Itinerary
- Day 1
Mexico City
You'll arrive in Mexico City whenever works for your schedule, with no structured plans. If you get in early, Alameda Central park is nearby to wander around, or you can head to the Templo Mayor Museum on your own time. It's all about getting settled at your pace.
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Alameda Central, Mexico City's oldest municipal park
- Visit the Templo Mayor Museum to see exhibits relating to Aztec civilization
Landmarks/POIs Alameda Central Templo Mayor Museum - Day 2
Mexico City
This morning you'll explore Mexico City on foot and using the public transport system. Start at the Zocalo, the main square downtown, and stop by a local pasteleria for traditional sweet bread. From there, you'll see the National Palace and the grand metropolitan cathedral before checking out the well-preserved Templo Mayor ruins. After lunch, head to Chapultepec Park and spend time at the National Anthropology Museum, one of the finest museums in the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Mexico City city center including Zocalo
- Visit to the National Palace (exterior view)
- Visit to the metropolitan cathedral
- Exploration of Templo Mayor ancient Aztec ruins
- Visit to the National Anthropology Museum in Chapultepec Park
Optional Activities
- Additional exploration time at the National Anthropology Museum
Landmarks/POIs Zocalo National Palace Metropolitan Cathedral Templo Mayor Chapultepec Park National Anthropology Museum - Day 3
Teotihuacan
Early departure to Teotihuacan, where you'll explore the pyramid complex that's been standing for over 13 centuries. On the way, stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe, an important pilgrimage site with quite a story behind it. You'll spend hours walking through the pyramids and learning about this ancient city that once held around 100,000 people. After lunch, there's an option to visit a workshop about ancient uses of agave and obsidian. Later, return to Mexico City with the chance to climb Torre Latinoamericana if you want those panoramic views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Basilica de Guadalupe
- Guided exploration of Teotihuacan Pyramids
Optional Activities
- Lunch nearby Teotihuacan (not included in tour price)
- Visit to workshop and craft shop to discover ancient uses of agave and obsidian
- Climb Torre Latinoamericana in the evening for panoramic viewing platform
Landmarks/POIs Basilica de Guadalupe Teotihuacan Pyramids Torre Latinoamericana - Day 4
Mexico City to Oaxaca
Today you'll drive south through cactus-covered landscape toward Oaxaca, one of Mexico's most charming colonial cities. The drive takes about 8 hours with several stops along the way, so you'll see the Sierra Madre mountains and get a real sense of the terrain. You'll arrive in the late afternoon right during the Day of the Dead celebrations. The streets are filled with local markets, street vendors, entertainers, and parades. By evening, many festivities move to local cemeteries and streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through cactus country with views of Sierra Madre mountains
Optional Activities
- Explore Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca (celebrations occur Oct 31 - Nov 2 annually)
Landmarks/POIs Sierra Madre Mountains - Day 5
Oaxaca
Head out to Monte Alban, built by the Zapotec people over 1,500 years ago. This hilltop site has temples, pyramids, and rock carvings with expansive views over the Sierra Madre and valley below. Be ready for steep inclines and stairs during your walk. What makes this place different is that it was continuously lived in until the Spanish arrived, and the Mixtec civilization took it over from the Zapotecs at one point. By afternoon, you'll return to Oaxaca with free time to explore the historic center and catch any remaining Day of the Dead activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Monte Alban archaeological complex
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Oaxaca's historic centre
- Experience remaining Day of the Dead celebrations (depending on departure date)
Landmarks/POIs Monte Alban Sierra Madre Mountains - Day 6
Oaxaca to Tehuantepec
This is a longer driving day, about 10 hours with multiple stops on the way to San Cristobal. You'll stop to see the 2,000-year-old swamp cypress tree in Santa Maria del Tule, which has a circumference of 54 metres. After that, visit Teotitlan del Valle, where Zapotec language is more common than Spanish and traditional weaving techniques are still practiced. Then explore the ancient Mixtec site of Mitla with a guide explaining the ruins. You'll finish the day in Tehuantepec, a good stopping point on your way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at 2,000-year-old swamp cypress tree in Santa Maria del Tule
- Visit Teotitlan del Valle to see local weaving craftsmen
- Guided tour of Mitla ancient Mixtec site
Landmarks/POIs Santa Maria del Tule - Swamp Cypress Tree Teotitlan del Valle Mitla - Day 7
Tehuantepec to San Cristobal
Leave early and drive five hours to Cahuare, the gateway to Sumidero Canyon. This 41-kilometre-long rift is carved by the Rio Grijalva and drops up to 1,000 metres deep, so you'll take a speedboat to really experience the towering gorge and learn its history. Then it's a two-hour drive up a scenic mountain road to San Cristobal de las Casas at 2,210 metres elevation. You'll notice it gets noticeably colder up here compared to the heat you just left below.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Speedboat trip through Sumidero Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Sumidero Canyon - Day 8
