Discover southern Mexico's fascinating history, rich culture and natural wonders. This comprehensive itinerary is specifically tailored to show you the most significant archaeological sites in Mexico and immerse you in its culture though its ancestral roots. Enjoy the buzzing metropolis of Mexico City, cook with a Zapotec family in Oaxaca, sail through the 900m deep Sumidero Canyon and flirt with monkeys in the rainforest.
CLASSIC MEXICO
HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the 'the birthplace of the gods' -Teotihuacán.
- Visit Celestun Biosphere Reserve, home to over 2,000 pink flamingos.
- Discover Chichen Itza, one of New Seven Wonders of the World.
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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrival, Mexico City
Arrive into Mexico City and transfer to your hotel, the sleek and contemporary Las Alcobas, located in the Polanco district. Enjoy some downtime to recharge before heading out for dinner. There are numerous superb restaurants surrounding the hotel, one of which is Pujol. With acclaimed chef Enrique Olvera its driving force and named the "best restaurant in Mexico City" by Wall Street Journal, we highly recommend it.
Overnight: Las Alcobas
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Day 2 Mexico City
Spend the morning wandering the Zócalo (Main Square), one of the largest city squares in the world, for some delicious Mexican street food and to absorb energetic atmosphere. Early afternoon head to Teotihuacan - The Birthplace of the Gods. 30 miles north of Mexico City and the country’s most famous ruin, you’ll walk down the Avenue of the Dead, so called because it was the route that sacrificial victims walked before climbing the 65m tall pyramid to be sacrificed to the Gods.
Overnight: Las Alcobas
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Day 3 Mexico City to Oaxaca
Fly to the historical city of Oaxaca, where you will visit museums, art galleries and markets. A pure joy for market lovers, Oaxaca is home to several sprawling indoor and outdoor markets showcasing all sorts of goodies from locally produced coffee to one-of-a-kind artwork. Head to Que Bo, an inventive (and one of the most recognized in the country) chocolateria, for some sensational chocolate.
Overnight: Casa Oaxaca
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Day 4 Mitla Archeological Site & Mezcal tasting
Explore the archaeological site of Mitla, famous for its intricate mosaic work, made from finely cut and polished stone. Continue through the valley to the “Mezcalerias” (Mezcal distilleries) in the towns of San Dionisio Ocotopec and San Baltazar. Meet the producers, try this iconic Mexican spirit and learn how donkey-power is still used in the fermentation process.
Overnight: Casa Oaxaca
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Day 5 Teotitlan del Valle Market Visit and Cooking with Zapotec Family
Head to Teotitlán del Valle, arguably the prettiest village in the east side of the valley. Visit a local family home to see the process of how traditional woven rugs are made and explore the Teotitlán del Valle market with a resident expert. During the afternoon, you'll be the special guests of a Zapotec family, enjoying a traditional cooking lesson and lunch in their home.
Overnight: Casa Oaxaca
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Day 6 Oaxaca to San Cristóbal de las Casas
Catch a flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez and drive to the Sumidero National Park. Enjoy a boat trip through the Sumidero Canyon, a stunning 900 metre deep natural wonder. Later this afternoon, drive east into the Central Highlands and to the picturesque town of San Cristóbal de las Casas, bursting with charm, multicoloured houses, narrow winding streets and ancient customs.
Overnight: Hotel Bo
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Day 7 Chamula, Zinacantan and San Cristobal de la Casas
Explore the deeply-rooted colonial city of San Cristóbal de la Casas before heading to the indigenous towns of San Juan Chamula and San Lorenzo Zinacantán. Highlights include the San Juan Church where the blend of pre-Hispanic traditions and Catholicism is evident in its rituals.
Overnight: Hotel Bo
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Day 8 San Cristobal de la Casas to Palenque via Tonina
Drive northeast to Palenque, visiting the impressive archaeological site of Toniná along the way. Toniná is famous for possessing one of Mexico's largest pyramids, measuring 74 metres high and recently discovered after being hidden under a hill for some 1700 years. Continue to Palenque arriving in the early evening to the sublime Boutique Hotel Quinta Chanabnal.
Overnight: Hotel Quinta ChaNabNal
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Day 9 Yaxchilan and Bonampak Archaeological Sites
Today you'll explore the ancient Maya cities of Bonampak and Yaxchilán, located in the Lacandon Jungle. During the afternoon, the Yaxchilán is reached via a 40 minute boat trip down the Usumacinta River. Upon arriving, you’ll walk through the thick of the rainforest to the main plaza, with the raucous howler monkeys swinging in the trees above.
Overnight: Hotel Quinta ChaNabNal
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Day 10 Palenque to Merida
Catch a flight to Mérida and drive to Casa Lecanda - a small luxury boutique hotel, exclusively for adults located in the historic center of Mérida, in the Yucatán. Once a family home, built in the late nineteenth century, the hotel has been designed to provide guests with a unique local experience, with meticulous attention to detail, architecture and landscaping, making it a sanctuary within the city.
Overnight: Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel
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Day 11 Merida Private City Tour & Celestun Biosphere Reserve
Discover the capital of the state of Yucatán, exploring the ancient centre of Mérida. Highlights include the Zócalo (Main Square), Cathedral and the district of El Paseo de Montejo with its impressive colonial buildings. After a stop for lunch, you’ll visit Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a salt-water lagoon and home to over 2,000 pink flamingos.
Overnight: Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel
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Day 12 Uxmal
Drive northwest to Uxmal, to explore the ruins of an ancient Maya city. Standing 38m tall, you will enter The Pyramid of the Magician through a giant mask of Chac (the God of Rain), his mouth being the door. Explore the rounded architecture, intricate mosaic facades and ornate cornices depicting Maya symbols.
Overnight: Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel
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Day 13 Merida to Chichen Itza
Explore the charming town of Izamal, a small community with strong traditions and where every building is painted yellow and white. Once a Maya settlement, it is now well-known for the 16th Century Franciscan monastery that sits on an ancient pyramid base. After your visit, continue to your hotel in Chichen Itzá.
Overnight: The Lodge at Chichen Itza
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Day 14 Chichen Itzá and depart from Cancun
End on a high with a visit to one of the most famous and certainly most visited archeological sites in Mexico - Chichen Itzá. Declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, you sadly won't have it to yourself but as you explore, enjoy the ingenious architecture of the Temple of the Warriors, the ballcourt and Sacred Cenote (natural sinkhole) and simply absorb its scale. After a wonderful day at Chichen Itzá, head south to Cancún Airport for your flight home.
Overnight: Home
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Depart
GUIDELINE PRICES - Per Person
| Low | $ 9,257 |
| Mid | $ 11,022 |
| High | $ 12,816 |
INCLUSIONS
- All transportation by private vehicle.
- The service of a private English-speaking guide.
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast
- Domestic flights
EXTRAS
- International flights.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary).
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included.
- Travel insurance or visa fees.
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REASONS TO BOOK
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