Haciendas & Cenotes & Ruins Bicycle Tour in Mexico
Haciendas & Cenotes & Ruins Bicycle Tour in Mexico
We cycle from Mérida to Valladolid. We will enjoy the beautiful colonial architecture of several towns, visit various Mayan ruins and explore cenotes and ex-haciendas. Dates: Jan.27-Feb.3,2007
General Information
- (hotels)

Photos
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1:
Meet in Mérida
Yucatan cuisine, Murals, Colonial Architecture, market
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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.
Day 2
Day 2:
Mérida to Ticul (83km of cycling)
Picturesque Towns, Mayan villages, quiet roads, ex-haciendas, cenotes, Uxmal Mayan
ruins------------------------------------------------
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 3
Day 3:
Ticul to Oxcutzcab (via ruta Puuc Mayan ruins & Loltún cave) (67km of cycling)
Rolling, hilly roads. Spectacular Mayan ruins and caves
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We'll visit several minor Mayan ruins almost completing a circuit. Near the end of our loop we visit Loltún caves; the largest and most interesting cave system in the Yucatán and end up in the town of Oxcutzcab.
Day 4
Day 4:
Oxcutzcab to Izamal (118km of cycling)
Quiet roads, no tourists, cenotes
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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 5
Day 5:
Izamal
Massive pyramid, Convent, Zocalo, Market... The BEST tacos in Mexico! Optional sidetrip.
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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 6
Day 6:
Izamal to Pisté (via Stilpech, Tunkas and Dzitas) (71km of cycling)
Cenotes, quiet roads, small towns
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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 7
Day 7:
Pisté to Valladolid (45km of cycling)
Chichén-Itzá ruins, caves, cenotes, colonial town.
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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 Pisté. 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 8
Day 8:
Bus back to Mérida
Yucatan cuisine, Murals, Colonial Architecture, market
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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.
Extra Information
- Inclusions -
- Our price, the Guides' Fee, is for our services. We start by organising the tour and assembling a group of cyclists. Next, the Info-Pack that you will receive upon registration which will provide details about the tour and how to prepare for it. Once in Mexico we will guide you, assist with bike repairs and arrange for accommodations and places to eat. Where necessary we will arrange for English speaking guides for local tours, provide translation services and offer additional options or alternatives.
- Exclusions -
- Food and Drink (will be about US$95)
- Extras -
- !El Tour offers no-frills guided, self supported bicycle tours of the Pacific coast, the western Sierra Madre mountains, the Yucatan peninsula, and the southern states of Chiapas, Tabasco and Oaxaca.
Eating and sleeping where the locals do, we go from inn-to-inn and sometimes have the option of camping on the beach or in the mountains. Our small group bicycle tours are limited to 8 to 10 cyclists, plus your 2 friendly, fun and knowledgeable tour guides .
Guided Mexico bike Tours last for 1 to 4 weeks, run between November and July and range in difficulty from light to regular to challenge.
Couldn't find what you're looking for? Check out more tours & excursions in Merida
1-day tours
Long tours
- Complete Yucatan Adventure Bicycle Tour in Mexico - 22 days from 730 USD
- Roaming Backroads Yucatan Bicycle Tour in Mexico - 15 days from 550 USD
Email the tour operator - Haciendas & Cenotes & Ruins Bicycle Tour in Mexico
Important Notice : Avoiding Fraud
It's rare, but some helpful hints to watch out for with regards to fraud:
- It is important to NEVER wire funds or use/employ other fund transfer mechanisms such as western union: Always use a credit card to protect yourself against fraud. If owners pressure you into providing a deposit or refuse to accept credit cards, there is a high probability that this is a scam.
- If at all suspicious of fraud, ask to see their website, or any other literature they can provide or send to you. Ask them for contact details for guests who have previously stayed on their property insisting on telephone numbers. Be suspicious of emails that originate from free email services (yahoo, hotmail, gmail, etc)
- Research the property thoroughly on the internet to see if there is any history or mention of scams associated with the property.




