Day 1: ARRIVAL CANCUN

Arrive at Cancun International Airport. Our representative will meet and greet you, and then transfer you to the hotel in Cancun. Have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Cancun.

Day 2: CANCUN/RIVIERA MAYA – RIA LAGARTOS – LAS COLORADAS – CHICHEN ITZA (345km – 5.5 hrs)

This magical journey begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Cancun/Riviera Maya. Today’s adventure starts with a visit to Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, home to the largest flocks of pink flamingos in Mexico, in addition to the almost 400 birds species that have been identified here. Take a boat trip lasting around two hours through the mangroves in the reserve’s estuary to observe flamingos, other birdlife and crocodiles. The trip also includes a visit to feeding areas, a stop for a Mayan mud bath with the mineral-rich white mud and a dip in the ocean. After lunch, continue towards Las Coloradas Beach, known for its high salt concentration and microorganisms that colour the water peculiar pink tone, making for a fantastic photo op. After the visit, continue to the hotel in Chichen Itza. This relaxing retreat is nestled in the rainforest jungle and boasts an exclusive viewpoint that overlooks the Temple of Kukulkan. Overnight in Chichen Itza

Day 3: CHICHEN ITZA – CENOTE XCAJUM – IZAMAL – MERIDA (135km – 3 hrs)

Perhaps one of the most magical moments you can experience in Mexico is viewing the sunrise over Chichen Itza. Today we make an early start in this enigmatic location, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Maya. On arrival to the site, observe your quiet surroundings, as you arrive before the grounds are open to the general public. The legendary Maya city of Chichen Itza has been laboriously reclaimed from the jungle - learn about the Maya and their civilisation as you admire the scale and detail of this ancient city. Behold the geometric perfection of the 25-metre-tall Temple of Kukulkan, popularly known as El Castillo (‘the Castle’), which was buil as a representation of the mystical Maya calendar and to reflect the optical illusion of a serpent snaking its way up or down the pyramid during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Admire the Great Ball Court, the largest of the13 discovered at the site, see the haunting Skull Platform, where the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled, and the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped. Also extremely well-preserved are the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and adjacent Church, and the large observatory known as the Snail. Return to the hotel for a mouthwatering breakfast.

Then, we drive towards the Xcajum cenote, one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico and the perfect place for a refreshing dip - don’t forget your bathing suit and towel! Next, we make our way to the Mayan town of Izamal, known as ‘the city of the three cultures’, combining remnants of its pre-Hispanic past, the colonial period and the present. Izamal is one of Mexico’s ‘magical towns’, a title given to locations famed for their cultural and historical heritage. Here you can see the Convent of St Anthony of Padua, which stands on a former Maya pyramid. Indulge in a delicious meal at a traditional Maya restaurant. We continue to the ‘White City’ of Merida, the capital of Yucatan, to enjoy a memorable tour of the historic downtown. Explore the Paseo de Montejo, where you will find a series of beautiful villas and palaces built in the 19th century. Enjoy the splendid Plaza Grande, home of the cathedral and the Casa de Los Montejo, built in the 16th century in the plateresque style and whose beautiful façade has become a symbol of the city. We also see the Government Palace and City Hall, followed by free time to discover the city on your own. Luxuriate in an optional dinner. Overnight in Merida.

Day 4: MERIDA – UXMAL – SOTUTA DE PEON (150km – 2.75 hrs)

After a tasty breakfast at the hotel, we start our day with a visit to the impressive archaeological site of Uxmal. Enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which, as you approach it, comes into view as it rises above the canopy of the jungle. Unlike other Mayan cities, Uxmal was devoured by the rainforest after the Spaniards had arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-metre-tall Pyramid of the Magician, which towers over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle with its ornately carved interior and exterior walls. Across the central plaza, just beyond the ballgame court, is the Governor’s Palace with its elaborately decorated roof.

At the southern end of the main complex is the Great Pyramid. Only one of its sides has been excavated with the other three still unclaimed from the bush. Continue to the Hacienda Sotuta de Peon, built in the late 19th century in Tecoh, Yucatan, with a stop en route to enjoy a delicious lunch at traditional Mayan restaurant. Then, take a tour through the active hacienda where the Mexican agave plant is still harvested and hear an explanation of the production process. The tour ends with a ride on a mule-drawn wagon through the agave plantation and a refreshing dip in a cenote. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to wander around the hacienda or relax at the pool. Overnight in Sotuta de Peon.

Day 5: SOTUTA DE PEON – VALLADOLID – DEPART RIVIERA MAYA/CANCUN (335km – 4.25 hrs)

Enjoy a tasty breakfast and, at the appropriate time depart from Sotuta de Peon heading towards the picturesque city of Valladolid, another of Mexico’s ‘magical towns’, which was founded in 1543 and showcases an outstanding architecture. Enjoy a visit to the city centre and the Mexican folk art museum, La Casa de Los Venados. Have a delectable lunch and then continue to the Riviera Maya for drop-off at your selected hotel in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or at Cancun airport. Breakfast and lunch included.