MEXICO CITY 88ºF

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival Arrival. Welcome to Mexico. Transfer to hotel and free time. Our guide will contact you late in the afternoon or provide information through the informative panels in the hotel reception area.-

MEXICO CITY 88ºF

Today we have a fantastic day acquaint ourselves with Mexico. We include a sightseeing tour of the city. We will visit the Plaza of Three Cultures, and the historic centre in which the Zócalo (main square) and its Metropolitan Cathedral stand out, the main Aztec temple, Chapultepec Park, the “Paseo de la Reforma” Avenue and the other main avenues of this impressive city. At the end of the visit we travel to the BASILICA OF GUADALUPE, the most visited Catholic temple in the Americas where the Virgin of Guadalupe is found. There we will be able to explore the old basilica dating back to the 18th Century and also the modern temple. In the afternoon we travel to the neighbourhood of XOCHIMILCO, a wonderful place with its canals and semi-floating gardens. Here we include a ride in a “trajinera”, one of the boats festooned with flowers. In the evening we include a transfer to the Plaza de GARIBALDI, with its bars, restaurants and bars where tacos and tequila are served and the Mariachis sing. Dinner is included in a traditional restaurant.

MEXICO CITY 88ºF - MORELIA 75ºF - JANITZIO 79ºF - PATZCUARO 77ºF

We leave México DF, and amidst green countryside we enter the state of Michoacán. We travel to MORELIA, the splendid Michoacán capital whose centre, with its magnificent cathedral, was declared Unesco World Heritage. Time for lunch and a stroll in the centre. Then we will go on to the beautiful Lake Pátzcuaro, the heart of the Purépecha region. We embark and travel to the island of JANITZIO, where after our 25-minute crossing, we reach this picturesque village full of life and craft shops. After this, we see PATZCUARO, a pretty colonial village with its outstanding Basilica of Our Lady of Health and the house of the eleven courtyards which today is a craft centre. Night in this “magical village”.

PATZCUARO 77ºF - CHAPALA 82ºF - TLAQUEPAQUE 82ºF - GUADALAJARA 82ºF

We leave for the state of Jalisco. We see Lake Chapala, the largest natural lake in Mexico, surrounded by mountains. CHAPALA, time for a stroll and lunch in this small tourist city by the lake. Arrival in GUADALAJARA. The end of the afternoon, we include a transfer to the TLAQUEPAQUEdistrict, with its picturesque streets full of shops and craftsmen. You can have dinner in “El Parían” a large square with many typical restaurants where there will be no lack of Mariachis.

GUADALAJARA 82ºF

In the morning we include a visit to Guadalajara, the modern metropolis with its colonial historic centre, its cathedral, its market, its Tapatía square. We will enter the Cabañas Hospice, declared Unesco World Heritage. After the visit, we will go on to the next town of TEQUILA, we include entrance to the MUNDO CUERVO distillery and will see how this famous Mexican drink is made (entrance and tasting included). After this, time for a stroll and lunch in the picturesque town of Tequila. After lunch, we return to Guadalajara.

GUADALAJARA 82ºF - GUANAJUATO 82ºF

We travel to the state of GUANAJUATO. Arrival at midday. In the afternoon we include a city tourof this very beautiful university city declared World Heritage, its steep slopes, its narrow streets, its churches, and we also include a cable car ride to admire the view from “el Pípila”.

GUANAJUATO 82ºF - DOLORES HIDALGO 82ºF - SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE 81ºF - QUERETARO 81ºF

Amidst the mountains, we will travel to DOLORES HIDALGO, the city that is the cradle of Mexican independence. Following this, we see SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, a beautiful city with vice regal architecture and cobbled streets declared World Heritage. Time for a stroll. In the afternoon, we see the ATOTONILCO Sanctuary, known as the “Century of God and the Patria”, World Heritage (sometimes it will not be possible to visit the inside due to the retreats made there). We then come to QUERETARO, with its very beautiful colonial centre, its square of arms and its busy restaurants and pedestrian streets.

QUERETARO 81ºF - TEOTIHUACAN 79ºF - CHOLULA 73ºF - OAXACA 84ºF

We travel to TEOTIHUACAN, in Náhuatl “the place where men become gods”, one of the most impressive cities in the ancient world. Here we admire the pyramids of the sun and the moon, entrance and tour. We continue our route to the very picturesque CHOLULA, with its beautiful square, its tunnels under the pyramid and the picturesque sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios from where you can admire the magnificent panorama. Time to have lunch. In the afternoon, we travel to the state of Oaxaca. Arrival at OAXACA at the end of the day.- Dinner included.

