Impressive ruins like the main pyramid, residences of the noble class, temples, and altars all of this and more during this spectacular 12-day small ship cruise aboard the M/V Victory II. Explore a fascinating cenote, where you can swim if you would like to, and then sit down to a congenial lunch featuring Mexican and Mayan-inspired cuisine at Tulum. Discover the finest of Chichen Itza's many monumental landmarks and admire the sun rising over the world famous pyramids!
Highlights
Tour the new Frida Kahlo Riviera Maya Museum at Puerto Morelos
Taste Mexican and Mayan-inspired cuisine at Tulum
Admire the Cathedral of San Gervasio in Valladolid
Visit Yucatan, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Discover Mayapan, the last great capital of the Mayan Empire
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
The southernmost point in the United States, Key West is beloved by visitors and residents for its vibrant street life. You can also experience colorful chapters of American history here. This morning, explore all of this on a narrated Trolley Tour and guided visit through President Truman's winter residence. Also known as the Little White House, this historic landmark-cum-museum also served as the naval station's command headquarters during the Spanish-American War and both World Wars.
Delight in this leisurely day at sea. Experience the finest service onboard today in Coastal Cruising. Enjoy the fresh air from the Observation Deck; relax with your favorite cocktails wine and beer as a feature of our free Open Bar. Enjoy convivial conversation with fellow passengers in our "Tale of the Whale Pub" or join a talk with your shipboard experts. While at sea enjoy your special Afternoon tea service fashioned from the most famous locations for afternoon tea such as The Ritz Hotel in London, Vienna Austria, and the Palaces of the of Maharajas of India. Delicious meals lunch and dinner are served in the elegant Shearwater Dining Room and al fresco at the Lighthouse Grill. As always, enjoy free-flowing wine and beer at lunch and dinner.
Step off the ship this morning in Puerto Morelos for a guided tour of the new Frida Kahlo Riviera Maya Museum. Ms. Kahlo is one of Mexico's most revered artists, famed for her bold self-portraits, vibrant colors, and attention to Mexican culture. She suffered from polio as a child and nearly died in a bus accident at the age of 18. It was during her long convalescence that she turned to paintings. This morning's visit explores her life and its impact upon her work. After lunch, continue to Xcaret to learn more about the eco-systems of the Yucatan. The exhibits at this eco-archaeological park include a Butterfly Pavilion and a state-of-the-art aviary with more than 1,500 colorful tropical birds. Four of the world's seven species of marine turtle's nest here along the Yucatan's Caribbean coast. Xcaret's Turtle Conservation Program teaches you more about these creatures and the work being done to preserve them. Tonight, thrill to the Dinner Show at Xcaret. Mexico Espectacular is a kaleidoscopic performance with more than 300 actors and dancers, authentic costumes, advanced technology, and elaborate sets. It traces Mexican history and culture from pre-Hispanic times to the modern era. After the show, return to the ship in Puerto Morelos.
This morning's guided excursion takes you to Tulum, an ancient Mayan city surrounded by defensive walls. It has a spectacular cliff-top setting overlooking the Caribbean. It has a spectacular cliff-top setting overlooking the Caribbean. Enter through one of Tulum's five ancient doorways for a guided tour that takes you back to times when Tulum was a seaport for trading turquoise and jade. Among its most impressive structures, El Castillo likely served as both a temple and a fortress. It sits on a 40-foot limestone cliff above a beautiful white-sand beach. After a buffet lunch on the beach, return to the Victory II. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore Puerto Morelos on your own or to enjoy the Open Bar, welcoming outdoor spaces, and congenial lounges of your elegant ship, the Victory II.
This morning after breakfast onboard Victory II your exclusive "Yucatan Safari" begins. First stop is Valladolid! First, spend some time visiting Casa de Los Venados. This outstanding museum is set in a sprawling 18,000 square foot residence and houses Mexico's largest private collection of folk art. Your sightseeing continues with the Colonial-era landmarks of Valladolid. Admire the Cathedral of San Gervasio that dominates the town's picturesque central plaza. Just a few minutes from town at the lovely Hacienda Selva Maya, explore the fascinating cenote, where you can swim if you would like to, and then sit down to a congenial lunch featuring Mexican and Mayan-inspired cuisine. On to Chichen Itza home of the most famous Mayan archeological sites in Mexico. This afternoon travel to the historic Mayaland Hotel at Chichen Itza. This was the first hotel ever to be actually built within an archaeological site. You can see the pyramids from the lobby of the hotel. After check-in, have time to refresh before an early "Fiesta" dinner. The excitement is only just beginning as this evening see the thrilling Sound & Light Show at Chichen Itza. With the towering steep pyramid of Kukulkán as the main backdrop, this amazing spectacle uses 3-D "Sky Mapping" technology to bring the 1,500-year-old Mesoamerican ruins to life. Just recently re-created, this sound and light show is now considered amongst the finest in all the world.
Day 7: “Exclusive Sunrise” at Chichen Itza then on to Izamal
The Sound & Light Show the night before at the ruins was incredible, but this morning as the sun rises over the pyramids see something only they can experience. For Victory II guests only, the local authorities have arranged for us to be at the archeological site at sunrise inside Chichen Itza. It's something you can never forget! For nearly 1,000 years, this was the greatest city of the Yucatan. It is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable synthesis of Mayan construction techniques with new elements brought by Toltec warriors from the central Mexican plateau. Before the influx of day visitors arrive, our expertly guided tour will explore the finest of Chichen Itza's many monumental landmarks. These include the El Caracol Observatory, Temple of Kukulcan, the Great Ball Court and the Jaguar Temple. After a great farewell breakfast at your hotel, it's on to Izamal. This Mayan town emerged as a religious center during the Early Classic Period more than 1,400 years ago. The Spanish arrived in the early 16th century and erected an enormous Franciscan Monastery that stands to this day. Tour the monastery and other Colonial-era buildings that give Izamal its timeless charm. Horse-drawn carriages takes you to your exclusive lunch prepared just for you at the best restaurant in town, Kinich. After lunch, you can explore the nearby Mayan Pyramid at your own pace. Izamal is painted Vatican yellow in tribute to the Pope's visit in the 1990's. It has remained yellow ever since.
