THE THE MAYA Hidden Worlds Revealed DECEMBER 7–15, 2019 MAYA Hidden Worlds Revealed

WITH ARCHAEOLOGIST WILLIAM SATURNO December 7–15, 2019 Mangroves and frigate birds, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

THE MAYA Hidden Worlds Revealed DECEMBER 7–15, 2019

STUDY LEADERS Study Leader Dear Commonwealth Club Member, WILLIAM SATURNO has HE MAYA, A MESOAMERICAN CIVILIZATION noted for the only received numerous known, fully developed, written language of the pre-Columbian National T Americas, also made remarkable advances in art, architecture, Geographic grants to mathematics, and astronomical systems. support his excavation of ancient Maya murals This rich itinerary allows us to explore grand Maya ceremonial centers— and artifacts. His breakthrough discovery at of the , , , and —as well as the more-remote but oldest intact Maya murals yet found impressive sites at , , and . Also discover the rich became the focus of the January 2006 National Geographic magazine natural world of the Maya at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on the article “The Dawn of Maya Gods Caribbean coast’s “Riviera Maya.” and Kings," and the June 2012 issue described his recent unearthing of

murals at Xultún. Bill has also served Along with Maya experts William Saturno and Margaret “Wiggie” as Field Director of the Río Amarillo Andrews, this trip will delve deep into the world of the ancient Maya in Archaeological Project in Western , examining the relation- a way few others can. To make your reservation, please return the ships of Maya cities around Copán. attached reservation form, call us at 415.597.6720, or e-mail us at [email protected]. A native Yucatecan, Tour Manager Sincerely, MARGARET “WIGGIE” ANDREWS is the daughter of the late well-known archaeologist Kristina Nemeth E. Wyllys Andrews. She is a graduate Travel Director of Tulane University with a degree in art history, and has studied in France, Italy, and Egypt. Wiggie has worked extensively at Chichen Itza helping to interpret and record Maya glyphs and stone carvings and has co- authored two papers on this subject. She is fluent in French, Spanish and English. Wiggie’s husband, Chris Holder, is assisting her on this trip.

COVER PHOTOS, TOP: Chichen Itza. BOTTOM, L TO R: Mango and huaya at fruit market; ruins at Coba; baking tortillas in a traditional Mayan hut; Yucatecan young woman. Lychee fruit, Mérida market Labna Iguana in front of Chichen Itza’s sacred cenote, or “Well of Sacrifice” Gulf of

Cancn Mérida

Chichén Itz Valladolid

Mayapan Uxmal Coba

Sayil Labna Tulum Sian Kaan Caribbean YUCATAN Biosphere Reserve Sea

ITINERARY

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7

ArriveHome in + Mérida Mérida, and transfer Mexico to our hotel. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner highlighting the Yucatan’s regional specialties. INTERCONTINENTAL PRESIDENTE HOTEL (R,D)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

Folkloric Los Lirios Hotel dancer beach AfterMérida a welcome lecture, enjoy Sunday in Mérida, when the colonial city center is Pyramid of the closed to auto traffic. Stroll around Mérida’s Magician at Uxmal principal gathering place, Plaza Grande, and its nearby colorful market where modern-day Maya sell colorful hammocks, embroidered huipils, or traditional blouses. Learn about Mérida’s colonial history at the Cathedral, Palacio Montejo, and Casa Museo Montes Molina. Continue to the Parque Santa Lucia and its restaurants and lively atmosphere. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to enjoy Mérida at leisure. INTERCONTINENTAL PRESIDENTE HOTEL (B,L)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9

TravelUxmal south to meet local artisans in the village of Muna before lunch at Hacienda Ochil, a restored henequen (agave) planta- tion. Continue to the ruins of Uxmal for our first encounter with the magnificent vestiges of the ancient Maya. Built into the rolling landscape, Uxmal is one of the only Maya cities without a geometric layout. Explore the sprawling complex, examining the ornate carvings on the Pyramid of the Magician and the magnificent two-headed jaguar throne at the entrance to the Governor’s Palace. THE LODGE AT UXMAL (B,L,D) Gulf of Mexico GENERAL INFORMATION TOUR COSTS Cancn $5,990 per person, sharing Mérida $1,690 single supplement GROUP SIZE Minimum 15, Chichén Itz Valladolid maximum 28 participants WHAT IS INCLUDED

Mayapan 8 nights of deluxe hotel ac- Coba commodations Uxmal Kabah All accommodations, meals, Labna and excursions as specified in Sayil Tulum the itinerary

Sian Kaan Full program of briefings, Caribbean lectures and presentations YUCATAN Biosphere Group airport transfers on Reserve Sea Mayapan ruins group arrival and departure days Baggage handling Gratuities to porters, wait- TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 marketplace, the sweat bath, and the largest staff, guides and drivers Maya ball court ever found. Entrance fees

