Mini Wonders of the Maya

Mini Wonders of the Maya

4 Views
4 Days From

$806

Mini Wonders of the Maya

4 Days Starting in Cancun and ending in Cancún

Visiting: Cancún, Chichén Itzá, Mérida

Tour operator:

Today Voyages

Tour code:

107972

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 30

Physical rating:

Low

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $806

NB: Prices correct on 01-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Beyond her beautiful beaches, Yucatan boasts an impressive cultural and historical heritage as the repository of treasures of Maya civilization, such as Chichén Itza and Uxmal. Journey back in time to appreciate the greatness of these ancient cities clawed back from the jungle and discover the beauty of the colourful colonial cities of Izamal and Merida. Spend the night in atmospheric properties to further enhance the trip’s magical experience. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Ría Lagartos: 395 species of birds reside in this biosphere reserve where you can observe flamingos and crocodiles roaming the mangroves Chichen Itza: Uncover the mysteries of Maya civilisation at this ancient archaeological site dominated by the imposing Temple of Kukulkan Izamal: This ‘magical town’ is known as the ‘city of hills’ because of its numerous ruins of Maya pyramids Uxmal: The Pyramid of the Magician in this UNESCO World Heritage Site rises above the jungle canopy Merida: Yucatan’s ‘White City’ is famed for the elegant tree-lined boulevards from the 19th century

Highlights

  • Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve boat tour to see pink flamingos and crocodiles.

  • Swim in a cenote, a natural sinkhole, for a refreshing experience.

  • Explore the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza, including the Temple of Kukulkan.

  • Visit the Maya town of Izamal and the Convent of St Anthony of Padua.

  • Tour the historical downtown of Mérida, the capital of Yucatan.

  • Discover the UNESCO-listed ruins of Uxmal, including the Pyramid of the Magician.

  • Learn about the significance of cacao at the Cocoa Museum.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival Cancun

Location: Cancún

Accommodation Name: Fairfield Airport Cancun

After landing in Cancun International Airport, you will be met by a tour representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Cancun. Then you can spend the rest of the day at leisure, getting to know this fantastic new location at your own rhythm. Make the most of the services available at the hotel, or hit the streets and start exploring the wonders of Cancun. 

Overnight in Cancun

Day 2 : Cancun – Ría Lagartos – Cenote – Valladolid (390 Km – 5 Hrs)

Location: Chichén Itzá

Accommodation Name: Ecotel Quinta Regia

Today’s adventure starts with a visit to Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, home to the largest flocks of pink flamingos in Mexico, in addition to the almost 400 bird species that have been identified here. Take a two-hour boat trip through the mangroves in the reserve’s estuary to observe flamingos, crocodiles and other animals. The trip also includes a visit to feeding areas, a stop for a Maya mud bath with mineral-rich white mud and a dip in the salt-rich waters of the lagoon. We then visit a cenote – a natural sinkhole – for some time to cool off with a swim . After the visit, continue to the hotel in Valladolid. After of the check in at the hotel, we will have time for refreshing. Continue with a walking city tour by Valladolid, this is a city that preserves the tradition of Mayan culture in every corner and its historical legacy is unique. Discover the passage of time from pre-Hispanic times to the present walking through its streets

Overnight in Valladolid.

Day 3 : Valladolid –Chichen Itza Izamal – Merida (135 Km – 2 Hrs)

Location: Mérida

Accommodation Name: Del Gobernador

Enjoy your morning breakfast before departing to Chichen itza, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Maya. Learn about the Maya and this ancient city reclaimed from the jungle. Behold the Temple of Kukulkan, popularly known as El Castillo (‘the Castle’), built both as a representation of the mystical Maya calendar and to reflect the optical illusion of a serpent slithering up and down the pyramid during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Admire the Great Ball Court, the haunting Skull Platform where the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled, and the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped. Other extremely well-preserved areas include the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and adjacent Church, and the large observatory known as the Snail. Next, we make our way to the Maya town of Izamal, which combines remnants of its pre-Hispanic past, the colonial period and the present. Visit the Convent of St Anthony of Padua, which stands on a former Maya pyramid. After lunch (not included), continue to the ‘White City’ of Merida, the capital of Yucatan, to enjoy a tour of the historical downtown. See the 19th-century villas and palaces that line the Paseo de Montejo, and continue to the splendid Plaza Grande, home to the cathedral and the 16th-century Casa de los Montejo. Also visit the Government Palace and City Hall, before enjoying some free time to discover the city on your own.


