August 2003
The Deluxe Expreso Maya Train: 256 sitting capacity, in 4 luxurious coach cars with 64 seats each: Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Calakmul and Tikal. The “Campeche” cafeteria car with 56 seats, the “Palenque” club-bar car with 56 seats, the “Mérida” dining car with 48 seats and the “Sayil” luggage car.
Revenue SeatsNon Revenue Seats
56 at Cafeteria Car
Deluxe class 256 104 at Diner and Club-Bar
Total 256 160
The train is fully air conditioned, equipped with safety glass windows, ecological toilets with wastewater retention tanks, flame retardant upholstery and carpets and a non-toxic wiring fumes treatment. Mechanic conditions under US standards, sound speaker system available in each car and individually designed cars inspired by Mayan and Colonial features.
Our Crew is made up by the Train Master and an assistant, including a speaker, a mechanic, an electrician, an executive chef, cooks, bar tenders, waiters and porters.
Our tour includes :
All meals included: on board and land; aboard the train, four course dinner and a selection of wines, breakfast à la carte, coffee, bottled water, and snack bar included. Meals will be served on two seating times, choice of meat, chicken or fish in our main course.
Access to the entire train: Passenger cars, the “Palenque” club/bar, the “Mérida” dining car and the “Campeche” cafeteria car.
Accommodation: At 5 star hotels or the best category available at each city: cafeteria, swimming pool, room with: telephone, private bath, A/C, TV with cable or antenna (not available at the Chan Kah hotel in Palenque). *Limited handicapped facilities.
Bar Service: Porters will do rotating rounds to all seats. The club car bar will be opened all trip round. Drinks can also be ordered at the dining car. (Not included)
Bus Transfers: Deluxe buses with panoramic windows, air-conditioned, speaker system and bathrooms will be available to all passengers. For smaller groups vans and/or suburban type vehicles will be provided.
Tour Guides: A full time bilingual guide will be available per bus (every 40 passengers) in addition to a local guide at the ruins who will enrich the visit with detailed archaeological information. A speaker on board will provide specialized lectures (twice a day) about The Mayan architecture, astronomy, gastronomy and mathematics. Lectures will be held at the “Palenque” Club Bar Car and at the “Campeche Cafeteria Car”.
Luggage handling: Included for our passengers in all tours.
Tips: Hotel bellboys and hotel maids are included. (Train crew and lecturers’ tips are not included).
Store: Train collection and memorabilia store will operate on the train at the club-bar car and at the cafeteria car. Local information and quality goods from local craftsman will be sold.
Restrictions: Smoking is permitted exclusively in the exterior vestibules of train cars (where cars join).
Seasons: An 11 month train running season is open, seizing operations in September for maintenance. The train running scheduled dates will be open to all people interested, groups, etc. In case you may require a different date schedule, we will be glad to arrange special trips for groups, incentive programs or special events with a minimum of 90 passengers.
Times and Distances (Approximate Train Travel Time):
- Between Mérida and Campeche: 9 hours108 miles 174 km
- Between Campeche and Palenque:15 hours 247 miles 397 km
Note:The railway used by Expreso Maya is part of the privately owed Ferrocarril Chiapas railroad company– Mayab. Due to the regular freight traffic on this route, the train running schedule and times may vary and suffer some adjustments.
Length of the railway:571 Kilometers (355 miles) between Mérida and Palenque on a two-day train journey.
CONNECTIONS:
Mérida: There are regular flights from Mexico City, Cancun, Monterrey, Villahermosa, Palenque and other Mexican gateways as well as from Miami, Houston, the Caribbean and some charter flights from the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Cancún: A regular hub for airlines from USA, Canada, Europe, Central and South America.
Villahermosa: Provides a regular service to Mérida, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Houston
TRIP EXTENSIONS:
Pre or post train trips can be arranged and purchased including extra days in Cancún, Mérida, and Palenque or excursions to Agua Azul, Bonampak, Calakmul/X-Pujil Area, Tikal etc.
- The Expreso Maya is an excellent choice for pre or post convention trips, incentive programs, charters and specialized groups.
- For the most selective traveller, we recommend an up-scale trip staying at the old luxurious haciendas. Ancient mansions away from the cities that have been refurbished and decorated as in their glorious years dating the XVIII Century.
OUR TOURS
1. - 2-DAY TOUR - 1 NIGHT: Mérida – Campeche - Palenque, Deluxe Class
Monday, 1st Day: You will be welcome at the Mérida train station where you will start this fabulous tour on board of the Expreso Maya. You will enjoy our delicious breakfast à la carte in our “Mérida” dining car. The first stop will be at Maxcanú where buses will transfer you to the beautiful Uxmal: Mayan city declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Back aboard the train you will enjoy a formal lunch previously selected by you, with wine or beer while the train continues its voyage. Arriving at Campeche you will visit around the old town, there you will see the spectacular Light and Sound show at the old walls of the fortificated city. Dinner will be served in a restaurant downtown, with an spectacular view of the cathedral. Overnight at the Del Mar Hotel.
