Wonders of the Maya 8 days
8 Days | Guaranteed Departure | From and to Cancun
Summary
In addition to its beautiful beaches, Yucatan boasts an impressive cultural and historical heritage as the repository of treasures of Maya civilisation such as Palenque, Tulum, Chichen Itza and Uxmal. Travel back in time to appreciate the everlasting greatness of these ancient cities reclaimed from the jungle and discover the beauty of the colourful colonial towns of Izamal and Merida. Join this memorable eight-day tour and see a mesmerising part of impressive Mexico.
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$2,660 total price
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Palenque: Ancient Maya city state in southern Mexico
Location: Chiapas, Mexico
Time Period: 226 BC to 799 AD
UNESCO World Heritage Inscription: 1987
• Palenque was an important Maya city that flourished between around 600-750 CE in the Chiapas region of southern Mexico. Here are the key details about Palenque:
• Palenque was located in the foothills of the Chiapas altiplano, where the highland and coastal plains meet. This strategic location allowed it to prosper as an inland trade center and control a large territory.
• The city was one of the most densely populated Maya cities, with over 1,000 different structures. It was built on three different levels following the contours of the local terrain, with many limestone temple structures built on natural hills.
• Palenque is known for its innovative architecture, including the use of corbeled roofs, thin walls, and wide doorways. The city was also renowned for its decorative stucco sculpture, low-relief carvings, and bright painted murals.
• The most famous ruler of Palenque was K’inich Janaab Pakal, or Pacal the Great, who reigned from 615-683 CE. Pacal created a dynasty that transformed Palenque into one of the greatest Maya cities during the Classic period.
• Palenque’s most famous structure is the Temple of the Inscriptions, a nine-level pyramid where Pacal’s tomb was discovered in 1952. This was one of the richest and best-preserved ancient American burials ever found.
• The city was eventually abandoned around 800 CE, likely due to hostilities with neighboring cities like Toniná. Today, Palenque is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Mexico’s most popular archaeological destinations.
Chiapas; State in Mexico
Location: Southernmost state in Mexico, bordering Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco, and Guatemala.
Capital and Largest City: Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Admission Date: September 14, 1824
• Chiapas is a state in southern Mexico that is home to one of the largest indigenous populations in the country. Some key facts about Chiapas:
• Chiapas is bordered by the states of Tabasco to the north, Veracruz to the northwest, Oaxaca to the west, and the Pacific Ocean and Guatemala to the south and east. It has a diverse geography, including the Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountain range, the Lacandón rainforest, and a Pacific coastline.
• Chiapas has a long history of indigenous Mayan civilization, with important archaeological sites like Palenque, Yaxchilán, Bonampak, Chinkultic and Toniná. About one-fourth of Chiapas’ population speaks Mayan languages or related indigenous languages.
• The state has faced significant socioeconomic challenges, with high poverty rates, inequality, and a history of marginalization of indigenous communities. In 1994, the Zapatista uprising brought international attention to these issues.
• Chiapas is an important agricultural region, producing crops like corn, beans, bananas, coffee, and cacao. It also has petroleum resources. However, much of the population lives in rural, impoverished areas and engages in subsistence farming.
The capital and largest city is Tuxtla Gutiérrez, but other important cities include San Cristóbal de las Casas, Tapachula, and Comitán. Chiapas is known for its colonial architecture, indigenous cultures, and natural attractions like the Sumidero Canyon.
Chichen Itza: Pre-Columbian Maya city
Location: Tinúm Municipality, Yucatán State, Mexico
Historical Period: Late Classic (c. AD 600–900) to Early Postclassic (c. AD 900–1200)
Unique Architectural Styles: Exhibits styles seen in central Mexico, Puuc, and Chenes styles of the Northern Maya lowlands
Chichen Itza was a major Mayan city and pilgrimage center located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Here are the key facts about Chichen Itza:
• Chichen Itza was founded around the 5th century AD by the Itza, a Mayan group. It became an important religious and economic center for the Maya civilization.
• The city is divided into two main areas – Chichen Viejo (Old Chichen) and Chichen Nuevo (New Chichen).
• Chichen Itza incorporated both Mayan and Toltec architectural and cultural influences. A strong case has been made that the figure known as Kukulkan or Quetzalcoatl, who brought Toltec practices like human sacrifice to the city, was the same person.
• Chichen Itza was part of a military alliance with the cities of Uxmal and Mayapan, but was eventually defeated by Mayapan, which then imposed its hegemony over the region.
