Welcome to Merida
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our team, who will transfer you to the hotel in downtown Merida.
Accommodation: El Castellano
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Hike through the Mayan jungle to meet local Mayan communities, hidden cenotes and ancient haciendas.
The Yucatan Peninsula’s jungle contains numerous hidden treasures: cenotes, haciendas, archaeological sites and small Mayan communities that are hardly ever visited, and that invite you to experience Mexico as local as it gets.
Through a carefully crafted itinerary, you will be able to visit some of these hidden treasures, and some not so hidden but that are worth the visit, like Hacienda Yaxcopoil.
The route in this itinerary spans 90 kilometres of walking path, through the jungle and along old train tracks, on a journey of discovery that incites encounters with nature and the local culture like few other experiences in Mexico.
Hike through the Mayan jungle, sleeping in camping sites and local communities
Explore hidden, rarely visited cenotes
Visit beautiful haciendas not often included in other itineraries
Taste the local cuisine, prepared by Mayan descendants in small communities
Alex and his team take you to see the less visited, more authentic side of the country. Even if you’re staying in a big resort area, we have designed our tours to focus on unique experiences.
Wander through cobblestone streets, watch craftspeople in their workshops (or participate in craft making!), taste the food, and learn how to make it. Visit the natural wonders of Mexico, and marvel with our rich culture.
Having worked in tourism in Mexico for 50+ years, we have curated our experiences to show you only what we love the most.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our team, who will transfer you to the hotel in downtown Merida.
Accommodation: El Castellano
After an early pick up at the hotel (at 6am), you will be transferred by car to the small community of Dzoyaxche, where after breakfast and visiting the hacienda and church of the town, you will head out for your hike. The day today includes visiting three different cenotes, ancient haciendas from colonial times (including the majestic Yaxcopoil Hacienda), a visit to a chocolate hacienda-factory, a small Mayan archaeological site, and Mayan communities.
Kilometres walked today: 35
Accommodation in small cabins
The day will start with a tasty breakfast at the local community of San Antonio Mulix, after which you will hike along an ancient train track, through the lush Mayan jungle until we reach a refreshing cenote. The day today includes visiting three different cenotes and two ancient haciendas, as well as a Mayan community.
Kilometres walked today: 23
Accommodation: camping next to a hacienda
After a light breakfast, the hike continues along paths previously used by “truks”, which were carriages used by haciendas of the region to transport goods (most often the produce) across the grounds. The highlights today include a visit to the once magnificent Hacienda Uayalceh, lunch with a Mayan family, and experiencing the Mayan jungle at night. The day today includes visiting three different cenotes, one Mayan archaeological site, three Mayan communities, and one Hacienda.
Kilometres walked today: 25
Accommodation: camping at the ecotourism centre in Lepan
The last day of hiking will take you to discover the ancient capital city of the Mayas: Mayapan. With an undeniable similarity to Chichen Itza, this smaller yet equally grandiose Mayan city is the final stop of the hike, after having visited today 2 cenotes, one Mayan community, one hacienda (the magnificent, restored, Xcanchakan Hacienda) and having learnt about the role of train development in the area.
Kilometres walked today: 17
Accommodation: El Castellano
The journey has come to its end. At the specified time, we will pick you up for your transfer to the airport.
Located in the eastern-most part of Mexico, the Yucatan peninsula holds a wealth of places to visit: the resort destinations of Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen; the less visited beaches of Progreso, El Cuyo and Sisal; countless cenotes (natural sinkholes) and caves; a dense jungle perfect for hiking and bird watching; a myriad of little towns where the descendants of the Mayan people still speak their native language, and carry on with their traditions; and of course, the dozens of archaeological sites left behind by the Mayas.
This holiday starts and ends at Merida International Airport. Other pick up and drop off locations are available upon request, subject to additional cost. Please feel free to let us know your flights details so we can arrange the transfers for you.
