Archive of Past Programs

Note: This program is no longer available. Please see Domestic Travel Adventures and International Travel Adventures for currently available programs.

The Modern Maya of Mexico:
Connections to an Ancient Past

Featuring New Destinations in Yucatán and Campeche
(Print PDF)

Maya culture is best known for the artistic hieroglyphics and monumental pyramids of the Classic period, which began around A.D. 250. However, the roots of this remarkable culture extend much further back—to as early as 1500 B.C.—and the descendents of the ancient Maya continue to live in parts of southern Mexico today.

During this special educational tour, we revisit the world of the ancient Maya—with a new itinerary and, for the first time, an indigenous Maya scholar. Fernando Flores Tuz, a Maya from the village of Telchak, joins Dr. Miguel Astor Aguilera as we explore the magnificent architecture of several major Classic sites in Yucatán and Campeche, including Mayapán, Uxmal, and Edzná. But we also explore less-visited sites, like Ek' Balam with its fabulous stucco frieze, and visit quaint and beautiful Maya villages and homes in Xokén and X-Kabil, where we examine the connections of the modern Maya to their rich and tumultuous past.

Scholars: Dr. Miguel Astor Aguilera and Fernando Flores Tuz

Dr. Miguel Astor Aguilera is an assistant professor of religious studies at Arizona State University. With a specialization in Mesoamerican cosmologies and their historical traditions, he has conducted ethnographic research on religious life among the traditional Maya in contemporary Mexico and Central America. His research is interdisciplinary and involves ethnography, iconography, and archaeology.

Fernando Flores Tuz, is currently working on the reconstruction of archaeological sites in Yucatán. Most of his work has been conducted at local Maya sites, especially the Postclassic site of Mayapán. Fernando is also an expert in the archaeology of Maya cenotes (sinkholes). He has collaborated with Dr. Astor Aguilera on numerous projects in Yucatán.

Educational Focus

The factors contributing to the rise and fall of the ancient Maya civilization

The role of art, religion, and architecture in the development of the symbolic view of the Maya world

The tenacity with which modern Maya people have preserved their heritage

During this special educational tour, we revisit the world of the ancient Maya—with a new itinerary and, for the first time, an indigenous Maya scholar.

Trip Dates and Cost

Dates: Friday, March 6–Sunday, March 15, 2009

Tuition: Donor* $5,100; Nondonor: $5,300

Deposit: $1,000  

Balance due: December 31, 2008

Daily Trip Itinerary

Friday, March 6: Cancun • Valladolid

We arrive at the Cancun airport by midafternoon for the two-hour drive inland to the colonial city of Valladolid. We check into the hotel Meson del Marquez, our home for the next four nights, and gather for introductions and a trip overview, followed by dinner. Overnight Valladolid. (D)

Saturday, March 7: Ek' Balam • Xokén

We visit the Ek' Balam site, where an important city flourished during the Late Classic period (A.D. 600–900). Rising above the dense jungle, Ek' Balam—rarely visited by tourists—has been under investigation only since 1997, and its unusual, jaguar-mouthed inner room has been documented by Dr. Astor Aguilera. We travel to the village of Xokén, considered the Maya center of the earth because of a stela venerated by present-day people. We enjoy a traditional lunch in a Maya home before meeting with the indigenous scholars who have collaborated with Miguel. Overnight Valladolid. (B, L)

Sunday, March 8: Tihosuco • X-Kabil

The village of Tihosuco, "the Point of Five Divisions," is considered the cradle of the Caste War of Yucatán (1847–1901). At the local museum, we see how ancient trade roads led in all directions. We visit the still-unrepaired Catholic church which underwent heavy artillery fire at the hands of the rebels during the Caste War. Miguel maintains a research center and home in the neighboring village of X-Kabil, where, as time permits, we visit the village's Maya shrine, as well as see the Xunaan Kaab (stingless bees) kept for their ritual honey used by indigenous shamans. Overnight Valladolid. (B, L, D)

Monday, March 9: Yaxuná • Chichén Itzá

In the morning, we visit the Late Preclassic (300 B.C.–A.D. 250) city of Yaxuná, only 13 miles from Chichén Itzá, but historically allied with Cobá, 60 miles south. The longest-known Maya sakbe (causeway) connected Yaxuná and Cobá. After lunch, we visit Chichén Itzá itself, a once-powerful and militaristic city that dominated much of the region during the Classic (A.D. 250–900) and Postclassic (A.D. 900–1500) periods. The elaborate architecture of the ballcourt and Temple of the Warriors suggests a period of ancient glory. Overnight Valladolid. (B, L)