• The city was eventually abandoned, though it remained an important pilgrimage site until the 16th century.
Today, Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico, receiving over 8,000 visitors per day during the high season. However, this heavy tourism has caused significant damage to the monuments, leading authorities to restrict access to many structures to preserve them.
Uxmal: Ancient Maya city of the classical period
Location: Yucatán, Mexico
Significance: One of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture
Architectural Style : Puuc style, with smooth low walls and ornate friezes
Uxmal was a major Mayan city and archaeological site located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Here are the key details about Uxmal:
• Uxmal was founded around the 6th century AD and became an important religious and economic center for the Maya civilization.
• The city was part of a military alliance with Chichen Itza and Mayapan, but was eventually defeated by Mayapan.
• Uxmal incorporated both Mayan and Toltec architectural and cultural influences. The city’s buildings feature the distinctive Puuc style, with plain lower walls and highly decorated upper sections.
• This advanced construction method allowed for larger and more stable interior rooms.
• Uxmal prospered due to favorable environmental conditions, including more rainfall and richer soil than the rest of the northern Yucatan.
• However, drought and deforestation likely contributed to the city’s eventual abandonment around the 10th century.
• Today, Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination, though heavy visitation has caused damage to the monuments. The site features several notable structures, including the Pyramid of the Magician, the Governor’s Palace, and various quadrangle groups.
Uxmal was connected to the nearby Mayan sites of Kabah, Labná and Sayil by a network of sacbes or “white roads”. At its peak, Uxmal may have had a population of up to 35,000 people
Izamal: Small city in the Mexican state of Yucatán
Known as: The Yellow City and the City of Hills
Location: 72 kilometres east of state capital Mérida, in southern Mexico
Significance: Important archaeological site of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization
Here is a summary of the key information about Izamal based on the search results:
• Izamal is a small city in the Mexican state of Yucatán, located about 45 miles east of the state capital Mérida. It is known as the “Yellow City” due to the distinctive golden-yellow color of most of its buildings.
• Izamal was an important Mayan city, founded during the Late Formative Period (750-200 BC) and continuously occupied until the Spanish conquest.
• It was a major religious and economic center, with several large pyramids and temples dedicated to Mayan deities like Itzamna and Kinich Ahau.
• After the Spanish arrived, they built a Franciscan monastery, the Convento de San Antonio de Padua, on top of the existing Mayan structures.
• The monastery is one of the largest in the Americas and features the second largest monastic courtyard in the world, after St. Peter’s in Rome.
• Today, Izamal is a popular tourist destination, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, Mayan archaeological sites, and vibrant cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the historic city center, visit the Convento, climb the Kinich Kak Moo pyramid, and browse the local markets and artisan shops.
Izamal is considered one of Mexico’s “Pueblos Mágicos” (Magical Towns), recognized for its cultural significance and natural beauty. It offers a unique blend of Mayan and Spanish colonial influences, making it a fascinating place to experience the rich history and traditions of the Yucatán region.
Mérida, Yucatán: Capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán and largest city in southeastern Mexico
Population: 921,770 (2020)
Safety: Among the safest cities in Mexico and the Americas
Cultural Heritage: Rich blend of Maya and Spanish cultures
Here is a summary of the key information about Mérida, the capital city of the Mexican state of Yucatán:
• Mérida is located in the northwest corner of the Yucatán Peninsula, about 35 km inland from the Gulf of Mexico. It was founded in 1542 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Montejo y León on the site of the former Mayan city of T’hó.
• Mérida is considered the cultural and financial capital of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, museums, art galleries, restaurants, and other cultural attractions.
• The city features the third largest historic city center in the Americas.
• Mérida has a hot, humid climate year-round, with a pronounced rainy season from June to October.
• The city is often considered the safest in Mexico and one of the safest in the Americas.
• Mérida has a population of over 1.2 million in the city proper, and over 1.3 million in the metropolitan area.
• The city is home to many regional hospitals, medical centers, and educational institutions.
• Mérida has a unique cultural heritage that blends Mayan and Spanish colonial influences. The local cuisine, language, and traditions reflect this syncretic heritage. The city is considered a “Magical Town” by the Mexican government for its cultural significance.
Mérida has been recognized as the American Capital of Culture, the best city to live in Mexico, and one of the three best cities in Mexico to live, invest and do business