OAXACA 84ºF

Visit included to OAXACA, a UNESCO World Heritage City of Aztec origin with its impressive monumental heritage, after which we go up to the site of MONTE ALBAN, which is set deep in a 400-metre mountain above the Valley of Oaxaca – entry tickets and visit are included. This is the most magnificent of the Zapotec cities. This is the most magnificent of the Zapotec cities. On the outskirts of Oaxaca we knowr SANTA MARIE EL TULE, together with its beautiful church, it contains a two thousand year old tree that has one of widest trunks in the world. Free afternoon in Oaxaca, an extremely beautiful colonial city which is full of life.

OAXACA 84ºF - SAN PABLO VILLA DE MITLA 84ºF - TUXLA

We leave early and stop at SAN PABLO VILLA DE MITLA, a magical town. We allow time for a walk together to the Church of San Pablo dating back to the Sixteenth Century and through its beautiful rustic streets. We continue our route in the sierras of Oaxaca towards the Isthmus. Lunch is included en route. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive in TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, the capital of the state of Chiapas. We will go with our guide to the Marimba Park, where we will listen to a live group playing the Marimba, the emblematic instrument of Chiapas.

TUXLA - SUMIDERO CANYON - CHIAPA DEL CORZO - ZINACANTAN 93ºF - SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS 93ºF

We see the CAÑON DEL SUMIDERO, on a boat we sail up this impressive canyon almost 1 km deep and 14 km long. Then we take a stroll in CHIAPA DEL CORZO, a colonial site of tradition and culture. After this, we go further into the Mayan culture and visit beautiful villages inhabited by the Tzotziles Indians. In ZINACANTAN we can admire the dresses of the women and the beautiful shops and weaving workshops. In SAN JUAN CHAMULA we will be surprised by its church which mixes Christianity with pre-columbine traditions in its rites. Continuation to SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, arrival at lunchtime. Afternoon free in this very beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS 93ºF - AGUA AZUL 73ºF - MISOL HA - PALENQUE 73ºF

A stage of beautiful mountain scenery inside Chiapas, visiting areas inhabited by communities that have maintained their Mayan language and traditions. A stop in OCOSINGO, the regional capital. After that we continue to AGUA AZUL, admission included to the National Park, lunch included and time to walk or bathe among the more than 50 waterfalls between three and 30 metres tall. We go on to MISOL HA, an impressive waterfall that you can walk behind. Continuation to PALENQUE -dinner included and accommodation-. Note: in some instances, roadblocks might be expected in the region of Ocosingo due to local social issues. In that event, we would take an alternative route visiting the City of Villahermosa and the ecological reserve of Yumka instead of the usual stops at Ocosingo, Agua Azul and Misol Ha.

PALENQUE 73ºF - CHAMPOTON 72ºF - MERIDA MX

We see the impressive archaeological site of PALENQUE, a Mayan city surrounded by jungle, where we will see its temples, pyramids and ball game. Admission and tour with local guide included. After this, we travel to the Gulf of Mexico through the state of Tabasco. Lunch included (en route). Arrival in CHAMPOTON, a picturesque small town by the sea. In the bus we will travel along the Malecon and stop next to Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, the patron saint of the state. Continuation to MERIDA. Arrival at the end of the day, dinner included and accommodation.

MERIDA MX

Tour of the city of MERIDA, the vibrant capital of the Mexican Yucatan State boasts a rich colonial and Mayan heritage. We see the fortified cathedral of Merida and the limestone church of the Third Order as well as the House of Montejo, a 16th century mansion and the emblem of Plateresque colonial architecture. Afternoon free, we suggest you visit the Museum of the Mayan World on your own. In the evening, we include a transfer to attend the "Sacred Stones” show of light and sound. Accommodation.

MERIDA - IZAMAL 77ºF - CHICHEN ITZA - CANCUN 73ºF

Today we enjoy a beautiful stage to see the Yucatán state. IZAMAL, one of the prettiest cities in Mexico, declared a "Magic city". In CHICHEN ITZAN, we include admission and a visit to the most important and renowned vestige of the Mayan civilization, a World Heritage Site where we see the mythical pyramid of Kukulcán and the warriors’ temple. After the visit we include a meal of Mayan cuisine. We continue to ZACI, one of the sacred cenotes of the Mayans. Here you can swim or simply enjoy the scenery. Continuation to CANCUN. Arrival at the end of the afternoon-.

CANCUN 73ºF

Our services end after breakfast. We suggest that any travellers who wish to extend their stay for a few days can do so resting by the beautiful beaches of Cancun or the Riviera Maya.