Labna Sayil Kabah THE LODGE AT CHICHEN ITZA (B,L,D) Welcome and farewell wine Visit the +nearby outlying+ ruins of Labna, Sayil, receptions and Kabah. The ancient monuments share House wine, beer, and soft FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 the same beautiful Puuc architectural style, drinks with welcome and farewell dinners and yet each site reflects its own distinctive Valladolid Coba Tulum Bottled water on motor- and special character. Of particular interest Visit Valladolid,+ a quaint+ Yucatan town which coaches are the remarkable three-story, colonnaded figured importantly in the Caste War dur- Professional tour manager palace in Sayil with its richly decorated ing the 1800s. Continue onwards to Coba, WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED friezes depicting mythological figures, and one of the leading Maya centers, where the U.S. domestic and the fantastic Rain-God-covered facade of earliest stela dates back to the year 623 A.D. international airfare the Kodz Pop (“rolled mat”) palace in With towering temples (including one over Passport/visa expenses

Kabah. Return to Uxmal this evening for 130 feet), and lush tropical vegetation, this Medical expenses and immunizations an impressive sound and light show. city is strikingly similar to many found in the Airport transfers outside of THE LODGE AT UXMAL (B,L,D) Guatemalan lowlands. Arrive at your hotel group arrival and departure overlooking a beautiful Caribbean beach near days

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 Tulum late this afternoon. Travel insurance Optional excursions or LOS LIRIOS HOTEL (B,L,D) deviations from the VisitMayapan the archaeological site of Mayapan, scheduled tour SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 Excess baggage charges the administrative center of the Yucatan Meals not specified in the Peninsula in Postclassic times. The ground itinerary; dishes and plan and architectural style of the largest Tulum + Sian Ka’an Biosphere beverages not part of the structure is thought to have been fashioned included meals; liquor or ExploreReserve the splendid Maya city of Tulum soft drinks except as noted after the Castillo in Chichen Itza. Afterwards, this morning. These ruins are spectacularly Laundry or dry cleaning cool off with a refreshing dip in a nearby Telephone, fax, internet and cenote (natural well) and help make tortillas situated on a cliff that rises high above the email charges for a delicious lunch prepared on-site by local teal-blue Caribbean water. Tulum is an Room service

