DAY 1: USA to Chichen-Itza
We depart the US and travel to Merida, Mexico.  Upon our arrival in Merida we will be met by our Pilgrim Tours Escort and board our private air conditioned motor coach.  We travel to Chicen Itza where we will check into our hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day free for our leisure.  We will meet this evening for a special welcome dinner as a group.

DAY 2:  Chichen-Itza Touring
Today we enjoy an amazing visit to the archaeological site of Chichen-Itza.  Chichen - Itza is the most visited archaeological site in the peninsula of Yucatan, due to its extraordinary architecture beauty and its geographical location.  We will discover its most representative constructions: El Caracol (Snail), la Iglesia (Church), the Castle, the Temple of the Warriors, the group of Thousand Columns, the Game of Ball, the Sacred Cenote (sinkhole)… free time.  After our time in Chichen-Itza we will continue on to Izamal also known as the one of the Magical Towns of Mexico.  Izamal is a gorgeous colonial city with interesting buildings and beautiful old houses painted in white and ochre, making the entire city look like a movie set.  Cobblestone streets and colonial lamp posts complete this majestic scenery, making it a great town to stroll or take a horse drawn carriage ride.  We will return to our hotel for the remainder of the day free for our leisure.

DAY 3:  Free day or Optional Tour to Rio Lagartos and Ek Balam
We enjoy a free day to explore on our own or take advantage of a full day excursion to Rio Lagartos and Ek Balam.  We will leave our hotel this morning and drive a couple of hours north to the Biosphere Reserve of Rio Lagartos.  Here we will embark a boat and enjoy time to view a beautiful world of alligators, pelicans, falcons, crocodiles and flamingos.  We will enjoy a lunch of fresh fish at a local village restaurant.  On the way back to Chichen-Itza we will stop and visit the ruins of Ek Balam.  Ek Balam is an archeological jewel and contains one of the finest Mayan sculptures in the Yucatan.  We will take time to review the stucco carvings and original statues before we return to our hotel.

DAY 4:  Free day or Optional Tour to Tulum and Xel-Ha
We enjoy another free day on our own or take advantage of a full day excursion to Tulum and Xel-Ha.  Tulum’s greatest attraction is it’s location as it stands on a bluff facing the sun and overlooking the Carribean.  We will visit the archeological runs of the Castle and the Temple before we continue on to Xel-Ha.  Xel-Ha is considered the largest natural aquarium and is one of the best spots worldwide for snorkeling.  You may bring your own snorkel gear or rent it at that beach.

DAY 5:  Chichen- Itza to Merida
We depart Chicen-Itza this morning and travel to Merida.  Capital of the State of Yucatan, Merida Mexico lies 30 kilometers from the western Yucatan gulf coast and makes an excellent base for exploring the Yucatan's awesome Mayan treasures and is also a fascinating destination in its own right.   Merida is one of Mexico's most hospitable and nostalgic colonial cities. Similar to the city of Oaxaca, Merida Mexico combines colonial-era architecture with a rich Indian heritage. Attractions center around the city's lovely Plaza Mayor, bordered by graceful colonial buildings and shade trees. Many of the city's low-slung, weathered buildings have gleaming white and pastel exteriors. Most date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.    Numerous museums and markets bring alive the area's fascinating Mayan culture, while surrounding the city are some of the world's most important ancient archaeological sites.  Upon our arrival in Merida we will have a panoramic tour and free time to begin exploring on our own.

DAY 6:  Free day or Optional Uxmal Tour
We enjoy a free day to continue to explore Merida or take advantage of an optional tour of Uxmal.  The archeological site of Uxmal offers the most beautiful example of the Puuc style.  Uxmal is thought to have been the "mother" of Chichen Itza and is a site where a greater amount of restoration has taken place. If Chichen Itza is spectacular, higher superlatives need to be reserved for Uxmal. From the massive Governors Palace to the House of the Turtles, and then the Temple of the Magician, there is just so much to see.  While in Uxmal we will visit the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, the Game of Ball, the House of the Tortoises, the Palace of the Governor and other interesting sites.  We will have free time in Uxmal to explore on our own before we return to Merida for a farewell dinner as a group.

DAY 7:  MERIDA
After breakfast we will be transferred to the Merida airport for our return flight to the USA.