TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN 2014 Mayan pyramid of Kukulcan El Castillo in Chichen-Itza

The Magic of : Pre-Columbian to Contemporary

MEXICO CITY TO THE YUCATAN PENINSULA

with Chris Carter 14–31 March 2014 (18 days) Tour The Magic of Mexico: leader Pre-Columbian to Contemporary

A vibrant palette of ancient cultures and modern art, heritage cities and glorious beaches, colourful music, dance and traditions, Mexico offers a feast for all the senses. Begin with a thorough exploration of the wonderful museums, pre-historic sites, colonial heritage and thriving cultural scene in and around Mexico City. Then travel into the jungle to visit the ancient Mayan sites of and Yaxchilan, before concluding in the Yucatan Peninsula, famous for its archaeological sites, enchanting colonial cities, beautiful beaches and distinct cuisine. Whilst the itinerary will be comprehensive, there will be time to relax and immerseCANADA yourself in the local culture. Chris Carter Since 1996 Chris Carter has worked full-time as an archaeologist, dividing his time between teaching, commercial archaeology and research in northern Chile. He is currently a PhD scholar at the ANU. Since 1998, Chris has also been involved with the design and At a glance implementation of study tours and has led over 40 tours to • Discover the lives and art of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Toledo Cleveland Central and South America, • Enjoy a full day at the imposing ruins of Teotihuacan Chicago to Spain, Morocco, Ireland and • Marvel at the ancient Mayan cities of Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Turkey, as well as to Vietnam and Cambodia. • Relax on the shores of the Caribbean on the ‘Mayan Riviera’ • Experience the music and dance of Latin-America. North Atlantic UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Ocean

Dallas

Gulf of Mexico MEXICO

Cancún CUBA Merida Chichen Itza Mexico City Uxmal Tulum Fly Puebla Palenque Coach Map is a guide only Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Yaxchilan The Magic of Mexico: Itinerary Pre-Columbian to Contemporary

Fri 14 Mar 2014 Australia – Mexico City Academy, Imperial residence, Presidential home, observatory, and Suggested morning departure from Sydney on QANTAS to Dallas/ presently, the History Museum. Fort Worth. Connect with an American Airlines flight to Mexico In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Art in the historic City where you will arrive in the late afternoon on the same day. centre, representing the history of Mexican art from the mid-16th Transfer to your hotel on arrival. century to the mid-20th century. You will also visit some more sites Mexico City was originally built on an island of Lake Texcoco by featuring the murals of Diego Rivera. the Aztecs in 1325 and known as Tenochtitlan. Almost completely Evening at leisure. B destroyed in the decisive 1521 siege of Tenochtitlan by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, the city was subsequently redesigned Mon 17 March Mexico City and rebuilt by the Spanish, and served as the political, administrative Departing early, drive out to Teotihuacan, about an hour north of and financial centre of a major part of their colonial empire until the city. This spectacular site contains some of the finest prehistoric independence in 1824. One of the largest urban centres in the urban planning and civil engineering in the world. Spend several world with over 20 million inhabitants, Mexico City today is a hours on the site visiting the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and fascinating contrast of ancient Aztec ruins overlaid by Spanish the of Quetzalcoatl and Quetzlpopocatl. colonial architecture and gleaming glass and steel towers, symbols of Mexico’s booming economy and economic aspirations. On your return to the city, stop to visit the Basilica de Guadalupe, a famous pilgrimage site located within the city limits. B L Sat 15 Mar Mexico City Tue 18 Mar Mexico City Following a welcome breakfast and briefing, begin your exploration of Mexico City with a visit to the National Museum This morning visit the homes and learn about the intriguing lives of Anthropology. This will provide a good cultural perspective of and compelling personalities of the important Mexican artists Frida Mexico as a whole but with a focus on the regions that you will visit. Kahlo (1907–1954) and Diego Rivera, and their friend Leon Trotsky. After a break for lunch on your own, explore the historic centre. First visit Frida Kahlo’s family home, known as the ‘Blue House’ See the ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor and visit the Metropolitan where Kahlo, best known for her self-portraits, spent her childhood Cathedral, the oldest and largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the as well as the final years of her life. Americas. Finish with a visit to the National Palace on Constitution Continue to the House-Studio of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Square, renowned for its murals by prominent Mexican artist Diego Designed by Mexican architect and painter Juan O’Gorman in 1931, Rivera (1886 –1957) that adorn the main stairwell and the walls of this avant-garde home was actually two separate houses joined by the second floor. a walkway. Kahlo and Rivera lived here between 1934 and 1940, This evening during dinner, be entertained by a Mariachi band. B D and Rivera returned here to live after Kahlo’s death in 1954. One of the architectural monuments of the area, the building also contains Sun 16 Mar Mexico City some of Rivera’s art as well as the couple’s personal belongings. This morning visit the History Museum located on top of Having come second to Stalin in the power struggle in the Soviet Chapultepec Hill in the middle of beautiful Chapultepec Park . Union, Leon Trotsky (1879–1940) was expelled in 1929 and in A sacred place for Aztecs, the hill and the buildings atop it have 1937 found refuge in Mexico. At first Trotsky and his wife lived in served several purposes during its history, including that of Military Frida Kahlo’s Blue House, but after falling out with Kahlo and Rivera

