CHIAPAS AND YUCATAN
( 6 days, 5 nights )
from Tuxtla Gutierrez to Cancun or Riviera Maya
DAY 01.- TUXTLA GUTIERREZ / SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS
TUXTLA AIRPORT, move to dock for touring in a boat through the Sumidero Canyon, one of the most spectaculars natural reserves in Mexico; it is a geological failure formed 36 million years ago with walls of calcarea type elevating to more than 1,000 m., caves and cascades among which it is the “Christmas Tree”, a rocky structure. Before the end of the tour, you visit CHIAPA DE CORZO, a town that was the first settlement founded by the Spaniards with its Mudejar fountain know as “La Pila”, built in the XVI century; it is sample of the colonial architecture with an Arabic influence. Move to hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Must arrive on any flight before 13:00 hrs
DAY 02.- SAN CRISTOBAL
Visit on foot the city of San Cristobal, market of fruit and vegetables, handcrafts market, churches of Santo Domingo and Cathedral; then in a van, move to a tzotzil community, SAN JUAN CHAMULA, famous because its traditions and festivities, it has one of the most enigmatic churches in the country; in its interior, the Chamulas participate in syncretic rituals creating a magic atmosphere. Then, move to ZINACANTAN, another tzotzil community, its temple is from the colonial age, though redecorated as neoclassic in the XIX century. In its interior it is possible to appreciate the peculiar mixture of catholic and indigenous beliefs. Most of the Zinacantecos cultivate flowers which colors remind us the color of their customs. Free evening in San Cristobal.
DAY 03.- SAN CRISTOBAL / PALENQUE
Departure from the hotel to Palenque, on the way we will have a technical stop before getting to Ocosingo, then we will visit THE AGUA AZUL CASCADES rapids, fallings and backwaters of the Tulija River; the river beauty, its shining and turquoise color captivates you. Then we move to Palenque to visit the archeological zone of Palenque, one of the most remarkable Mayan cities because of its beautiful sculptural art and important architecture in the middle of the green jungle. At the end check in at the htotel inPalenque.
DAY 04.- PALENQUE / CAMPECHE
Visit the archeological zone of Palenque, one of the most remarkable Mayan cities because of its beautiful sculptural art and important architecture in the middle of the green jungle. Then we meet a beautiful panorama of the Gulf of Mexico, go on toward the beautiful walled city of Campeche. We will visit the fort, built in the XVII century to protect the city from the pirates; you can watch sites, some of them are now museums. In the fort you can see corridors, many color colonial houses and temples; the main attraction is the main plaza with its beautiful kiosk and the cathedral facing it.
DAY 05.- CAMPECHE / MERIDA
On the route, visit to Uxmal, archeological zone with a great architecture: the Fortuneteller Pyramid, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, the Governor Palace, the Ball Court. Lunch and then to Merida, the White City where we have a tour through Paseo de Montejo, Monument to the Country, Main Plaza with its cathedral and Government Palace.
DAY 06.- MERIDA / CANCUN OR MAYAN RIVIERA
Departure to Chichen Itza, the most named mayan city, archeological site where you can know the advanced astronomic and architectonic knowledge. It has the step pyramid called the Castle or Temple of Kukulcan, the Skull Platform, the Temple of Jaguars, the Observatory, the 1000 Columns Plaza, the Sacred Cenote. Time for lunch and moving to a hotel in Cancun or Mayan Riviera.
HOTEL NOT INCLUDED.
