Day 2 - Valladolid, X'keken (Dzitnup), Chichen Itza - In the morning we will have a walking site lecture at Valladolid. We will explore the church and monastery and learn of the central role the Franciscans played in the life of colonial Yucatan and, particularly, in the lives of the Maya. All the houses, as well as the mission, are painted in the same yellow-ochre tones making Valladolid one of the most aesthetically pleasing colonial towns in Yucatan in addition to its long history as a sacred shrine. We will continue to the natural dwell "Cenote" of Xkeken, a clear sample of the natural hydraulic system that made possible the existence of life and the flourish of the Mayan Civilization in northern Yucatan. From here we drive east to our first encounter in the Mayan world at Chichén Itzá. This is a fitting way to start our exploration of Mesoamerica, since in many ways at this site Mayan history came full circle. In some ways we too come full circle. After the last Mayan cities lost their power, only the Aztecs of Central Mexico continued to flourish in an urban environment and this, as they say, is exactly where we came in! After lunch at the Xay Beh Restaurant, we will have time to enjoy a leisurely exploration of the surroundings of Chichen Itza and the beautiful landscape of our hotel. Dinner will be served at the central patio of the hotel.  Before dinner our expert archeological guide will discuss about the importance of the "Cenotes" to the daily life of the Mayans and the different methods the Mayans had to obtain water. (B, L, D)

 

Day 3 - Chichen Itza - After breakfast we will enjoy a leisurely exploration of the outstanding buildings at Chichén, and attempt to discover the secrets to their success. We will also learn how these buildings meticulously reflect the symmetries the Mayans saw in the cycles of the earth and the heavens. The Itzá, who seem to have been an invading group of western Maya with close ties to central Mexico, went on to establish their capital at Chichén Itzá and set about the conquest of northern and central Yucatan. Bitter wars were fought and won against their neighbors at Cobá and the Puuc centers also declined during this period. Chichén became a formidable expansionist force. Though the Itzá were referred to in some ancient texts as illiterate barbarians, the magnificence and sophistication of the buildings at Chichén would seem to suggest otherwise. We will enjoy lunch at the Gardens of the Hotel Mayaland. Afternoon free to explore more in detail the monuments and edifices of Chichen Itza or simply to relax in your hotel. Before dinner, we will admire the Light and Sound spectacle which reflects the history and legends of the foundation of the ceremonial center and the Toltec Invasion. Dinner at the Hotel.  A lecture on this complex site and its history provides more details on the most notable buildings such as the Temple of Kukulcan, the Temple of the Warriors and the Thousand Columns, the Observatory, and the infamous ball court where athletes would play to the death. A site lecture highlights the ecology and bird life of the tropical semi-deciduous forest, including residents and migrants. A field trip to the ruins and a bird walk introduce tropical forest birds such as parrots, trogons, toucans and tanagers. (B, L, D)

 

Day 4 - Yaxchunca, Uxmal - After breakfast we will depart to Yaxchuna, a symbolic Mayan community that still preserves the ancient beliefs, we will participate in a full day interaction with this Mayan Community, that keeps remarkable colonial treasures like the Mission of Yaxcaba with the most beautiful XVI century retable and the Archaeological site of Yaxchuna.  We will meet a "Milpa", which is a Mayan Corn Farm, which is the ancient system of agriculture that has been the key to Maya Survival over the centuries.  We will observe the production and artisan system of honey production, the most important economic resource of the Mayan Communities of Yucatan.  We will participate in a Mayan ritual where the Shaman of the village will pray for the success of the trip and will bless each one of the participants wishing well and health. Good luck for the remain of the journey.  They will prepare a delicious lunch, cooked and served in the most scrupulous healthy conditions.  We will have a visit to an elementary school and meet with professors and students.  We then drive about 150 miles south-west into the Puuc hill region, towards Uxmal. We will take a break to rest in our rooms or enjoy the hotel pool and gardens. In the evening, after dinner, we will stroll to the Uxmal ruins to witness the impressive light and sound show. This provides a dramatic introduction to the ruins at Uxmal and highlights the monumental architecture and intricate decorations of the palaces.  Formal and site lectures explore Yaxchuna’s archaeological treasures as well as the ecology and bird life of the tropical deciduous forest. A bird walks in the deciduous and dry forest.  (B, L, D)

 

