The Lost City Marathon kicks off from the ancient Maya city of Palenque, Mexico. The race features both a marathon and a half marathon. The awe-inspiring route follows jungle trails, majestic rivers, picturesque ranches and small villages. It's a challenging race crossing various surfaces and steep hills. Palenque is nestled in the dense rainforests of the Chiapas region on the Yucatan peninsula, surrounded by lush vegetation and breathtaking beauty. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the …
The Lost City Marathon kicks off from the ancient Maya city of Palenque, Mexico.
The race features both a marathon and a half marathon. The awe-inspiring route follows jungle trails, majestic rivers, picturesque ranches and small villages. It's a challenging race crossing various surfaces and steep hills.Â
Palenque is nestled in the dense rainforests of the Chiapas region on the Yucatan peninsula, surrounded by lush vegetation and breathtaking beauty.
It provides a fascinating glimpse into the religious and cultural practices of the Mayan people who thrived in this once vibrant and powerful city, famous for its well preserved and impressive architecture of the Maya civilization. It has now been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical and cultural significance.Â
 Only 10% of this magnificent city has been fully discovered. Lets embark on this adventure together!Â
When booking the 4 night standard package you will be staying at the cosy 3-star Maya Tulipanes hotel, which has a pool and relaxing courtyard with trees to offer shade during the hottest hours of the day.
Centrally located in the town of Palenque you will find many restaurants nearby and the town square is just a 10 minutes walk away.
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When booking the 8 nights package you will be staying in a number of brilliant 3-star hotels throughout the trip.
Starting in Playa del Carmen you will check in to the Hacienda Paradise, located just one block from the beach and right on the edge of the town centre providing access to all of Playa del Carmens treats at an affordable level.
When reaching Campeche on day 3 of the tour you will be staying at Mision Campeche hotel.
In Palenque we check in at the Maya Tulipanes. which has a pool and relaxing courtyard with trees to offer shade during the hottest hours of the day.
Centrally located in the town of Palenque you will find many restaurants nearby and the town square is just a 10 minutes walk away.
The last night before the tour ends we find ourselves in Merida where we will be staying at Del Gobernador hotel in the city centre.
During your 4 nights in Palenque you will be staying at the unique Chan-Kah Resort Village. All rooms are built as an independent "villa" and located under the trees. The resort pool is created to resemble a cenote and ideal for relaxing during the day.
When booking the 8 night package you will be staying at some of the best hotels in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Starting in Playa del Carmen you will check in to the Viva Wyndham Azteca, an all inclusive hotel right on the beach.Â
On arrival in Campeche on day 3 of the tour you will be staying at Gamme Campeche hotel.
In Palenque we check in at the Chan-Kah Resort Villas. All rooms are built as an independent "villa" and located under the trees. The resort pool is created to resemble a cenote and ideal for a relaxing day.
The last night before the tour ends we find ourselves in Merida where we will be staying at El Castellano hotel in the city centre.
8 NIGHT PACKAGE
19 February 2024 - Arrival in CancunÂ
This tour starts in Cancun airport. According to your arrival time on the day we will arrange transportation from the airport to your chosen hotel in Playa del Carmen.
The drive to Playa del Carmen takes 45-60 minutes and upon arrival you can simply kick back and relax in this famous vacation town.
Note: Check-in cannot be guaranteed before 15:00, but luggage can be stored at the hotel while you walk around the city or you can visit the beach if you arrive early.
It is possible to book pre-nights if you want more time to explore.Â
Meals: No meals included on Standard package. Deluxe has all inclusive from the time of your check in.
20Â February 2024 - Playa del Carmen
A full day to relax by the beach and enjoy Playa del Carmen.
Meals: Breakfast for standard package. Deluxe package has all inclusive.
21Â February 2024 - Chichen Itza, Cenote and CampecheÂ
After breakfast it is time to wave goodbye to the beach as we head inland for the amazing Chichen Itza. Named one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World in 2007 the Chichen Itza is of course the most famous of the Mayan cities, but it was also one of the most important places of the Maya civilization.
The pyramid known as El Castillo - a geometrical, astronomical and architechtural masterpiece rises majestically in the center of the archeological zone, but Chichen Itza has many excavated and reconstructed buildings including one of the finest ball courts from the period of the Maya.Â
After our guided tour in Chichen Itza we continue our journey west, but on the way we make a stop by a Cenote for a swim. Cenotes are sinkholes where the limestone bedrock has collapsed and exposed groundwater. The Maya used these as a source of fresh water while today they are more popular as natural swimming pools.Â
In the evening we reach the coastal city of Campeche - an often overlooked gem of the Yucatan peninsula. The city center has well preserved Baroque colonial buildings and a walled historical district.
