Grand Tour of Mexico

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Day 1 - WELCOME TO MEXICO

  

  Arrival at Mexico International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight stay.

• day 2

  Day 2 - MEXICO: THE CAPITAL AND THE AZTEC CITY OF TEOTIHUACAN

  

  City tour: you will discover the Plaza de la Constitución, also known as the Zocalo, surrounded by beautiful baroque-style buildings. Among them, the Cathedral, the most imposing religious monument in the country, is integrated into the site of the largest Aztec temple. You will also visit the National Palace, seat of the Presidency of the Republic, where you can admire the murals of the painter Diego Rivera on the walls. A glance at the recently discovered remains of the Templo Mayor bears witness to the grandeur of the ancient Aztec capital and adjoins the buildings of Spanish influence. The visit continues to Teotihuacan ("City of the Gods"), located about 1 hour's drive from the capital. Lunch near the archaeological site of Teotihuacan and discovery of the temple of Quetzalcoatl, the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, from where you will have a splendid view of the Avenue of the Dead. Return to the hotel.

• day 3

  Day 3 - VISIT OF PUEBLA

  

  Departure for Puebla. Visit of this superb city full of colonial history. Among its most famous monuments, you will discover the Church of Santo Domingo and its famous Rosary Chapel, one of the finest examples of Mexican Baroque art. Continuation to Oaxaca. Arrival in Oaxaca and overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  Day 4 - MONTE ALBÁN AND OAXACA

  

  In the morning, discovery of the famous archaeological site of Monte Alban, an important ceremonial center located on a large esplanade overlooking a hill. Although isolated, its imposing remains dominate the landscape. Visit of the necropolis and a glance at its mural paintings. At the end, you will visit an Alebrijes workshop (small fantastic wooden animals), where you can work on your own craft piece! In the afternoon, visit of the city of Oaxaca, known as the "cradle of patriots." Visit of the Zocalo, where the cathedral is also located, the Santo Domingo church, and continue with a visit to the former convent of Santa Catalina de Siena. Visit of the market, one of the most typical in the region.

• day 5

  Day 5 - Heading to wild and authentic Chiapas

  

  Departure to Mitla, archaeological site. Visit of the ceremonial center which hosted the pagan religious ceremonies of the ancient Mixtecs, although the place was initially occupied by the Zapotecs. You will notice the abundance of geometric figures with abstract shapes of extreme refinement. Continue to Tehuantepec. Lunch and departure for Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital of the State of Chiapas (5 hours). Check-in at the hotel.

• day 6

  Day 6 - Walk in the Sumidero Canyon

  

  Transfer to the pier for a motorboat ride in the Sumidero Canyon gorges. After the visit, lunch and continuation to San Cristobal de las Casas. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Free afternoon to start exploring this magnificent city in the heart of Chiapas. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Day 7 - VISIT OF SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS

  

  In the morning, visit the local market of San Cristobal, one of the most authentic in the region, which hundreds of Indians frequent daily to sell the products of their work. You will admire the church of Santo Domingo, in baroque style, built in 1547. Then, drive to the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. In San Juan, you will notice that the influence of paganism is expressed in a surprising way in the rites that take place in the heart of the church, unlike the village of Zinacantan where the Indians remain attached to the traditional Catholic worship. Return to San Cristobal. Overnight at the hotel. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to learn how to cook a real "tortilla" while tasting a small glass of "Pox", the ancient Mayan elixir!

• day 8

  Day 8 - SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS - PALENQUE

  

  Departure to reach Palenque via a beautiful mountain road. You will admire the change in vegetation, which will gradually become denser and more tropical as you descend from 2100 meters to 600 meters in altitude. Stop at the Agua Azul waterfalls for a swimming break! Arrival in Palenque and check-in at the hotel.

• day 9

  Day 9 - PALENQUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

  

  In the morning, visit of the archaeological site of Palenque. You will be charmed by the beauty of its stone buildings covered with stucco, an eminent example of the architectural style of the classical period. This major site of Mayan art, whose structures are scattered in the heart of the Chiapas tropical forest, is considered one of the most beautiful pre-Columbian cities in Mexico. The most astonishing building is without a doubt the Temple of the Inscriptions, at the heart of which the tomb of King Pakal and his famous jade mask were rediscovered. Continue to Campeche with lunch en route. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.

• day 10

  Day 10 - Uxmal and Mérida, the White City

  

  Departure for Mérida. On the way, visit to the archaeological site of Uxmal, whose name means "built in three stages." It is a beautiful example of classic and post-classic Maya architectural art. You will discover its main buildings, such as the Pyramid of the Magician, the Governor's Palace, and the Nunnery Quadrangle. Lunch. Arrival in the afternoon in Mérida and panoramic tour of the city, also known as the "white city," whose colonial-era mansions, with French, Italian, and Arab influences from the early 20th century, bear witness to its past wealth, which originated from the exploitation of sisal (Mexican agave). Stop at the "Zocalo" where you can admire the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the City Hall, and the Montejo House. Check-in at your hotel at the end of the day.

• day 11

  Day 11 - CHICHEN ITZA AND SWIMMING IN A CENOTE

  

  Departure for the Riviera Maya and en route visit of the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, the Mayan capital of Yucatan, which flourished on the peninsula between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. You will be able to visit the impressive buildings of the central and northern parts of the city: the Temple of Kukulcan, the ball court, the Observatory (Caracol), the Temple of the Warriors, the Nunnery, and the sacred well (Cenote). Lunch at a restaurant near Chichen Itza. In the afternoon, continue towards the Riviera Maya with a stop on the way at Cenote Saamal for a pleasant swim. Arrival at the end of the day at your All Inclusive hotel on the Riviera Maya.

• day 12

  Day 12 - RETURN FLIGHT OR BEACH EXTENSION ON THE RIVIERA MAYA

  

  For your last day, enjoy the activities of your All Inclusive hotel and its beach on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, until your transfer to Cancun airport, according to your flight schedule. Or extend the pleasure on the Caribbean Sea with our seaside extensions.