Tuesday, 2nd Day: Transfer from the hotel to the train station. On board you will take a delightful breakfast while the train starts its voyage to Palenque. After midday the train will stop for a visit to the exotic and beautiful cenote Agua Azul (open air pond of an underground river) located between Campeche and Escárcega. Back aboard the train you will continue the journey and taste an exquisite meal prepared by our chef. Before arriving to Palenque you will be invited to the dining car for dinner. On arrival at Palenque vehicles will be waiting to transfer you to the hotel that you previously informed us.
Special Price: $595 USD (Regular Price: $685USD). Prices are per person, on a double occupancy basis, plus 15% government tax.
Train Running Scheduled dates: MéridaPalenque October 20, November 24, December 29
Due to the distance between Palenque and Campeche, the train arrives to Campeche late at night. In order to provide our passengers the chance to visit this beautiful city the Expreso Maya stops here for 2 nights which include a full day visit of some of the city’s most interesting places and its surrounding areas. This visit is included in tours: 2 and 4
Tour No. 2 3-DAYS TOUR - 2 NIGHTS : Palenque - Campeche - Mérida
Thursday, 1st Day: You will be welcome at the Palenque train station where you will start this fabulous tour on board of the Expreso Maya. You will enjoy our delicious breakfast à la carte in our “Mérida” dining car. After midday the train will stop for a visit to the exotic and beautiful cenote Agua Azul (open air pond of an underground river) located between Escárcega and Campeche. Back aboard the train you will enjoy a formal lunch previously selected by you, with wine or beer while the train continues its voyage. Before arriving to Campeche you will be invited to the dining car for dinner. On arrival at Campeche vehicles will be waiting to take you to the Del Mar hotel to spend the night.
Friday, 2nd Day: You will start the day with a delicious buffet breakfast. Right afterwards you will visit the archaeological site of “Edzná” and the “Fuerte San Miguel”, later on, you will have lunch at a typical Campeche restaurant, then you will have some free time to rest or take a walk along the quiet streets of this colonial city and admire the colorful facades of the houses. At night you will visit the old walls of the city where you will enjoy the Light and Sound show. Dinner will be served at a restaurant downtown, with an spectacular view of the cathedral, and you will return to the hotel for your overnight rest.
Saturday, 3rd Day: Transfer from the hotel to the train station. On board , you will enjoy our delicious breakfast à la carte in our “Mérida” dining car. The first stop will be at Maxcanú where buses will transfer you to the beautiful Uxmal: Mayan city declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Back aboard the train you will continue the journey and taste an exquisite meal prepared by our chef while the train continues its journey to Mérida. On arrival at Mérida vehicles will be waiting to transfer you to the hotel that you previously informed us.
Special Price: $695 USD(Regular Price $785 USD) Prices are per person, on a double occupancy basis, plus 15% government tax.
Train Running Scheduled dates: PalenqueMérida: October 23, November 27, January 1
Tour No. 3.- 5-DAYS TOUR – 4 NIGHTS : Mérida – Campeche – Palenque - Villahermosa
Sunday, 1st Day: A tour guide will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to a Mérida City tour, (If your tour includes Chichén Itzá you will be transferred to the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, and lunch will be served at a local restaurant). Later on you will transferred to your hotel in Mérida. You will have some free time to rest or take a walk along famous “Paseo Montejo” and admire its majestic houses. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Monday, 2nd Day: Transfer from the hotel to the Mérida train station where you will start this fabulous tour on board of the Expreso Maya. You will enjoy our delicious breakfast à la carte in our “Mérida” dining car. The first stop will be at Maxcanú where buses will transfer you to the beautiful Uxmal: Mayan city declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Back aboard the train you will enjoy a formal lunch previously selected by you, with wine or beer while the train continues its voyage. Arriving at Campeche you will visit around the old town, there you will see the spectacular Light and Sound show at the old walls of the fortificated city. Dinner will be served in a restaurant downtown, with an spectacular view of the cathedral. Overnight at the Del Mar Hotel.
Tuesday, 3rd Day: Transfer from the hotel to the train station. On board you will take a delightful breakfast while the train starts its voyage to Palenque. After midday the train will stop for a visit to the exotic and beautiful cenote Agua Azul (open air pond of an underground river) located between Campeche and Escárcega. Back aboard the train you will continue the journey and taste an exquisite meal prepared by our chef. Before arriving to Palenque you will be invited to the dining car for dinner. On arrival at Palenque vehicles will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
Wednesday, 4th Day: You will start the day with breakfast at the hotel, afterwards, you will be taken by a tour guide to the Mayan city of Palenque, an impressive place where ancient buildings recall the magnificent world of the Mayan culture. Later on you will have lunch at Palenque city and then you will be transferred to your hotel in Villahermosa, Tabasco. You will have some free time to rest or get to know by yourself more about this city. You may as well visit the “Carlos Pellicer” Museum or the Tabasco History Museum. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Thursday, 5th Day: Breakfast at the hotel to start the day. Later on you will be taken to the “La Venta” park-museum where colossal Olmec heads and remains of this civilization are in exhibit. Afterwards you will be transferred to the Villahermosa airport. End of the journey.
