - After breakfast, visit to the Museum of Maya Culture; considered the best in Quintana Roo State, with a full explication on the Mayas. Pieces in the exhibit include various representations of Itzamna, the god of creation, the sacred Ceiba trees that are believed to be the axis of the earth, the "pawatunes" that support the corners of the world on their shoulders, and the myth of creation as related in the Popol
Vuh.Another section of the exhibition is devoted to the divinities including the god of corn and lower gods, Kinich the sun god, Tlaloc the Teotihuacan god of storm and his Mayan counterpart Chaac the rain god, Ixchel, the goddess of fertility, weaving and sensual love, Kawii the god of the political leaders and Cizin and Ah Puch, gods of death from the Classic and Post-Classic periods. These are just a few of the gods and
divinities represented by sculptures, carvings and paintings found here in the Yucatan.Also included in the exhibit are representations of pre-Hispanic and modern rituals along with an exhibition of offering rites.Then continue to Tulum on the north part of the state, lunch will be served on the way, then walking site lecture at Tulum. Check in at the beach front hotel and dinner. (B, L, D) |

 | Day 9 – Cancun - Depending on flight schedule, time to enjoy the beach at the hotel. Transfer to Cancun International Airport. (B) |

PROGRAM | ACCOMMODATIONS | TOUR PRICES (per person,
double occupancy) |
Villahermosa | Palenque |
Calakmul | Chetumal |
Tulum | 2 |
4 | 6 |
8 or more |
Custom | Cencalli |
Villas
Kin ha | Deblitz
Calakmul | Los Cocos |
Los
Lirios |
Call for quote |
Call for quote |
Call for quote |
Call for quote |
Comfort | Cencalli |
Villas
Kin ha | Chicanna
Ecovillage | Holiday inn |
Freedom
Paradise | $3119 |
$2069 |
$1935 |
$1604 |
PLEASE NOTE - The Mayan Traveler tours are not "day tours" or "seat in bus" tours. Our tours are quality, escorted tours designed for a minimum of 2 persons. Upon request we can quote this same tour with "Budget" or "Deluxe" accommodations.
ALSO, the prices presented above generally increase during Holiday weekends, Spring break, etc. when travel schedules dictate higher demand.
Occasionally we will schedule "guaranteed departure" tours that anyone (single, doubles or triples) can join. In those cases these tour prices will not apply.
Depending on the number of tour participants discounted Continental Airlines airfares may be
available on some packages!





This Tour Includes:
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Services of a professional archaeological guide.
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Hotels and lodges, hotel taxes service
charges, and tips for baggage handling.
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Breakfasts
(B) and Lunches (L) OR Dinners (D) as detailed in the tour description with Full Board available.
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Carefully maintained air-conditioned motor coach; maximum 10 tour members per
vehicle; experienced driver.
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All entrance fees to parks and archaeological sites are included
in the program.
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Complete program of sightseeing and cultural events as described.
Please Note:
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Other accommodations could be substituted for like kind and quality based upon availability.

The Mayan Traveler/Tropical Travel
5 Grogan's Park, Suite 102
The Woodlands TX 77380
1-800-451-8017 / tel 281-367-3386 / fax 281-298-2335
email:
TheMayanTraveler@wt.net
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