full challenge details

Mexico
Mayan Bike Adventure
This incredible ride crosses the famed Yucatan peninsula, from the Gulf of Mexico
via the renowned pyramid of Chichen Itza to finish on the Caribbean, at the Mayan
ruins of Tulum.
A route packed with cultural highlights, it’s also a beautiful ride, as we pass
tropical plantations, cattle ranches, colonial towns and colourful villages, with
picture-perfect white-sand beaches awaiting us.
The route is generally flat, making this a perfect first cycle challenge, but the hot
days in the saddle make the terrain feel much harder, and you will be glad to
reach the warm blue waters of the Caribbean!
Challenge Grading
Detailed Itinerary
Our trips are graded from Challenging
Day 1: Depart London for Cancun
(Grade 1) to Extreme (Grade 5).
We arrive in Cancun and transfer to our hotel for dinner and a briefing. Night hotel.
This ride is grade Challenging
(1).
Day 2: Cancun – Merida – Telchac Puerto
Main challenges lie in the heat, which
makes for long days in the saddle.
We get up for an early breakfast and transfer west towards Merida, where we start
our ride before the heat really kicks in. Today’s ride is a gentle acclimatisation to the
Many factors influence the Challenge
heat, taking us north through small villages to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. We
Grading, such as terrain, distances,
can admire the views of the pam-fringed beach – a great start to our ride! Night hotel.
climate, living conditions, etc. The grade
reflects the overall trip; some days are
Drive approx. 3 hours; cycle approx. 27 miles
likely to feel more challenging than
Day 3: Telchac Puerto – Izamal
others. Unusual weather conditions also
have a significant impact, and not all
people are tested by the same aspects.
We ride west on quiet back-roads, passing cattle ranches and photogenic plantations
of spiky sisal plants. We pass small villages, many with colourful houses and
markets, and striking buildings. It’s a wonderful introduction to this region of Mexico,
Our grading levels are intended as a
discovering rural daily life at a depth only possible when cycling through a region. We
guide, but span a broad spectrum; trips
come to Izamal, a small colonial town with striking yellow-and-white buildings painted
within the same grade will still vary in the
in Vatican colours after the Pope visited in 1992. Night hotel.
level of challenge provided.
Cycle approx. 58 miles
01722 718444
[email protected] www.discoveradventure.com
Detailed Itinerary (cont)
Day 4: Izamal – Chichen Itza
Back in our saddles, we head out into quiet rural landscapes dotted with small
villages and towns, many with Mayan names and untouristed ruins which pay
testament to the Mayan civilisation. Our day ends at possible the most well-known
ruin in Yucatan – the impressive pyramid of Chichen Itza. We should have plenty of
time to explore this archaeological site, and may get to witness the late afternoon sun
creating the illusion of a snake creeping slowly down the northern staircase known as
Cycling Information
‘the castle’. Night hotel.
Cycle approx. 44 miles
Cycling distances range between 27
and 55 miles, which sounds less than it
Day 5: Chichen Itza – Valladolid
feels if it is very hot. Cycling is on
More quiet, narrow roads today, as we head through villages and roads lined with
tarmac roads – some smooth, some
lush forest and palms, dotted with colourful flat-roofed buildings. Children try to high-
more worn and uneven. The cycling is
five us we pass, and we may see fruit-sellers at the roadsides. Valladolid is a
predominantly flat. The heat will add to
cosmopolitan city scattered with beautiful colonial buildings such as the Convent of
the challenge. We will be using 21-
San Bernardino of Siena, and with cenotes (underground pools) which we may have
speed mountain bikes with semi-slick
time to visit. Night hotel.
tyres.
Cycle approx. 35 miles
This ride is achievable for most people
provided they train well in advance. We
Day 6: Valladolid – Coba – Tulum
supply a thorough training guide on
The landscape changes before our eyes as we approach the Caribbean, riding
registration.
through lusher landscapes with jungle, tall palms and plantations of tropical fruit. We
It is imperative that you supply your
own helmet and wear it at all times
while cycling, with straps done up.
Crew & Trip Support.
should feel acclimatised to the heat now, and thoroughly enjoy this last day of
cycling! We reach the historic town of Coba and load up the vehicles, where we
transfer (approx. 45 mins) to Tulum, site of impressive cliff-top Mayan ruins and
some amazing beaches! We head to a nearby beach to celebrate the end of our
cross-Yucatan adventure! Night hotel.
Cycle approx. 44 miles
Your trip will be led by experienced
Discover Adventure leaders, selected for
Day 7: Tulum
their knowledge, friendliness and
Today you are free to relax! Discover the ruins of Tulum and enjoy the lovely
approachability, sense of humour and
beaches. We gather together for an evening of celebrations to mark our week. Night
ability to safely and effectively deal with
hotel.
any situation that arises. They are also
trained in expedition first-aid. You are in
(Dinner not included)
very safe hands with a Discover
Adventure leader. An expedition doctor or
Accommodation & Food
medic also accompanies trips unless run
Bikes
below minimum group size.
