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Tulum
- All Day: Flights arrivals to Tulum, Mexico
- 6-7pm: Welcome meeting and orientation at hotel
- Overnight in Tulum
MAR 15-21, 2025
Chichen Itza, Equinox, and the Maya Ruins of Yucatan
This 6-day tour will bring you to the ancient Maya ruins of Yucatan, Mexico.
Participants fly in and out of Tulum's new international airport. After a night in the beach town and a
quick visit to the ruins of Tulum and Muyil, the tour heads into interior of the Yucatan Peninsula to explore
Coba and then the week's headliner - Chichen Itza. Arrving just two days before the Spring Equinox to avoid the big
crowds, participants will wittness the shadow snake descend El Castillo just one degree off its exact alignment.
The next day will head to the ruins of Ek Balam and one's of the Yucatan's most famous cenotes - Cenote Suytun.
A long staircase leads into its subterranean chamber where the group can swim and wittness the equinox sunlight
stream in from a hole high above the water. That night, relax and explore the beautiful colonial town of Valladolid.
The tour's last day will be dedicated to the modern Maya, learning about their struggle for independence during
colonial times in Tihosuco and visiting the Shrine of the Talking Cross. The adventure will end with a final
celebration at the hotel in Tulum.
5 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, 2 HISTORICAL SITES, 1 MUSEUM, AND CENOTE SUYTUN
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival to Tulum - Saturday, Mar 15
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Day 2: Tulum and Muyil Ruins - Sunday, Mar 16
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Tulum and Muyil
- 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
- 10-12pm: Tour of Tulum's ruins
- 12-2pm: Lunch break in Tulum
- 2-4pm: Transport to and tour of Muyil's ruins
- 6-7pm: Lecture: Powerful Queens of the Ancient Maya
- Overnight in Tulum
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Day 3: Coba - Monday, Mar 17
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Coba
- 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel and check out
- 9-10am: Transport to Coba
- 10-1pm: Tour of Coba - in pedicabs called "Maya Limos"
- 12-2pm: Lunch break in Coba
- 2-4pm: Transport to Chichen Itza
- 6-7pm: Lecture: Toltec Influence on Chichen Itza
- Overnight in Chichen Itza
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Day 4: Chichen Itza and Spring Equinox - Tuesday, Mar 18
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Chichen Itza and Spring Equinox
- 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
- 9-12pm: Tour of Chichen Itza
- 12-2pm: Lunch break in Chichen Itza
- 2-4pm: Equinox shadow snake on El Castillo (1 degree off)
- 12-2pm: Chichen Itza Sound and Light Show
- Overnight in Chichen Itza
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Day 5: Ek Balam and Cenote Suytun - Wednesday, Mar 19
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Ek Balam and Cenote Suytun
- 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel and check out
- 9-12pm: Transport to and tour of Ek Balam
- 12-2pm: Lunch break in Temozon
- 2-4pm: Cenote Suytun (swimming optional)
- Evening: Free time in Valladolid
- Overnight in Valladolid
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Day 6: Tihosuco, the Caste Wars, and the Talking Cross - Thursday, Mar 20
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Tihosuco, the Caste Wars, and the Talking Cross
- 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel and check out
- 9-12pm: Transport to and tour of Tihosuco's Caste War Museum and church ruins
- 12-2pm: Lunch break in Felipe Carillo Puerto
- 2-3pm: The Shrine of the Talking Cross
- 3-4pm: Transport to Tulum and hotel check in
- 6-7pm: Final group party at the hotel
- Overnight in Tulum
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Day 7: Departures - Friday, Mar 21
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Departures
- Morning: Breakfast and free time
- All Day: Taxis to the Tulum International Airport
- Or stay on in Mexico on your own
- END OF TOUR
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Lodging
Tulum
Aloft Tulum
Resort style hotel. AC, restaurant, bar, telephone, cable TV and wifi.
Chichen Itza
Hotel Chichen Itza
Comfortable hotel two blocks from the ruins'entrance. AC, restaurant, pool, cable TV and wifi.
Valladolid
Meson de Marques
Located on the main square of Valladolid. AC, pool, restaurant, cable TV and wifi.
Price Includes
All lodging, private ground transportation, breakfasts, archaeologist guide, local
guides, evening lectures, entry fees, and water bottles on the bus
Price Does Not Include
Airfare - Round trip to Tulum, lunches, dinners, gratuities (maids, drivers, guides, etc..), and travel insurance - MEC strongly suggests that every tour participant obtain travel insurance for the week
MEC strongly recommends travel insurance. If you don't have a trusted company, InsureMyTrip allows you to compare compare policies from many different companies and make your best choice.
This 6-day tour will explore the ancient Maya ruins of Chichen Itza and others located in Central Yucatan.
Participants will stay on the move - three different hotels during the week. Each day will be another adventure through jungle shrouded ruins and an amazing learning experience.
5 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, 2 HISTORICAL SITES, 1 MUSUEM, AND CENOTE SUYTUN
- $500 deposit due upon registration
- 50% balance due 90 days before the trip
- Final balance due 30 days before