January 10 -17, 2004
Cycle the Yucatan peninsula from the jungle to the
Caribbean. Pedal through the thatched - roof villages of the contemporary
Mayan and explore the 1500 year old shrines and pyramids of their
ancestors, in a habitat sheltering birds, monkeys, and other fauna
unique to the tropics. Indulge in the peninsula's water wonderland--
fresh pools, cenotes/sinkholes, all along the daily routes and the
sea whose transparent waters are a living aquarium.
In this journey limited to one hundred privileged explorers, you will
penetrate the jungle and view archaeological sites hidden in Mexico’s
second largest federal park, 1.6 million-acre Sian Ka´an Biosphere
Reserve.
With the explanations of qualified guides you will appreciate
the amazing architectural and engineering skills manifested in the
once great Mayan city - states: Tulum, Coba, Muyil. There is time
to enrich your cycling with multi-sport activities-- equipment will
be provided so you can kayak or snorkel to your own private spot in
the Mayan reef, the world’s second longest coral reef.
Day by day,
stop and cool off in the crystal clear waters of the cenotes—nature’s
perfect swimming pools--blue holes in the peninsula’s limestone crust
fed by springs and underground rivers.
Travelers will stay in four
star hotels and inns, enjoy delicious Yucatecan cuisine--orange marinated
pork baked in banana leaves, fresh octopus, chicken & lime soup,
authentic Mexican dishes, and the freshest seafood imagined.
Above all, enjoy everywhere you go the welcoming smiles of the people
of the Yucatan peninsula -- they respect guests and show it.
Day 1.
Participants will arrive at the international airport of Cancun. They
will be greeted by a RMBA representative. Guests and any bike baggage
will be transferred to Playa del Carmen, the resort area one-hour
south of the airport. Bungalows are reserved in adjacent first class
beachfront hotels: Shangri La Caribe and Las Palapas. Dinner, welcome,
orientation to the area's attractions, climate, and customs, and briefing
on the tour -- routes/roads, rules, support facilities, food, lodging
& entertainment/diversions.
Day 2.
Cozumel Island ride (40miles/ 64 kms.)
Early breakfast. Bike from you hotel to the ferry in Playa del Carmen
to Cozumel. Bike 20 miles I a coast rode, looking at the great turquoise
water of the Mexican Caribbean, arrive to the rest stop, where water
and fruit will be available. Enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving in amazing
reefs of Cozumel. Lunch in the island, bike back 20 miles to the ferry,
take the ferry back to Playa del Carmen an the from Playa bike back
to your hotel. Dinner in your hotel.
Day 3
Playa del Carmen - Tulum ( 44 miles / 71 kms )
Early breakfast in your own hotel. Bike to Tulum, laid back resort
town and beach that forms the axis of the zone known as the Riviera
Maya. On the way stop in Puerto Aventuras, first rest stop (fruit
and drinks available). Follow to enjoy Xel-Ha, "Shell-Ha,"
park (15 miles from the Tulum hotels), considered the largest natural
aquarium in the world. Snorkel gear is available for rent in the park;
or you may simply swim (your admission entitles you to a towel) in
the park's numerous caves and pools. Have lunch, or a snack, on your
own in one of the park's three quick order restaurants featuring international
and Mexican dishes. Bike from Xel-Ha to Tulum. Make your way to the
beachfront hotels. Check in Los Lirios and Ana y Jose Hotels. Dinner
in the designated hotel. Rest stop in Puerto Aventuras and Xel- Ha.
Day 4
Tulum- Coba ( 40 miles / 64 kms. )
Early breakfast in the hotel. Bike ride to Tulum. Tulum is the only
Mayan walled city overlooking the sea. Follow the riding to Coba.
On the way, stop to snorkel in the amazing crystal waters of the various
cenotes, which are located along today's route. Lunch in Club Med
Hotel or any of the small restaurants of Coba town on your own, the
choice of restaurants will be listed on the day's ride sheet. In the
afternoon, visit famous Coba archaeological site. Dinner in Club Med.