Overnight in Merida

Day 4 : Merida – Uxmal – Cacao Museum Cancun (450 Km – 6 Hrs)

Location: Cancún

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning exploring the ruins of another former Maya city clawed back from the vegetation. Arrive at Uxmal and enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site that rises into view above the jungle canopy. Unlike other Maya cities, Uxmal was devoured by the rainforest after the Spaniards had arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-metre-tall Pyramid of the Magician, towering over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle with its ornately carved interior and exterior walls. Across the central plaza, just beyond the ballgame court, is the Governor’s Palace. At the southern end of the main complex is the Great Pyramid, of which only one side has been excavated with the other three still unclaimed from the bush. After this, visit a Cocoa Museum where the plant and its importance for the ancient Mayans will be explained. Then return to Cancun or Riviera Maya to your extension hotel (not included), where the tour ends.  Breakfast included. 

What's Included

  • Multilingual Guide

    The tour is operated with a multilingual English-Spanish speaking licensed local guide on a shared basis.

  • Accommodation

    The tour includes 3 nights of accommodation.

  • Meals

    The tour includes 3 breakfasts.

  • Transportation

    Air-conditioned transportation with pickup/drop-off as indicated in the itinerary on a shared basis is included.

  • Monuments and Visits

    All monuments and visits as indicated in the itinerary are included: Rio Lagartos boat tour, entrance to cenote, Chichen Itza visit, Valladolid walking tour, Izamal city tour, Merida city tour, and Uxmal Cacao Museum.

  • Operated with Multilingual: English – Spanish speaking licensed local guide on a shared basis

  • 3 Nights accommodation

  • 3 breakfasts

  • Air-conditioned transportation with pickup/drop-off as indicated in the itinerary on a shared basis

  • All monuments and visits as indicated: Rio Lagartos boat tour entrance to cenote Chichen Itza Visit Valladolid walking tour Izamal City Tour Merida City Tour and Uxmal Cacao Museum

What's Not Included

  • Personal Expenditures

    Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks, and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme are not included.

  • Environmental Sanitation Tax

    Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Riviera Maya environmental sanitation right tax is payable on the spot and not included.

  • Optional Tours

    Optional tours are not included in the package.

  • International Flights and Visa

    International flight tickets or Mexican visa fees and local taxes are not included.

  • Airport Departure Tax

    Airport departure tax is not included.

  • Gratuities

    Gratuities for drivers and guides are not included.

  • Expenditures of a personal nature drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme

  • Playa del Carmen Cancun Riviera Maya environmental sanitation right tax (payable on spot)

  • Optional tours

  • International flight tickets or Mexican visa fees and local taxes

  • Airport departure tax

  • Gratuities for drivers and guides

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with air-conditioned transportation, including pickup and drop-off as indicated in the itinerary, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey through the stunning landscapes of Mexico.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable stays at the Fairfield Airport Cancun, Ecotel Quinta Regia in Valladolid, and Del Gobernador in Merida, offering a blend of modern amenities and local charm for a relaxing experience throughout your journey.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the Ría Lagartos boat tour?

    During the Ría Lagartos boat tour, you can expect to see the largest flocks of pink flamingos in Mexico, as well as crocodiles and a variety of other bird species, with almost 400 bird species identified in the area.

  • What unique experiences are included in the visit to Ría Lagartos?

    The visit to Ría Lagartos includes a two-hour boat trip through the mangroves, a stop for a Maya mud bath with mineral-rich white mud, and a dip in the salt-rich waters of the lagoon.

  • What historical sites will I visit in Chichen Itza?

    In Chichen Itza, you will visit the Temple of Kukulkan, the Great Ball Court, the Skull Platform, the Sacred Cenote, the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and adjacent Church, and the large observatory known as the Snail.

  • What can I expect to see in the city of Merida?

    In Merida, you will see the 19th-century villas and palaces along the Paseo de Montejo, the splendid Plaza Grande, the cathedral, the 16th-century Casa de los Montejo, the Government Palace, and City Hall.

  • What is special about the Uxmal ruins?

    The Uxmal ruins are a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site known for the 35-metre-tall Pyramid of the Magician, the well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor’s Palace, and the Great Pyramid, which has only one side excavated.

  • What will I learn at the Cocoa Museum?

    At the Cocoa Museum, you will learn about the cocoa plant and its importance to the ancient Mayans.

  • How does Today Voyages work?

    We are an Online Travel Agency, specialized in Group Vacations and Private Vacations. We have been in business for over 30 years through our sister company Go West Tours and, throughout the years, have developed an extensive network of trusted professionals around the world and a structured methodology to screen our suppliers. Today Voyages offers a selection of tours that are designed, managed and operated by our network of trusted Tour Operators and DMCs. Our database is connected with our partners so that when you make a booking with us this will immediately be received and processed by the Tour Operator.

  • Where should I buy the flights to reach my destination?