chefs. This afternoon, learn about the culture excellent example of the very late Postclassic Other items of a personal nature and customs of modern-day Maya people on form of compact settlement within fortified a visit to a local village. Arrive this evening at walls. Of special note here are the carvings at WHAT TO EXPECT In order to make the most of what each your hotel adjacent to Chichen Itza. the Temple of the Descending God. Continue to the pristine natural beauty of the Sian locale has to offer, our daily THE LODGE AT CHICHEN ITZA (B,L,D) program will be active. Much Ka’an Reserve and explore its lagoons and of the time each day will be THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 wetlands by boat. Celebrate your journey this spent outdoors, often in the evening with a farewell reception and dinner sun, exploring archaeological sites where walking will range at the hotel. LOS LIRIOS HOTEL (B,L,R,D) SpendChichen the day Itza exploring Chichen Itza, often from easy walks on level paths dubbed one of the new seven wonders of to more strenuous walks on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 hilly, uneven terrain. While the world. Enter a world of fascinating we maintain a moderate pace mythology as you discover the southern Cancun Home throughout the program, you complex, including the Observatory, the Transfer to the+ Cancun airport for flights should be in good overall Tomb of the High Priest, and the Nunnery. home. (B) health and able to walk and stand for several hours at the In the large complex of North Chichen, see PHOTO CREDITS (From Dreamstime.com): CHICHEN ITZA ©Atanasbozhikov; TROPICAL FRUITS ©Gueroloco28; COBA ©Anna Artamonova; TORTILLAS ©Cristina Stoian; archaeological sites (although BOAT-BILLED HERON ©Jean-luc Azou; TULUM ©Andrew Howard; MERIDA CATHEDRAL towering pyramids and temples surrounded ©Lunamarina; MANGROVES ©Jesse Kraft; LYCHEE ©Gueroloco28; LABNA ©Alexandre there are resting spots along Fagundes De Fagundes; IGUANA ©David Pillow; FOLKLORIC DANCERS ©Bernardo by smaller sites, including the ancient Ertl; UXMAL ©Pierrot46; MAYAPAN ©Javarman. WOMAN ON COVER ©Jason Graham. the way). There is a fair LOS LIRIOS HOTEL BEACH Courtesy of Los Lirios Hotel. amount of traveling during information to the address the program, which will be at the top of the form. by modern, air-conditioned You may also fax the form motor coach on roads that to (415) 597-6729 and RESERVATION range from modern super- your reservation will be RESERVATIONYour FORM highways to narrower, held pending receipt of winding roads. Daily drives your check or credit card To reserve space, please complete the reservation form and mail it with range from one to two hours information. If you have your check or credit card information to 110 The Embarcadero, San when traveling from one site questions, please call (415) Francisco, CA 94105. You may also fax the form to (415) 597-6729 and 597-6720 or email travel@ to another. Temperatures will your reservation will be held pending receipt of your check or credit tend to reach into the mid to commonwealthclub.org. Final high 80s (°F) during the day, payment deadline is August card information. If you have questions, please call (415) 597-6720 or dropping into the 60s in the 9, 2019, 120 days prior to email [email protected]. early mornings and evening, departure. CONTACT INFORMATION (please print) and with the high humidity it A NOTE ABOUT COSTS can feel even hotter. Tour costs are based upon AIR ARRANGEMENTS current airfares, taxes, tariffs, NAME #1 PLEASE NOTE: U.S. domestic currency values, and on the and international airfare is basis of a minimum of 15 PREFERRED NAME FOR NAME BADGE not included in the program participants. While we will rates. Airtreks can help with do everything possible to NAME #2 airline arrangements for this maintain the listed prices, trip and can be reached at they are subject to change. (800) 350-0646. You are Due to fluctuations in oil PREFERRED NAME FOR NAME BADGE also welcome to book your prices and/or tax rates, a surcharge may be added to air transportation through STREET ADDRESS your local travel agent, an your tour fee (e.g. internal online travel site, or the flights, cruises, VAT, etc.). If CITY / STATE / ZIP / POSTAL CODE airline of your choice. Further there are significant changes, information about making details and costs will be flight arrangements will be advised prior to departure. HOME PHONE MOBILE PHONE sent to all participants. CANCELLATIONS & E-MAIL ELIGIBILITY We require REFUNDS Upon payment of a $1,000 deposit per person, membership to the PAYMENT all reservations are subject Commonwealth Club to Enclosed is my check for $ ______($1,000 per person payable travel with us. People who to the cancellation provisions to Criterion Travel), to reserve ______place(s) on The Maya: Hidden live outside of the Bay Area set forth below and by may purchase a national which the passenger agrees Worlds Revealed program OR membership. To learn about to be bound. Cancellations Please charge my deposit of $ ______($1,000 per person) to shall not be effective membership types and to my credit card: VISA MC AMEX DISCOVER purchase a membership, until they are received in visit commonwealthclub.org/ writing and confirmed by the Commonwealth Club. membership or call (415) NAME ON CREDIT CARD CREDIT CARD # 597-6720. Deposits are refundable (less a $250 per person TERMS & administration fee) if written CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE EXP. DATE SECURITY CODE notice of cancellation ACCOMMODATIONS CONDITIONS is received within 30 Complete Terms and days of reservation; after Bed preference in hotels (not guaranteed): TWO BEDS ONE BED Conditions including that, deposits are 100% SINGLE TRAVELERS Statement of Responsibility nonrefundable. Final will be made available to payment is due August I prefer to have single accommodations. you at time of registration, 9, 2019 (120 days prior to I plan to share accommodations with: ______or in advance upon request. departure). Cancellations I would like to know about roommates. (not guaranteed). A signed release is required within 120 days of departure I am a smoker / non-smoker. I understand that if a roommate from each applicant prior to are 100% nonrefundable. cannot be located for me by the final payment date of August 9, 2019, participation on the tour. For this reason, we strongly I will pay the single rate. urge participants to purchase INSURANCE Travel insurance trip cancellation insurance. We require membership to The Commonwealth Club to travel with us. for trip cancellation and If the program is cancelled Please check one of the following options: interruption, medical by Criterion Travel, you problems, baggage loss will receive a full refund, I am a current member of The Commonwealth Club. and delay, etc., is highly without further obligation Please renew my membership with the credit card information recommended. Trip cancel- on our part. No refunds will provided here. lation policies that apply to be made for any part of I will visit commonwealthclub.org/membership to sign up for a this expedition are included this program on which you membership. in this brochure. Information choose not to participate. about travel insurance Neither Criterion Travel nor will be sent to confirmed The Commonwealth Club I/We have read the Terms and Conditions section of this brochure participants. Please be sure of California accept liability and understand and agree with them as stated herein. I/We understand to carry the details of your for any airline cancellation that the detailed statement of limitations and exclusions of liability will travel insurance coverage penalty incurred by the with you on the program. be sent to me/us for signature after registration, and is available for purchase of a nonrefundable review prior, upon request. RESERVATIONS & DEPOSITS ticket in conjunction with this To reserve space, please tour. complete the reservation California Seller of Travel Program SIGNATURE DATE form and mail it with CST #2088800-40 your check or credit card CST #2096889-40 SIGNATURE DATE Ruins Boat-billed in Tulum heron

THE MAYA Hidden Worlds Revealed DECEMBER 7–15, 2019 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 604 110 The Embarcadero Sacramento, CA San Francisco, CA 94105

Highlights Explore four of the most important Maya sites in the world: UXMAL, CHICHEN ITZA, TULUM, and COBA.

Visit the superb yet lesser-known sites of LABNA, SAYIL, KABAH, and MAYAPAN.

Explore the SIAN KA’AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE by boat and enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Maya Riviera.

Explore local crafts at the Sunday market in MÉRIDA and learn about the life of the modern Maya during a village visit.

Meet with LOCAL EXPERTS to learn about the region’s natural and cultural legacies. San Idefonso Catheldral, Mérida