Maya Expedition
This alluring experience begins in Cancun International Airport where as soon as we arrive, we will be jumping in to this brand-new Maya train to Valladolid where we will get to explore their underground jewels, their unique Cenotes where we get to refresh and experience this subterranean vibration, from there, we´ll be boarding the Maya train again to the mesmerizing Campeche a favorite home for couple centuries to most infamous pirates of that time. At this location, we will get unravel their intriguing history. Our last train Maya destiny will be to the sophisticated Merida, where we get to relax and enjoy everything that this trendy city has to offer, prior to our flight back to Tijuana after riding this magnificent Maya train for 651 km of their new route.
October 9 to 15 2024
What is included
· Round Trip Airfare from Tijuana/Cancun), on Viva Aereobus Airline/ Merida/Tijuana, on Volaris Airline.
· Providing Ground Transportation to and from airport, hotels all tour locations and activities programed.
· 6 nights’ accommodations in Hotel in Valladolid, in Campeche Hotel, in Merida Hotel a single, private room.
· Breakfast each morning at our hotels each day.
· 7 Day Guided Maya Train Expedition with more than 19 stops and many historical sites.
· ALL DAYTIME Entry Fees to planned activities and destinations
· Maya Train tourist class tickets.
· Taxes
· TWO private, bilingual (English, Spanish) tour guides.
What is NOT included
· Lunch, Dinner or Alcoholic Beverages.
· Optional Night Time Activities.
· Sandys Tip.
· Travel Insurance
Details
What to expect
Weather: The weather in Yucatan Peninsula is fairly warm throughout the year. The nighttime
temperatures during these months will drop to the 60’s. The weather from October will average in the 70s.
What to bring
Attire: Layered clothing for the duration of the trip to stay warm on chilly mornings that quicky heat up as the day goes on. Much of the tour will be walking through the various attractions… WEAR COMFORTABLE GOOD SUPPORTIVE WALKING SHOES A hat day to protect from the scorching Mexican sun.
Personal Items
LEAVE ALL VALUEABLES AT HOME! You may need sunblock for the outdoor tours. Proper Identification should be carried at all times
Physical Requirements
This tour requires a lot of walking, possibly standing for long periods of time, the ability to sit and ride in the bus for up to 4 hours, ability to withstand possible high temperatures in the afternoons as well as exposure to full sun. Most sites are handicap accessible, but some may not be and walking rocky terrain is possible and not every place has an elevator.
Tips and Suggestions
Download some traveling apps such as Uber, Lyft, Yelp, Trip Advisor, etc. These can enhance your visit, so be sure to have them already downloaded and ready to go…especially Uber…you never know when you may need them. Bring enough cash to finance at least your first couple of days until you find an ATM, they are plentiful. Pesos are highly recommended as they are the national currency and most will not accept dollars
ADDITIONAL COSTS
The tour includes hotel, breakfast, air and ground transportation, entry fees and gratuities for daytime activities. You can expect to pay for your own lunch and supper as well as any night time activity service fees, entry fees and ALL tips. You will also need to pay for all personal items, medical supplies, alcohol and tobacco products and any incidentals you may need along the way. If separated from the group, you are will be responsible to pay your own transportation costs to rejoin the group.
Tour Package price in a single room is 38,000 pesos.
Tour Package price in a share room is 36,000 pesos.
Website Resources and Additional Information
For more information on the places that we will visit, please click the links below or type them
Please, take your time and explore each site to prepare and “Know Before You Go” everything needed to make your visit more enjoyable.
• Maya Train: https://www.alstom.com/mayan-train-project
• Valladolid Yucatan: https://www.chichenitza.com/valladolid-yucatan
• Cenote Secreto Maya: https://yucatan.travel/en/experience/250-mayan-secret-cenote-in-valladolid/
• Cenote Xcanahaltun: https://yucatan.travel/en/experience/256-xcanahaltun-natural-wonder/
• Campeche: https://www.visit-mexico.mx/campeche/
• Merida: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/yucatan-peninsula/merida
• Ek Balam Piramids: https://www.chichenitza.com/ek-balam
• Hotel La Aurora boutique in Villadolid: https://hotellaaurora.com/
• Hotel Gamma in Campeche: https://www.gammahoteles.com/en/hotels/gamma-campeche-malecon
• Hotel San Angel in Merida: https://www.hotelcasasanangel.com/
Expeditions Highlights
• Maya Train: The Mayan Train project (Tsíimin K'áak, in the Mayan language) will be one of the most important infrastructure works in the history of Mexico's rail network, and a unique opportunity to boost economic growth in the southeast region by creating jobs and support for local manufacturing, while preserving natural areas, ecosystems and the environment, promoting tourism and safeguarding local indigenous cultures.
• Valladolid Yucatan: Valladolid Yucatan was named like this after the capital of Spain at that moment (1543) which was “Valladolid”. Valladolid in Mexico was built atop a Maya town called Zaci and the Spanish used the stones of the temples that were in this town to build the actual Colonial architecture.
• Ek Balam Piramids: The first known king of Ek´Balam is Ukit Kan Le´t Tok (the father of the four flint fronts) who was the builder of most of the sumptuous palace that we now know as the Acropolis and many other works. Likewise, it was a promoter of technical and cultural advances, as well as architectural and decorative richness.
• Cenotes Secreto Maya: In this beautiful place you will find an open-type cenote, in which you can swim, jump from different heights, or use a Tarzan-like rope to plunge into the water, and enjoy watching the flora and fauna from the region. This incredible open-type cenote has a diameter of 164 ft and is the perfect excuse to enjoy nature in the middle of the jungle.
• Cenote Xcanahaltun: This natural well allowed ancient Mayan people to supply water while they were settling in the surroundings of the village. To enter, you have to descend through spiral wooden stairs which will take you directly to the impressive cenote. The vault is full of stalagmites formed along time; you will be astonished. In the upper part you can see a hole that lets sunlight enter and reflect the crystalline waters in a greenish shade which invites you to refresh. You can also tour around this place in a kayak.
• Campeche: Its shelter location in the Gulf of Mexico has made it privileged to be coveted to the point to of suffering attacks, robbery and looting by pirates and corsairs with marquees in convulsive moments when the Caribbean was a chessboard.
• Merida: Since the Spanish conquest, Mérida has been the cultural capital of the entire Yucatán Peninsula. A delightful blend of provincial and cosmopolitan, it is a town steeped in colonial history. It's a great place to explore, with narrow streets, broad central plazas and the region’s best museums. It’s also a perfect place from which to kick off your adventure into the rest of Yucatán state. It has excellent cuisine and accommodations, thriving markets, and events happening just about every night.
• Hotel Aurora boutique in Villadolid: Wake up in the heart of charming town, a perfect location to experience towns unique culture, history and gastronomy.
• Hotel Gamma in Campeche: Our hotel with an ocean view in Campeche, México features warmth with a local flavor. You will be fascinated by new and authentic experiences in locally influenced spaces that highlight traditional richness. Staying at Gamma Campeche Malecón will allow you to get to know the destination in detail, since we are located in the center of the city, near popular tourist attractions and the beach.
• Hotel San Angel: A beautiful renovated building with courtyard, offering a special ambiance and impeccable service.