This trip is an extended version of the 5 day Yucatan Escape, so we'll start by giving you an extended description of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve:

Sian Ka'an, Maya for "Where the Sky is Born", lies on a huge limestone slab that partially emerged from the ocean during recent geologic times. Here the land melts with marine habitats forming a complicated hydraulic system which encompasses a variety of wetlands and coastal habitats such as seasonally flooded forest, savannas, mangroves, fresh water canals, lagoons, bays, cenotes (limestone sinkholes), and coral reefs. Approximately one third of the reserve is covered by tropical forest, while another third is composed of savanna and mangrove. The last third contains coastal and marine habitats, including 70 miles of the second longest barrier reef in the world. The scale is much larger than what we typically encounter in the US outside of Alaska. Sian Ka'an World Heritage Biosphere Reserve covers approximately 1.7 million acres. The great variety of habitats is home to all the mammal species normally found in the region including jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, spider and howler monkeys, tapir, white-lipped and collared peccary, manatee, and red brocket and white-tailed deer. In addition, the reserve provides habitat for crocodiles and beaches for nesting endangered green, loggerhead, hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles. Over 300 species of birds are found in Sian Ka'an, including the rare jabiru stork.

Our accommodations throughout the trip are located on the beach. Included in the mix of activities are kayaking, snorkeling, snubaing (yes, that's right, snuba - see Day 5), swimming in cenotes and birding. We will also visit the Ancient Maya sites of Tulum and Muyil, with optional fly-fishing in the world famous Ascension Bay.

NOTE: There are optional birding walks each morning from 6:00-7:30 AM.

Day 1: Hotel Los Lirios
You will be greeted at the Cancun airport and travel south along the Maya Riviera. Our hotel is about 1.5 hours from the airport past the mass tourism developments and nestled on the beach just outside the border of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. We should have time for a quick swim in the ocean before dinner. Night: Hotel Los Lirios.

Day 2: Muyil Archeology Site - Ancient Maya Canals
After an optional birding walk and breakfast, we will travel to the Ancient Maya site of Muyil. Keep the binoculars handy because archeology sites are generally great areas for wildlife viewing. You will learn about the Ancient Maya and then take an interpretive hike through the jungle on our way to meet our boats. We will then explore the reserve by boat and have a chance to snorkel through canals dug by the Ancient Maya. Night: Hotel Los Lirios.

Day 3: Cenotes and Tulum
The best kept secret of the Yucatán are the cenotes. These are sink holes that allow the underground aquifer to reach the surface. Each cenote is unique, usually featuring crystal clear water, lots of tropical fresh water fish, and some have caves with huge stalagmites and stalactites. We will visit one or two of our favorite cenotes as well as an early visit to Tulum Archeology Site. We don't want to go overboard with Ancient Maya culture, but Tulum is an unusual site covering a small but spectacular area. Once the day heats up we leave Tulum and start exploring the many nearby cenotes. Night: Hotel Los Lirios.

Day 4: Punta Allen - Snorkeling
Our day starts off a little bumpy, literally, as we travel the dirt road to Punta Allen. Upon arrival, we will head out to the second longest barrier reef in the world for a half-day of snorkeling. We will have several stops to enjoy the incredible marine environment. We should get back to our cabanas in Punta Allen mid-afternoon where there will be time to relax and explore this quaint fishing village. If there are any anglers in the group, there is an option to fish for permit, snook, bonefish and tarpon. Additional fees apply - $250/Day/Boat. Night: Cuzan's.

Day 5: Punta Allen - Snuba
Our optional birding walk will be with a local expert along the trails, boardwalk and observation towers just outside the village. After breakfast, we will snuba. It's a cross between snorkeling and scuba and is a pretty outrageous way to view the reef. Late afternoon is open to relax. Night: Cuzan's.

Day 6: Punta Allen - Mayaking
While we will have visited two Ancient Maya sites by this point in the trip; this will be a full day of fun with present day Maya. We will visit a lagoon and go kayaking in hand-crafted wooden kayaks with local Maya guides (mayaking). We will have a traditional Maya meal in the historic town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto - the center of the Maya Uprising from 1847-1906. We will have a great day on the water and learn about current Maya traditions and their strong ties to the past. Night: Cuzan's.

