Tren Maya Tour
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Join us on a journey through the southern states of Mexico to enjoy and experience Mexico’s newest major civil project – Tren Maya (Maya Train), Mayan ruins, colonial cities, incredible artisans and the natural wonder of thousands of flamingos in a beautiful lagoon near.
We will start in the Mayan post classic city of Palenque which emerges from the jungle where you can hear howler monkeys calling through the tree tops. Take a guided tour with a local expert guide through the archaeological site and if you wish, also a jungle walk to see how the ruins were ‘discovered’ by Western archaeologists and keeping an eye out for the monkeys in the canopy above.
Departing from Palenque we will take the Tren Maya on a journey of 355km through jungles, over the river Usumacinta, through the states of Chiapas and Tabasco visiting our next stop of San Francisco de Campeche, a walled city to protect against pirates attacking from the gulf. Leaving Campeche we head to the town Becal with its palm hats similar to the famous Panama Hats, hand woven in underground limestone caves. Next we visit the major Mayan archaeological site of Uxmal to the south of Mérida before heading into the white city which will serve as our base for the next few days. We will travel to the old port of Sisal and it lagoons with thousands of flamingos, try regional traditional cuisine such as Poc Chuc and cochinita or pollo pibil and learn of the history and importance of chocolate and its production in the area. And we will also take a trip to the yellow city of Izamal, and visit the nearby artisans who make the famous guayabera shirts and beautiful embroidered clothing. As well as all this we will tour the last fully working hacienda on the peninsula where they made henequen (and many other products), known in Europe as sisal.
8 Days, 7 Nights
19th – 26th January 2025
16th – 23rd March 2025
Trip Overview
Day 1: Melaque to Palenque
We’ll take a flight from Manzanillo, via Mexico City, into Villahermosa airport before then transferring over to the Pueblo Mágico of Palenque, where we’ll spend the next 2 nights in the edges of the Chiapas jungle in a beautiful hotel.
Accommodation: Palenque
Day 2: Palenque archaeological site
After breakfast we will take a guided tour of the amazing post-classic Mayan site of Palenque with our local expert guide. We will learn about king Pakal and the Red Queen in this site that is only 5% uncovered from the lush jungle that surrounds it. After the tour of the main site, for those who wish to, we will take a walk in the jungle to see how the ruins were when European explorers were first shown them under the tree and maybe if we are lucky we will see howler monkeys, aguti or even a tapir on the jungle trails. Finishing here we return to the hotel to relax and rest.
Accommodation: Palenque
Day 3: Tren Maya to Campeche
Today is an early start as we head to the train station at the edge of the town of Palenque. Here we will board the 1st class train carriages for out roughly 4.5 hour journey to San Francisco Campeche. We will enjoy the vistas along the way from the comfort of the train as we head across the states of Chiapas, Tabasco and into Campeche. Upon arrival to Campeche station we will be met and transfer to the famous 5.5km long malecon of the city. We will have lunch at one of the famous seafood restaurants (other options available) overlooking the tranquil Gulf of Mexico. After lunch we will take a city tour to visit some of the famous walled city, its forts and embattlements that were built to protect from pirates, corsairs and buccaneers. In the evening you can go out to explore the beautiful centre as the city comes alive as things cool down. There are many restaurants, bars, cafes and stalls to browse and enjoy.
Accommodation: San Francisco Campeche
Day 4: Bécal, Uxmal, chocolate & Merida
We leave Campeche after breakfast for a short 1 hour drive to the town of Bécal home of the jipijapa hat. These hats are similar to the more famous Panama hats, and are made by hand from palm fibres in underground limestone caves and we will learn and see the process as well as a chance to purchase. Departing from Bécal and another short journey to the Mayan site of Uxmal, one of the most important classic period Mayan sites along with Tikal, Chichén Itzá and Calakmul. We will take a guided tour of this amazing and beautiful site with our local guides followed by a visit to a nearby restaurant for a traditional / ancestral lunch. Following lunch learn about the importance and methods used in the cultivation and transformation of cacao and chocolate in a local museum/ workshop before in the late afternoon we head to Mérida.
Accommodation: Mérida
Day 5: Mérida / Izamal
Starting our day with a walking tour that includes a food/ breakfast tour to the local market where you will be able to learn about and try local traditional dishes alongside locals before we take a walking city tour of the historic centre of Merida. From the ‘white city’ of Mérida, we will head to the ‘yellow city’ of Izamal where we will learn more about its history as well as visiting several important locations here and have lunch in one of the local restaurants where you can try traditional Yucatec cuisine. And to finish the visit, before we return to Mérida, we will make a stop at the traditional embroiders of Kimbila where you can learn about and buy some of the beautiful products such as blouses and the famous guayabera shirts of the region.
Accommodation: Mérida
Day 6: Sisal & flamingos
After breakfast we head to the northern side of the peninsula to the town of Sisal. Here we will take a short trip in small vehicles to the edge of the lagoon located by the town. We will then board two people (plus punter) flat bottom ‘chalanas’ and quietly pole our way through the mangrove lagoon where we will witness some of the over 40,000 flamingos that feed and roost in the lagoon up close. Also we will visit one of the over 160 freshwater springs in the lagoon that form deep, cool freshwater ponds where you will have a chance to swim in the cool fresh waters before we return to the town of Sisal. After the excursion to the flamingos you will have free time to explore the small town and have lunch on the beautiful white beaches before we return to Mérida.
Accommodation: Mérida
Day 7: Sotuta de Peon
Today we will visit the last fully working hacienda on the peninsula at Sotuta de Peon. Here we will take a tour of the 19th century installations to view entire process from growing the plants, to harvest, preparation and working the final products made from the woven fibres into mats, ropes, hammocks and more. Along the way we will visit a pristine cenote – Dzul-há and the old hacienda buildings that have been maintained and restored to the original glory. After our tour of the hacienda we will visit the Magic town of Mani, the birthplace of ‘poc chuc’ a traditional pork dish of the Yucatán for lunch and then returning for free time in Mérida.
Accommodation: Mérida
Day 8: Return journey
Return trip back to Melaque (or other destinations if previously requested and organised).
Price
2025 Prices:
$38,000 pesos per person (based on double occupancy)
$5,000 pesos single person supplement
Duration
8 days, 7 nights
What’s included?
All transport & transfers
Hotels
Breafast
Guides
ALL Entry fees
See full itinerary for other details
*For other departure points, such as Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara, please contact us
Difficulty
Medium
Whilst the level of difficulty on the walks involved is relatively low and the entire tour is taken at a relaxed pace, this trip takes places in regions with high temperatures that can have an effect on your mobility. Availability of elevators in hotels is also limited in some of the accommodations.
Climate
Warm to hot during the day (temperatures can reach mid 30’s C (90F)), cooler at night. All hotels have A/C
Altitude
The entire trip takes place at an altitude of less than 200m (600ft) above sea level, with the exception of airport layovers in Mexico City.