MEXICO CITY with Dickson Mounds Museum Friends
Led by Prof. Lawrence Conrad
September 2 – 9, 2019 $2,140.00 pp (dbl. occupancy) Inc. AIR
Imagine stepping out of your historic hotel right onto the Zocalo, the square that was the ceremonial center of Tenochtitlan the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire. You can visit the Templo Mayor where Cortez met with Montezuma and men, including Cortez’s men, were sacrificed. You will visit the Museum of Anthropology with its unparalled collection ranging from an Ice Age mammoth kill, through the origins of civilization, the mystical Olmecs, the state level Teotihuacanos, the enigmatic Toltecs, to the Maya and the Aztecs. Mexico City is also the hub for visits to many of the most significant sites such as Teotihuacan and Tula.
Larry Conrad, archaeologist, has traveled worldwide and led groups on trips on four continents. Groups have enjoyed Larry’s knowledge, affability and sense of humor.
Day 1 Sept 2: You depart from Peoria on American Airlines #5784 at 3:17pm connecting in Dallas and arriving Mexico City at 9:30pm. Ricardo, your tour director will meet you and take you to the historic Best Western Majestic Hotel opposite the historic Cathedral. You will enjoy a first view of the historic Zocalo, the main square of Mexico City from the rooftop dining room of your hotel. D
Day 2 Sept 3: After breakfast we will enjoy a city tour to see the newest buildings, such as the Soumaya Art Museum and broad tree-lined avenues. We wind up at the world-famous Museum of Anthropology, home of an immense collection (more than 600,000 items) of Mexico's most famous art and artifacts, ranging from a reconstructed mammoth kill with the actual bones and points to the enigmatic Olmec sculptures. Casts of Maya temple facades are set among gardens with other large prehistoric monuments. Interiors of three Maya structures are faithful copies of the Bonampak murals, (AD 790). We will have lunch at the museum. Artifacts and murals from Teotihuacan will better prepare you to appreciate the site when you visit it. We return to your hotel for a free afternoon. We can help you
with directions and transportation to attractions of your personal choosing. Dinner at your hotel rooftop restaurant. After dinner we will see a video on Teotihuacan. B D
Day 3 Sept. 4: Friday is a good day to explore fabulous Teotihuacan, (150 BC – c. AD 700), the largest city in the prehistoric New World and an Imperial capital, famous for its urban planning, large pyramids and colorful murals. Its influence spread throughout Mesoamerica before it collapsed. It even conquered the huge Maya city of Tikal in Guatemala. On the way we will make two brief but significant stops; one is the magnificent snake-ringed pyramid of Tenayuca, a Chichimec capital conquered by the Aztecs and the other a partially reconstructed Aztec temple Santa Cecillia Acatitlan. Dinner along the way. B D
Day 4 Sept. 5: We walk across the Zocalo to the Aztec Templo Mayor, (AD 1325 – 1521), excavated after utility workers encountered the monumental sculpture of the Moon Goddess at the base of the pyramid, the Center of the Aztec World. The fabulous temple had enough rich offerings to fill the on-site museum! Lunch (on your own) on the Mayor Restaurant terraces provides an overview of the site. We will next explore the plaza searching for other recently discovered sites in the zocalo. These include a part of an Aztec Ballcourt, the Temple of the Wind god and the spot of an Aztec Tzompantli (skull rack). You never know what might be suddenly exposed. Unlike other cities, Mexico City proudly preserves their heritage. We can direct you to
any art museum, market or any place of personal interest on your free afternoon. B D
Day 5 Sept. 6: Today we will head for Tlalpan, a borough of Mexico City to visit the incredibly important site of Cuicuilco. This is one of the oldest monumental structures in the Valle de Mexico. It certainly was in existence from 700 BCE to 150 CE and may have even had contact with Olmecs. It is circular in plan with five tiers, a mysterious form to contemplate. Afterwards we will make a return visit to the Museum of Anthropology to peruse the Toltec section and visit the reconstructed Tomb of Pakal with its fabulous sarcophagus and rich jade jewels, including his mask.
