Itinerary
- Day 1
Tuxtla Gutiérrez to San Cristóbal de Las Casas
You'll arrive in Tuxtla Gutiérrez and get transferred to the Grijalva River for a shared boat tour through Sumidero Canyon where you can spot wildlife and see geological formations. After that, head to the colonial city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, which sits at 2,300 meters above sea level. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day however you like, maybe grabbing lunch or walking around town.
Included Activities
- Shared boat tour on Grijalva River
- Sumidero Canyon National Park visit
Landmarks/POIs Sumidero Canyon National Park San Cristóbal de Las Casas - Day 2
San Cristóbal de Las Casas - Montebello Lakes
This morning you'll leave San Cristóbal and start at the indigenous pottery community of Amatenango del Valle to see how locals work with clay. From there, visit Chiflon waterfall with its lush surroundings. The main stop is Montebello Lakes National Park where you'll see multiple lakes with different colored water surrounded by pine, oak, and jungle. You'll head back to San Cristóbal by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American-style breakfast)
Included Activities
- Panoramic visit to Amatenango del Valle
- Visit to Chiflon Waterfall
- Visit to Montebello Lakes National Park
Landmarks/POIs Amatenango del Valle Chiflon Waterfall Montebello Lakes National Park - Day 3
San Cristóbal de Las Casas - Indigenous Communities
After breakfast, head out to visit Tzotzil indigenous communities starting in Chamula to learn about how contemporary and ancestral Mayan traditions blend together. Then continue to Zinacantán where you'll check out the church and visit a family cooperative home, get offered a regional drink, and watch traditional waist loom weaving. You might get invited to try handmade tortillas in their kitchen. Later return to San Cristóbal for a city tour, with the rest of the day free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American-style breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit to San Juan Chamula
- Visit to Zinacantán
- Walking city tour in San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Landmarks/POIs San Juan Chamula Zinacantán San Cristóbal de Las Casas - Day 4
San Cristóbal de Las Casas to Palenque
Early departure toward Palenque with stops at two waterfalls along the way. First is Agua Azul with its blue water and multiple cascades where three rivers meet. Then explore Misol-Há, a 30-meter waterfall surrounded by tropical jungle. After that, you'll reach Palenque Archaeological Site to see the Palace, Temple of the Foliated Cross, Temple of the Sun, and other structures showing Mayan architecture and sculpture. Transfer to your hotel in Palenque afterward.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American-style breakfast on route)
Included Activities
- Visit to Agua Azul Waterfalls
- Visit to Misol-Há Waterfall
- Visit to Palenque Archaeological Zone
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Agua Azul and Misol-Há (subject to weather and guide approval)
Landmarks/POIs Agua Azul Waterfalls Misol-Há Waterfall Palenque Archaeological Zone - Day 5
Palenque - Yaxchilán - Bonampak
Early morning you'll head to Frontera Corozal for a one-hour shared boat tour downstream to Yaxchilán Archaeological Site, which has impressive sculptures. After returning, continue to Bonampak, whose name means 'Painted Walls' because of the best-preserved Mayan wall paintings in existence decorating the enclosure walls. You'll get back to Palenque in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Tourist menu lunch)
Included Activities
- Shared boat tour on Usumacinta River
- Visit to Yaxchilán Archaeological Zone
- Visit to Bonampak Archaeological Zone
Landmarks/POIs Frontera Corozal Yaxchilán Archaeological Zone Bonampak Archaeological Zone - Day 6
Palenque to Villahermosa
After breakfast, depart for Villahermosa and visit La Venta Museum, which holds one of the largest collections of Olmec culture pieces organized into four groups: altars, stelae, free-standing sculptures, and colossal heads. Once you're done at the museum, transfer to Villahermosa Airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American-style breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit to La Venta Museum Park
Landmarks/POIs La Venta Museum Park