San Cristobal de las Casas
Explore San Cristobal, a unique mountain town known for its indigenous Tzotzil community who keep much of their Mayan customs and language alive. Visit the nearby villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, which blend Catholicism with traditional Maya beliefs. These areas are famous for bright textiles and intricate woven designs, so good for finding souvenirs. Back in town, you can walk around and check out museums like Na Bolom (House of the Jaguar), the Textiles Centre, or museums dedicated to amber and jade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to San Juan Chamula indigenous village
- Visit to Zinacantan indigenous village
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore San Cristobal town on foot
- Visit Na Bolom (House of the Jaguar) museum dedicated to the Lacandón tribe
- Visit Textiles Centre to see weaving traditions
- Visit amber museum
- Visit jade museum
- Purchase textiles and weavings from local artisans
Landmarks/POIs San Juan Chamula Zinacantan Na Bolom (House of the Jaguar) - Day 9
San Cristobal to Palenque
You've got about eight hours of driving ahead as you descend from the highlands into the jungles of Palenque, with stops along the way. The road is slow and winding but the scenery stays interesting throughout. You'll stop in Villahermosa for lunch, and there's an optional stop in Chontalpa to try the famous pina miel before reaching your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop in Chontalpa town to try the famous piña miel
- Day 10
Palenque
Today you'll explore the ruins of Palenque, a real highlight of this tour. You'll see the tomb of high priest Pakal with its magnificent jade death mask, one of the most important Maya artifacts discovered back in 1952. The entire site sits in steamy rainforest, which creates an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. A guide will lead you through this fascinating place in detail.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Palenque ruins
Landmarks/POIs Palenque - Day 11
Palenque to Flores
Leave Palenque early and drive about three hours to the El Ceibo Border, where you'll cross into Guatemala. From there, continue for another three hours to Flores, a laid-back town on the shores of Lake Peten Itza. Flores is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the Americas and the last Maya city to fall to the Spanish. You should arrive mid-afternoon with time to settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Border crossing from Mexico to Guatemala
Landmarks/POIs Flores Lake Peten Itza - Day 12
Flores to Yaxha
Start the day with breakfast, then take a two-hour bus ride to Yaxha, where you'll explore the ancient ruins within a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve situated between two lakes. The guided tour covers over 500 structures spread across several square kilometers, giving you a real sense of the scale of this Maya site. After that, head back to Flores with the option to take a boat trip on Lake Peten Itza if you're interested in seeing more of the area from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Yaxha ruins
Optional Activities
- Boat trip on Lake Peten Itza
Landmarks/POIs Yaxha Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo Biosphere Reserve Lake Peten Itza - Day 13
Flores to Tikal
Today you'll visit Tikal, the great Maya city set deep in the rainforest. It was initially settled around 600 BC and abandoned by rulers around 890 AD, then totally deserted a century later. The city covered 16 square kilometres, and only some of its temples and pyramids have been excavated since its rediscovery in 1848. You'll have a guided tour in the morning, then free time to explore on your own. Look for birds in the rainforest and climb the pyramids for great views. You'll drive back to Flores at 3:30pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided morning tour of Tikal archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Free time to independently explore Tikal ruins
- Wildlife viewing in the rainforest surrounding Tikal
- Climb pyramids for canopy views
Landmarks/POIs Tikal - Day 14
Flores to San Ignacio
Cross from Guatemala into Belize and head to San Ignacio. Along the way, stop at the lesser-known Xunantunich site with its collection of pyramids and temples. Arrive at the hotel for free time in the afternoon. If you want, visit Cahal Pech ruins on a hill near town, or walk into San Ignacio to check out the local market. Just note that the market doesn't operate on Sundays.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Xunantunich archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Visit Cahal Pech ruins near San Ignacio town centre
- Walk into San Ignacio town and explore the local market
Landmarks/POIs Xunantunich Cahal Pech - Day 15
San Ignacio to Belize City
Drive to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City from San Ignacio in the morning, arriving around 10am. This is where the tour ends. The earliest your flight can leave is 12:15pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport
