Mayan Escape

Ek Balam

Departure from the hotel in Cancun to go to the archaeological site of Ek Balam (star-jaguar), known as the “City of the Black Jaguar”, and possessing imposing constructions sheltered in the dense vegetation; most of them date from the Late Classic period (550-830 A.D.). It also has a series of mural paintings that show its technological and artistic development, as well as the material and cultural wealth of the ancient Maya city.

Cenote

After an exhaustive hike, we will refresh ourselves in the crystalline waters of a cenote; these natural wonders were considered sacred places of life and death, and were a vital source for the development of the Mayan civilization.

Valladolid

We will continue with a panoramic tour of the colonial city of Valladolid; it was founded on May 28, 1543 on the remains of the ancient Mayan settlement of Zací. It is the second most important city in the state of Yucatan, and has been the protagonist of two important chapters in Mexico's history: the beginning of the Caste War in 1847, and witnessed the first spark of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. During the tour, you will be able to distinguish the cultural syncretism between Mayan and Spanish traditions in Yucatán, and enjoy the charming colonial style of Valladolid in the Central Plaza, the church of San Servasio, the Barrio del Sisal and the old Franciscan convent of San Bernardino de Siena.

Chichen Itza

At the end of the tour, we will continue to Chichen Itza, religious capital of the Itzaes, whose greatest apogee occurred during the Early Postclassic period (950-1200 A.D.); its name means “the mouth of the well of the water sorcerers”. In 1988, the site was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, and in its constructions two styles of architecture can be distinguished: Puuc (600-800 A.D.) and Maya-Toltec (800-1100 A.D.). The tour begins at the Castillo, or Temple of Kukulcan, world famous for the play of light and shadow that occurs on its main staircase during the spring and autumn equinoxes, and the winter and summer solstices. This imposing building, the most emblematic of the site, was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World on July 7, 2007. Afterwards, we will head to the Sacred Cenote to admire it as well as other major constructions, such as: the Ball Court, the Observatory, also known as the Snail, the Plaza of the Thousand Columns, and the Temple of the Warriors, among others.

Merida

At the end of the visit to Chichen Itza, we will move to Merida, capital of the state of Yucatan. Founded on January 6, 1542, it was built on the site of the ancient Maya city of T'Hó. Among its magnificent buildings are the Casa de Montejo, the Cathedral of San Ildefonso (the oldest in continental America), the Canton Palace and the Monument to the Homeland. Mérida was twice named American Capital of Culture. The tour ends at your lodging site.