Itinerary
- Day 1
Mexico City
You'll arrive in Mexico City whenever suits your schedule. That evening, meet up with your group and Tour Leader for a welcome dinner to get to know your fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks Mexico City 
- Day 2
Mexico City
Begin with a morning walking tour through Mexico City's Historic Center, hitting the Metropolitan Cathedral, Zocalo, National Palace, and Museum of Anthropology with your group. The rest of the day is yours to wander around and get a feel for the city, though your Tour Leader can point you toward good spots. There's an optional group dinner later if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour in Mexico City Historic Center
- Guided visit to the Museum of Anthropology
Optional Activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Metropolitan Cathedral Zocalo National Palace Museum of Anthropology 
- Day 3
Mexico City to Teotihuacan to Tlaxcala
After breakfast, drive out to Teotihuacan to walk through this UNESCO site with its ancient pyramids that once competed with the world's greatest cities. From there, head to Tlaxcala, a colonial town with impressive government buildings, striking churches, and a central plaza that doesn't get overrun by tourists. You'll settle in for the evening with an optional group dinner and hangout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone
- Walking tour in Tlaxcala
Optional Activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Teotihuacan Tlaxcala 
- Day 4
Tlaxcala to La Malinche National Park
Check out of your Tlaxcala spot and make your way to La Malinche National Park, where you'll base yourself in an eco-cabin. If you're up for it, join an optional guided 5-hour hike to the summit of Mexico's sixth-highest peak at 4,462 meters (14,636 feet). If not, there are other outdoor activities around the camp. Optional dinner and group time happens at the base camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike to La Malinche volcano
- Entrance to La Malinche National Park
Optional Activities
- 5-hour hike to the summit
- Other outdoor activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks La Malinche La Malinche National Park - Day 5
La Malinche National Park to Cantona to Cuetzatlan
Leave the base camp and drive to Cantona Archaeological Zone to explore this pre-Hispanic city that once held its own against Teotihuacan. Continue through mountains toward Cuetzatlan, a town surrounded by coffee plantations and tree ferns. You'll get a walking tour of the historic center, free time to roam, then an optional group dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided visit to the Cantona Archaeological Zone
- Walking tour in Cuetzatlan
Optional Activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Cantona Archaeological Zone Cuetzatlan - Day 6
Cuetzatlan
Start your morning at nearby waterfalls, then spend the rest of the day checking out Cuetzatlan on your own terms. If you want structured activities, there's the Jardin Botanico Xoxoctic with its orchids and butterfly gardens, or Aventura Cave just 10 minutes away. Optional dinner and group gathering round out the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Cuetzatlan Waterfalls
Optional Activities
- Explore the town
- Jardin Botanico Xoxoctic visit
- Aventura Cave visit (420 meters long, maximum depth 80 meters)
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Cuetzatlan Waterfalls Jardin Botanico Xoxoctic Aventura Cave - Day 7
Cuetzatlan to Yohualichan to Tlapacoyan
After breakfast, head to Yohualichan Archaeological Zone, originally built by the Totonacs and later occupied by the Aztecs. Take a look at the pyramids, then continue to Tlapacoyan, a small town near the Filobobos Ecological Reserve. You'll settle in for the evening with optional dinner and a group gathering.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Yohualichan Archaeological Zone
Optional Activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Yohualichan Archaeological Zone Tlapacoyan Filobobos Ecological Reserve - Day 8
Tlapacoyan to Filobobos to Costa Esmeralda
Spend your morning rafting through the Filobobos Ecological Reserve, then travel to Costa Esmeralda on Mexico's Gulf coast. This pristine coastal area is ideal for swimming and diving. After you get settled, there's optional group dinner available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rafting in Filobobos Ecological Reserve
Optional Activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Filobobos Ecological Reserve Costa Esmeralda - Day 9
Costa Esmeralda
Take it easy on the beach in the morning, then in the afternoon go out on a boat tour through Cienega del Fuerte State Park to spot crocodiles and birds in the mangroves among rainforests. Back at your accommodation, grab optional dinner and join the group if you feel like it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat tour in Ciénega del Fuerte State Park
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation time
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Costa Esmeralda Ciénega del Fuerte State Park - Day 10
Costa Esmeralda to Veracruz
After breakfast and checkout, drive to Veracruz, Mexico's oldest and most historic port city. Walk through the Historic Center to soak up the local traditions and vibrant atmosphere. You'll have free time to explore on your own, followed by optional dinner and group time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour in Veracruz Historic Center
Optional Activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Veracruz 
- Day 11
Veracruz
You've got the whole day to explore Veracruz however you want. Try Chachalacas Beach with its 550 acres of dunes where you can ride 4x4 motorcycles or slide down the sand. Or head to La Antigua, the first European village founded in Mexico back in 1519, or check out Cempoala, a Totonac archaeological site. Optional dinner and group gathering happen in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore the city
- Visit Chachalacas Beach (4x4 motorcycle riding, dune sliding)
- Visit La Antigua (first European village founded in Mexico, 1519)
- Visit Cempoala Archaeological Site (Totonac civilization capital)
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Chachalacas Beach La Antigua Cempoala 
- Day 12
Veracruz to Tlacotalpan to Orizaba
Drive to Tlacotalpan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sitting on the Papaloapan River. You'll take a walking tour, go on a boat ride, and have time to explore freely. Later, continue to Orizaba, a city with beautiful colonial architecture surrounded by lush green landscapes, all framed by the snowy peak of Pico de Orizaba. After an orientation walk, settle in for optional dinner and group gathering.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour in Tlacotalpan
- Boat tour in Tlacotalpan
- Orientation walk in Orizaba
Optional Activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Tlacotalpan Orizaba Pico de Orizaba 
- Day 13
Orizaba
You're free to explore Orizaba at your own pace. Challenge yourself with Los 500 Escalones (500 steps) to see the Elephant Waterfall from different viewpoints, or head to Canon de la Carbonera with its 8.5 kilometers of length, multiple waterfalls, springs, and caverns for canyoning, hiking, and rappelling. Optional dinner and group time available in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore the city
- Los 500 Escalones (500 steps) and Elephant Waterfall viewpoints
- Cañón de la Carbonera (8.5 km long, 200-750 meter depth, 24 waterfalls, 12 springs, 4 caverns, canyoning/hiking/rappelling)
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Los 500 Escalones Elephant Waterfall Cañón de la Carbonera - Day 14
Orizaba to Cholula to Puebla
Drive to Cholula, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas, to see the Great Pyramid of Cholula (the world's largest pyramid) with the Virgen de Los Remedios church on top. Then continue to Puebla, Mexico's fourth-largest city with beautifully preserved colonial buildings. You'll walk through the Historic Center, get free time to roam, then gather for optional dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour in Cholula
- Walking tour in Puebla
Optional Activities
- Dinner and group get-together in the evening
Landmarks Cholula Great Pyramid of Cholula Virgen de Los Remedios Church Puebla 
- Day 15
Puebla to Mexico City
After breakfast and checking out, head back to Mexico City from Puebla, arriving around midday to wrap up your tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Mexico City 
