End Of The World, Mexico December 2012

For true believers, the ancient Maya calendar is a prime source for the prophecy that something very big is going to happen this year. Many are familiar with the Mayan prediction of the world ending on 21 December 2024, the end of their current calendar, after which they believe the earth will start a new calendar. Believe this or not, December is a wonderful time to visit Mexico but right now is the time to plan for this event. Tours that will have travellers in Merida and Chichen Itza in late December 21 will be able to take advantage of the many celebrations that are planned.

Highlight: The Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban, Chitzen Itza, the Mayan ruins of Palenque and the pre-Hispanic city of Uxmal.

Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Mexico City
On arrival at Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport you are transferred to your hotel. Around 7pm you meet your tour leader for a pre-tour briefing. This meeting is generally followed by an optional group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day2: Teotihuacan - Mexico City (B)
50 kilometres northeast of Mexico City are the ‘must-see’ archaeological ruins of Teotihuacan - the site of the massive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon that dominate the skyline of the complex. With a local guide you can stroll down ‘The Avenue of the Dead’ to imagine what life must have been like nearly 2000 years ago. Return to Mexico City in the afternoon.

Day 3: Mexico City (B)
Your guide takes you on a walking tour of the historical heart of the city that includes the expansive Zocalo. Aztec dancers perform in this enormous paved plaza, which is flanked by the Presidential Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral and Templo Mayor Museum. You also visit the National Museum of Anthropology that houses an absorbing collection of artefacts from all over Mexico. In the afternoon there is free time to discover the city’s many other neighbourhoods and historic buildings.

Day 4: Oaxaca (B)
Travel via Puebla, one of Mexico’s oldest Spanish cities, to the colonial splendour of Oaxaca. If you’re interested in purchasing traditional Mexican handicrafts, this is the place! Oaxaca is famous for. If finding a bargain becomes too much, chill out in one of the many laid-back cafés and soak up the local ambience.

Day 5: Monte Alban – Oaxaca (B)
A short drive to the ancient Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban, located on top of a hill near the city. The Zapotec civilisation began construction of this city around 200BC and it reached its peak during the period between 300 to 700AD, when the population was estimated to be around 25,000. With a local guide, you explore the remnants of plazas, tombs, palaces and temples that comprise this fascinating site. Return to Oaxaca.

Day 6: Chiapa de Corzo (B)
This is a long day of travelling via the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, capital of the State of Chiapas. Our final destination is the colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo. The town is well known for its local crafts, particularly the beautiful lacquered gourds which are painted with colourful flowers and animals.

Day 7: San Cristobal de Las Casas (B)
Visit the magnificent Sumidero Canyon before travelling into the Chiapas highlands and up to the town of San Cristobal de Las Casas. Surrounded by mountains and a valley of pines, San Cristobal is renowned for its superb colonial architecture, but also has a large indigenous Mayan population. You visit some of the many bchurches and it is possible to purchase some bargains at the colourful local market that sells a wide assortment of local artisan handicrafts and textiles.

Day 8: San Cristobal de Las Casas (B)
In the highlands around San Cristobal are villages like Chamula and Zinacantan that serve as market places and religious ceremonial centres for the indigenous people who live in the surrounding hills. The local people are often dressed in their own distinctive costumes. You explore these villages and learn about the culture and history of these mainly Mayan communities. The State of Chiapas contains some of the most stunningly scenic, wild and rugged areas in Mexico, with high mountains, forested valleys and deep blue lakes – home to a wealth of flora and fauna.

Day 9 - 10: Palenque – Campeche (B)
The Mayan ruins of Palenque were hidden from the modern world until the late 1700s. The ruins span 15 square kilometres, of which only a small portion has been excavated. A local guide will explain the secrets of these ruins as well as the history of the Mayan people. You spend the night in Campeche.

Day 11 - 12: Merida (B)
Continue to Merida, the capital of the State of Yucatan, stopping en route at the Mayan ruins at Uxmal, where you can climb the Pyramid of the Magician. The view from the top is fantastic but the steps are extremely narrow and steep. Known as the ‘White City’ due to its great use of limestone and white paint, Merida has been a centre for Mayan culture long before the arrival of the conquistadors. Today Merida is a bustling city with much of its colonial influences intact. You can explore the city and your guide will recommend some sightseeing options, including the impressive Regional Anthropology Museum of the Yucatan.

Day 13 - 14: Chichen Itza – Cancun (B)
Chichen Itza is arguably the most famous Mayan site in Mexico. Its name came from the deep, natural well known as a ‘cenote’ (sinkhole containing groundwater) located near the centre of the site, which was used during the city’s heyday as a place for human sacrifices to appease the Mayan rain god Chaac. The magnificent Temple of Kukulkan stands over the ruins and you can climb to the top and be rewarded with excellent views over the entire site. After the visit, continue towards the Caribbean Coast to resort city of Cancun. The white, sandy beach of Playa del Carmen is only a short bus ride away.

Day 15: Cancun (B)
The tour ends after breakfast in Cancun.

Included:
• Arrival transfer
• Minibus transport
• 14 nights 3-4 star hotel hotel
• 14 breakfasts
• English speaking local tour leader and professional local guides at some sites.
• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Mexico City city tour including the Anthropology Museum, Teotihuacan ruins, Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban, Cañón de Sumidero boatride, San Cristobal and surrounding indigenous villages, Palenque waterfalls and Mayan jungle ruins, Mayan ruins at Uxmal, Merida city and Chichen Itza ruins.

Please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for prices more information on 1800 047 047 or email enquiries@conciergetraveller.com.au

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