Teotihuacan Pyramids, Mexico The Metropolitan Cathedral, Mexico City they moved a few streets northeast. The Trotsky home remains 7th century BC and is known for its large number of architectural much as it was on the day when a Stalin agent caught up with the structures and inscriptions on stelae, altars, doors and lintels. This revolutionary and smashed an ice pick into his skull. site is not accessible by road – a one-hour trip by small boat is taken to reach the archaeological site. B L This afternoon is at leisure. This evening you may wish to visit the Plaza Garibaldi after dinner. This plaza is the home of mariachi Sun 23 Mar Palenque – Uxmal music in Mexico City. B Early morning departure from Palenque for a full day’s trip by coach Wed 19 Mar Mexico City (515 km) to the Region of the Yucatan Peninsula. Enjoy a day trip to Puebla, a beautiful colonial city situated On the way, stop for lunch – and a swim – on the shores of the about 100 km (1.5 hrs) east of Mexico City, at the foot of the Gulf of Mexico. Further, stop on the Gulf coast for a short walk in Popocatepetl volcano. Founded in 1531, Puebla has preserved its Campeche, a walled city besieged by pirates on several occasions great religious structures such as the 16th–17th-century cathedral, during the 18th century. fine buildings like the old archbishop’s palace and houses covered in Late afternoon arrival in Uxmal. B L tiles (azulejos). Evening folkloric dance show at the National Theatre (subject to Mon 24 Mar Uxmal performance schedules). B L Morning walking tour of the ruins of the Mayan town of Uxmal including the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle and Thu 20 Mar Mexico City – Palenque the House of the Turtles. Uxmal was founded c. A.D. 700 and had Depart Mexico City on a morning flight to Villahermosa. some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between 700 and 1000, reveals knowledge of astronomy. On arrival, visit the Parque-Museo de La Venta which has one of the best collections of Olmec monuments in Mexico, rescued from Afternoon at leisure to relax around the pool. sites threatened by drilling for oil. This evening, return to the ruins of Uxmal to see its spectacular light Later, continue by coach to Palenque (145 km, approx. 2 hr). B D show. B

Fri 21 Mar Palenque Tue 25 March Uxmal – Merida The extensive ruins of Palenque are set in the jungle in the foothills Continue your exploration of local Mayan sites including Labna, south-west of the village. A prime example of a Mayan sanctuary Mayapan and Kabah. There are many Mayan sites in this region and of the classical period, Palenque was at its height between AD 500 only a few are visited by tourists. Visiting these smaller sites will and 700, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the provide a better appreciation of the extent of the Mayan realm and Usumacinta River. The elegance and craftsmanship of the buildings, its diversity. as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs with their Mayan After the site visits, drive on to Merida (81 km, approx. 1.5 hrs). B L mythological themes, attest to the creative genius of this civilisation. Spend the morning wandering through the ruins visiting the Wed 26 March Merida of the Inscriptions and Pakal’s tomb, the Temple of the Cross and Founded upon the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of T’ho, which Temple of the Jaguar. was constructed with white limestone and means ‘Face of Infinity’, Merida is known today as the ‘White City’. Carved Mayan stones Afternoon at leisure to relax around the pool. B from ancient T’ho were widely used to build the Spanish colonial Sat 22 Mar Palenque buildings during the 18th and 19th centuries. During a morning walking tour of the historic centre see the Plaza de Armas, the Today you will travel to Yaxchilan, a remote Mayan archaeological Cathedral and the English Library House and Garden. site deep in the jungle on the border with Guatemala (164 km, approx. 3 hrs one-way). Yaxchilan, which means ‘green stones’ in Mayan, was an important and powerful city by the end of the

