Itinerary
The Mayan Mystery tour will take place from July 4th through July 17th 2011, around the Yucatan peninsula. It will begin in Uxmal, where we will stay for 4 nights. This will give us plenty of time to explore Uxmal and take day trips by luxury air conditioned coach to both Jaina Island and Mayapan. We will then take our coach to Chichen Itza, where we will stay in a local hotel for 3 nights. We will explore the ancient cities of Chichen Itza and Tulum from this base. We will travel by coach to Tikal, Guatemala where we will be staying for 2 nights. Then we will travel to Bonampak and stay for 2 nights. Our last stop will be Palenque where we will stay for 2 nights before returning to Uxmal. From there, our vacationers can return to Toronto or continue their adventures elsewhere in Mexico
Uxmal
Uxmal is a late Classic site (A.D. 600-900) which is sometimes considered the most architecturally interesting of all Mayan centres. Its name means “built three times” even though it was actually rebuilt five times.
The Pyramid and Governor’s Palace in Uxmal
Jaina Island
Jaina Island was a major burial site during the late Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. It is situated on the west of the Yucatan Peninsula, a location that was significant because, when viewed from the mainland, the island lay in the path of the setting sun. The Mayas believed that the sun entered the underworld at night, and that the souls of the people buried on Jaina Island could follow it along the path of the setting sun.
Handcrafted male figurine from Jaina Island
Mayapan
Mayapan is one of the largest Mayan sites on the north-west part of the Yucatan peninsula. It was the most powerful city of the Post-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. From 1244 to 1441 CE, Mayapan controlled the entire Yucatan Peninsula. It was the last capital of a Mayan city-state in the Yucatan, and its art and architecture beautifully reflect the trade, communication and cultural exchange of Mesoamerica.
The Observatory at Mayapan
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a Maya-Toltec site that spans the Classic and post-Classic periods (from A.D. 600 to 1200). It is one of the largest and most impressive Maya centres.
Temple at Chichen Itza
Tulum
Built high on cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Tulum was constructed in 1200 CE, as the Mayan Empire was declining. It reached the peak of its importance in the 15th century.
Ruined city of Tulum
Tikal
The capital of the Classic Maya world, Tikal was the largest and most influential Maya center. Rebuilt many times on an increasingly grandiose scale, Tikal was inhabited from around 600 BCE until the end of the Classic Maya civilization.
Stelae and temple at Tikal
Bonampak
Paintings depicting a military raid, a triumphal procession and a sacrificial ritual adorn the walls of the Temple of the Murals at Bonampak, a small but impressive late Classic Maya site (650-850 CE).
The Murals of Bonampak
Palenque
Palenque is a dramatic ruined city built at the foothills of the Tumbalá Mountains. It flourished in the 7th century during the reigns of Lord Pacal and his son Chan-Bahlum.
The city of Palenque
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