This exceptional birding experience will take us to some of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Mayan world: Palenque, Uxmal, Chich?n Itz?, and Calakmul. Our learning adventure will also be a journey through time ? from modern Yucatan to the cradle of Mayan civilization ? and through eleven eco-zones ranging from humid rain forests to coastal scrub.
Some of the 700 bird species recorded on this circuit are very rare or endangered; 20 species are endemic. We?ll gain an understanding of the many birds we observe against an historical background and an ever-changing landscape.
Physically active program; light hiking, 2-4 hours per day on undulating trails; climbing old, uneven steps at some ruins.
Day 1: Arrival in Cancun, transfer
to hotel On bus ? Welcome participants and give brief instructions on following
morning?s activities (D)
Day 2: Depart to Chichen Itza Orientation
to program and Departure for Chichen Itza
Birding around the Hotel gardens and trails; short site lecture to be given by Our tour guide on ecology and bird life of the tropical semi-deciduous forest. At end of lecture group leader gives instructions for following day?s activities (B, L, D)
Day 3: Birding in Chichen Itza and explore the ruins Early
morning bird-walk in Hotel gardens and trails.Guided visit to ruins with site
lecture by the Director of the Archeological Center of Chich?n Itz?.Leisure
time at Hotel. Evening birdwalk ( in grounds of Hacienda Chich?n as a change
of venue). (B, L, D)
Day 4: Uxmal Early morning birdwalk around hotel grounds.
Depart for Uxmal via Acanceh and Mayap?n ruins.Short visit with short site lecture at Mayap?n ruins (birding and pit stop). Continue on to Uxmal via Oxkutzcab and Ticul
Birdwalk in grounds of the Hotel. Evening Light and Sound Show at Uxmal ruins. (B, L, D)
Days 5: Chicanna Birdwalk in Uxmal ruins and following a
Guided visit to Uxmal ruins with site lecture
Depart for Chicann? via Hopelch?n. (B, L, D daily)
Day 6: Calakmul Depart for Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Birding
around aguada. Continue drive to Calakmul archaeological zone. Guided visit
to Calakmul
Day 7: Usumacinta Marshes - Palenque Depart for Usumacinta
marshes and Palenque, Arrival at Dos Lomitas (road to Palizada) Birding the
loop from Jonuta to Catazaj?, Arrival at Palenque and check-in.Afternoon birdwalk
in hotel grounds. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Palenque Birding in the Palenque ruins. Guided visit
to Palenque ruins Return to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Campeche Morning departure to Campeche via Sibancuy
and Gulf of Mexico Coastline. Arrival to Campeche and explore the fortresses
and museums of the walled city. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Celestun and Merida Depart early in the morning to
the estuary of Celestun in search for the Yucatan Pink Flamingo and many other
endemic species has the Pigmee King fisher. Continue to Merida and overnight
(B, L, D)
Day 11: Merida Explore the city of Merida, it\\\'s majestuous
palace and victorian houses. Farewell dinner at the Hotel.(B, L, D)
Day 12: Depart Merida The day is at leisure. Later, transfer
to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
What Your Program Includes:
- Hotels accommodation.
- Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling.
- Full English breakfast, Lunch and Dinners as detailed in the tour description.
- Carefully maintained motor-coach; maximum 10 tour members per vehicle. A/C,
experienced driver.
- Services of a professional archaeological guide and a Bird Watching tour
expert.
- All entrance fees to parks and archaeological sites are included in the
program.
- Lectures led by experts in the field, many affiliated with leading educational
institutions.
- A Group Leader to accompany you through the program. (Groups only)
- Modest gratuities for program related staff.