Day 6 Sept. 7: Today we will take a two-hour trip to visit Tula, capital of the Toltec Empire, AD 650 – 900, which arose following the Teotihuacan collapse and before the Aztecs. The Toltecs were once considered the victor over Chichén Itza, but other archaeologists believe that groups traveled via the coast and brought their cultures to Chichén Itza. Here we will make some comparisons (with pictures from Chichén Itza) of Chac Mools, the sculptures of reclining warriors, their weapons and their warrior temples. B D
Day 7 Sept. 8: The amazingly colorful murals at Cacaxtla (AD 400 -900), are luring us south. Cacaxtla was known about, but not explored or excavated until the 1970s. It was inhabited by a people that have come to be known as the Olmeca-Xicalanca people who are believed to have settled the area from about AD 400, long after the demise of the Olmec. There are references to other cultures in their fascinating murals. After lunch we will go to the nearby massive Pyramid of Cholula, the largest pyramid by volume in Mexico; this one was made of adobe brick. The talud tablero feature shows influence from Teotihuacan. B D
Day 8 Sept. 9: We depart Mexico City, far more knowledgeable about Mexico’s glorious past than we were a week ago, and certainly more appreciative of its artistic peoples. Depart Mexico at 8:00am and arrive Peoria 2:47pm (AA5784 from Dallas).
$2140 per person in a double $325 Single Supplement. ($500 deposit holds your space)
Mexico City w/ Friends of Dickson Mounds Museum Sept. 2 – 9, 2019
TOUR CONDITIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
TOUR FEATURES: The group tour, Mexico City w/ Friends Dickson Mounds, 2019 includes all land transportation, hotels, and specified meals each day, per final itinerary, transfers, tips for hotel maids, bell boys and waiters and handling for one bag. Tour originates and terminates in Mexico City.
TOUR COST: $2140.00 total. The ground portion of the tour cost, $1605.00 per person, double occupancy, single supplement is $325.00. based on rates at time of publication, and on minimum group size of 12. The air portion, including taxes is $535.All rates are per person and based on double occupancy, a single supplement will be charged when requested and where single rooms are available.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Secure your reservation with a $500 deposit per person. Final payment ($1,640.00) will be due July 10, 2019. Your Airline tickets will be received after July 22, 2019.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations must be received in writing by MMAT. Prior to February 19, 2019 a $150 penalty will apply. After February19, 2019 there is no refund. No refund for no-shows. We recommend travel insurance. Substitutes may be accepted.
INSURANCE: International health and trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. We recommend that you call Travel Guard at 800 826-4919 within 15 days of your reservation in order that preexisting conditions are covered.
PREREQUISITES: A passport for U. S. citizens, Openness to experience a rich and varied culture with an active friendly group of experienced travelers. The schedule of activities is very full. Travelers may opt out of an activity but will not receive any reimbursement. Travelers must stay with the group and if doing a personal excursion must advise the leader and only use recommended taxis.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THIS TOUR: Lunches, beverages during dinner, services not specifically described in the final itinerary, and tips for tour manager and for drivers, excess baggage charges and items of a personal nature such as laundry and telephone charges. No refunds for unused tours.
SCHEDULE OF MAILINGS: Upon receipt of your enrollment and deposit, you will receive a confirmation, and information about trip cancellation Insurance, Trip safety precautions and travel tips. A reminder bill for the balance will be mailed later. After receipt of your final payment, your tickets will be sent.
THE TOUR OPERATOR AND THE ESCORTS: MexiMayan Academic Travel, Inc., 12S675 Knoebel Drive, Lemont, Illinois 60439, phone (630) 972-9090, specializes in cultural and educational travel, Lawrence A. Conrad will escort the group and fulfill role of principal investigator. Explora Mexico is our Mexico operator.
RESPONSIBILITIES: MexiMayan Academic Travel, Inc., its officers and corporate agents, suppliers such as Explora and its appointed escort for this tour, act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation, hotels, and automobile and bus contractors. They will not be held responsible for accident, delay, sickness, personal injury or death, loss of personal property, additional expenses due to weather or other causes beyond their control. MexiMayan Academic Travel, Inc. reserves the right to amend the itinerary if weather or other factors make it necessary or advisable.
QUESTIONS: For more information about the tour, please call MexiMayan at (630) 972-9090.