In the morning after breakfast onboard ship step off the Victory II as it is your hotel for your time in Merida based in the charming port of Progreso. The guided excursion takes you to Mayapan, the last great capital of the Mayan Empire. Because there are fewer visitors here than at other archaeological sites in the Yucatan, you can look forward to an enlightening tour without large crowds. Mayapan was once a thriving city of 15,000 residents, but it was attacked and abandoned in the 15th century. Today there are impressive ruins like the main pyramid, residences of the noble class, temples, and altars. See unusual round buildings once used as ancient observatories. Finely preserved carvings and glyphs bear further witness to Mayan culture. This afternoon, we visit the renowned Mayan World Museum of Merida where you can discover a remarkable collection of artifacts. In addition, state-of-the-art exhibits tell the story of the origin, rise and fall of this once-great civilization. It provides the perfect background and context for the archaeological sites on your sightseeing program. Return for the evening to your ship in Progreso / Merida for cocktails and another elegant dinner.
After a sumptuous breakfast onboard, the Victory II "Safari" into the interior of the Yucatan Peninsula to the Mayan town "Nolo". This welcoming community of only 1,500 residents offers an intimate view of Mexican life. By special arrangement, guests can witness a healing Shamanic ceremony performed by a Mayan priest. This genuine cultural experience is rarely afforded to visitors. In the tradition and spirit of this special event, Victory guests have been asked to wear white; the Victory II provides appropriate white serapes, which you may keep as a memory of your experience. Another exclusive, is al visit the last working Hacienda in the Yucatan peninsula. The magnificent "Sotuta De Peon, a19th-century hacienda that once belonged to the wealthy Peon family. Set on verdant grounds with a grand colonnaded verandah, your tour of this lavish estate begins on a wooden platform pulled by mules along old tracks that wind their way through the estate. This traditional mode of transport once carried workers into the vast agave cactus fields where they would cultivate and harvest this important plant. See some of the original machinery that was used to process this henequen cactus into fiber that could be used for everything from hammocks to the giant hawsers that tie our ship to the dock! By the way, Agave is what also is used to make "Tequila". A delightful luncheon of authentic Mexican fare highlights our tour of the Hacienda Sotuta de Peon. Be back onboard the Victory II with time to refresh before we gather again for cocktails and dinner.
After breakfast and disembarkation, begin your exploration of this Colonial gem - recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the charming main plaza of town, your narrated Trolley Tour is the perfect way to experience the pastel-hued buildings, timeless cobblestone streets and handsome centuries-old mansions of Campeche's historic city center. Next, discover the Colonial fortifications at San Miguel. Then at the Archaeological Museum, see ancient tools made of ceramic and obsidian and the famous jade mask excavated from a Mayan tomb at Calakmul. Take a break from sightseeing to have lunch at Palapa del Tío Fito. Then a walking tour shows you more of Campeche's historic landmarks. Admire the lovely yellow façade of San Roque Church and the Cathedral. See the King's Lieutenant's House, the former residence of the Spanish King's military representative in the Yucatan. After sightseeing, transfer to the Hotel Plaza Campeche here in the historic heart of town. Have time to refresh and relax in your room before dining this evening at La Parrilla. Enjoy fine Mexican cuisine served in a setting that blends Colonial architecture and contemporary flair. Then head to the central plaza for Celebramos Campeche. Projected onto the façade of a historic building, this 30-minute Sound + Light Show uses exciting visuals and music to tell the history of Campeche.
After breakfast, visit one of Campeche's colonial-era homes offers a deeper look into the cultural heritage of this historic town. Learn about one of the region's most famous crafts and exports. Known locally as Jipiiapas, this Yucatan version of the Panama hat is still woven by hand from the pliable leaves of the Jipiiapa palm tree. Just north of Campeche, the village of Becal is especially known for the fine quality of its hats. All Victory guests receive a personal "Jipiiapas Panama Hat" to take home with them. At midday, you'll have free time to explore on your own, with lunch at a restaurant that you choose, compliments of Victory II. This evening, enjoy a private folkloric ballet performance at the historic Teatro Toro and dinner at La Pigua. Then return to your hotel for this final night of the Land of the Maya
Day 12: Fly to Miami
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, continue to the airport for your flight to Miami. Services end at the Miami airport so you can connect with your homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Category E
Oceanview stateroom, queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily. (Deck 1 / 160 sq ft)
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Category D
Oceanview stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.(Deck 1 / 158 sq ft)
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Category C
Oceanview stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.(Deck 2 & 3 / 152 sq ft)
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Category B
Oceanview stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.(Deck 3 / 146 sq ft)
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Category A
Oceanview stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire and chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.(Deck 3 / 185 sq ft)
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Category AA
Oceanview with direct access to the open-air promenade. Two twins or one queen bed, armoire and chest of drawers, mini fridge & fresh fruit daily. (Deck 4 / 161 sq ft)
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Owner’s Suite
Oceanview suite sweeping views, a private terrace, one queen bed and one sofa bed, sitting area, complimentary minibar, complimentary laundry service & fresh fruit (Deck 3/335 sq ft)
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.