Meals: Breakfast
22Â February 2024 - Palenque
We start the day with a small sightseeing tour to Campeche before heading west to Palenque, which we will reach in the late afternoon.
Palenque town is located 8km from the Maya ruins of Palenque. It is a small and a relaxing place to stay, with a vibrant square and several good restaurants.
As we check in to our hotel we can enjoy the evening ambience and get in to "race weekend" mode.
Meals: BreakfastÂ
23Â February 2024 - Explore the Maya ruins of Palenque - race briefing
The day before race day we will drive to the Maya ruins of Palenque where the race kicks off.Â
The Palenque ruins used to be a Maya city state, but perished on the brink of the 9th century after more or less 1000 years of existence. It was a medium-sized city on a Maya scale, but none-the-less a very important site. Due to its location right between the flat Yucatan and the mountains, Palenque beco\ame a connecting centre for several city states and has some of the finest architecture of all the Maya cities.
It is estimated that only 10% of the structures have been excavated with the rest of the city still lost to the jungle...
After the guided tour there will be time to explore the area on your own before the bus leaves. On the way back all runners meet at the Chan-Kah Jungle Resort for lunch and a race briefing by the race officials. At this time your race packs will be handed out, the most important details about tomorrow's race will be explained and questions can be asked to the officials and medical team.
Relax for the rest of the afternoon at the hotel or take a stroll through the cosy town of Palenque.
In the evening a pasta buffet dinner is served at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinnerÂ
24Â February 2024 - Race Day
Today is the big day! You can enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel before we take the bus at 6am on our way to the start.
All runners will be dropped off at the parking lot outside the Palenque Archeological Zone. Bags and items for the finish line can be dropped here and toilets will be available.
The race will starte in waves, with marathon runners in the first waves and half marathon runners in the last waves. Ten minutes before the start of each wave the runners in that wave will be allowed to enter the Archeological Zone and line up at the start. No items that are not being used during the race can be taken inside, this includes drinks or food of any kind, bags, and extra clothing that you don't intend to wear for at least the first three kilometers of the race.
The first wave starts at 07:00 am.
The finish line is located by the Chiapaneca restaurant where a post-race meal is included. Shuttle busses will be ready to bring runners back to their hotels.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch in the Finish Area
25Â February 2024 - Optional excursion and celebration dinner
After yesterday's run some may want to relax at the hotel pool or take another visit to the Palenque ruins on their own. You also have the option to reserve an excursion that takes you to the breathtaking waterfalls of Misol-Ha & Agua Azul with our adventure guides.Â
In the evening busses will bring everybody to the festive celebration dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & celebration dinner (if the excursion to Agua Azul is booked, lunch is also included)
26Â February 2024 - Merida
Our time in Palenque has come to an end. We leave in the morning and drive to Merida where we will spend the night.
Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan and has a rich cultural heritage of both the Maya and Spanish periods. It is also known to be the safest city in all of Mexcio.
Meals: Breakfast
27Â February 2024 - Back to Cancun airport and goodbye Mexico
After an early breakfast our bus will bring us from Merida to the airport in Cancun. Expected arrival is at 12:00pm, so keep this in mind when booking your flight home.
It is also possible to book a post-night in the airport if your return flight doesn't match the bus arrival time at the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
Note: If choosing the Deluxe package the stay in Playa del Carmen is all inclusive (some food and alcoholic beverages at a fee)
 Exclusions
Excursion option:
25 February 2024 - Misol-Ha & Agua Azul waterfalls - £65
If you are a fan of waterfalls you will not want to miss this excellent excursion to two of Mexico's best - the Misol-Ha and the Agua Azul.
The Misol-Ha is a single drop 35 meter high waterfall that plunges into a circular crystal-clear pool surrounded by lush vegetation. A boardwalk will bring you safely behind the waterfalls, giving you a spectacular and awe-inspiring view.
Agua Azul, meaning "Blue Water" consist of several smaller falls and pools. The water is famous for its very clear and turqouise blue color.
Lunch is included in the excursion.
We recommend that you bring good footwear (no flip flops) as it can be a little muddy around the falls.