Day 5 - Uxmal, Kabah - Our day will begin with a walking site lecture at Uxmal ruins. Not far from the entrance, we find a structure common in this part of the Mayan world, called a "chultun". Since there were no permanent water sources in this area, the inhabitants constructed large underground cisterns lined with lime to collect and store rainwater. Unfortunately, there have been few systematic excavations at Uxmal and much of its history remains shrouded in mystery. However, this does not detract from the grand scale of its architecture or the intricate mosaics that decorate the façades of its temples and buildings. The beautiful Nunnery Quadrangle is so-called because its four inward-facing buildings create the tranquil atmosphere of a convent courtyard. The Quadrangle is often alive with the twittering of thousands of swooping and circling Cave Swallows that nest in the cave-like interior of the buildings, and we may spot a brightly colored Turquoise-browed Motmot perched quietly in the surrounding trees. From the magnificent raised platform of the Governors’ Palace, we will have a panoramic view over the whole of Uxmal and tropical forest that stretches to the horizon in all directions. Here, once again, the delicate fretwork on this building will remind us of the Temple of the Columns at Mitla. Another peculiar feature of Uxmal is the presence of many phallic sculptures and phallic motifs also appear on some of the buildings. Lunch at the Site Restaurant and Continue to the neighboring site of Kabah and admire the Palace of the Masks. Return to the Hotel to relax and rest. Before dinner a formal lecture of The Mayas of Uxmal and the legends on the formation of this site.  Lecture will concentrate in the Foundation and history of the Archaeological site of Uxmal. (B, L, D)

 

Day 6 - Merida - After breakfast and check-out, our first stop along the route will be at Santa Elena. The town also has an attractive 17th century Franciscan church. We then take a detour to Ticul – an obligatory stop for travelers along this route. Pottery and shoes has brought a measure of prosperity to this backwater town, as well as a chance to browse the market, we will also see works in progress and visit a workshop where they produce the ceramic objects. After lunch, we will then continue on to Mayapan, the city itself bloomed late, in fact, it was the last major Mayan city developed by the Mayas of Chichen Itza towards the end of the Post Classic. However, Mayapan seems to have been something of anachronism in its time and harks back to a more spiritual past when religion and priests had the upper hand over the military elites. The murals set into decorative panels around the main buildings shows a high degree of perfection, inspired by the Toltec influence contain over 500 separately sculpted and inset stones. In the afternoon, we will continue North-west on the highway to the city of Merida. Dinner will be served at the hotel, and there should still be time for our first taste of incomparable, downtown Merida.  In site lectures will highlight the importance of Mayapan, its magnificent construction. We will also discuss about the importance of the handicrafts in communities economical development. (B, L, D)

 

Day 7 - Merida - After breakfast, we will begin our day with a leisurely walk through Merida’s "Historic District", and visit some of the more prominent buildings such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the House of Montejo", founder of Merida. We will also visit the remarkable Peon Contreras Theater and Opera House we will then drive along the Paseo Montejo, the city’s main boulevard that was commissioned by the French colonizers. Lunch at Los Almendros typical restaurant and continue to The Museum of History. This in itself is an impressive Victorian Residence Building. The museum also houses many spectacular displays and some of the most exquisite artifacts recovered from many of the Mayan sites of Yucatan we will visit on our coming journey. Our visit therefore serves as a wonderful overview of the Pre-Columbian world, and will provide an introduction to the great Mayan civilizations – Dinner will be provided at the hotel.  Introductory lectures highlight the ecology of the Yucatan peninsula and also the history of the city of Merida with its Spanish and French influences. Our field trip extracurricular activities include exploring local markets and a carriage ride through the streets of Merida. (B, L, D)

 

Day 8 - Izamal, Tulum, Playa del Carmen - In the morning, we will drive to Izamal, some 40 miles east of Mérida. Though a large unexcavated pyramid still looms over the town center, it is the Franciscan mission that dominates the landscape. Raised 15 feet above street level, the "atrio" or courtyard is certainly the largest of its kind in Mexico. We will also explore the church and monastery and learn of the central role the Franciscans played in the life of colonial Yucatan and, particularly, in the lives of the Maya. All the houses, as well as the mission, are painted in the same yellow-ochre tones making Izamal one of the most aesthetically pleasing colonial towns in Yucatan in addition to its long history as a sacred shrine. Lunch at Izamal. From here we will drive east to the archaeological site of Tulum, Tulum exudes its own serene calm, though the forest surrounding and the extraordinary scenery of the Caribbean Sea. Developed in the late Postclassic, Tulum brings a new era in economic development of the Mayas were trade became its most important source of income and survival.  We then drive about 30 miles north-east to the Resort of Playa del Carmen. Dinner at the Hotel.  In site lectures will highlight the importance of Tulum and the ecology impact of the Mayan Reef.  (B, L, D)