Hotels: 4 Nights at Five Star hotels or the best available hotel in town: Mérida: Hyatt or Villa Mercedes; Campeche: Del Mar; Palenque: Misión, Chan-Kah or Ciudad Real; Villahermosa: Hyatt or Camino Real.
Meals: All meals included (some on board of the train):Package without Chichén-Itzá: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Package with Chichén-Itzá: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Train Running Scheduled dates Mérida/Cancún Villahermosa: October 19, November 23, December 28.
Sunday:Cancún or Mérida - Chichén Itzá–Mérida (Bus) *or private car, according to the number of passengers
Monday:Mérida – Uxmal – Campeche (Train)
Tuesday:Campeche – Palenque (Train)
Wednesday:Palenque – Villahermosa (Bus) *
Thursday:Villahermosa – Airport. End of our services.
Extension to Chichén-Itzá Without Chichén -Itzá
Starting at Cancún/Mérida Starting at Mérida
DeluxeUS $1,350US $1,250
Prices are per person, on a double occupancy basis, plus 15% government tax.
Tour No. 4 6-DAYS TOUR – 5 NIGHTS : Villahermosa–Palenque–Campeche-Mérida-Chichén Itzá
Tuesday, 1st Day: A tour guide will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to Villahermosa City, you will be taken to the “La Venta” park-museum where colossal Olmec heads and remains of this civilization are in exhibit. Later you will be transferred to your hotel where you will have some free time to rest or get to know by yourself more about this city. You may as well visit the “Carlos Pellicer” Museum or the Tabasco History Museum. Lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel.
Wednesday, 2nd Day: You will start the day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel restaurant, afterwards, you will be taken by a tour guide to the Mayan city of Palenque, Chiapas, an impressive place where ancient buildings recall the magnificent world of the Mayan culture. You will enjoy lunch in Palenque and will have some free time to rest or get to know by yourself more about this city. Diner will be served at the hotel where you will spend the night.
Thursday, 3rd Day: You will be welcome at the Palenque train station where you will start this fabulous tour on board of the Expreso Maya. You will enjoy our delicious breakfast à la carte in our “Mérida” dining car. After midday the train will stop for a visit to the exotic and beautiful cenote Agua Azul (open air pond of an underground river) located between Escárcega and Campeche. Back aboard the train you will enjoy a formal lunch previously selected by you, with wine or beer while the train continues its voyage. Before arriving to Campeche you will be invited to the dining car for dinner. On arrival at Campeche vehicles will be waiting to take you to the Del Mar hotel to spend the nigh.
Friday, 4th Day: You will start the day with a delicious buffet breakfast. Right afterwards you will visit the archaeological site of “Edzná” and the “Fuerte San Miguel”, later on, you will have lunch at a typical Campeche restaurant, then you will have some free time to rest or take a walk along the quiet streets of this colonial city and admire the colorful facades of the houses. At night you will visit the old walls of the city where you will enjoy the Light and Sound show. Dinner will be served at a restaurant downtown, with an spectacular view of the cathedral, and you will return to the hotel for your overnight rest.
Saturday, 5th Day: Transfer from the hotel to the train station. On board , you will enjoy our delicious breakfast à la carte in our “Mérida” dining car. The first stop will be at Maxcanú where buses will transfer you to the beautiful Uxmal: Mayan city declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Back aboard the train you will continue the journey and taste an exquisite meal prepared by our chef while the train continues its journey to Mérida. On arrival at Mérida vehicles will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Sunday, 6th Day: You will start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards you will enjoy a city tour, and you will be taken to the airport. (If the tour includes Chichén Itzá: you will be transferred to the magic city of Chichén, where you will have lunch at a local restaurant). End of trip
Hotels: 5 Nights at Five Star hotels or the best available hotel in town: Villahermosa: Hyatt or Camino Real; Palenque: Misión, Chan-Kah or Ciudad Real; Campeche: Del Mar;Mérida: Hyatt or Villa Mercedes
Meals: All meals (some on board of the train): Package without Chichén-Itzá:5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Package with Chichén-Itzá: 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Train Running Scheduled dates VillahermosaMérida / Cancún: October 21, November 25, December 30
Tuesday:Villahermosa
Wednesday:Villahermosa – Palenque (Bus) *or private car, according to the number of passengers
Thursday:Palenque – Campeche (Train)
Friday:Campeche
Saturday:Campeche – Uxmal – Mérida (Train)
Sunday:Mérida -Chichén Itzá-Mérida or Cancún (Bus) *
Extension to Chichén-Itzá Without Chichén -Itzá
ending at Cancún/Mérida ending at Mérida
DeluxeUS $1,450US $ 1,350
Prices are per person, on a double occupancy basis, plus 15% government tax.
1