NOVEMBER 1- 13, 2008

Travel through most of the Maya World, from Cancun to Chiapas. Cycle through the amazing tropical rainforest of Chiapas, the most biodiverse state of Mexico. On the way discover fascinating thatched - roof villages where Maya people still live in the area.

Penetrate the jungle and learn about the wide flora and fauna in the area, plus discover unique waterfalls, lagoons, canyons, and mountains as you bike each day. Marvel at the amazing architectural and engineering skills manifest in once great Mayan city - states: Palenque and Yaxchilan. Take a boat and cross the river to Guatemala. Cool off in the many rivers, lagoons and waterfalls in Chiapas. Stay in 3-star hotels and inns; enjoy delicious Maya and Mexican cuisine. Above all, enjoy the welcoming smiles of the people of Chiapas--they respect guests and show it. In summary, there are 9 days biking and 4 days in transportation getting to visit unique places.

Itinerary

Day 1. November1, 2006
Pick up persons in the airport of Villahermosa. Transfer to Plaza Independencia hotel or similar. Participants will adjust and assemble their bikes. Group dinner and briefing on the trip. Optional trip to la Venta park.

Day 2. November 2, 2006 (Villahermosa – Comalcalco and back)(Bike riding 50 miles) Bike towards Comalcalco archeological site. On the way pass several towns where you can enjoy churches, etc. Back to your hotel.

Day 3. November 3, 2006
( Villahermosa – Teapa ) ( Bike riding 40 miles) Enjoy breakfast early in the morning to proceed then to bike to Teapa town and check in a thermal water Hacienda.


Day 4. November 4, 2006
( Teapa – Kolemja ) ( Bike ride 38 miles ). Bike ride passing great scenery until you arrive to Kolemja cabins in the jungle. Once on site enjoy hiking discovering waterfalls and great jungle in the surrounding.


Day 5. November 5, 2006

Enjoy hiking in the area and optional activities such as zip line. Then van departure to Tuxtla Gutierrez ( 5 hours ). Check in Mayasol hotel. Dinner in the hotel Mayasol.

Day 6. November 6, 2006 (Tuxtla Gutierrez – Chiapa de Corzo – Tuxtla Gutierrez) (Bike riding 10 miles). Begin the day by riding 10 miles to the Sumidero Canyon where we will take a boat ride through the Grijalva River. Enjoy amazing scenery and wildlife viewing. Lunch in one of the restaurants of the area. Bike back to Mayasol hotel. The nicest colonial city of Chiapas. It was founded in 1528. It is located at more than 6000 feet high. Climate is fresh all the year. It has a population of 100,000. The area has more than 1 million Maya people and the most diverse number of ethnic groups can be seen mingle with Mexicans, and tourists.

Day 7. November 7, 2006 ( Tuxtla Gutierrez - San Cristobal ) (Bike riding 38 miles). Enjoy biking to the international zoo of Chiapas Dr. Miguel Alvarez del Toro. After enjoying the zoo follow biking to San Cristobal colonial town using the new toll road which gives us nice secenery climbing the mountains. Check in Ciudad Real Centro hotel.

Day 8. November 8, 2006
(San Cristobal – Zinacantan – San Juan Chamula – San Cristobal ) (Bike riding 30 miles).
This day has some tough hills to get to San Juan Chamula. In San Juan
Chamula which has all the flavour of the old Maya villages with rituals of last century still in practice. We recommend you enter the unsacred church ( quite interesting ). On the way back stop in Zinacantan town to visit a flower farm. Back to the hotel by van.
Rest stop in San Juan Chamula at 10:00 Am for an explanation on town and entering the church. Rest stop in Zinacantan at 1:00 PM to visit the flower plant.

Day 9. November 9, 2006
( San Cristobal – Comitan ). (Bike riding 54 miles).
Challenging bike day crossing some ridge lines all the way to Comitan
where you can enjoy a visit to the many temples the city has ( Comitan
is the origin of independence of Chiapas ). In the afternoon optional
trip to El Chiflon amazing waterfall ( 1 hour van each way plus about
1 hour on site ) Check in at the Hotel Internacional.
Rest stop in Teopisca town ( 20 miles ). The trip to Chiflon
waterfall will be at 2:30 PM.

Day 10. November 10, 2006 ( Comitan – Montebello Lagoons ) (Bike riding 38 miles). Today enjoy biking and arriving at an area which has fantastic scenery, the Montebello lagoons, which have more than 50 lagoons with green and blue colors. Check in at Tzicao cabins ( rustic, almost camping ) by one of the lagoons. Rest stop in bridge with tubes ( 23 miles ). A Guide will be available for the group to visit some of the lagoons. Optional trip in rafts in the afternoon to cross the international lagoon into Guatemala country and then back to Mexico.

Day 11, November 11, 2006 Van transfer to Palenque ( No biking today ). Depart by van to Palenque city. On the way stop in the great turquoise blue waterfalls to enjoy hiking in the area. Follow and check in Plaza Palenque hotel. Day 12. November 12, 2006 ( Palenque – Palenque archeological site ) ( 10 miles ) Enjoy biking to one of the most important and interesting archeological sites of the Maya. Palenque. Guided trip on the site. Bike back to your hotel and relax in the afternoon.

Day 13. November 13, 2006
(Palenque - Villahermosa ) (Van transfer 2 hours ).
After breakfast drive to Villahermosa for flights back.

Price: 1950 USD

The tour includes:

• Hotels ( Plaza Independencia, Hacienda de la Luz, Kolemja, Mayasol, Ciudad real centro, Tziscao cabins, Plaza Palenque ).
  
• All the breakfast and dinners.
  
• Supporting van during the biking.
  
• Water and soft drinks in the van.
  
• Professional bilingual guide.
  
• Transfer to and from airport.
  
• Entrance fees.
  Note: Lunches are not included.

Bicycling the Route of the Mayas does NOT include:

• Airfare, lunches, alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, laundry, or gratuities for your guides, early arrival or late transfers.

• Extensions: In the registration application, participants interested in arriving or staying over additional nights may request the special EcoColors tour rates, and these will be reserved based on availability. Mid December is high season in the Mexican Caribbean and the hotels of the tour are in demand, thus travelers are urged to reserve early, whether for the tour or for optional extra nights.