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 San Bartolo of the Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tulum, and Coba—as well as the more-remote but oldest intact Maya murals yet found impressive sites at Labna, Sayil, and Mayapan. 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 Honduras, 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 Mexico Cancn Mérida Chichén Itz Valladolid Mayapan Uxmal Kabah 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 Puuc 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.