Tuesday, March 10: Mayapán • Uxmal

The Postclassic site of Mayapán was the last dominant Maya regional political center before the arrival of the Spanish, although it had been largely abandoned by that time. Within the walled fortification are structures reminiscent of those at Chichén Itzá. Miguel and Fernando have conducted archaeological surveys in the cenotes surrounding Mayapán and, time permitting, will lead those willing to venture into the jungle to see some of these magnificent limestone openings into the Maya "underworld." We continue on to Uxmal and the Hacienda Uxmal. Overnight Uxmal. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, March 11: Uxmal • Kabah

Uxmal is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the Puuc Maya sites in Yucatán. We visit the Governor's Palace, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Pyramid of the Magician, the House of Turtles, and the Temple of the Phalli. A sakbe connects the ancient city to its southern neighbor of Kabah, which is our next destination. Palace of the Masks, Kabah's most well known structure, features carved doorjambs and a series of long-nosed Chaak (Maya rain deity) motifs. Much of this site is unexcavated and still covered by vegetation. Overnight Uxmal. (B, L)

Thursday, March 12: Dzibilnocac • Hochob • Tabasqueña • Campeche

Today we visit three less-known Maya sites in the state of Campeche. Dzibilnocac, "Painted Vault," lies amid dense forest and is known for giant "earth-monster" and Chaak masks. Hochob, "Corn Stalk Palace," boasts reptilian mouth masks, and Tabasqueña, a rarely visited and unresearched site, features another "earth-monster" mouth marking its main structure. We will also examine strange, apparently nonfunctioning staircases and temples at these sites. We check in to the Hotel Del Mar in Campeche. Overnight Campeche. (B, L, D)

Friday, March 13: Edzná

We tour Edzná, a Maya city at the southern Puuc boundary, to see its complex irrigation system, five-level pyramid palace complex, and the Temple of the Masks, which depicts the cycles of the sun. After lunch, we return to Campeche for a city tour. Founded in 1540 by the Spaniards, the city retains many of the old colonial city walls and fortifications that were built to protect it from buccaneers. We visit the forts and the archaeological museum, and stroll along the charming waterfront. Overnight Campeche. (B, L)

Saturday, March 14: Mérida

We drive to the beautiful colonial city of Mérida, Yucatán's capital, and check into the Hotel Casa del Balam. In the afternoon, you are free to roam the picturesque streets, visit the cathedral, museums, art galleries, and shops, or simply to relax. We reconvene in the evening for a farewell dinner. Overnight Mérida. (B, L, D)

Sunday, March 15: Departures for United States

Scheduled anytime after breakfast. (B)

B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner

Tour Details

Tuition: Tuition is per person and is based on shared accommodations. Tuition includes accommodations, meals listed, entry fees and permits, most gratuities, and transportation from arrival in Cancun on March 6, 2009, until departure from Mérida on March 15, 2009. Transportation to Cancun and from Mérida is your responsibility.

Program prices are based on current tariffs and currency exchange rates and are subject to change. Crow Canyon reserves the right to levy a surcharge, if necessary, prior to the final payment date.

International Air: International air flights are not included. For assistance making arrangements, please call Bryan Ruiz at Pan American Tours, 800-876-3942 (El Paso, Texas) or email him at panam@htg.net. Or, you are welcome to make your own arrangements. Plan to arrive in Cancun by mid-afternoon, March 6. Schedule departure from Mérida anytime after breakfast on March 15.

Accommodations: All nights are spent in first-class hotels or motels. Shared accommodations are based on double occupancy. Single accommodations are available for an additional fee of $675.

What to Expect: While this program includes no strenuous activities, exploration of some sites requires moderate walks of up to one mile, occasionally across uneven ground, and standing for an hour or more at a time. Transportation is by modern coach. On several occasions, we might transfer to smaller vehicles to access out-of-the-way archaeological sites on rough roads.

The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's programs and admission practices are open to applicants of any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation.

Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California
CST 2059347-50

Copyright © 2008 by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. All rights reserved.