Mayan tour (Chiapas, Campeche and Riviera Maya / Private or Small Group / 9 Days)

Day 1: Chiapa de Corzo

Bienvenidos a Chiapa de Corzo – one of the most beautiful towns in Chiapas, well known for its warm people and colorful Renaissance architecture. Arrive at any time and independently transfer to your accommodation in Chiapa de Corzo. On Friday evening, meet your group and Tour Leader: welcome meeting, optional dinner, and get-together with the rest of the group.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Chiapa de Corzo
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: welcome meeting

Day 2: Chiapa de Corzo - Canyon Sumidero - San Juan Chamula - San Cristobal de las Casas

Day 3: San Cristóbal de las Casas - Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls - Palenque

In the morning, continue with the tour by visiting 2 stunning waterfalls. First, see the unique cascading falls of Agua Azul, then swim in a mineral-rich pool beneath the 35-meter-tall Misol-Ha. Hereafter, move to our last stop of the day – “Magical Town” of Palenque. Check-in, an orientation walk of the historic center of the town, and an optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

Day 4: Palenque - Miguel Colorado Cenotes - Campeche

In the morning, after breakfast and check-out, go to explore the UNESCO-listed Palenque Archeological Zone. A prime example of a Mayan sanctuary of the classical period, it flourished between AD 500 and 700, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. In the afternoon, continue to Miguel Colorado – two large scenic cenotes with a spiffy new eco-center and a private nature reserve. Optional lunch, kayaking, swimming, zip-lining over one of the cenotes. There, we will also hike along hilly, rocky trails keeping an eye out for spider and howler monkeys.

Evening arrival, optional dinner & get-together in Campeche. A true historical fairyland, its UNESCO-listed colonial center represents a tight enclave of restored pastel buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, fortified ramparts, and well-preserved mansions. Check-in, an orientation walk of the historic center of the Campeche, and optional dinner and get-together with the group in the evening.

Day 5: Campeche - Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve - Celestun

In the afternoon,  after a visit to the 19th-century Fort of San Miguel in the suburbs of Campeche, continue the Mayan tour in Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve. This UNESCO-listed protected area is a gift of great beauty where you can observe pink flamingos together with a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat. Flamingos-watching boat tour, swimming in a local cenote, and transfer to the nearby beach town of Celestun. Check-in, an orientation walk of the town, optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Celestun
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visit to Fort of San Miguel (Campeche); entrance and boat tour in Ria Celestun UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (flamingo watching + visit to cenote)

Day 6: Celestun - Chichen Itza - Cenote Ik Kil - Valladolid

In the morning, after breakfast and checkout, head for UNESCO-listed Chichen Itza. The most famous and best restored of the Yucatán Maya sites, it is considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Many mysteries of the Maya astronomical calendar are made clear when one understands the design of the ‘time temples’ here.

In the afternoon, continue to Ik Kil – arguably one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico that was considered sacred by the Mayans who performed here human sacrifices to their rain god. In fact, in order to reach the water, you have to climb down 26 meters. The water is 40 meters deep while its diameter is 60 meters. Evening arrival, accommodation, optional dinner & get-together with the group in Valladolid. Once known as the Sultana of the East, Yucatán’s third-largest city is known for its quiet streets and sun-splashed pastel walls.

Day 7: Valladolid - Tulum - Playa del Carmen

In the morning, after an orientation walk of Valladolid, go to explore Tulum – the only Maya ruins located directly on the beach. Once there, you will earn the history behind this location as you will walk through different areas of the site. You can also walk down to the amazing beach and enjoy the white sand and turquoise water, see wild iguanas and beautiful tropical foliage.

In the afternoon, arrive in Playa del Carmen, an idyllic place located in the heart of the Riviera Maya with fine white sand and blue-green waters, where you will always find a hammock and an umbrella to sunbathe and rest, especially on the edge of town that offers the quietest beach areas. If you prefer action, in Playa del Carmen you will find water activities such as windsurfing, jet skis, kayaking, or diving in the impressive Maya coral reef. Accommodation, orientation walk, optional dinner & get-together with the group.

Day 8: Playa del Carmen

Free program: relax on the beach sipping a cocktail, try numerous outdoor activities (scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, parasailing, ATV riding, etc.) or take a day trip to some of the nearby natural attractions or Maya ruins. Optional farewell dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Playa del Carmen
• Meals Included: breakfast

Day 9: Playa del Carmen

Last day of the Mayan tour. Choose by yourself when to leave – Cancun International Airport is just 50 km away and is well served by taxis and buses.

• Meals Included: breakfast