Itinerary Ancient Maya 2017
ITINERARY
Dates: 31ST Jan – 9th Feb to 2017 (10 days)
DAY 1 Tuesday 31st Jan
Arrive Villahermosa. You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the Hilton Villahermosa hotel. Welcome dinner at hotel. Please try to be there by 5pm so we can get ourselves sorted for dinner. During dinner you will be given a couple of options for a suitable ‘theme’ for our art practice during the tour, and together we will choose one. If you can’t arrive by 5pm, try arriving one day early. We are happy to organise accommodation for you.
DAY 2 Wednesday 1st Feb
This morning you will be able to relax at the hotel after our long flights. After lunch we visit the famous Olmec Parque La Venta, the home to the gigantic Olmec heads and other carved sculptures over 2000 years old. Following this we take a 2 hour bus journey to Palenque. Our hotel for the next two nights will be the Villas Kin-ha Hotel which is located on the road between the town of Palenque and the ruins. This lovely hotel has individual cabañas and small blocks of rooms distributed over its extensive grounds. Enjoy meals in the large restaurant and take a dip in one of the pools.
DAY 3 Thursday 2nd Feb
Today we have a guided tour of the magnificent ruins of Palenque, where you will learn about the importance that cosmology played in the layout of the temples. Palenque is a magical site, and recent research suggests it was not only an important political city but also a great religious centre. After lunch you have the option to return to the ruins or just chill out at the hotel while listening to the howler monkeys.
DAY 4 Friday 3rd Feb
Today we head up the Usumacinta river to reach the site of lovely site of Yaxchilan, where you will be able to see the famous lintels, stone sculptures and altars, all very well preserved. After lunch your driver will take you to your hotel in Lacanja. Set in the exuberant vegetation of the Lacandon Forest, the Ya’ax Can Cabañas is a rustic hotel perfect for experiencing the natural beauty of the area.
DAY 5 Saturday 4th Feb
This morning begins with a visit to the ancient city of Bonampak, found deep within the Lacandon forest. Bonampak is famous for its extensive mural paintings. You will learn why its discovery changed the history of the Maya. After lunch, your driver will take you to the fantastic Vallescondido Hotel. This hotel embodies the fantasy of its owner and is located about an hour away from Palenque, across the road from a charming restaurant, where we will enjoy our dinner tonight. Each of the cabañas are unique, with furniture and decorations created from local materials by local artisans. Its secluded location creates a magical ambiance for its guests.
DAY 6 Sunday 5th Feb
Today we will travel to the Chicanna Eco-village, stopping for lunch in the town of Escarcega, Campeche. The Chicanna Eco-village is a beautiful hotel set in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, near the archaeological site of Chicanna. The comfortable rooms are eco-friendly, with natural ventilation systems and solar-based water heating. Enjoy delicious meals in the restaurant or a dip in the swimming pool. We will spend the next 3 nights here.
DAY 7 Monday 6th Feb
Today we will visit Calakmul, one of the largest and most important sites in southern Campeche. Calakmul is located in a nature preserve and we will see a wide variety of flora and fauna as we explore this extensive site. Today we will enjoy a picnic lunch in the entrance to the site of Calakmul. We will spend the entire day here, so make sure you bring your hat, sunglasses and repellent.
DAY 8 Tuesday 7th Feb
Today is a free day. Spend the day at the hotel, work on your art, enjoy a walk in the forest, or join the guide for one or more of the optional site visits of nearby ruins.
DAY 9 Wednesday 8th Feb
This morning we begin the trip to Cancun. Lunch today will be served in a restaurant near Lake Bacalar, known as the lake of 7 blues for its varied and intense blue waters. This afternoon we will continue on to the site of Tulum. This picturesque city is set on a cliff over-looking the Caribbean sea in one of the most beautiful settings of any of the Maya cities. The fascinating architecture and sculpture contrasts with other cities in the region. After the tour, your driver will take you to your hotel in Cancun. Located near the Cancun Airport, the Comfort Inn Cancun Aeropuerto is ideal for departure stays. The comfortable, modern rooms are complemented with the restaurant and Jacuzzi. We will enjoy a farewell dinner and have a show and tell of all our brilliant masterpieces created during the trip.
DAY 10 Thursday 9th Feb
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight.
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