Mexico's Treasure: The Yucatan Peninsula
Departure Dates
Tour Rates
Tour Itinerary
Click a tour date to see itinerary
$1199
01/17/2010
$1649
10/09/2010
$1649
11/06/2010
$1649
12/04/2010
$1699
01/22/2011
$1699
02/19/2011
$1699
03/26/2011
$1699
04/09/2011
= Tour operates in the reverse direction
= Select date for additional information about this tour
NOTE: Specials are marked with a *
Land Only
Door to Door - your free ride from home to the airport.
Click here for full details!
Fly with us! Check out the benefits of booking your air through Collette!
8 days, 11 meals
Day 1: Cancun, Mexico
Travel to Mexico's lush Yucatan, a tropical paradise filled with ancient archaeological sites, baroque architecture and exotic flora and fauna. During your historic journey, marvel at ancient Maya pyramids and temples, learn about traditional Maya and Mexican cultures and savor the delicious flavors of the region’s cuisine. Your tour begins in the Caribbean jewel of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, Cancun. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Cancun independently.
Visit the magnificent archaeological site of Ek'Balam (Star Jaguar). Dating from AD 900, this wealthy city-state was known for richly carved stone, molded stucco ornamentation, stelae, a sophisticated network of roads and numerous hieroglyphic texts. Next, spend time at the colonial city of Valladolid, known as “The Pearl of the East.” Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the plaza. Your day ends in Merida, capital city of the Yucatan. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome reception followed by dinner.
A tour of Merida - founded in 1542 and known as the “white city”- features the spectacular archaeological finds at the Museum of Anthropology and the impressive collection of paintings at the Governor's Palace. See the Plaza Principal, Cathedral of San Ildefonso, and Paseo Montejo with its gorgeous 19th-century homes. Outside Merida, you will stop for lunch at a local hacienda to sample Yucatecan cuisine. Travel to Izamal, a beautiful colonial city known for its seven major Maya pyramids. Explore the treasures of this unique town on your own before returning to Merida for an evening at leisure.
Enjoy a full-day excursion to two impressive archaeological sites in the area, known as Puuc Route, which has World Heritage status. First, visit Uxmal, which was one of the largest city-states in the Yucatan. Enjoy a guided tour and see the impressive building known as the “Pyramid of the Magician.” Later, travel to Kabah, the sister city-state to Uxmal, and visit the “Temple of the Masks,” whose facade is completely adorned with sculptures of the rain god, Chac. This evening you are invited to a presentation on Yucatecan cuisine followed by a wonderful dinner at a local restaurant.
Today, travel back in time to the golden days of the haciendas when you visit the Hacienda Sotuta Peon. Experience the grandeur and magnificence of the hacienda buildings and plantation and watch the staff of this working plantation produce and process henequen (sisal). Take a scenic ride on an historic mule-drawn cart and perhaps enjoy a swim in a cenote, an underwater cave. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore all that Merida has to offer.
This morning, walk through a local market in the town of Uman. Your guide will talk about the local produce that is used for everyday cuisine in the Yucatan. Your day continues at the Ecological Reserve at Celestun. During a relaxing boat excursion watch for the local wildlife, including elegant flamingos and pelicans that make this their home. After returning to Merida, the balance of the day is at leisure.
No trip to the Yucatan would be complete without visiting the famous Maya city-state of Chichen Itza. Explore what was once the largest political and religious center in the Yucatan. Marvel at the magnificent archaeological site that demonstrates the impressive architectural skills and ingenuity of the ancient Maya civilization. Your day concludes with a farewell dinner.
Your tour ends today in Valladolid.
Click here for full details!
Fly with us! Check out the benefits of booking your air through Collette!8 days, 11 meals
Day 1: Cancun, Mexico
Travel to Mexico's lush Yucatan, a tropical paradise filled with ancient archaeological sites, baroque architecture and exotic flora and fauna. During your historic journey, marvel at ancient Maya pyramids and temples, learn about traditional Maya and Mexican cultures and savor the delicious flavors of the region’s cuisine. Your tour begins in the Caribbean jewel of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, Cancun. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Cancun independently.
Accommodations
Day 2: Cancun - Ek'Balam - Valladolid - Merida
Visit the magnificent archaeological site of Ek'Balam (Star Jaguar). Dating from AD 900, this wealthy city-state was known for richly carved stone, molded stucco ornamentation, stelae, a sophisticated network of roads and numerous hieroglyphic texts. Next, spend time at the colonial city of Valladolid, known as “The Pearl of the East.” Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the plaza. Your day ends in Merida, capital city of the Yucatan. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome reception followed by dinner.
Accommodations
Day 3: Merida - Izamal - Merida
A tour of Merida - founded in 1542 and known as the “white city”- features the spectacular archaeological finds at the Museum of Anthropology and the impressive collection of paintings at the Governor's Palace. See the Plaza Principal, Cathedral of San Ildefonso, and Paseo Montejo with its gorgeous 19th-century homes. Outside Merida, you will stop for lunch at a local hacienda to sample Yucatecan cuisine. Travel to Izamal, a beautiful colonial city known for its seven major Maya pyramids. Explore the treasures of this unique town on your own before returning to Merida for an evening at leisure.
Accommodations
Day 4: Merida - Uxmal - Kabah - Merida
Enjoy a full-day excursion to two impressive archaeological sites in the area, known as Puuc Route, which has World Heritage status. First, visit Uxmal, which was one of the largest city-states in the Yucatan. Enjoy a guided tour and see the impressive building known as the “Pyramid of the Magician.” Later, travel to Kabah, the sister city-state to Uxmal, and visit the “Temple of the Masks,” whose facade is completely adorned with sculptures of the rain god, Chac. This evening you are invited to a presentation on Yucatecan cuisine followed by a wonderful dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations
Day 5: Merida - Hacienda Visit - Merida
Today, travel back in time to the golden days of the haciendas when you visit the Hacienda Sotuta Peon. Experience the grandeur and magnificence of the hacienda buildings and plantation and watch the staff of this working plantation produce and process henequen (sisal). Take a scenic ride on an historic mule-drawn cart and perhaps enjoy a swim in a cenote, an underwater cave. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore all that Merida has to offer.
Accommodations
Day 6: Merida - Uman - Celestun - Merida
This morning, walk through a local market in the town of Uman. Your guide will talk about the local produce that is used for everyday cuisine in the Yucatan. Your day continues at the Ecological Reserve at Celestun. During a relaxing boat excursion watch for the local wildlife, including elegant flamingos and pelicans that make this their home. After returning to Merida, the balance of the day is at leisure.
Accommodations
Day 7: Merida - Chichen Itza - Valladolid
No trip to the Yucatan would be complete without visiting the famous Maya city-state of Chichen Itza. Explore what was once the largest political and religious center in the Yucatan. Marvel at the magnificent archaeological site that demonstrates the impressive architectural skills and ingenuity of the ancient Maya civilization. Your day concludes with a farewell dinner.
Accommodations
Day 8: Valladolid - Tour Concludes
Your tour ends today in Valladolid.