Rest Stop in Gran Cenote and Lol Beh Shopping store.
Day 5
Coba- Pac Chen- Punta Laguna- Coba (35 miles/ 56 kms)
Optional early bird watching hike. Early breakfast. Bike from Coba
to the unique maya village of Pac Chen, where you can experience rappelling
into an underground river as well as enjoying crossing the lagoon
with a zip line, enjoy maya lunch in the village, follow the ride
to Punta Laguna to see wild spider monkeys, bike back to Club Med
Hotel for dinner. Rest stop in Pac Chen and Punta Laguna.
Day 6
Valladolid- Chichen Itza. (38 miles/ 61 kms)
Optional bird watching hike. Early breakfast. Transfer participants
by bus and bikes by truck/trailer to Valladolid. Bike ride from the
colonial city of Valladolid to the most important arqueological site
of the maya, Chichen Itza, crossing unique maya villages and impressive
churches, in the afternoon visit Chichen itza archeological site.
Check in Hacienda Chichen. Optional light and sound show in Chichen
Itza.
Rest stop in Kaua Town (20 miles). Guide will be available to explain
the archeological site at 3 pm.
Day 7
Breakfast in your own hotel. Pack your bike in your air travel box.
Then take your swimming suit and a change of clothes and be transported
to enjoy all day at Xcaret, "ESS-CAR-RET," an "arco-eco"
park famous for its water fun, its educational sections, and its entertainment.
Highlights are the park's two rivers, one with passages underground,
the aviary, butterfly and mushroom farms, aquarium, turtle breeding
and releasing area, and the outdoor entertainment. In between activities,
have a midmorning or a late afternoon snack on your own at any of
the park's various restaurants or snack stands. The closing dinner
and ceremony will be at 2PM in the park's special dining area in a
cave, where you will receive your RMBA diploma. The evening entertainment
is included in the admission and not to miss is the Mexican horse
show at 5:30PM, the re-enactment of an ancient Mayan ball game, at
6:30PM, and at 7:45PM, the fabulous folkloric night show of Xcaret
in the amphitheatre.
Day 8
Coffee will be available in the lobby of your hotel as you check out.
Transfer of participants (and any bikes flown in) to the Cancun international
airport, departure times depending on flights.
The Riviera Mayan Bike
Adventure tour INCLUDES: Hotels ( Shangri La, Las Palapas, Los Lirios,
Ana y Jose, Club Med in Coba, Hacienda Chichen). All breakfasts, dinners
and lunches day 1,2,3 and 5. All entrance fees ( archaeological sites,
the parks Xel-Ha and Xcaret ). Supporting vans, sag wagon during the
biking. Buses and trucks/trailers for special transfer of participants
and bikes. Bottled water and sport-drinks in the support vans Rest
stop drinks and sanitary facilities in several places each day. Portable
bathrooms as needed, fruit and sport-drinks. Professional bilingual
guides for explanations of sites visited. Airport transfers to first
hotel and from final hotel.
The tour does NOT include: Airfare, lunches day 4, 6 and
7, telephone calls, laundry, guide tips.
not drink the water from the hotel spigots or showerheads.
NOTES FOR FOREIGN VISITORS
*
Bottled water is used in
the hotels and restaurants that we will be using. Do not drink the
water from the hotel spigots or shower heads.
* Do not eat items from local
street vendors unless we tell you it is sanitary.
* Bring a washcloth. Some hotels
do not provide them.
* Bring a biodegradable combination
sunblock and insect repellent. A recommended brand is Mayatan.
* A passport or driver’s license,
or a birth certificate is all that is needed to enter Mexico.
* A fat tire bike is recommended
( There are some dirt roads in the route ).
* Some rental bicycles are
available.
* Rear flashing lights are
mandatory.
* Helmets are mandatory.
* The ride is open to adults
and to youth above 12 years of age.
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