Ruins of the temple in Palenque Mexican cultural dancer In the afternoon visit Dzibilchaltun, a Mayan site located a short Mon 31 Mar Tulum – Depart Cancun distance from Merida. The site is not that spectacular but the Late morning transfer to the airport at Cancun (120 km, 2 hrs) for reason for your visit is to swim in the ‘cenote’ – a natural swimming an afternoon departure on an American Airlines flight to Dallas/ pool complete with fish that nibble your toes as you swim! B Fort Worth, connecting with the QANTAS flight to Sydney (via Brisbane). Thu 27 Mar Merida – Chichen Itza Mid-morning departure for Izamal, the ‘Golden Town’ (70 km, 1.5 Tue 01 Apr In-flight hr). Visit the monastery and have lunch in the town before driving on to Chichen Itza (78 km, 1.5 hrs). Wed 02 Apr Arrive Australia This evening there will be an opportunity to enjoy a temazcal, a Morning arrival in Sydney. healing ceremony involving the traditional use of a sweat lodge, similar to a sauna. B D

Fri 28 Mar Chichen Itza Early morning visit to the Ik Kil cenote for a swim. After lunch visit the famous ruins of Chichen Itza (meaning ‘At the mouth of the well of Itza’). Dating from c. AD 600–1200, Chichen Itza was one of the largest Mayan cities and was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities, or Tollans, referred to in later Mesoamerican literature. The city may have had the most diverse population in the Mayan world, a factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles at the site. Visit the pyramid known as El Castillo, the Temple of the Warriors, the Sacred Cenote (well) and the infamous Ballcourt. B

Sat 29 March Chichen Itza – Tulum Depart Chichen Itza for a morning drive to Tulum, on the Caribbean Sea (156 km). En route visit the ruins of Tulum overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean – bring your swimmers. In the afternoon, check in to your hotel located on the beach. B

Sun 30 Mar Tulum Most of your last day in Mexico will be spent at the Xel Ha tourist park built around a natural lagoon. Swim, snorkel with beautiful tropical fish, relax in a hammock, walk or take a bicycle along trails through the jungle surrounding the lagoon to look for local wildlife and flora. Or simply stay at the hotel and lounge around the pool or walk along the beach. This evening, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner. B D

Mayan pyramid of Kukulcan El Castillo in Chichen-Itza Colonial architecture in Puebla Tour Prices Per person twin-share AUD 7,750 Single supplement* AUD 1,750 Deposit per person AUD 500 Final payment due 13 January 2014

*Single travellers may request to share. Please advise at time of booking. Tour Code AG1403 Fitness level Above average Please see booking conditions for fitness level definitions. Your hotels Suggested Airlines Mexico City – Hotel Geneva+ QANTAS/AMERICAN AIRLINES Palenque – Maya Tulipanes+ Uxmal – The Lodge at Uxmal+ Competitive airfares are available on QANTAS/American Merida – Hotel Dolores Alba+ Airlines as well as V Australia, United and Delta Airlines. Chichen Itza – Hotel Okaan+ Please contact Renaissance Tours for current fares and Tulum – Hotel Ana y Jose+ bookings. Visas Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for Mexico. NB. Your travel will be via the USA. Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for the USA. You do however have to register on the website of the Department of Homeland security prior to departure from Australia: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov Tour price includes • Seventeen (17) nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast B • Transfers on arrival and departure in Mexico City and Cancun • Economy class flight Mexico City – Villahermosa • Meals as per itinerary ( L =Lunch, D =Dinner). Wine with dinners. • Lectures and talks throughout with Chris Carter • Transfers and sightseeing, including entrance fees as per itinerary, in comfortable air-conditioned coach (with on-board toilet) • Gratuities for local guides and drivers • Hotel porterage (1 piece per person) Tour price does not include • International airfares • Items of a personal nature, including telephone, laundry, room service etc. • Travel insurance • Airport porterage

