The Yucatan peninsula is populated with the gentle, friendly descendants of a fascinating Mayan culture. On this exotic adventure you will explore jungle swimming holes, ruins, and idyllic stretches of coast, discovering remnants of ancient Mayan civilization and wonders of the natural world, and meeting modern Mayan descendants in their traditional farming villages. As well as some of the well-known ruins, such as Chichen-Itza and Tulum, you will visit lesser known but no less significant ones in the jungle and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve.
You will have opportunities to snorkel or dive on the world’s second longest barrier reef, and in incredibly clear inland rivers when they surface from their subterranean labyrinth. You will marvel at tropical wildlife, and will enjoy solitude and camaraderie beneath the palms on deserted white sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. You will bike along jungle roads to tiny villages rarely visited by tourists, while absorbing the interesting history and relaxing culture of the Yucatan.
You begin near Izamal – a colonial town whose monastery has been restored to its original splendor. You will then visit the ruins of Chichen Itza and Coba, with long rides on jungle roads to tiny villages where children will surround you as you stop for refrescos. You will drink fresh-squeezed orange juice and will swim in shady jungle grottoes where tiny fish nibble the salt off your skin, and the underwater view is so clear you can see your friend’s bikini 100 ft. away!
Finish on the beach just south of Tulum, where bare feet are far more appropriate than shoes, and we challenge you to resist staying for longer! In Tulum, you will explore the ruins, bask and walk on the beach by sunlight and moonlight, and venture into the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve to explore vestiges of Mayan civilization and their waterways through the jungle. On the last day, you can enjoy cenotes or the beach before your transfer to Playa del Carmen or Cancun.
2009 Guided Dates: Nov 21-29. Call to check for updates or to add a new date.
Self-Guided Dates: You Choose !
2010 Guided Dates: Jan 16-23; Feb 13-20;Mar 6-13; Nov 20-27. Call to check for updates or to add a new date.
Call to check for updates.
Tour starts: Cancun; 2:00 pm day 1 and finish at noon day 8. Free shuttles to Playa del Carmen. Custom groups any time. Highlights: Major Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum. Caverns and grottoes on foot. Snorkeling in clear cenotes near Tulum. Spanish colonial townships and ancient Mayan villages.
Route Notes: Cycling mainly on paved roads, with some hard-pack bumpy roads suitable only for fatter tires. The first three days include some small hills, but for the remainder there are none. Expect to ride early in the day, and once the afternoon heat has arrived, to explore ruins on foot, and enjoy your hotel poolside to cool off. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving activities are all optional, and the choices grow as the trip progresses.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet in Cancun 2:00pm, for a transfer to your hacienda near Izamal – a beautifully restored colonial town, with a miraculous restored monastery in its centre. Evening introductions to each other and to the bikes, followed by a private dinner. Dinner is included on guided trips. Lodging: Hacienda San Antonio Chalante, Izamal.
Day 2: 81 km. Visit Izamal in the morning, en-route to the profoundly fascinating Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, through Tunkas, and Dzitas. Breakfast is included. Picnic lunch and dinner are included on guided trips. Lodging: Hotel Dolores Alba, Chichen Itza.
Day 3: 45km or 70km. Visit Chichen Itza early in the day, while it is quiet and peaceful. Your guide will reveal fascinating details of the Mayan culture as you walk the entire ruin area, to climb the temples and pyramids, and view the ascending serpent. Follow your exploration with a ride to Valladolid, via Balankanchen caves, cenote Dolores Alba, and Cenote Dzitnup.
Optional extra cycling will take you to the lesser-known but impressive and significant, recently-excavated Ek Balam ruins. Alternatively, time in Valladolid will allow you to enjoy the zocalo (central plaza) and the ambience of this quintessentially colonial Mexican town. You might also visit the huge grotto at Cenote Zaci for a swim. Breakfast included. Dinner included on guided trips. Lodging: El Meson del Marques, Valladolid.
Day 4: 55 km. No hills. A beautiful ride through tiny Mayan jungle villages to Coba. Jungle wildlife and traditional Mayan farmsteads are abundant along this route, and your guide’s insight is a treat. An early afternoon arrival will allow you to enjoy the pool at the Club Med Archaeological villa. Enjoy the sleepy mood in this village in the middle of the jungle. Breakfast included. Lunch included on guided trips. Lodging: Villas Arqueologicas Club Med Coba, Coba.
Day 5: 50km. No hills. Early morning ride through the Coba ruins with your guide, followed by an easy ride to lunch and a snorkel at Gran Cenote. Finish the afternoon with a ride through Tulum pueblo, and a siesta at your palapa on the beach near Tulum. Breakfast included. Lunch included on guided trips. Lodging: Nueva Vida, Tulum.
Day 6: 10 - 30 km. No hills. Morning exploration of Tulum ruins, followed by your choice of basking in the sun on a pristine paradise of white sand beach, or ventures to cenotes full of tiny colourful fish which nibble at your skin in sun dappled jungle grottoes. You may also be able to snorkel to the reef offshore. The beach is uninterrupted for many miles, and rivals the finest beaches in the world. The reef just offshore is the second longest barrier reef in the world, and the town is surrounded by limestone grottoes and sinkholes, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Breakfast is included. Lodging: Same as last night, in Tulum.
Day 7: up to 50 km. A flat ride on a rugged road into the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, to explore Mayan canals, cenotes, and ruins with your jungle guide. Optional extras include sea-kayak exploration of the mangroves, bird watching, and night-time paddle to see the crocodiles. Breakfast is included. Picnic lunch and dinner are included on guided trips. Lodging: Sian Ka’an EcoLodge, Boca Paila.
Day 8: Relaxed breakfast, followed by late morning transfer to Playa del Carmen or Cancun. Transfers to other parts of Mexico can be arranged by bus, collectivo (shared taxi), or private car. Breakfast is included.
Testimonials:
"Looking back, it’s easy to see why your guests are delighted at all of the little things you do to make a journey memorable."
(Larry R., MA)
"We especially like it that the guides cheerfully accommodate our need for out-of-the-way, rougher routes, even though the rest of the group may not be interested. Your trips are truly for all levels of ability."
(Jim & Anne J., MO)
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Guided Cost: $3595 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches, 4 dinners, some entry fees, luggage handling, support van, & local guide) Highlights: Major Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum. Caverns and grottoes on foot. Snorkelling in clear cenotes near Tulum. Spanish colonial townships and ancient Mayan villages.
Route Notes: Cycling mainly on paved roads, with some hard-pack bumpy roads suitable only for fatter tires. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving activities are all optional.
Self-Guided Cost: $3195 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, luggage handling, and transfers for you at the start and finish of the ride.
All prices subject to change.
Also see tour packages in:
North America
Mexico
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
Archeology/History
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