Day 7: Hotel Los Lirios
We will return to Los Lirios by late morning and have an open itinerary the rest of the day. It will be a great opportunity to relax on the beach or swim in the nearby cenote. If there is sufficient interest we will do a late afternoon visit to Tulum Archeology Site to take advantage of the spectacular lighting that makes for great pictures to wow the folks back home. Night: Hotel Los Lirios.

Day 8: Punta Allen - Snuba
NOTE: Returning flights should not be booked until 10:00 AM or later. We will be approximately 1.5 hours from the airport and you should arrive two hours before departure (total 3.5 hours).

Accommodations Listing
Hotel Los Lirios, 3 Star, beautiful beachfront setting with spectacular views and restaurant.
Cuzan's, 2 star, nice beachfront cabanas with verandas and hammocks. Excellent restaurant. Hot water, ceiling fans, no AC.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
This is a trip to one of the more spectacular regions of Mesoamerica. It provides the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and solitude of some of the most pristine protected areas remaining in our hemisphere. Viewing wildlife in the rain forest can be frustrating. With the thick vegetative cover, one must proceed patiently and cover an area thoroughly. The probability of seeing toucans, trogons and parrots is good; the probability of seeing a jaguar or tapir is poor (but we may see some sign). For orchid, bromeliad and heliconia enthusiasts, we can guarantee numerous sightings (plants are nice that way).

It is not a particularly rigorous trip but will involve some moderate activities. This tour should only be taken by persons who are in good health.

Mexico is a developing country and basic infrastructure is often at a level less than what we are used to in the United States. While our accommodations are very good to excellent, all with air-conditioning/ceiling fans, hot water, and in spectacular locations; there will be limited access to international phone service, faxes and e-mails. Meal service is leisurely, arrival and departure times subject to change, and an overall inefficiency we do not encounter in the US. It is a wonderful, vibrant culture and people are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

WEATHER:
We can expect daytime temperature highs in the mid 80s to low 90s with a nice sea breeze cooling off in the night. While unlikely in the dry season, we should be prepared for rain any day.

TOUR SIZE:
This tour will be limited to a maximum of 14 participants and a minimum of 8 participants.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
A US passport valid beyond your anticipated date of return to the US and tourist card (available on flight) is required. Currently no visas or immunization certificates are required. Those with foreign passports should contact the Embassy of Mexico for details.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS:
The fee for the tour is $2,198 per person based on double occupancy from Cancun. Single rates are an additional $350. This includes all food, three meals per day, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8; all lodging for 7 nights during the tour; ground transportation; and guide services provided by the tour leaders and local conservation professionals. It does not include international airfare, departure tax, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, passport fees, or items of a personal nature. Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the group does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement may have to be charged. An additional pick-up/drop-off fee may be charged for arrivals and departures from regularly scheduled international flights.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS:
For comprehensive information please contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the Internet at www.cdc.gov or by phone at 404-332-4559. The CDC information is a comprehensive listing of any disease reported in a particular region or state. Please consult a health care professional with any questions.

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES:
Currently there are no travel advisories for traveling in Mexico. You will be updated on any significant developments that pertain to our trip. http://travel.state.gov

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Refunds are made according to the following schedule: If cancellation is made eighty days or more before departure date, the deposit less $150 is refundable. If cancellation is made between seventy-nine and sixty days before departure date, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fifty-nine days or less before departure date, no refund is available except for amounts recoverable through our agents. We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance which you will receive upon registration.

If the Mesoamerican Ecotourism Alliance (MEA) cancels the tour or the tour must be postponed during a time period starting seven days before tour departure and /or through the duration of the tour, MEA will refund all money recoverable through our agents, not yet spent and/or all refundable deposits. MEA reserves the right to cancel, postpone or suspend any tour based on the judgment of MEA, its staff and representatives, in order to insure the safety of our guests.

RESPONSIBILITY:
MEA and/or their Agents act only as agents for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motorcoach, boat, or airplane and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in air schedules. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour. The right is reserved to decline, to accept, or to retain any person as a member of the tour. Baggage is at owner's risk.