Mayan Photographic Adventures By CameraWeb
Welcome to our Mayan trips information page. Here we will describe our next trip the the Beautiful country of Mexico, where we will visit numerous Mayan ruins for your Photographic pleasure.
Join us as we venture into our not so distant past.
Our Mayan trip for Fall 2000 is sold out!! We will be making this trip again during the month of Febuary. (date not set as of this time). We will be visiting the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Tulum and El-Rey. Your trip will include at least 7 days/6 nights accommodations, meals, sightseeing, shopping and of course beach time in the tropical Paradise of Cancun. We will also provide you with 10 rolls of FUJI film. We will be using Cancun as our base and will work daily from that location.
Cancun offers some of the best sightseeing, scuba diving, para sailing, golfing, fishing, or just relaxing on the beach. Also on Isla Mujeres(Island of women) you will have the opportunity for some excellent shell finding.
The group will be limited in size to only 8 photographers plus your 2 guides, so reserve your spot quickly. All flights to Cancun will originate from Orlando, Florida or Philadelphia, PA. For other arrangements contact us at 610-695-9375. Please review the tour schedule below. For a complete brochure send a SASE to Trips@CameraWeb, 2347 E Lincoln Hiway Coatseville, Pa 19320
The price for this trip will be only $1299.00 including airfare & accommodations/meals (2 per day), transportation while in Mexico, sightseeing, entertainment and photographic guidance. Reserve by 7/1/99 and receive 100.00 off your total.
DAY 1:
Leave Philadelphia late AM, fly to Cancun Mexico. Arrive late afternoon. Check into Hotel. Have a quick snack then off to visit the local ruins of El-Rey. You may also choose to just lie around on the beach for relaxation. After our visit to El-Rey we will visit the city of Cancun, Where the night life extends into the early morning hours. Once we arrive in town you will be free to walk with guides or explore on you own. Don't worry about getting lost, Cancun has an excellent transportation system with buses arriving and leaving for all parts of the Island every 5 minutes.
While visiting the city you will have a chance to see and photograph the nightlife, street artist, locals and the various ruins all located on the Island of Cancun. We will all meet around 9:00 PM for a dinner at a local restaurant, where you will have a chance to sample the local cuisine. Some restaurants will offer shows along with our dinner. We will make choice of our restaurant Daily so that we can best sample the local experience. After dinner you have the choice of how you wish to spend the remaining portions of the evening. Shop/beach/shows, local transportation will run until midnight.
DAY 2 & 3:
We arise early for our trip to Chichen Itza. This will be an over night trip so pack before you leave the hotel. We make this an overnight trip due to the vastness of the Chichen Itza compound.
Chichen Itza is translated to mean "mouth of the well of Itza." Chichen is the most well known, best restored and the most impressive Mayan ruin. Chichen was formed around 550 AD.
There are many sites to see including:
El Castillo or the Pyramid of Kukulcan...
A time temple that sheds light on the Mayan astronomical system. Built around 800 AD. It is impressive at 78 feet tall, the temple's name means castle in Spanish. El Castillo is really an extremely large solar calendar. There are steps on each side, times 4 for each side and each season, plus 1 for the top crowning platform which adds up to 365. During the equinoxes in March and September the shadow pattern of the pyramid's steps seems to show a serpent on the steps.
The Ball Court...
The largest and finest in Mexico. At 272 feet by 199 feet, it is just about the size of a football field. On the south side is a raised altar that may have been used for ceremonies. Also the acoustics are very impressive. Drop a quarter at the alter end and you can hear it at the far end. Over 270 feet away. Try this at home.
El Caracol or the Observatory...
This site is an example of the
excellence of Mayan astronomy.
The Sacred Cenote...
The site for sacrifices to the gods.
The Nunnery...
The temple of the warriors and group of 1000 columns...
Temple of the Jaguar...
The market place...
And many more. Now you can see why we take 2 days for this trip.
DAY 4:
We rest and relax all day. We will have the opportunity to golf, swim, fish, scuba dive, shop, para-sailing and many other exciting adventures. There also plenty of opportunities for photographs during this time. A bullfight will be available for those who are interested. Take the time and enjoy yourself. We will arrange for breakfast and dinner.
DAY 5:
We leave early for breakfast then off to Tulum and the ruins that lie there in.
Tulum, is in Quintana Roo near the town of El Crucero, only a few hours away by bus, these ruins are right on the beach. The ruins are from the post-classic era of Mayan civilization, they are not as nice as the ruins at Chichen Itza.. These ruins are also fortified, which is different from most Mayan sites, and show the influences the Toltecs had during this era.
Also of local interest is the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Sian Ka'an is prime trekking ground for those who want to experience jungle wildlife living amidst pristine rain forest and unrestored Mayan ruins. Excellent Photo opportunities exist here. So have your camera ready at all times.
DAY 6:
Early rise & breakfast by 8:00, then a relaxing boat ride to Isla Mujeres. Here we will have relaxing, beach time, photography tours of the island and the local people. Excellent scuba diving, marine life. It is said that the Isla Mujeres is where the sun rises on Mexico.
The island is situated on a seven by one kilometer area. We will tour by bike so be prepared. Isla Mujeres is home to a beautiful reef inhabited by a wide range of brightly colored fish and marine life, also home of the El Garrafón Underwater National Park. You can also visit the past past at the Maya Observatory located in the south near the famous Lighthouse, or the ruins of the hacienda owned by the pirate Fermin Mundaca.
You will also have a chance to see the many restaurants, stores and boutiques. All wait for you here on this lovely island called Isla Mujeres. After our bike tour dinner awaits us. After dinner we take the ferry ride back to Cancun and spend the rest of the evening on our own.
Day 7:
Free time. Breakfast then, Shop, Relax, Swim. We leave for the airport around noon.
Other important notes:
On one or more of the days we will rise early for sunrise photographs. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. We will ask you to join us but it is not required.
Most of the Mayan Photographic Adventure will be well planned and organized for your enjoyment, however at anytime you can choose to leave the group and tour own your own. Although we hope you will stay with the group, we don't want to infringe on your choice of activities.
To order your Mayan trip
Disclaimer:
Due to the agreements we make in advance the possibility exists that we may be able to extend the trip to 8 days/7 nights at no charge. Please indicate to us if this change would be acceptable.
Due to the tremendous lead time for this trip we cannot guarantee departure times until 8 weeks prior to the trip. Agenda is subject to change depending on weather and other uncontrolled occurrences. Please bring appropriate clothing and sun gear. Rain is possible but usually not very long in duration. Days are warm and nights are comfortable. Humidity is usually very low.
Currently the dollar stands very well against the peso. It is approximately 10.7 peso's to the dollar. Please wait until you arrive in Cancun to make you currency exchange as the exchange rate will be much better in Mexico. Bring both a Visa/MC and use these as much as possible. You may also use your ATM card. This also is an excellent idea as you will receive the bank rate of exchange.
If you are an American citizen a passport is not required but is recommended. Birth certificate is sufficient. If you are not an American citizen please contact us or your passport authority for the necessary documents.
The price for this trip includes meals and transportation while in Mexico as long as you stay with the group. Should you decide to venture out on a tour on your you are responsible for your meal and transportation costs.
Rooms will be double occupancy. Private rooms available at an extra cost.
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