    Today Voyages does not sell flights directly. None of our tours come with flights included. Why? Because we prefer to give full flexibility to our valued customers to select the airlines and the booking platform they prefer. As soon as your flight is booked and confirmed, we invite you to update your flight plan within your Today Voyages booking confirmation page by entering your flight number, departure and arrival times, as well as your Passport information (if needed). None of these fields are mandatory but we highly encourage you to provide as much information as possible. This will allow us to provide you with the excellent service you are looking for.

  • What is an additional excursion or tour optional?

    Certain tours might show a selection of additional excursions/optional activities that you may want to add to our standard itinerary. These services are priced separately and can be added to the cart before completing the booking. We believe these optional services to contribute to making your vacation unforgettable; however, you are in no way obliged to purchase them. All our tours are awesome with our without optional services!

  • What is the difference between Group Vacations and Private Vacations?

    If you purchase one of our Group vacation packages, you will be escorted by a professional tour guide and will be traveling with other like-minded travelers you may not know. The group size depends on the tour you select. If you purchase one of our Private vacation packages, you will be traveling only within your group of friends. You may or may not be escorted by a professional tour guide; this depends on the type of private tour you are interested in.

  • When and how will I receive the travel documents (vouchers)?

    If you book one of our Group or Private tours, you will receive your travel documents via email approximately 20 days prior to travel date. If you reserve one of our Vacation Rentals, you will hear back from the property manager via email a few days prior to checking-in. We recommend checking your emails on a regular basis as this is our most reliable method of communication. If you have questions or need additional support, you can always chat with us or email us directly.

  • What happens if a Group tour does not get confirmed?

    It is very simple... you will be offered an alternative departure date or be refunded the full amount you pre-paid. No questions asked!

  • What happens after I book?

    The majority of our tours are confirmed at the time of booking. This means that, after submitting the payment online, you will receive an order confirmation email; make sure to save this email and to note down your confirmation number for any future communication with us. Some tours may be sold on a 'on request' basis. This means that for these tours we reserve the right to check the availability of your spot(s) with the Tour Operator before confirming the tour to you. As soon as you submit the payment online for a 'on request' tour you will receive an email notification that confirms your order request. Within 72 hours, you will receive either a confirmation email or a denial email. Do not worry... we will do everything we can to confirm your tour!

Reviews of this operator

Paula  

Unforgettable tour in the US National Parks

04-May-2022

I booked a guided tour in the National Parks through Today Voyages and couldn't have been happier! Our guide was great, he knew the destination very well and gave us great advice for the best hikes and view points. The itinerary was well-packed and we were amazed at the scenery of the South West. We would definitely consider booking another tour next year.

Date of experience: May 04, 2022
Emily  

Helengeli island is stunning

12-Apr-2023

Wow, Helengeli island is stunning. The resort is clean, the staff are so attentive, the grounds are pristine, and the food is 5*. Spending a week at this resort was simply paradise, white sand, crystal blue ocean, what more could you want! As I wasn't able to tailor-make my holiday, the Today Voyages team helped me find the tour that best matched my expectations, and they definitely didn't disappoint!!!

Peter  

Good Bali experience

03-Feb-2023

There is no better place on Earth than Bali to celebrate your honeymoon. We are so glad we came across this tour. Two unforgettable weeks of jungle adventures, beaches and snorkeling, massages, nature. And the price was great. We cannot be happier! Planning Vietnam for 2024!

Date of experience: January 29, 2023
Chetcu  

Top Experience!

03-Feb-2023

The Las Vegas and the National Parks Hiking Tour is a deal not to be missed. What a phenomenal trip! We were 14 people in our minibus and it was great to connect to all of them. So many stories to share. The cool thing about this tour is that it attracts hikers of all kinds: laid back hikers as well as more experienced ones could find beauty in every single destination this tour took us to. I will for sure join another tour soon. Thank you guys, also, for the assistance provided throughout the trip. Loved it!

Date of experience: October 19, 2022
Emmanuelle  

Amazing affordable trip!

20-Jan-2023

I booked a self-drive vacation to Greece for my family. The trip was amazing, easy communication, great customer service since we had an issue on the road with the car and we got immediate assistance.

Date of experience: September 22, 2022
Adelaide  

Unforgettable 8-day trip to Kenya

01-Mar-2023

I just came back from an unforgettable 8-day trip to Kenya. A mix of relaxation and adventure. I had never traveled with a group before and, honestly, I was a little skeptical at the beginning. Pauline at Today Voyages convinced me that this was the right tour and the right destination for me. And the truth is... she was right. Tsavo and Watamu are such awesome destinations, our guide was impeccable and it was a small group: a family of 4, a young couple, and us. We became friends. Highly recommended!

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Dec 08, 2024 - Dec 11, 2024
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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Today Voyages allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 65 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Today Voyages requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of today voyages charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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