Our local support crew is made up of a
friendly team of local guides / mechanics
We stay in good hotels in attractive
towns with plenty of cultural interest.
Rooms are on a twin-share basis.
and drivers. Local guides are a great
All food is included except where
source of knowledge about local customs
specified in the itinerary. The food is
and lifestyles. Support vehicles will be with
good and there is plenty of it – expect
the group at all times. All luggage will be
meals to be local in style.
carried in the vehicles, along with a range
of spares and a full tool kit.
Please let us know any dietary
requirements well in advance.
01722 718444
[email protected] www.discoveradventure.com
Detailed Itinerary (cont)
Day 8: Tulum – Cancun
We are free to explore, shop and relax until our transfer to Cancun and the airport.
(Lunch and Dinner not included)
Drive approx. 1.5 hours
Day 9: Arrive London
Discover Adventure reserves the right to change the route or itinerary for
safety reasons should local conditions dictate.
Copyright Discover Adventure 2016
Visas & Vaccinations.
A ten-year passport is essential and
For details of our extension trip allowing you more time to explore Tulum, please
contact us.
must be valid for at least 6 months from
date of entry. British passport-holders
Weather
do not need a visa; other nationalities
should check entry requirements.
Your routine UK schedule of
vaccinations should be up-to-date
(including Tetanus); check with your
GP for additional travel health advice.
It should be hot and sunny, though
there is always a possibility of tropical
showers and winds, especially by the
coast, where it can feel cooler than
inland. Temperatures can range from
18-35°C.
01722 718444
[email protected] www.discoveradventure.com
Mayan Bike Adventure
2017 – 2018
2017 Dates
18 - 26 Feb
25 Nov - 3 Dec
2018 Dates
17 - 25 Feb
24 Nov - 2 Dec
Pricing Information
All costs are based on a minimum of 15 participants. Please refer to our website for latest prices and offers.
REGISTRATION FEE
FUNDRAISING TARGET
TRIP COST
Payable 10 weeks prior to trip
departure
Payable 8 weeks prior to trip
departure
You commit to raise the fundraising
target. Your chosen charity will
retain 50% of this target plus any
additional fundraising you achieve.
Paid by your charity
providing they have received
all of the Fundraising Target
From £4200.00
N/A
Your contribution (Part Payment Trip
Cost) to the trip cost gives you a
lower fundraising target. You
commit to raise this target and your
chosen charity will retain 50% of
this target plus any additional
fundraising you achieve.
Set contribution (Part
Payment Trip Cost) paid by
you at this time.
Remaining costs paid by your
chosen charity, providing
they have received all of the
Fundraising Target
Payable on registration
FUNDRAISING
OPTION
Paid to Discover Adventure to
secure your place on the trip.
This is applicable to all payment
options and is non-refundable.
£449.00
PART –
PAYMENT
OPTION
Paid to Discover Adventure to
secure your place on the trip.
This is applicable to all payment
options and is non-refundable.
All Airline Taxes paid by
charity.
All Airline Taxes paid by
charity.
From £3200.00
£449.00
SELF PAYMENT
OPTION
Paid to Discover Adventure to
secure your place on the trip.
This is applicable to all payment
options and is non-refundable.
Raise as much as you can and 100%
of your donations will go to your
chosen charity
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All transport from London to Cancun return
All meals except where specified, and accommodation
Discover Adventure leaders; doctor with group of 15+
participants; local guides/mechanics & drivers
Vehicle support and back-up equipment
Entry to Chichen Itza, Tulum and any other sites or
Reserves included in itinerary
Beach club entry fees in Tulum
21-speed mountain bike (Trek / Giant or equivalent)
Paid by you together with
applicable Airline Taxes
(capped at £225.00/£250.00)
N/A
£449.00
What’s Included
From £500.00
From £1875.00
What’s Excluded
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Three meals as specified in the itinerary
Travel insurance
Personal spending money, souvenirs and drinks
Cycle helmet (compulsory) and 2 water bottles
Tips for the local guides and support crew
Inbound airport departure tax
Fees for any optional sites, attractions or activities
Airline taxes: we cap these so that £225.00/£250.00 is
the maximum you will pay
Any applicable surcharges as per Terms and Conditions
Discover Adventure Ltd Throope Down House Blandford Road Coombe Bissett Salisbury Wiltshire SP5 4LN
Tel 01722 718444 Fax 0843 290 5289 [email protected] www.discoveradventure.com