Day 1: Merida
Tonight you arrive at the International Airport of Merida or Cancun, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. We have many adventures planned for tomorrow, so a good night of rest is essential.
Day 2: Cuzama
We visit two marvelous cenotes located in the village of Cuzama. Cenotes are sinkholes where underground rivers break through the limestone crust of the earth. For Mayas, they represent the doorway to the spiritual underworld. We get on horse-drawn trucks, which take us 9 kilometers into the jungle to swim into the clear, beautiful cenotes. We return to Merida in the afternoon. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Uxmal – Calcehtok Caves
We leave early to go to the Mayan archeological site of Uxmal, the three times built city. At Uxmal we visit the 115 foot Pyramid of the Magician and the impressive Governor’s House, a wonder of the ancient world for its precision and architectural beauty. After lunch at the beautiful hacienda Ochil (a sisal plantation), we head to the marvelous caves of Calcehtok, the biggest cave system in the Yucatan. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Merida
In the morning we meet with the local Spanish teacher to gain conversational experience. In the afternoon we take a walking tour of El Centro of Merida to visit the Cathedral, the Casa de Montejo and the beautiful Plaza Grande. At night we watch the traditional dance of the Yucatan, the Jarana, at the spectacle La Vaqueria. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Tixocob – Punta Laguna
After breakfast, we head to the little town of Tixocob. We learn about the art of making hammocks and experience Mayan living firsthand. A local family is our host for lunch and shares their knowledge of local cuisine. Other surprises await us! After lunch we head to Punta Laguna, at the Otoch Ma’ax Yetel Kooh Reserve. A naturalist guide leads us into the jungle to watch and learn about the spider monkey and the diverse flora and fauna of the reserve. Who will swim in the lagoon? Later, we’ll spend the night in the town of Tulum. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Tulum – Xel-Ha
Enjoy the Caribbean today at Tulum and Xel-Ha. Along with Chichen Itza, Tulum, with its buildings and beautiful rugged coastline, is considered a must-see in the Yucatan Peninsula. We’ll spend most of the day at the fantastic water theme park of Xel-Ha. Xel-Ha is all-inclusive, so snacks, beverages, and meals are available all day long. We leave the park in the afternoon and spend the night at Valladolid. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Chichen Itza – Farewell Dinner
We continue our journey with a visit to the famous site of Chichen Itza, which combines majesty and nature. A local guide will teach us about the splendid Castle, an imposing example of the immense depth of the Maya’s knowledge of the cosmos, math and science. We visit the biggest ball game court in the Mayan world, and shop for handicrafts. We return to Merida in the afternoon and enjoy our farewell dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Depart for Home
We leave for home early in the morning.
*Itineraries are subject to change to enhance the learning experience!
One complimentary chaperon per six paid students. Airfare not included. Air travel can be arranged by Travel Adventures or the customer. The costs of single and triple occupancy rooms are available upon request. Trip protector Insurance including coverage for cancellation/interruption, baggage and emergency medical is offered with registration materials. No membership fees, adult fees or security fees to add. A surcharge will be added if there are fewer than 15 paying participants. Pricing is based on low season rates and may increase during peak travel times.