 

Day 9 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico City - Morning to enjoy the facilities of the hotel and the fresh waters of the Caribbean. Early afternoon transfer to the Cancun International Airport and flight to Mexico City.  Tour members will be transferred to the hotel. An evening orientation session will provide an opportunity to meet the rest of the Staff that will travel with you the rest of the trip.  The evening lecture will highlight the ecology and the archaeology of the area and also the Pre-Hispanic and colonial history of México City, and Puebla.  (B, L, D)

 

Day 10 - Mexico City - Despite claiming the dubious distinction of being the largest city in the world, downtown Mexico City is a treasure trove of historical jewels and clearly deserves its designation as a World Heritage Site. Superimposed on each other, we find fine architectural examples of the three great cultural traditions that have forged the region’s history– Pre-Columbian, Spanish colonialism, and modern Western. Indeed, the Mexico City skyline, which can combine all three traditions in a single sweep of the eye, is in many ways a symbol of the currents that have sculpted the face of modern Mesoamerica, currents that will carry us back through some 5,000 years of civilized history. This makes it a logical place to start our exploration of the region, and find our bearings in space and time.   After breakfast, we will begin our day with a leisurely walk through Mexico City’s "Zócalo", the largest colonial plaza in the Americas, and visit some of the more prominent buildings such as the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Palace of the "Minería". We will also visit the remarkable remains of Tenochititlan – legendary city of the Mexicas (Aztecs) – that emerged like a phoenix during excavations for a new metro line. We will then drive along the Paseo de Reforma, the city’s main boulevard that was commissioned by the hapless Emperor Maximilian, to famous Chapultepec Park. Though popular with tourists, Chapultepec Park is a green space Mexicans have unequivocally staked as their own. An extension, annexed by a former president, has recently been returned for public use. It is a traditional place for family picnics, lovers’ walks, and children’s’ play, and Chapultepec Castle, as we shall see, is a place of strong emotional connotations for many Mexicans.  (B, L, D)

We will have lunch at the magnificent National Museum of Anthropology and History, which in itself is an impressive work of modern architecture. The museum also houses many spectacular displays and some of the most exquisite artifacts recovered from many of the Pre-Columbian sites we will visit on our coming journey. Our visit therefore serves as a wonderful overview of the Pre-Columbian world, and will provide an introduction to the great civilizations – Teotihuacán, Mexica, Toltec, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Maya- that will figure prominently in the weeks to come. Dinner will be provided at the hotel.  Lectures will concentrate on Mexican history, historic buildings and the different cultures that inhabited Mexico.  (B, L, D)

 

Day 11 - Teotihuacan, Puebla - On our way to the archaeological park of Teotihuacán, we will stop to see the Shrine of Guadalupe. After touring Teotihuacán’s Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, continue to to the State of Puebla towards the city of the same name, we will ascend through the Sierra Madre and observe the Pine forest and villages with the characteristic red-tile roofs. We will observe the two legendaries Volcanoes of Mexico, the Popocatepetl and the Iztaccihuatl, and arrive to Puebla early in the afternoon, check in at Hotel in Puebla. Afterwards explore the city with its colonial monuments and remarkable residences. Dinner at the MESON DE SANTA CLARA, famous for being the best of the famous Mole Poblano.  Lecture will concentrate on the Mexico of Maximiliano of Hapsburg, the French intervention, and the commemoration of "5 de Mayo", the day when the Mexican Army defeated the French troops.  (B, L, D)

 

Day 12 - Cholula - We will continue our journey to visit the University of the Americas, where students from all over the world graduate from this university, recognized for being one of the best Universities in the World.  We will continue to the Archaeological site of Cholula, which holds the tallest pyramid in Mexico, unique of this site is the construction of the Franciscan temple on top of the pyramid. Return to Puebla. Evenings in Puebla are magical, like if Mexico stopped the time at the end of the 1800’s, elegant gentleman walk in the Central Alameda speaking elegant Spanish and flirting with the graceful ladies that walk in reverse order escorted by the complete family. Children play with their balloons, street vendor’s sale candies, cotton-sugar, caramel apples, and old men play chess. These colorful evenings are always remembering scenes of the Romantic Mexico. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Puebla.  A lecture on this complex site and its history provides more details on the most notable buildings. The influence of the Olmecs in the Mixtec and the city of Cholula, the city of the gods.  (B, L, D)