Welcome to Mexico! Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen, a coastal resort town on the Yucatan Peninsula, known for its stunning turquoise waters and lively nightlife. You will be collected on your arrival at Cancun International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your local leader and fellow members of your group for a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive with time to spare, you may like to stroll along the famed pedestrian avenue through town while you peruse a range of handmade hammocks, jewellery and crafts – or relax and enjoy the views at your hotel’s rooftop pool. The Yucatan’s bountiful Caribbean coastline means it is home to some of the freshest seafood in the country, and after your meeting you will head to a favorite local restaurant to sample some yourself. Here you can enjoy a traditional feast of fresh fish, mussels, shrimp and clams.

This morning will be spent exploring the fascinating complex of Chichen Itza. Named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is considered the most important archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilization in Yucatan by UNESCO. Meet with a local guide for a tour to uncover the secrets of what is perhaps the most famous Maya site in Mexico, dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. After your visit, you will be treated to a special lunch with a local family in the town of Piste. Here you will enjoy a traditional Pibil feast, a Maya style of cooking that involves barbecuing underground, which the family have perfected over generations. After lunch, visit a beautiful cenote for a swim. These limestone sinkholes were viewed by the Maya as doorways to the underworld. You’ll feel transported to another world as you float in the delightfully cool water as tropical birds flit through the dappled sunlight and dangling vines. Next, continue to Merida. Founded in 1542, the city is the Yucatan capital and retains much of its old-world charm. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three evenings is the historic Hotel Casa Lucia. Spacious rooms feature colonial decor with traditional touches, surrounding a glowing courtyard with a wonderful swimming pool. Enjoy the peaceful garden and a privileged location in the heart of the city.

This morning you will join your leader on a walking tour of downtown Merida to take in the splendour of its many colonial buildings and learn more about the Maya heritage of the town. Visit the market for a look at local life, and stop by the city museum, Montejo’s House and the cathedral. Step inside the Palacio del Gobierno to admire the murals by Fernando Castro Pacheco, a famous Mexican artist from Merida. The paintings depict the history of the city and interactions between the Maya and the Spanish. The afternoon is free for further discoveries – you may like to relax in the green and shady Plaza Grande, or browse the outdoor market selling Maya replicas. Regroup for dinner at a fantastic local restaurant serving up Yucatan specialties – the sopa da lima (lime soup) is especially delicious here.

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy another Exclusive Experience at the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve. One of the first places migratory birds arrive for the winter, the reserve offers a birdwatching experience like no other. Here you will tour the area by small boat while you learn about its unique flora and fauna. Look out for the Yucatan woodpecker, Mexican sheartail, tropical mockingbird and depending on the season (usually December–March), you may be lucky enough to witness thousands of flamingos painting a pink streak across the landscape. Hop off the boat for a quick walk to view bubbling turquoise springs before cruising back through the mangrove canals. Stop in a fishing town for the freshest seafood lunch (lunch on own) and a refreshing margarita, all while seated beachside under a canopy of coconut palms, with your toes in the sand. Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to Merida for an afternoon at leisure. For a taste of Merida’s 19th-century glory, you may like to take a walk along the mansion-lined Paseo de Montejo. Be sure to ask your leader for some great local recommendations for dinner this evening.

Depart Merida this morning and head towards Muyil, stopping off for lunch in the quaint village of Coba along the way. Look closely, and you’ll be able to see the tops of Mayan ruins from the nearby archaeological site peaking through the trees as you dine. Continue to today’s highlight: the virtually-unkown Muyil archaeologic site. This ancient Maya trading post is one of the oldest once-inhabited sites in the country, with a history stretching back to 350BC. Explore the ruins with your leader who will explain what life here once looked like. Next, head to the banks of the Maya River and board a small boat, from which you’ll explore the canals and lagoons of the Sian Ka’an biosphere. One of the largest protected areas in Mexico, this UNESCO heritage site covers more than 400,000 hectares of land, lagoon, and marine areas, including countless flora and fauna. You will be joined by guides from the local community who will help you get the most out of this tranquil experience. Admire Maya ruins on the riverbanks before disembarking in the crystal-clear waters of the ancient Mayan mangrove canals, where you’ll experience an adventure like no other: a natural “lazy river” where you will float through the peaceful canals in a slow but steady current. After  of floating in the tranquil waters, carry on to Tulum, home to pristine beaches and ancient Maya history.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Tulum, additional accommodation can be booked ahead of time (subject to availability).