Tour Overview
Almost 500 years on, the impact of Spanish conquistadores can be seen in the tall, ornate churches that crown the hillsides and plazas of Mexico’s cities and whitewashed walls of haciendas. But traces of earlier inhabitants remain in the remarkable temples and pyramids at Palenque and Teotihuacán, and in the traditions of dozens of indigenous cultures. Accompanying it all are the subtle spices of Mexico’s famous tortillas, tamales and enchiladas, washed down with bold red wines and heady tequila and mescal. Enjoy this 10-day cultural tour featuring Mexico City, Southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Mexico City, MexicoArrive in Mexico, the world's largest metropolis! You are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Mexico City is also the oldest urban center in the Western Hemisphere, when it was called Tenochtitlan. Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes and his men were awestruck by the sight of the imposing temples of the Aztecs. Reporting back to King Carlos V, Cortes was struggling to convey the majesty of what he saw. Imagine the King's surprise at learning that "one of the plazas is twice the size of that of Salamanca ", and "the principal pyramid is taller than the tower of the cathedral at Seville ", or that the stone and wood craftsmanship that adorned these monuments "could nowhere be bettered."
Balance of your day at leisure.
Overnight: Mexico City Day 02: Mexico City
In the morning, we will explore magnificent Mexico City, built on top of the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochititlan. Our first stop is the Zócalo (main square), one of the biggest public squares in the world. Nowhere is Mexico 's explosive past better depicted than at its central plaza, the Zócalo. Surrounded by some of the finest buildings of the colonial era, lay the remnants of one of the Aztecs' principal monuments, the Templo Mayor. Its mysterious shapes stand as a haunting tribute to the pre-Hispanic civilization that flourished here long ago. We will visit the Catedral Metropolitana- the largest church in Latin America, and the Palacio Nacional, which hosts Diego Rivera’s murals depicting the history of Mexico. We will then continue to a handicraft market, where we will have some time for browsing. We will then drive along the main boulevard Paseo de la Reforma, built during the short lived reign of Emperor Maximilian to connect the main square with his castle in Chapultepec We then continue to the archaeological site of Teotihuacán, located 50km northeast of Mexico City. Teotihuacán is one of the most impressive cities of the ancient world, held sacred by the Aztecs. We will explore its temples, palaces and pyramids, including the Quetzalpapalotl Palace Complex, the Temple of the Feathered Conches, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the immense Pyramid of the Sun, ranked among the biggest in the world. You will have time for lunch (not included) before returning to Mexico City
Return to your hotel.
Breakfast
Overnight: Mexico City Day 03: Mexico City - Oaxaca
Transfer to the airport for flight (not included) to Oaxaca. Oaxaca, located in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur, was once the center of the Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations. After the Spanish conquered Oaxaca in 1533, the city quickly took on a Spanish flavor, with ornate buildings, churches, elegant archways, balconies, decorative grillwork and charming plazas. Yet despite its colonial heritage, the city remains basically Indian at heart, wherein lies its charm. You are met at the Oaxaca airport by your local driver-guide for private tour of Monte Albán- a World Heritage Site- spectacularly situated on a mountain 400 meters above the Oaxaca Valley, a few kilometers west of Oaxaca. Monte Alban is the greatest of the Zapotec cities, and it came to dominate the cultural, religious and economic life of the region. It is also a triumph of engineering: the mountaintop was leveled to allow for the creation of the ceremonial site. We will explore the Gran Plaza, the Ball Court, the Observatory, the Palace and other beautiful structures.
Breakfast
Overnight: Oaxaca Day 04: Oaxaca - San Cristobal de Las Casas
Transfer to the airport for your flight (not included) to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas' lively state capital.
San Cristobal de las Casas is a characteristically indigenous Chiapaneca town nestled in the heart of the jungle highlands. The only way to reach San Cristobal is via a two-hour drive from Tuxtla Gutierrez.
En route the tropical heat and plant life prevalent in Tuxtla Gutierrez gradually gives way to the nippy mountain air and pine forests that surround San Cristobal, where days are sunny and warm, and nights may be chilly.
You are met by your local driver-guide and transferred to exhilarating [800 meter-deep] Sumidero Canyon. Created by the mighty River Grijalva that runs northwards through it, a boat ride will take you on a spectacular journey through the canyon!
Continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas, an Indian market town nestled in the heart of the jungle highlands. The clear mountain air and the remoteness give San Cristóbal a truly magical atmosphere!
Transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Breakfast
Overnight: San Cristobal de las Casas Day 05: San Cristobal de Las Casas - Palenque
San Cristobal de las Casas is a colonial jewel right in the heart of the Chiapas highlands. It is a magical spot, nestled in a valley and surrounded by forests and hills, making many Mayan villages very accessible. It is the indigenous soul of the town, coexisting harmoniously with its colonial charm, which is what makes it such an enchanting place to visit. The region is known for its traditional markets, colorful handicrafts, legends and mystical ceremonies that are influenced by the Mayan ancient traditions and way of life. We will visit the communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacatán. Each village has its own distinctive highland dress as well as a weekly market and numerous festivals honoring their patron saint and other special religious days.
In the foothills of the Tumbala Mountains, the ancient Maya site of Palenque sits on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf Coast. Palenque was at its height between 500 and 700 AD, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The elegance and craftsmanship of the buildings as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs with their Mayan mythological themes, attest to the creative genius of this civilization. It was the flood plain of the Usumacinta River that most likely provided Palenque’s inhabitants with the resources to construct their extraordinary city. Blesses with the highest average rainfall in Mexico, this fertile alluvial plain could have been successfully farmed with raised beds, and would have produced a harvest that not only sustain a large workforce but would have provided an abundance that could be traded along the Usumacinta. It seems that the gods were as enchanted with Palenque as are today’s visitors.
Transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Breakfast
Overnight: Palenque Day 06: Palenque - Villahermosa - Merida
Morning excursion to Palenque. The ancient Maya site was at its height between 500 and 700 AD, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The elegance and craftsmanship of the buildings, as well as the lightness of the sculpted relief’s with their Mayan mythological themes, attest to the creative genius of this civilization. Drive to Villahermosa [founded in 1596 by the Spaniards] on the banks of the River Grijalva. Here, board your flight (not included) to Mérida - your base for the next four nights from where you will explore the most important archaeological sites of the Yucatán Peninsula. The Hotel Presidente InterContinental Villa Mercedes is located in the heart of the business and financial district, close to Meridia’s main attractions. The 127 fully refurbished luxurious and spacious rooms feature air-conditioning, safe mini-bar, coffee and tea maker, gym, pool, fine restaurant and bar. It is the newest hotel in town. Built more than 450 years ago on the site of T’ho, an ancient Mayan city, Merida is the social and economic center, as well as the capital of the state of Yucatan. Meridia’s downtown area features a large, tree shaded Central Square. The city’s main boulevard, Paseo Montejo, is home to impressive European-style mansions whose pastel shades and elaborate trim are reminiscent of lavishly iced wedding cakes. Though a bustling city of about 700,000 people, Merida retains its colorful charm and has a laid-back tempo that delights visitors.
Breakfast
Overnight: Merida Day 07: Uxmal and Kabah Excursion
Today we will visit the archaeological site of Uxmal, a World Heritage Site located 80km south of Merida. Its architecture is characterized by low horizontal palaces set around courtyards, decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting the long-nosed rain god Chaac. We will explore the magnificent buildings, including the House of the Magician-, which dominates the site, the Nunnery, and the House of Turtles. We continue to Kabah, with its amazing Palace of the Masks, covered in nearly 300 masks of Chaac.
Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Merida Day 08: Merida
Full day at leisure in Merida, for you to relax and enjoy the many amenities offered by the hotel, or for independent explorations.
Breakfast
Overnight: Merida Day 09: Merida - Chichenitza
Full day excursion to famous Mayan pyramids Chichén Itzá. The name Chichén Itzá is a Mayan word: CHI (mouth) CHEN (well) and ITZA (of the witch water.) Some say this is because people were often thrown into the nearby cenote as sacrifices, and those who survived were believed to be seers. The site is divided into three sections. The North grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as "The Old Chichén.” You will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok. Anthropologists believe that the object of the game was to hurl a ball through a ring that was mounted on a wall, seven meters above the ground. Each team had six field players who would attempt to pass the ball - using any body part except their hands - to their captain who would attempt the shot using a racket of sorts. The captain of the team that made the first successful shot was then decapitated as a sacrifice to the gods. This was seen as an honor and guaranteed entrance into heaven. Return to your hotel this afternoon.
Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Merida Day 10: Merida - Depart
Transfer to the airport to board your homebound flight.
Breakfast
