¡El Tour
Budget Bicycle Tours in Mexico
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Haciendas, Cenotes & Ruins 2014
Season 2013–2014 · all tours that season
Colonial Mérida to Valladolid. This is a regular difficulty tour. We will enjoy the beautiful colonial architecture of several towns on this tour including Mérida, Izamal and Valladolid. Mayan ruins that we visit include the famous Chichén-Iztá, Uxmal and several others including more in the Puuc hills. There are caves including Lol-Tun, and cenotes. A cenote is an opening to the immense underground lake and river system of the Yucatan; each one is spectacular and unique.
| Dates: | Fri Jan 10, 2014 to Fri Jan 17, 2014 (1 week - 5 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 77km Maximum/day: 118km Total Approx: 384km |
| Route Type: | REGULARRegular DifficultyA good level of fitness is required. Distances average around 50 - 80 km per day (depending on hills), and are always less than 120 km. Roads range from flat to very hilly. We may climb up to 1500 metres on a hard day.WeatherThe Weather: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan's best weather is during our winter months. From November till March the temperature hovers in the mid 20's to the mid 30's (celcius) with sunny clear skies. Humidity levels can be high as we head inland but a warm steady breeze and the occasional but rare tropical thunderstorm will keep you feeling refreshed.RoadThe Road: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan's roads are considered the finest in Mexico. They are generally in excellent condition with even, paved surfaces. Some stretches of our route also include a paved shoulder. The route meanders along flat terrain with the occasional rolling section. In most places traffic is light to non-existent. Depending on the time of day, roads may be busy near towns such as Cancun, Valladolid and Merida, however drivers are generally respectful of cyclists and will give you as much room as possible.LandThe Land: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan peninsula at the south eastern tip of Mexico is comprised of three states, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. The peninsula is a massive, flat carbonate - limestone shelf formed by prehistoric high sea levels. Too porous to support a river system, fresh water accumulates underground forming an extensive subterranean river network. Where the erosive process has broken through the earth's surface, cenotes (se-no-tes; limestone sinkholes or pools) have formed. Erosion has also formed numerous caves, some of them enormous and accessible to tourists. The peninsula's landscape is covered by thorn forest in the north and rain jungle in the south. |
| Highlights: | Real Mexican-Yucatecan culture. Small towns, quiet roads, ex-haciendas, cenotes, caves, Mayan ruins. Mérida; bustling city, colonial architecture, art, food, markets. |
The Route
Itinerary
Click any day for the full description. Itineraries were always subject to minor changes.
WhenWhereDistanceHighlights
Day 0 — Fri Jan 10, 2014Meet in M�rida-
Yucatan cuisine, Murals, Colonial Architecture, market [more]
Mérida, the White City, was founded in 1542. Its architecture still shows an exquisite union of pre-Hispanic and European elements. During its Colonial era, this state capital was the most important city in the region, leaving such living monuments as the House of Montejo, Government Palace, and the main building of the University of Yucatan. Museums, theatres, handcrafts, nightclubs and beautiful parks have created a beautiful and vibrant city. Once settled into our hotel room, we will experience M�ridas delicious culinary tradition at one of MÉrida's numerous restaurants.Day 1 — Sat Jan 11, 2014M�rida to Ticul83 km
Picturesque Towns, Mayan villages, quiet roads, ex-haciendas, cenotes, Uxmal Mayan ruins [more]
We'll pass through many small Mayan villages and ex-haciendas. There are also many cenotes to be discovered along the way. Upon arriving in Ticul you'll jump into a van for a trip to the Mayan ruins at Uxmal and back.Day 2 — Sun Jan 12, 2014Ticul to Oxcutzcab (via ruta Puuc Mayan ruins & Hacienda Tabi)67 km
Rolling, hilly roads. Spectacular Mayan ruins and ex-hacienda [more]
We'll visit several minor Mayan ruins almost completing a circuit. Near the end of our loop we visit the partially restored ex-hacienda Tabi and end up in the town of Oxcutzcab.Day 3 — Mon Jan 13, 2014Oxcutzcab to Izamal118 km
Quiet roads, no tourists, cenotes [more]
We start along the 'Convent Route' and then continue on even quieter roads. We'll pass through many small villages and have the chance to visit several spectacular cenotes.Day 4 — Tues Jan 14, 2014Izamal-
Massive pyramid, Convent, Zocalo, Market... The BEST tacos in Mexico! Optional sidetrip. [more]
Known as the Yellow Town because of the colour of the colonial buildings that line the zocalo, Izamal is famous for having the largest church plaza in Mexico. It includes an enormous Franciscan convent (built with Mayan stones) and the remnants of one of the tallest Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan. You can also visit the colourful market, or just stroll around the beautiful zocalo observing the daily routines of the local inhabitants.Day 5 — Wed Jan 15, 2014Izamal to Pisté (via Stilpech, Tunkas and Dzitas)71 km
Cenotes, quiet roads, small towns [more]
There are many cenotes and caves to visit along the way. An option detour will take us to the town of Cenotillo where there are even more cenotes and caves. In Pisté we can see the light and sound show of Chichén-Itzá, and explore the ruins early tomorrow morning.Day 6 — Thurs Jan 16, 2014Pisté to Valladolid45 km
Chich�n-Itz� ruins, caves, cenotes, colonial town [more]
In the early morning we will visit the important Mayan-Toltec ruins of Chichén-Itzá, avoiding all the crouds. After that we have a short ride with many attractions on the way. The Balancanchen Caves are about 6 km before Pist�. They are believed to have been a center for Maya-Toltec worship. The impressive stalactites and the ceramic religious offerings left behind by the Maya-Toltec civilization are definitely worth a visit. Cenotes X-Keken and Samula are a few kilometers before Valladolid. We will stop in for a refreshing dip in their cool, limpid waters. Valladolid is another colonial gem well worth spending some extra time in after the tour is over.Day 7 — Fri Jan 17, 2014Bus or van back to Mérida-
Yucatan cuisine, Murals, Colonial Architecture, market [more]
Mérida, the White City, was founded in 1542. Its architecture still shows an exquisite union of pre-Hispanic and European elements. During its Colonial era, this state capital was the most important city in the region, leaving such living monuments as the House of Montejo, Government Palace, and the main building of the University of Yucatan. Museums, theatres, handcrafts, nightclubs and beautiful parks have created a beautiful and vibrant city. Once settled into our hotel room, we will experience Méridas delicious culinary tradition at one of Mérida's numerous restaurants.What it cost that season
| Guides' Fee | + Accommodations | + Food & Drink | + Misc. | = Approx. Total Land Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $583 | $110 | $95 | $120 | $908 |
All figures in US dollars, as published at the time. Riders paid their own accommodation, food and entrance fees on the road — the Guides' Fee was the only charge from ¡El Tour. Full history: price of Haciendas, Cenotes & Ruins through the years.
Photo Album
