Grand tour of Mexico - Extended Mexico holiday

Welcome! Upon arrival you will be received and transferred to your hotel. After the check-in, your afternoon will be available at leisure. 

Overnight at hotel.

Today you will get to know one of the world´s biggest and most exciting cities! Enjoy a guided tour in the historical center, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. This interesting tour will include “The Zocalo”, the heart of Mexico City, where you will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest of the Americas, and (if open) the National Palace, home of the famous murals of Diego Rivera.

You will also see the ruins of the Templo Mayor, one of the most important temples of the Aztecs in their ancient capital city of Tenochtitlan. Next, you will reach beautiful Paseo de la Reforma Avenue to arrive at Chapultepec Park, to visit the Museum of Anthropology. This museum is considered to be among the world’s finest of its kind. Included: Breakfast 
 

Today discover Teotihuacán, one of the most impressive archaeological sites of the country. It was the biggest city of the American continent and one of the biggest of the world. Until its inhabitants abandoned the city around the 8th century, Teotihuacan was probably the most significant and civilized cultural center of ancient Mexico.

During this guided tour you will see the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, walk down the Avenue of the Dead, visit the Temple of Quetzalcoatl with its unique stone sculptures of plumed serpents, the Temple of the Butterflies, and the Fortresses. Before going back to the hotel, you will make a stop at the Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a pilgrimage center for millions of Mexicans and people from all around the world.  Included: Breakfast.

Today you leave Mexico City and travel to Puebla, Mexico’s fourth largest city, passing the snowcapped volcanoes Popocatépetl (Smoking Mountain, 5464m) and Iztaccíhuatl (Sleeping Lady, 5230m). In Puebla you will visit the extraordinary Rosary Chapel, the Cathedral, the main square and its beautiful historical centre. Lunch included.

Continue to Oaxaca, one of the most colorful colonial towns of Mexico and, just like Puebla, listed as World Heritage.  Included: Breakfast and lunch.

Visit Monte Alban, built on a mountain top flattened by the Zapotecs. Here you will see cultural traces from different civilizations, such as the Olmecs, Mixtecs and Zapotecs. Then it's on to the town of Coyotepec, famous for its ceramics ("barro negro") production.

Also visit Teotitlán del Valle, a village known for its textiles. Local artisans will show you their weaving techniques and they will explain how they obtain natural dyes. Before returning to Oaxaca, you will stop at the Tule tree, perhaps one of the biggest living beings in the world. In Oaxaca have a little city tour, to see sights such as the Cathedral and the magnificent Santo Domingo church. Included: Breakfast.

Departure towards the Gulf of Mexico. In the afternoon you will discover the beauty of the Port of Veracruz in an exciting tour full of history, culture, and sea. We'll take you to explore the main points of interest in the city's downtown, including the fortress of San Juan de Ulúa, Baluarte de Santiago, the Lighthouse, the pier, and the adjacent zone of Boca del Rio. At night, watch the Jarochos while they dance "danzón" (a dance that originates from Cuba) on the Zócalo and enjoy the pleasant ambience. Included: Breakfast 

Departure towards Tlacotalpan, a small but beautiful waterfront town. It was listed as World Heritage by UNESCO because the urban layout and architecture of the city represent a fusion of Spanish and Caribbean traditions with wide cobbled streets and modest houses in an exuberant variety of styles and colors. After a short visit, continue towards San Andrés Tuxtla, to visit a cigar factory.

You will then visit Catemaco and the Nanciyaga Reserve. Here you will participate in a purifying ritual. Return to the hotel. At night there is a possibility to take a traditional Temazcal bath (type of sweat lodge which originates from pre-Hispanic times). Included: Breakfast.

In the early morning depart to the beautiful state of Chiapas. Today’s highlight will be a boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon, which measures a thousand meters at its highest point. Afterwards, you will pass through the historically important town Chiapa de Corzo, on our way to San Cristobal de las Casas. Included: Breakfast.
 

Scheduled for today is an excursion to the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, in the highlands of Chiapas. In both Tzotzil Maya communities, the complex ethnic composition of Chiapas is well reflected and they still demonstrate a rich variety of customs and beliefs expressed in traditions of both pagan and Christian origins. Interestingly, San Juan Chamula enjoys a unique autonomous status within Mexico, which has kept the village authentic. We also recommend you to explore more of the beautiful city of San Cristobal de las Casas with, amongst its many attractions, a colorful market, the cathedral and the Jade museum.  Included: Breakfast.

On the way to Palenque visit the waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol Ha. Enjoy the surrounding jungle environment and go for a swim (if time permits it). Afterwards continue through lush jungle with Palenque as today’s final destination. Included: Breakfast.
 

Visit the archaeological area of Palenque, one of the most important sites of the Mayan World. This ruined city is home to some of the finest architecture, exquisite sculptures, and carvings produced by the ancient Maya. Enjoy a guided tour and admire the impressive structures as well as the breathtaking natural environment of this World Heritage Site.

After this visit it's on to Campeche, a captivating town full of naval history, baroque Spanish architecture, and aging beauty. Upon arrival you will enjoy a panoramic tour through the city. In the evening, dinner included. Included: Breakfast and lunch. 

On the way to Merida you will visit Uxmal (meaning “built three times"), located in the Puuc region. Uxmal, also listed as World Heritage, is considered one of the Maya cities that is most representative of the Puuc style, the region’s dominant architectural style. Explore the Magician Pyramid, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, the Governor’s palace and the ballgame court.

After lunch, proceed to Merida, “The White City”, to enjoy a panoramic tour, including Montejo Avenue, the monument to Motherland, the main square, the cathedral and government palace. Included: Breakfast and lunch.
 

At the end of the Early Classic Period, around the year 600 AD, Chichen Itza was one of the largest and most prominent Maya cities. Nowadays, Chichen Itza is undoubtedly the best-preserved Maya site on the Yucatan peninsula, and it was recently declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its most famous landmarks are the Temple of Kukulkan (“El Castillo”), the Ballgame Court, the Platform of the Skulls, the Temple of the Jaguar, the Observatory, the One Thousand Columns, and the Sacred Cenote.

Before proceeding to Cancun, enjoy a lunch and take a refreshing swim at the cenote of Ik Kil. Drop off at your hotel in Cancun. Included: Breakfast and lunch