DATE WITH MEXICO

Day 1: Mexico City

- Arrival to Mexico City and overnight.

Day 2: Mexico City

- Our journey begins at the Zocalo of Mexico City. Few places have so much meaning for the Mexican culture as the Zocalo, a monumental public space surrounded by some of the most emblematic urban land marks of the metropolis, which makes it one of the most important public squares in the world. There you will find the Cathedral, National Palace, Supreme Court and the precinct of the Aztec Temple Mayor (or Great Temple) of Tenochtitlan.

- Transportation to Xochimilco, the Venice of Mexico. With its network of canals and artificial islands and gardens, Xochimilco testifies to the efforts of the Aztec people to build a habitat in the midst of an unfavorable environment. We will take a tour aboard colorful trajineras where you can joy the real spirit of Mexico, with Mariachis, trios and orchestras playing music from all over Mexico; you can also delight your palate with the great variety of food offered aboard other trajineras.

- Tour of the National Museum of Anthropology and History of Mexico City, considered one of the world's more important museums. Witness the most remarkable collection of the splendor of the pre-Hispanic past.

- Garibaldi Square is our final destination of the day, where you will have the opportunity to listen to dozens of Mariachi bands while you drink tequila in one of the square traditional cantinas.

- Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 3: Mexico City- Teotihuacan – Puebla (130 km)

-We leave the city to go to Teotihuacan, but before we make a little stop at the Square of the Three Cultures and at the Basilica of Guadalupe.

-Depart and tour of Teotihuacan, one of the most important and colossal archaeological sites in Mexico. Admire the Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc temples, The Avenue of the Death and the Moon pyramid and the Sun Pyramid (the second largest in the new world).

-Transfer to Puebla city, also known as Puebla de los Angeles. This city, considered as world heritage site, has around 5000 colonial buildings mostly of baroque architecture from the XVI century. One of the most beautiful precincts is the Cathedral, a perfect example of the architectonic beauty of the city. Take a tour of the Parian handicraft market, visit the beautiful Tonanzintla church and reward your palate with its unparalleled gastronomy; a perfect blend of pre-Hispanic, Arab, French and Spanish inheritance.

-Overnight in Puebla.

Day 4: Puebla-Oaxaca

- Transfer to Oaxaca. In Oaxaca City you can admire the amazing architecture of the beautiful buildings that embellish its historical downtown, declared World Heritage site by UNESCO. Visit the Cathedral, Santo Domingo monastery and church, and the Macedonio Alcala Theater among other magnificent nineteenth-century colonial constructions.

- Overnight in Oaxaca.

Day 5: Oaxaca – Monte Alban-Tehuantepec (253 km)

- We start the day visiting the archaeological site of Monte Alban belonging to the Zapotec culture. See the temple of Los Danzantes, ball court, The Palace and other structures literally carved out of a mountain. This political and ceremonial city was founded in the year 300 b.C. and is located ten kilometers from the city of Oaxaca, its buildings rise at the top of the mountain at almost 2 kilometers above the sea level. Its strategic location allowed the Zapotecas dominate the valley and its surroundings: this group conquered wide territories that are in now known cities of Oaxaca, Puebla, Guerrero, Chiapas and Veracruz.

-We continue, through a breathtaking mountain landscape where the cactus fields and magueys paint the landscape blue. Tehuantepec is one of the most ancient Zapotec communities of the isthmus, with a very tranquil atmosphere and permanent sea breeze that cools its hot evenings.

- Overnight in Tehuantepec.

Day 6: Tehuantepec – San Cristobal de las Casas (383 km)

-We leave Tehuantepec behind to continue towards Chiapa de Corzo, a small city located in the center of the state Chiapas, in the southeast of the country.

- We will visit the ecological park El Cañon del Sumidero, with magnificent views of the canyon and impressive geological formations in the cliffs and river banks. Admire the Cave of Silence, the Cave of the Colors, the waterfalls and the majestic Christmas tree among other attractions. We will also enjoy a Chiapanecan traditional meal, while hearing the Marimba music.

- Arrival and overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Day 7: San Cristobal de las Casas-Zinacatan/San Juan Chamula (10 km one way)

- Tour of San Cristobal de las Casas, a magic town that is better to explore walking as you will have the opportunity to get to know its people closely. The city displays the great ethnic and cultural variety through its people culture and traditions. Travel down San Cristobal’s streets to see the markets, churches and its quaint houses with baroque facades, flower gardens, tile roofs and balconies.


-Transfer to visit the villages of Zinancantan and San Juan Chamula just 10 km from San Cristobal. Get close to the culture and traditions of these Tzotzil communities that are very proud of their roots. Acquire beautiful embroidered clothes, amber jewelry and woolen sweaters.

- Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Day 8: San Cristobal – Palenque (191 km)

-In the morning transfer to Palenque, we stop on the way to visit the majestic Agua Azul waterfalls. Located in the heart of a rain forest Palanque offers magical scenery of temples and buildings dating from the Classical period (400 - 700 AD).

Among its most important buildings include: The Palace, which is distinguished by its high tower that stands out from the rest of the building, the Temple of the Sun and The temple of the Cross that surrounds the mysterious Temple of the Inscriptions with the tomb of King Pakal.

- Overnight in Palenque.

Day 9: Palenque – Uxmal (508 km)

- We begin the day with a tour the archaeologically site of Palenque, once concluded we’ll make way towards the Gulf of Mexico to eat at the beach and continue our route towards Uxmal where we will enjoy the spectacle of Lights and Sound.

- Overnight in Uxmal.

Day 10: Uxmal-Merida (80 km)

- The day starts with the visit in the morning to the archaeological site of Uxmal, a site also known in its time as the center of commerce of obsidian and basalt. Tour this ancient Mayan city and admire breathtaking constructions of the architect Puuc like the Nunnery, the House of the Turtles and the Governor’s palace, with exquisite facades carved in calcareous stone that overwhelms us with their splendor. The development of this site was on the early Classic period from (ad 200 to 600).

- Enjoy a delicious Pibil chicken meal one of the best recipes of this areas before we take the road towards the city of Merida. Also known as “The White City” because of its colonial buildings made of limestone and quarry. This city was founded by Francisco Montejo in 1542 and it brings together art, tradition and culture.
Visit the Governors Palace that displays beautiful murals with the history of Yucatan, the famous Montejo’s House, the Cathedral, the theater Peon Contreras, the University and endless historical buildings. At night you can enjoy the city’s lively entertainment and the gastronomic fusion and exotic tastes of its cuisine.

- Overnight in Merida.

Day 11: Merida-Chichen Itza- Cancun (320 km)

-We part from Merida towards Chichen Itza, where we tour this ancient Mayan site. Granted status as one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world, this important ceremonial center is a place full of magic and mysticism. Be impressed by the genius architecture of the Kukulkan’s Pyramid also referred as El Castillo, The Observatory, The Temple of the Warriors and the Great ball court with its monumental 12 meters high walls.

- Arrival, enticing dinner and overnight in the tropical paradise city of Cancun.

Day 12: Cancun – Mexico City

- Free morning to enjoy the most beautiful beach of the Mexican Caribbean. You will be later be transferred to the airport according to your flight departure schedules.