A swim at Ik Kil cenote near Chichen Itza Terms & Conditions

How to Book minimum tour participant numbers). Except for MODERATE Complete, sign and return the Booking Form available force majeure, we will not cancel a tour less than 60 for the overall benefit of the group, all tour members from Renaissance Tours with your deposit and page days before departure. No further compensation must possess a moderate level of mobility, including one of your passport. will be paid in the event of cancellation by the ability to: Renaissance Tours. A full refund of monies paid for • negotiate airports and railway stations without Deposit / Final Payments tour costs will be the full extent of our liability. Your deposit is due at the time of booking and is wheelchair assistance used to pay hotel, airline, performance tickets and/ Cancellation and/or amendment fees may apply • use combined shower/bath facilities (it is or other deposits. It is non-refundable in the event for additional travel arrangements booked by impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities) of your cancellation. Renaissance Tours. • undertake walking tour of 1-2 hours duration, Final payment is due 60 days before departure. Passports, Visas and Vaccinations including using stairs, walking over cobblestones Failure to make the final payment by the due date All travellers must be in a possession of a valid and other uneven surfaces may result in cancellation of your booking and loss passport – most countries require a 6-month • s tand for long periods in museums and other of deposit. validity from your date of entry or exit. For some sites countries (e.g. China, Vietnam, India, Russia), visas Payments are accepted in cash and by cheque, • e mbark / disembark coaches, trains and other are included in the tour cost and will be arranged methods of transportation without assistance bank transfer, American Express, Diners Club, by Renaissance Tours prior to travel. For other MasterCard and Visa. A 3% service charge applies countries, it is your responsibility to ensure you have • h andle your own luggage for payment by American Express and Diners Club. the appropriate visa(s). ABOVE AVERAGE Cancellation & Refunds In addition to the above, tour members must also You are also responsible for obtaining all necessary be able to: a) Cancellation by You - Cancellation charges will inoculations and preventative medicines as may be be applied as shown below, calculated from the required for the duration of the tour. • Undertake walking tours of 2 – 3 hours day written notification is received by Renaissance • climb staircases of 100 or more steps Tours. In addition to cancellation fees for tours Travel Insurance operated by Renaissance Tours as shown below, It is a condition of travel that you are covered by CHALLENGING airlines, hotels and other third parties may impose comprehensive travel insurance for international In addition to the above, tour members must also up to 100% cancellation charges. tours. Your travel insurance can be arranged by be able to: Renaissance Tours. • H andle extremes of temperature (e.g. below 0 60 days or more Forfeit of deposit or above 35 degrees) 59 – 45 days 25% of tour cost Fitness and Participation Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of • h andle extremes of altitudes (e.g. 4000 metres 44 – 31 days 50% of tour cost fitness. and above). 30 – 15 days 75% of tour cost However, in certain destinations (e.g. Silk Less than 15 days 100% of tour cost Road, Central Asia, Outback Australia, tropical You can find the full terms & conditions on the The above cancellation charges include applicable destinations) or in certain seasons (eg. mid-winter, Renaissance Tours booking form. GST. mid-summer) or because of the nature of travel (eg. They can also be found at remote rail), certain tours will require an ABOVE www.renaissancetours.com.au/booking-conditions/ In addition to the above, cancellation charges AVERAGE or CHALLENGING level of fitness. or we would be happy to post you a copy on may apply for additional arrangements booked request. by Renaissance Tours, such as air tickets, hotels If you (or we) have any doubts about your level and travel insurance premium. If the reason for of fitness, you may be required to have a doctor’s cancellation is covered by the insurance policy, you appraisal. This would require your doctor to read may be able to reclaim these charges. the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with a written b) Cancellation by Us - We reserve the right to confirmation of your ability to participate. cancel a tour for any reason (such as failure to reach

Traditional colourful mexican sombrero hats Guanajuato, colourful town TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN 2014 Mayan temple at Tulum near Cancun Brochure effective May 2013

Your travel agent is toll free 1300 727 095 (AU) toll free 0800 403 621 (NZ) call (02) 9299 5801 fax (02) 9299 5805 email [email protected] visit www.renaissancetours.com.au Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001 ABN 14 069 591 448 Lic. 2TA4526