Jewels of Mexico

Upon arrival in Mexico City, your private driver will meet you to transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. 

We recommend an option tour of magnificent Mexico City, built on top of the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. Your first stop will be the Zocalo, or Main Square, one of the largest in the world. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio Nacional, which hosts Diego Rivera’s murals depicting the history of Mexico. Next, drive along the famous boulevard Paseo de la Reforma, built during the short-lived reign of Emporer Maximilian to connect the main square and his castle in Chapultepec. Afterwards, you will continue to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, just northeast of the city, and one of the most impressive ancient cities in the world. Explore its temples, palaces and pyramids, including Quetzalpapalotl Palace Complex, the Temple of the Feathered Conches and the Pyramids of the Moon and Sun. (B)

Today you will transfer to Oaxaca to visit the Cholula archaeological site. En route you will stop to visit the World Heritage site of Puebla, located southeast of Mexico City. Explore the colonial center, lined with churches and colonial mansions, and take some free time for lunch (not included) before continuing to visit the Great Pyramid of Cholula. Now overgrown and topped by a church, it is difficult to recognize this magnificent pyramid. Continue to Oaxaca for check-in at your hotel and the remainder of the evening at your leisure. (B)

Enjoy a full day at your leisure in this historic center. We recommend an optional city tour of Oaxaca or, alternatively, yout may consider an optional visit to Monte Alban, spectacularly situated on a mountain above the Oaxaca Valley. Monte Alban is the greatest of the Zapotec civilization cities and it came to dominate the cultural, religious and economic life of the region. (B)

This morning you will take your shared transfer to the airport for your flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez (ticket not included). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the dock for your cruise through the Sumidero Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural reserves in Mexico, with rock walls, caves and cascades. Later, you will visit Chiapa de Corzo, a unique sample of colonial architecture with Spanish and Moorish influences. Following your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas for dinner at your leisure. (B)

Explore the colonial city center on foot in San Cristobal with visits to the Cathedral and the 16th century Dominican church, Templo de Santo Domingo. You’ll have free time to browse the handicraft market where Tzotzil Indians from the surrounding hills come to trade. Next, drive into the Chiapas highlands to the Tzotzil Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. You will visit the white church of San Jan Chamula and the church and handicraft market of Zincantan before returning to San Cristobal for dinner at your leisure. (B)

Leave San Cristobal behind and head for the foothills of the TumbalaMountains to the ancient Maya site of Palenque, overlooking the swampy plains to the Gulf Coast. Before arriving in Palenque, you will visit the Agua Azul waterfall, a true natural beauty due to its crystalline blue waters. Continue your drive to Palenque for check-in at your hotel and the remainder of the evening at your leisure. (B)

This morning you will visit the archaeological site of Palenque, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by rainforests filled with brightly colored toucans and tree-dwelling howler monkeys, this ancient site is made up of 500 buildings, of which only a few have been excavated. Explore the magnificent ruins, including the Temple of the Inscriptions – the tallest and stateliest of Palenque’s buildings – the Temple of the Sun, and the Palace with its amazing corridors and rooms. Following your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Campeche for the remainder of the evening at your leisure. (B)

Head for the city of Merida with an en route stop at the Uxmal archaeological site. Low horizontal palaces set around courtyards, decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting the long-nosed rain god, Chaac, characterize its architecture. Explore the magnificent buildings here, including the house of the Magician, the Nunnery and the House of Turtles. After your tour, you will continue to Merida for check-in at your hotel. (B)

Spend your final day in Mexico exploring the archaeological site of Chichen-Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the magnificent Mayan ruins, set in a dense jungle, including the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the Great Ball Court, the Sacred Cenote and many other beautiful temples. Following your tour, you will be transferred to the airport in Cancun for your return flight home. (B)