On this 7-day itinerary, you will discover Yucatan’s most iconic archaeological sites, sample gastronomic delights and explore the secrets of the cenotes; enjoy the hospitality of Mayan communities & the colonial charm of Valladolid, sail the mesmeric waters of Bacalar lagoon and chill by the Caribbean sea in eclectic Tulum. Combined with exciting activities and eye-opening adventures, this is an active travel exploration of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Today you will arrive to Cancun airport our driver will provide transportation to Valladolid City. Upon arrival you will join your guide for a tour in the city and the important iconic places.
Overnight in Valladolid: Casa Quetzal
Day 2: Hotel Breakfast, Visit archaeological site Chichen Itza, Cenote in the area and Valladolid.
Selected as one of the New Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the Americas and a ¨must see¨ for those interested in history and culture. This is one of the most researched and re-constructed of all of Mexico's ancient cities, allowing us unrivaled insight into the secrets of this fascinating civilization and an exemplary vision of what the city once looked like.
After Chichen, a local community-run cenote is the perfect spot to get away from the crowds and cool down in the refreshing blue waters. This is another wonderful experience, with the cenote right at the center of life in this village. The deep sink hole is full of birds' nests and tree roots & is surrounded by mysticism and exhuberant nature.
Valladolid is a city where past and present come together to delight us with the sights of colored colonial architecture and tastes of an incredibly rich gastronomy. We lunch in the courtyard of a restored colonial mansion, an experience in itself, and have time to wander the square and nearby streets of the center afterwards. Great photo opportunities, craft shopping and a taste of slow-paced Mexican life.
Chichen Itza – Mayan Wonder of the World Tour
7.00 am – 7.45am: Breakfast
8.30am – 11.30 am: Chichen Itza archaeological site
12:00 - 1.00pm: Cenote Lol-Ha (Yaxunah)
1 pm- 2pm: Delicious traditional lunch provided by Yaxunah community
2pm – 3.30pm: Yaxunah community visit (organic agriculture, beekeeping, crafts)
4.30 - 5.00pm: Return to Valladolid
Evening free to walk around the center.
Overnight in Valladolid: Casa Quetzal
Day 3: Hotel breakfast in Valladolid and then take the road in destination of Rio Lagartos.
Rio Lagartos is without a doubt the best option to explore and experience a traditional fishing town of Yucatan, visit Las Coloradas (pink water ponds), take a boat to cover aquatic ecosystems giving you the chance to seeing a great diversity of birds including the biggest colony of the American Flamingo and perhaps crocodiles. After our boat ride, we stop at a local ´marisqueria´totaste some of the local fish and seafood. We then return to the road in direction of the archaeological site of EK Balam. The peaceful and inspiring Mayan temples of Ek Balam were once at the centre of an important kingdom. The site contains some wonderfully conserved monuments and exceptional architecture, that make the perfect setting to learn about the fascinating culture and way of life led by the ancient inhabitants of the Yucatan, far from the crowds of tourists who amass elsewhere.
After a cool dip in the waters of a pristine cenote, we depart towards the Mayan village of Nuevo Durange, where we will spend the night with Don Manuel and his family where they will let you stay in one of their independent Cabanas. Cabañas de uma nojoch kéej
Overnight - Cabañas de uma nojoch kéej
Day 4: Breakfast with family from the community. Visit an ongoing project in the conservation of endemic species the the local family operates. Visit spider monkey reserve by kayak, Zip-line, Cenote Family visit & Lunch with Cahun family (sustainable community).
Stay in the guesthouse of a local family who show us their gardens, medicinal plants and project that reintroduces endangered animals into the wild. And of course, a delicious home cooked meal all made from local ingredients. Also on this tour: we visit a family owned and run cenote, great for swimming and cooling down, and jumping or diving for the brave. We visit The community of Punta Laguna which provide eco-tourism activities which are aimed towards the preservation of their culture and the forest. The marvelous natural environment of this area is characterized by impressive lakes, deep well cenotes with crystal-clear water and a semi-deciduous jungle with trees of up to 100ft. An extraordinary bio-diversity of flora & fauna live in this environment, and we are guided by the local community through jungle trails on the lookout for some of the many species of birds, mammals orchids, insects & bromeliads. The standout resident is the spider monkey, who the community have built a very special relationship over the last 20 years, as they have become experts in observing their behavior and can identify each individual in the group! You will also paddle canoe on the calm waters of the lake and enjoy a thrilling zipline over the water.
Overnight in Tulum - Casa Colonial or Maison Tulum
DAY 5: VISIT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE TULUM, REEF SNORKEL & PRIVATE CAVE
The archeological site of Tulum, an ancient Mayan port overlooking the crystal waters of the Caribbean, is a must-see on a visit to the Yucatan. Enjoy a detailed historical tour just as the site opens, when it is virtually empty and the morning light over the ocean is a treat. Known as the jewel of the Mayan Riviera, Tulum's old walls hold the secrets to a mysterious past of sun-gods, sea-trade, ritual and ancient tradition. The Temple of the Wind, Temple of the Frescoes and the magnificent Castillo are testimony to the growing prosperity Tulum enjoyed just as the Spanish ships pulled in from overseas, ending the development of this fascinating culture.
We follow up with a visit to an exclusive cenote hidden in the jungle. This is an incredible insight into the underground world of the peninsula, where we walk, wade and swim in the clearest of waters, surrounded on all sides by the wondrous limestone formations that create beautiful textures in the rock. A close-up and exclusive experience of the unique environment of the underground rivers will leave you with a lasting impression of this magical world. The open sink hole in the middle of a labyrinthine cavern and the winding paths that lead us to it will delight your senses.
Overnight in Tulum - Casa Colonial or Maison Tulum
Day 6: Cenote Trail Excursion, Tour with Mountain bike, visit 3 different cenotes in the area and brunch in the jungle.
Starting from downtown Tulum, we ride out to Grand Cenote, one of the most famous cenotes in the area for its amazing combination of cave, underground river, open sections and resident wildlife turtles. This is great spot for some cenote snorkeling, and even though it is well known, we make sure to get there early before the crowds arrive to fully appreciate the beauty. We then hit 4km of forest trail taking us around Tulum, where we get away from the roads and into the trees. This is highly enjoyable with no traffic and the possibility of seeing some jungle wildlife if we get lucky. We will stop on this trail to enjoy a homemade brunch in an exclusive jungle oasis: a little guesthouse hidden away in the peace of nature, where we are served fresh fruit, coffee, gourmet sandwiches and juice in a beautiful & tranquil environment. After brunch & time to relax, the trail brings us out to Cenote Cristal, an open cenote surrounded by lush vegetation, where there is a perfectly placed platform for jumps & you can usually spot divers entering the cave system into the flooded Underworld. From here it is a short trip to Escondido, a quiet cenote that is great for snorkeling, full of fish and underwater vegetation, plus a couple of hidden caves for the more adventurous.
Overnight in Tulum - Casa Colonial or Maison Tulum
You will enjoy breakfast at your hotel and you will be transported to the airport at the appropriate time.
