This adventure starts in Mexico City where you’ll learn the area’s pre-Colombian history and visit mysterious temples built by the Aztecs and Mayans. Experience the best of Chiapas starting with a mix of nature and culture in San Cristobal de las Casas with a walking tour of the city and visit to Sumidero Canyon. In Palenque, we’ll visit craft markets and archeological sites, and learn about the indigenous Tzotzil people. After visiting Campeche and Uxmal, Riviera Maya and its capital Mérida will be our next point and then through the famous archeological site of Chichen Itza, we’ll finish this spectacular tour in Cancun.
Highlights
- Mexico city tour with Anthropology museum
- Full day tour to Guadelupe basilica and Teotihuacan pyramids
- Speedboat ride in the Canyon del Sumidero, in Chiapa de Corzo
- City tour in San Cristobal de las casas and visit at the indigenous market
- Visit the Yucatan Peninsula, home to the largest collection of pre-Columbian Mayan treasures.
- Visit of the colonial city of Merida and Campeche.
- Visit to the archaeological sites of, Palenque, Uxmal and Chichen Itza, the most famous Mayan cities in the country.
Itinerary
Day 1: Mexico City
Arrival at Mexico City International Airport.
Reception by our guide and transfer to the hotel Regente. Free dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Mexico city tour including Anthropology museum
Breakfast in hotel and departure for the visit of the historic center of the city, founded by the Aztecs around 1325 and located at 2240 meters above sea level: panoramic visit of the colonial buildings in the Plaza de la Constitucion, also called Zocalo, among which the National Palace and the Cathedral; the morning ends with a panoramic visit of the Aztec vestiges of the Templo Mayor. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Visit to the National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park.
The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and rich museum institutions in the world. The museum’s complex was designed in the early 1960s by the architect Pedro Ramirez Vizquez, while the large stone roof, which rests on a high water-soaked monolith and covers part of the inner courtyard, is the work of sculptor José Chavez Morado. Dinner not included.
Day 3: Mexico excursion to Guadelupe basílica and Teotihuacan
Breakfast in hotel.
In the morning, departure for the Teotihuacan site, on the way stop to la Basilica Notre-Dam de Guadalupe,the most famous religious shrine in contemporary Mexico. This modern basilica was built to replace the 7th century Spanish building. The devotion to the cult of the “Black Virgin of Guadalupe” is so strong that Mexicans call themselves “Guadalupanos” before calling themselves Catholics. Every day you can see the expression of their devotion with long processions on the knees until the entrance of the basilica. The atmosphere is unique, full of fervor and prayers.
Buffet lunch at a restaurant near the archaeological site. Guests can enjoy Nopal, a cactus that is widely used in Mexican gastronomy. Traditional music entertainment.
Discovered of Teotihuacan, the fascinating “city of the gods» place of gigantic size. Crossing the Citadel you can admire the pyramids of the Sun, the largest construction of its kind on the American continent and that of the Moon, surrounded by small pyramidal buildings. Also visit the Palace of the Jaguar and Quetzal-Papillon. Before leaving Teotihuacan, we will stop to taste a local drink, the pulque, made of cactus, and to visit an obsidian laboratory, the black and shiny volcanic stone widely used by pre-Columbian civilizations. Back to Mexico City. Dinner not included.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 4: Mexico – Tuxtla Gutierrez / Chiapa de Corzo / San Cristobal de las Casas (flight non included)
Breakfast in hotel.
Departure in the morning to the airport to catch the flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez (flight not included -suggested Aeromexico flight 10h20 – 11h50). The flight must arrive in the morning (maximum noon).
Arrival and transfer to Chiapa de Corzo (change of transport and driving).
A speedboat ride in the Canyon del Sumidero, a natural site where very high walls, covered with vegetation, fall steeply into the calm waters of a winding stream forming a fabulous parade of unforgettable landscapes. Before lunch, passengers will take a ride in a “combi”, a kind of collective taxi.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Chiapa de Corzo. Where it will be served The “cochito” in the oven (regional pork dish with spice sauce, garlic and peppers).
Departure in the direction of San Cristobal de las Casas.
Accommodation in the Cathedral hotel. Dinner not included.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 5: San Cristobal de las Casas
Breakfast in hotel.
In the morning, we go to the discovery of the San Cristobal Indigenous market, where a huge crowd wears the traditional customs of the different communities of the region. Part of the market is dedicated to medicinal and magical plants.
Walk Around the zocalo, you visit the Cathedral (XVI century) and the Temple of Santo Domingo, beautiful examples of colonial and baroque architecture. Lunch included at the inhabitants.
Departure for the visit of the small villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinancantan. Villages that maintain their centuries-old mystical traditions, in the heart of Chiapas, this indigenous region keeps the rites and prayers of shamans intact. On the way you will cross the villages inhabited by the Tzotziles Indians, whose brightly colored clothes form spots of color on the green of the mountains.
What happens inside the churches is unique and you cannot see this in the rest of Latin America. These Catholic churches are the pure expression of religious syncretism between the Mayan religion and Catholicism that was introduced 500 years ago. The Saints have replaced the ancient divinities, but animist religious fervor is still present. You will be enveloped by the unique and almost surreal atmosphere that reigns in these places.
EXCLUSIVE
According to the mass schedules, passenger will be able to enter the Church of Santo Domingo to observe the fervor of the inhabitants, especially the natives, in one of the most beautiful temples in Mexico. Please keep in mind that you cannot take photographs of the indigenous people.
Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel.
Day 6: San Cristobal de las Casas / Agua Azul (3h30) – Palenque (1h30)
Departures to Agua Azul. Breakfast on the way in a local restaurant.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Due to the blocks (demonstrations) that unfortunately take place regularly between San Cristobal and Agua Azul / Palenque, the initial route might be changed, without going through the waterfalls of Agua Azul. In this case (force majeure) the itinerary will be changed and the visit to Agua Azul Falls will be replaced on day 9 with the visit of Cenote Ikil where you will have time to swim.
Discover the famous waterfalls of Agua Azul nestled in exuberant vegetation. Swimming is possible. Lunch in a small restaurant at the foot of the falls.
Road to Palenque, in the heart of the rainforest.
Arrival and accommodation at Hotel Nututun or similar.
Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel.
Day 7: Palenque / Campeche (5h – 355km)
Breakfast in hotel.
The most famous of the Mayan cities: Palenque. Most of the monuments are hidden in the dense vegetation that gives a mysterious appearance to the visit of this Mayan city that shone during the7th century, during the reign of Pakal.
EXCLUSIVE
Walk through the jungle to visit the “Queen’s Bath” waterfall. According to legend, this waterfall was used exclusively by the queen of Palenque.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue towards Campeche. Arrival and accommodation in the hotel Francis Drake -or Similar.
Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel.
Day 8: Campeche / Uxmal (2h30 – 161 km) / Merida (1h30 – 78km)
Breakfast in hotel.
You cross the Yucatan on the side of the Gulf of Mexico. Lunch will be served in a restaurant run by the Mayan community in the village of Muna. Guests can enjoy chicken pibil (chicken cooked with spices in a traditional oven).
Exploration of the archaeological site of Uxmal, classified by Unesco. The architectural style called Puuc is of great finesse and elegance. We find horizontal buildings decorated with mosaics like the governor’s palace and imposing and rounded pyramids like those of Devin.
Continue to Merida, the capital of Yucatan.
In the afternoon arrival in Merida and short orientation tour of this city with a special charm; city characterized by its low houses, churches and colonial buildings erected around “zocalo”.
Overnight at the Residencial hotel or similar. Dinner not included.
Day 9: Merida / Chichen Itza /Cancun
Breakfast in hotel.
A Stroll through the old town of Merida to admire the colonial and republican buildings that make this once very rich site famous thanks to the exploitation of sisal. We continue through Independence Square always animated by musical groups on weekends. At the end, we head to Chichen Itza, the most famous of the Mayan sites. Buffet lunch in a restaurant with jarana dance show.
Visit the site of Chichen Itza, an emblematic city of the Mayan people. The monuments not far from a huge cenote (pool of natural water) give a perfect idea of the life and culture of the Maya. You will see: the Theelotakukulcan pyramid, the temples and Caracol, as well as the astronomical observatory from which the Maya followed the rainy seasons, which are essential for planting corn.
Dinner and Overnight at the Bel Air Cancun hotel or similar.
Day 10: Cancun out
Breakfast in hotel.
Treatment of all-inclusive in the hotel and day available according to the departure time of the international flight, transfer to Cancun airport with English speaking assistant.
Dates and Prices
Prices p/p in Euros
Every Tuesday arrival in Mexico DF | ||||
Travel Period | Dbl share p/p | Sgl suppl | Hotels | Type of travel |
05/01/21 – 15/12/21 | 1.475 | 320 | 4* | Shared services |
- Our prices can be changed during the dates of Christmas, New Year, Mexican Independence Day (September 16), Day of the Dead in Mexico, Revolution Day in Mexico (November 20) High season in Mexico, dates of the Mexican Grand.
Notes
Travel Period: Range of time price are valid. Should your desired trip dates cover 2 different travel periods, rates should be recalculated and proposed to you by mail.
Type of Travel: vforvacation offers two types of travel
a) Shared services which means “seat in coach” basis tours with multinational fellow travelers’ groups.
b) Private services which means that all arrangements and land services are on individual basis.
Single supplement: Cost of Single supplement is only valid on a basis of minimum 3 paying passengers travelling together.
For Solo travelers on private service tours, rates should be recalculated and proposed to you by mail.
Travel dates 2021 – Arrival on Tuesday Mexico DF | |||||||||||
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
5 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 20 | 3 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 21* |
19 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 26 | 16 | 28* | |||
30 |
Inclusions
- Accommodation
Accommodation at 4* hotels ( Regente 4* in Mexico city, Hotel Cathedral* in San Cristobal de las Casas, Hotel Nututun 4* in Palenque, Hotel Francis Drake 4* in Campeche, Hotel Residencial 4* in Merida, Hotel Bel Air 4* Cancun ) or similar - Meals
Breakfast daily , 1 dinner ,8 lunches - Transportation
All transfers and excursions conducted in SIC shared services - Guides
Services of professional driver/guides included - Entrance Fees
All entrance fees included - Porterage
Porterage in hotels (a suitcase for passenger)
Porterage at the airport (a suitcase for passenger)
Not included
- International and domestic Air tickets
- Any other meals than the above described
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Any services not clearly mentioned in the program or mentioned as optional
Remarks
- In case of more travelers or groups pls request ad hoc and we’ll send you our proposal by mail.
- For special groups and ad hoc programs pls request and we’ll send you our proposal by mail.