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4 NIGHT PACKAGE
22 February 2024 - Weclome to Villahermosa and Palenque, Mexico
Today is arrival day. The easiest way to reach Palenque is by flying in to Villahermosa in the state of Tabasco. There's no international flights landing in Villahermosa, but 7 daily flights coming in from Mexico City.
Albatros representatives will be ready in Villahermosa airport for each flight arrival today. In Villahermosa airport busses will be waiting to bring you down to Palenque - a 2½ hours drive.
Domestic flights are not included in the package, so we kindly ask you to inform us of the flight number and time you are arriving to ensure enough space on the bus.
If you plan to arrive in Palenque by a different means of transportation, check in to your hotel is guaranteed from 15:00.
Meals: No meals included this day
23 February 2024 - Explore the Maya ruins of Palenque - race briefing
The day before race day we drive to the Maya ruins of Palenque where the race will kick off.Â
The Palenque ruins used to be a Maya city state, but perished on the brink of the 9th century after more or less 1000 years of existence. It was a medium-sized city on a Maya scale, but none-the-less a very important site. Due to its location right between the flat Yucatan and the mountains Palenque become a connecting center for several city states and has some of the finest architecture of all the Maya cities.
It is estimated that only about 10% of the constructions have been excavated with the rest of the city still being lost to the jungle...
After the guided tour there will be time to explore the area on your own before the bus leaves. On the way back all runners meet at the Chan-Kah Jungle Resort for lunch and a race briefing by the race offials. At this time your race packs are handed out, the most important details about tomorrow's race will be explained and questions can be asked to the officials and medical team.
Back at your hotel the rest of the afternoon can be used to relax at the hotel or take a stroll through cosy Palenque town.
In the evening a pasta buffet dinner is served at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinnerÂ
24 February 2024 - Race Day
Today is the big day! You will enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel before we take the 6am bus to the start.
All runners will be dropped off at the parking lot outside the Palenque Archeological Zone. Here bags and items for the finish line can be dropped and toilets will be available.
The race will be started in waves, with marathon runners in the first waves and half marathon runners in the last waves.
Ten minutes before the start of each wave the runners in that wave will be allowed to enter the Archeological Zone and line up at the start. No items that are not being used during the race can be taken inside. This includes food and drinks of any kind, bags and extra clothing that you are not planning to wear  for at least the first 3 km of the race.
The first wave starts at 07:00 am.
The finish line is located by the Chiapaneca restaurant where a post-race meal is included. Shuttle busses will be ready to bring runners back to their hotels from here.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the Finish Area & Dinner
25 February 2024 - Optional excursion and celebration dinner
After yesterday's run some of you may want to relax at the hotel pool or take another visit to the Palenque ruins on your own.
It is also possible to book the excursion to go to the stunning waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol-ha with our Adventure guides.Â
In the evening buses will bring everybody to the festive celebration dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & celebration dinner (if the excursion to Agua Azul is booked, lunch is also included)
26 February 2024 - Goodbye Palenque
Our time in Palenque has come to an end. Transfers will be going to Villahermosa airport throughout the day according to the flight times you have informed us about.
If you arrived by Palenque by a different means of transportation, the hotel check out is at 10:00 am.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
Exclusions
Excursion option:
25 February 2024 - Misol-Ha & Agua Azul waterfalls - £70
If you are a fan of waterfalls you should not miss this excellent excursion to two of Mexico's best - the Misol-Ha and the Agua Azul.
The Misol-Ha is a single drop 35 metre high waterfall that plunges into a circular crystal-clear pool surrounded by lush vegetation. A boardwalk will bring you safely behind the waterfalls, giving you a spectacular and awe-inspiring view.
Agua Azul, meaning "Blue Water" consists of several smaller falls and pools. The water is famous for its very clear and turqouise blue colour.
Lunch is included in the excursion.
We recommend that you bring good footwear (no flip flops) as it can be a little muddy around the falls.
Packages
4-night package
All prices are per person in pounds (£)
Standard
Twin / Double room: £790
Single room supplement: £120
Deluxe
Twin / Double room: £1030
Single room supplement: £280
8-night package
All prices are per person in pounds (£)
Standard
Twin / Double room: £1190
Single room supplement: £360
Deluxe
Twin / Double room: £1590
Single room supplement: £550
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Race Entry
Marathon or Half-Marathon: £200
Race entry includes:Â
Excursion
Misol-Ha & Agua Azul waterfalls: £70
Deposits
Runner deposit - £400
Supporter deposit - £200
Please note - Full tour costs will be taken if booking within 10 weeks of departure
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For further information email 2:09 Events on info@209events.com
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