Mexico and Treasures of the Yucatan

Day 1 (Door to Door)

Arrive Cancun

Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Cancun where a Meet & Greet and private transfer is provided to your first hotel. The rest of the day and evening is yours at leisure.
Hotel: Omni Cancun Hotel & Villas (MD)

Day 2

Cancun

A full day of leisure in one of Mexico's favourite beach resorts. Your Tour Director is available at the hotel this afternoon to welcome you and answer your questions. Join us at 6pm for a Welcome Drink at the hotel. (WD, FB)
Hotel: Omni Cancun Hotel & Villas (MD)

Day 3

Cancun - Ek Balam - Valladolid - Merida

We head inland and stop at the largely unexcavated Mayan archaeological site of Ek Balam. After an overview of the site and region by our Tour Director, we continue to the first capital city of the Yucatan - charming Valladolid, for lunch and a leisurely stroll around the central square. After a brief city tour we continue to the lovely colonial city of Merida. (FB, L)
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Merida (D)

Day 4

Merida - Sightseeing and at leisure

This morning we explore historic Merida starting with the Paseo de Montejo, modelled after the Champs Elysees in Paris and lined with beautiful colonial mansions. We stop at the Central Plaza to view the Cathedral, the ornate Casa Montejo and the Palacio Nacional with its collection of renowned murals. We also visit the Anthropology Museum and its fine Mayan collections. After lunch at a local restaurant, we enjoy some free time. This evening we are hosted in the beautiful colonial home of David Sterling, the renowned chef specialising in Yucatecan cuisine and owner and founder of Los Dos Cooking School, for a cooking demonstration and how to mix the perfect margarita. Then we move onto a beautiful historic hacienda for an exclusive sampling of Yucatecan specialties under the expert advice of Chef Sterling. (FB, L, HD)
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Merida (D)

Day 5

Merida - Celestun - Campeche

We travel to one of the region's most protected areas and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Celestun. Here we navigate the calm waters of this vast wetlands complex to view one of the most important colonies of pink flamingoes. After lunch under the shade of a thatched-roof beach restaurant, we head to the historic fortified town of Campeche, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage city. Here we visit the Bulwarks, the Puerta Tierra stone fortress and the pastel coloured historic city centre. (FB, L, HD)
Hotel: Plaza Campeche / Hotel Plaza Colonial (FC)
Dining Highlights: This evening, enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6

Campeche - Edzna - Uxmal

This morning we explore the Mayan archaeological site of Edzna. Our Tour Director's expert commentary breathes life into the stunning temples and ceremonial sites. Heading along the Puuc Route, a traditional lunch awaits us at our next stop: pollo and cochinita pibil, wrapped in banana leafs and slowly cooked underground. We then visit the famed Mayan temples of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This late-Classic Maya site dates from before the 10th century AD and is considered one of the most complex and beautiful expressions of Puuc architecture and, for many, is one of the major highlights of the Yucatan region. Once again our expert Tour Director elaborates on the mysterious Mayan culture as we experience the engineering, architectural and social heights of its people. We end the day at our hacienda where there is time to relax or take a dip in the inviting pool. Following dinner, we learn all about tequila, Mexico's national drink, and enjoy a tasting of various types of this spirit reputed to reflect this country and its people's warmth, strength, and passion. (FB, L, D)
Hotel: Hacienda Uxmal (FC)

Day 7

Uxmal - Sotuta De Peon - Izamal - Chichen Itza

We start the day at the living-museum of Hacienda Sotuta de Peon. Here we learn about the production process of henequen (sisal fibre), known as the gold of the Yucatan during the colonial era and tour the still active processing plant and the beautiful home. We are then taken aboard picturesque mule-drawn rail carts through the fields to a beautiful cenote (a natural well leading to an underground river). After a traditional hacienda-style lunch, we continue on to the magical city of Izamal for a visit to the enchantingly yellow Franciscan monastery. We stop at a local hammock workshop to learn about this ancient Mayan product and its handmade process. We then head for our hotel nestled next to the most famous Mayan archaeological icon and UNESCO World Heritage site, Chichen Itza. Relax or cool off in one of the pools before dinner, and perhaps attend the Light & Sound Show at the archaeological site this evening. (FB, L, D)
Hotel: Hotel Mayaland (FC)

Day 8

Chichen Itza - Coba - Playa Del Carmen

Today we rise early and take advantage of our own private entrance to the archaeological site so that we are amongst the first to explore Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Under the expertise of our guide, we explore this grand archaeological complex, one of the most impressive and spectacular of all the sites of the Mayan civilization. We then continue our journey to Coba where we enjoy lunch alongside a pleasant lake. We visit ancient Coba by pedicab to view its graceful, towering temples, some of the highest in Mexico. Coba's site is unique as it has been barely restored, merely cleared and only a few of the estimated 6,500 structures have been uncovered. We then head toward our oceanfront resort in Playa del Carmen on the acclaimed Riviera Maya. (FB, L, D)
Hotel: Viva Wyndham Azteca (FC)

Day 9

Playa Del Carmen at leisure

We enjoy a leisurely day at our all-inclusive resort. Relax, swim in the turquoise blue water of the Caribbean Sea or in the pool, take advantage of complimentary resort activities including non-motorized water sports, enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, unlimited beverages, cocktails and wine... all incuded! Perhaps join our optional visit to the Mayan site of Tulum, perched picturesquely on a cliff overlooking the dazzling sea, or a small boat excursion through the mangroves of Sian Ka'an, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Biosphere, or stroll down Playa del Carmen's Quinta Avenida, a charming pedestrian walkway lined with shops, bars and restaurants. (FB, L, FD)
Hotel: Viva Wyndham Azteca (FC)
Dining Highlights: This evening we celebrate our Yucatan adventure at our Farewell Dinner.

Day 10

Playa Del Carmen - Cancun

This morning is at leisure until we drive back to Cancun and our hotel for a relaxing final night. (FB)
Hotel: Omni Cancun Hotel & Villas (D)

Day 11

Depart Cancun

A complimentary transfer to Cancun Airport is provided for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. (FB)

Day 12 (Door to Door)

Arrive UK

On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home.

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Dependent on flight availability at the time of booking, additional nights may need to be purchased at the beginning or end of your tour.

Dates and prices

Destination Info