This thrilling 16-day tour through Mexico leaves no stone unturned in exploring the past and present faces of a destination that is becoming more and more popular due to its wealth of attractions and unique attributes. An apt start to our adventure, we investigate the beginnings of one of the great ancient civilizations that inhabited this land with a visit to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan and marvel at magnificent pyramids, temples and other spectacular ruins. In the former Toltec capital city of Tula, a city steeped in ancient lore and legend, we admire the huge Atlantean statues and press on to one of the country's most beautiful towns at San Miguel de Allende. Following a chronological route through the country's history, we pass through colonial towns and villages, admiring cathedrals and Gothic churches, and spend time at the seat of the Mexican revolution and the cradle of Mexican independence at Dolores Hidalgo. We explore UNESCO Heritage Sites and saunter through local marketplaces, and then it's on to the Yucatan, where we see the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, the beautiful Mayan sites of Uxmal and Tulum and ancient temple-pyramids shrouded by thick Yucatan jungle.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City. Arrival in Mexico City. Overnight in Mexico City. Dinner if required.
Day 2: Mexico City - Teotihuacan. This morning we transfer to the massive archaeological site of Teotihuacan (500 BC-AD 700). The site was the first major urban area in the New World and was named "the City of the Gods". On the site we will see the Pyramid of the Sun, which the adventurous can climb. Overnight near Teotihuacan. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3: Teotihuacan - Tula - San Miguel de Allend. This morning we travel to San Miguel via Tula, capital of the Toltecs. Tula achieved dominance between AD 950 and 1150. According to Aztec legends it was a magnificent place--palaces were decorated with gold, turquoise and jade. Overnight in San Miguel. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4: San Miguel - Dolores Hidalgo - Guanajuato. This morning we will have a walking tour of San Miguel, starting at El Jardin, the main plaza, and on to the house of Ignacio Allende, an attractive example of an 18th century San Miguel house. Overnight in Guanajuato. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5: Guanajuato City Tour. This morning we enjoy a walking tour of the cobbled streets in this colonial city which became famous from silver mining. The city is alive with music everywhere; at the Jardin de la Union bands play year-round. We visit La Compania Church, University Campus, the Diego Rivera Museum, located in the house where he was born. Overnight in Guanajuato. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6: Guanajuato - Morelia. Today we travel to Morelia. Morelia has the atmosphere of a European cathedral town. Set at a bracing altitude of 1930 m (6,368 feet), it is the state capital of Michoacan and one of Mexico's most gracious cities. Overnight in Morelia. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7: Morelia - Patzcuaro - Morelia. Today we have an excursion to Patzcuaro, located 30 minutes from Morelia. We stop en route to visit the archeological site at Tzintzuntzan, which was the Tarascan capital at the time of the conquest. Overnight in Morelia. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8: Morelia. Today is at leisure in this charming town. Overnight in Morelia. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9: Morelia - Toluca - Mexico City. This morning we depart Morelia and travel across the plateau toward Mexico City via Toluca. Recently enlarged but still pleasant, Toluca is famous for being a food production center and a city of vibrant cultural activity. Overnight in Mexico City. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 10: Mexico City - Cancun. Today we fly from Mexico City to Cancun in the Yucatan. Cancun is a world famous beach resort area with shimmering white sand beaches. Overnight in Cancun. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 11: Cancun - Chichen Itza. Today we travel to Chichen Itza. This is a wonderful archaeological site incorporating the ruins of two different cultures, the ancient Maya and the later arriving Toltecs. The substantial fusion of highland central Mexican and Puuc architecture make Chichen Itza unique. Overnight in Chichen Itza. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 12: Chichen Itza - Merida. Today we drive to Merida, probably the most beautiful town in the Yucatan peninsula. We find that the most enjoyable way to sightsee is from a calesa, or horse drawn carriage. We include a half-day's sightseeing in this most elegant of fashions. Overnight in Merida. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13: Merida - Uxmal. Uxmal, our destination for today, is a stunning place. Uxmal was one of the sites to which the Maya returned again and again in the course of their civilization. The name means 'thrice built'. The Palace of the Governor at Uxmal is considered by many to be the most beautiful of all the Maya structures in Central America. Overnight in Uxmal. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 14: Uxmal - Coba. Today we depart Uxmal for Coba. The morning's drive takes us through Valladolid where we stop for our lunch break. The peaceful Zocalo in the heart of Valladolid is shaded by large trees and surrounded by a variety of restaurants. We continue on to Coba, one of the grandest Mayan city-states, and have a tour of this impressive site immediately upon arrival. Overnight in Coba. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 15: Coba - Tulum - Cancun. In order to beat the crowds, we depart early today for Tulum, one of the most beautiful Maya sites, perched high on the cliffs above the Caribbean. Tulum means "wall" in Maya. The most impressive site at this area is the large pyramid on the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea. Overnight in Cancun. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 16: Departure from Cancun. Breakfast. Buen Viaje!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and local restaurants)
- All transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, hotel porters (if available)
- Airport transfers for land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Price Excludes:
- Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable)
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers
- Optional trip cancellation insurance
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on not included meal costs, and shopping.
Also see tour packages in:
North America
Mexico
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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