Mexico Tour - Central Highlands and Mayan Route
- Mexico
- Tour
Enjoy a tour and a vacation discovering the highlights of Mexico. During this tour, you'll have the chance to go back in time and explore the colonial heritage of this fascinating country combined with the world-famous Mayan Route.
Read moreEnjoy a tour and a vacation discovering the highlights of Mexico. During this tour, you'll have the chance to go back in time and explore the colonial heritage of this fascinating country combined with the world-famous Mayan Route.
These are the highlights of your tour and vacation in Mexico:
Arrive at Mexico City international airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
Get to know one of the world's biggest and most exciting cities! This guided tour will take you to the historical centre of Mexico City, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. Your visit will include the “The Zocalo”, the heart of the city, where you will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest of the Americas, and the National Palace, where you can admire 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. Afterwards, we'll reach the stunning Paseo de la Reforma Avenue up to Chapultepec Park. This latter is one of the largest parks in the world, but years ago, it hosted the summer residences for the noble class of the Aztecs. Then, we will visit the Museum of Anthropology considered to be among the world’s finest of its kind. Here you will admire the famous Aztec calendar stone, models of Tenochtitlán, a fascinating market place diorama, giant stone Olmec heads from the jungles of Tabasco and Veracruz, among many other interesting treasures.
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 will leave Mexico City and depart to Tula. Tula was the capital of the Toltecs and one of the most powerful cities of Mesoamerica. The most famous building of this archeological site is the temple of ‘Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli’, an impressive pyramid with beautiful statues of Toltec warriors (Atlantes) on top of it.
Then it's on to Queretaro, an attractive city which has played a crucial role in Mexican history. In Queretaro enjoy an included lunch. After a short tour around the town´s well-preserved historic center, recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage, you'll travel to San Miguel de Allende, one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. Here you will visit the famous “Parish of San Miguel”. In the evening you will have some free time for dinner and to enjoy the night ambiance of the city. Also a great opportunity for shopping typical crafts. Included: Breakfast and lunch.
In the morning you will enjoy a short drive to the town of Atotonilco. Here you will visit the Chapel built in the XVI century. You can see the fusion of the European and Pre-Hispanic cultures in its walls and ceilings. Continue to the town of Dolores Hidalgo, a small town where Miguel Hidalgo, father of Mexico, delivered his famous “Grito de Dolores” (Cry for Independence). In the evening you will arrive in Guanajuato. After check in at the hotel you will go for a night-tour to see the illuminated center of the city. Included: Breakfast.
With its history as an important mining center, Guanajuato derived great wealth from its abundant silver deposits. The city is a true jewel among Mexico´s colonial cities. In the morning explore the city. Enjoy sights such as the Hidalgo market, Juarez Theater, the University, the “Alley of the Kiss”, the Alhondiga de Granaditas, and the monument of El Pipila. After this travel to the town of Tepotzotlan, for a short visit of this beautiful place and its impressive church (nowadays the Vice Regal Museum). Late in the afternoon head back to Mexico City. Free evening. Included: Breakfast.
Free day. We recommend a trip through the colorful canals of Xochimilco on a traditional "trajinera".Otherwise, visit “La Casa Azul de Frida Kahlo” in Coyoacan, a beautiful and tranquil district, with colonial architecture and the atmosphere of a small village. Many more options are available, such as day-trips to Puebla and Cholula, or Cuernavaca and Taxco. Included: Breakfast.
Transfer from the hotel to the airport to take flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez (airfare not included in package rate; flight must arrive before 13:00pm). Arrival at Tuxtla Gutierrez airport, capital city of the beautiful state of Chiapas. Today’s highlight will be a boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon. 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.
In the morning visit the archaeological site of Palenque, still partly hidden by the tropical jungle, full of charm and unique pyramids. After the visit of the wonders located in this World Heritage Site, departure to Campeche. Upon arrival panoramic tour of the town, still enclosed and fortified with towers and walls, still preserving a strong colonial flavor. Check in to the hotel and dinner at the hotel.
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