Explore Chichen Itza at Sunrise: Private Day Trip from CancunPrivate Tour

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What makes this tour special

See the sunrise over the glorious ancient city of Chichen Itza, and enjoy a private tour of these magnificent archaeological ruins without the crowds on this day trip from Cancun - including roundtrip transport, an expert private guide and a delicious Mexican buffet lunch.

On your private tour, you will:

• Enjoy a private roundtrip transfer from your hotel in Cancun to Chichen Itza, just 2.5 hours away; 
• Enter Chichen Itza with your guide before the crowds to watch the sunrise over the spectacular ruins of this ancient city; 
• Explore the significant architectural wonders of central Chichen Itza, a site that is about 5 square kilometres (or 1.9 miles) ;
• Visit the three major complexes called the Great North Platform, the Osario Group and the Central Group;
• See the famous El Castillo pyramid, the largest structure in the site standing 98 feet tall dedicated to Kukulcán, a Mayan feathered serpent deity and during the equinoxes;
• Admire the Great Ball Court - an ancient sports arena with stone platforms measuring 95 feet in length and 25 feet in height; 
• Marvel at the other impressive sites including the Temple of the Warriors, a large stepped pyramid and the Group of a Thousand Columns - columns carved with warriors, that surround it;
• Admire the Osario Pyramid and the Temple of Xtoloc next to the Sacred Cenote - a waterhole that was considered sacred by the Mayans, a portal between realms - it was a popular pilgrimage site;
• See the El Caracol observatory, a circular structure built to observe the trajectory of the planet Venus and other celestial phenomena - to declare dates for sacred rituals and practical reasons;
• Wander around Las Monjas - a vast complex of buildings containing both Mayan-Toltec and Puuc styles - likely used as a government or palace; 
• Visit the Akab Dzib dating to 869 AD with its three sections and 18 different chambers roofed with Mayan vaults;
• Wander the Market Place and so many more sites that make up this dense complex of ancient ruins that were once an all-powerful city - the economic centre of the peoples of the Yucatan Peninsular;
• Learn all about the Mayan civilisation that built this place over 1500 years ago, learn about their culture, their politics and power, their agriculture and how and what they worshipped;
• Enjoy a delicious buffet-style Mexican lunch;
• Dive into the mystical depths of a Cenote, where crystal-clear waters meet ancient wonder;
• Savour a taste of tequila before your scenic drive back to Cancun, a perfect finish to the day. 

Considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula, was one of the major cities of the Mayan people in the 7th and 8th centuries. Today it is a complex of ancient ruins including temples, public and residential buildings, and the famous El Castillo Pyramid, which reflect the greatness, wealth, knowledge, and power of a great civilisation.

Its temples indicate a devotion to mysteries and other realms, celestial observations that would dictate religious ceremony and ritual, and the agricultural calendar. It was invaded and sacked many times, and finally conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century.

Chichen Itza is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and a highly visited ancient city. This exclusive, private sunrise tour enables you to see this incredible place without the crowds and in the cool of the early morning before the heat and tourists descend. Begin your unforgettable journey from Cancun with a comfortable private transfer, taking you just 2.5 hours away to the legendary Chichén Itzá. Immerse yourself in the spine-tingling atmosphere of a long-dead ancient civilisation as you walk the paths, temples and residences of this once-powerful city. 

Your exploration begins at the Great North Platform, the Osario Group, and the Central Group, home to the site’s most iconic structures. Marvel at El Castillo, the famed pyramid dedicated to the feathered serpent deity Kukulcán. Rising 98 feet into the sky, this pyramid is particularly spectacular during the equinox, when shadows form the appearance of a descending serpent. Nearby, explore the Great Ball Court, an impressive 95-foot-long arena with towering stone platforms where ancient Maya athletes once competed. Visit the awe-inspiring Temple of the Warriors, a grand stepped pyramid surrounded by the Group of a Thousand Columns, each intricately carved with depictions of warriors.

As you wander further, you’ll encounter the Osario Pyramid and the Temple of Xtoloc next to the Sacred Cenote, a water-filled sinkhole that was a popular pilgrimage site for the Maya and thought to connect different realms. The ancient observatory known as El Caracol, with its unique circular structure, reveals the Maya's astronomical expertise; it was designed to track celestial events and played a role in setting dates for rituals and agricultural cycles. Nearby, Las Monjas showcases a blend of Maya-Toltec and Puuc architectural styles, likely serving as a palace or government complex, while the Akab Dzib, dating back to 869 AD, offers insight into ancient Maya craftsmanship with its vaulted chambers.

You’ll also visit the Market Place and other fascinating sites that reveal Chichén Itzá’s former status as a powerful economic centre for the Yucatán Peninsula. Throughout your tour, your guide will share the rich history of the Maya civilization, illuminating their culture, politics, agricultural methods, and spiritual practices that shaped this once-thriving city over 1,500 years ago.

After a morning of exploring, enjoy a delicious buffet-style Mexican lunch. The adventure continues with a refreshing visit to a nearby cenote, where you can swim in crystal-clear waters that have been considered sacred for centuries. To end this incredible day, savour a taste of tequila before your scenic drive back to Cancun, a perfect way to toast an unforgettable experience.

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