Itinerary
- Day 1
Mexico City
You'll arrive at the airport and get a transfer to your hotel. Check in at the Hampton Inn and settle in for your first night in Mexico City.
- Day 2
Mexico City
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby around 8:30 am to explore Mexico City's historic center. You'll visit the Templo Mayor museum and walk through the old town to see the Zócalo and cathedral. Later, head south to Xochimilco for a boat trip through the canals and floating gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Museo del Templo Mayor
- Tour of historic city center including Zócalo and Cathedral
- Boat trip through Xochimilco canals and floating gardens
Landmarks Museo del Templo Mayor Zócalo Mexico City Cathedral Xochimilco - Day 3
Mexico City
Start the morning at Colegio de San Ildefonso and Plaza Santo Domingo. Then spend several hours at the National Anthropological Museum checking out Maya, Aztec, Toltec and Olmec artifacts. In the afternoon, walk through Chapultepec Park and its castle, then head to Torre Latinoamericana.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Colegio de San Ildefonso
- Visit Plaza Santo Domingo
- Visit National Anthropological Museum
- Explore Chapultepec Park and castle
- Visit Torre Latinoamericana
Landmarks Colegio de San Ildefonso Plaza Santo Domingo National Anthropological Museum Chapultepec Park Chapultepec Castle Torre Latinoamericana - Day 4
Mexico City to Puebla
After breakfast, you'll drive to the Basilica of Guadalupe, Mexico's most important pilgrimage site. From there, continue to Teotihuacán to see the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Then travel to the colonial town of Puebla to see its Talavera tile facades, historic cathedral, and Zócalo. The drive is roughly 190 km total.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Basilica of Guadalupe
- Visit Pyramids of the Sun and Moon
- Visit Temple of Quetzalcoatl
- Tour of Puebla including Talavera facades, cathedral, and Zócalo
Landmarks Basilica of Guadalupe Pyramid of the Sun Pyramid of the Moon Temple of Quetzalcoatl Puebla Cathedral Zócalo (Puebla) - Day 5
Puebla to Oaxaca
Early morning drive through the Sierra Madre mountains toward Oaxaca. You'll stop at the botanical garden of Zapotitlán Salinas to walk through its natural landscape. When you arrive in Oaxaca, visit the ruins of Monte Albán, situated on an artificially flattened ridge with terraces, houses, temples and tombs. This leg covers about 340 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit botanical garden of Zapotitlán Salinas
- Visit Monte Albán ruins
Landmarks Botanical Garden of Zapotitlán Salinas Monte Albán - Day 6
Oaxaca
Spend the morning in Oaxaca touring the cathedral and the colonial-era church of Santo Domingo. You'll also visit the Museo Regional de Oaxaca, which is housed in a 16th-century Dominican monastery. The day lets you experience the blend of Indian traditions and colonial architecture throughout the city. Around 35 km of local travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour of Oaxaca cathedral
- Visit Church of Santo Domingo
- Visit Museo Regional de Oaxaca
Landmarks Oaxaca Cathedral Church of Santo Domingo Museo Regional de Oaxaca - Day 7
Oaxaca to Tehuantepec
This day takes you on a drive through the Sierra Madre mountains. You'll stop at the Tree of Tule, a massive 40-meter-high tree reportedly 2,000 years old. After that, visit the Mixtec cult site of Mitla, then continue to Tehuantepec with a stop at a mezcal distillery and a short visit to the Pacific beach. Total distance is roughly 252 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tree of Tule
- Visit Mitla
- Stop at mezcal distillery
- Visit Pacific beach
Landmarks Tree of Tule Mitla - Day 8
Tehuantepec to San Cristóbal de las Casas
Morning boat trip through Sumidero Canyon, then continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas. This charming town sits at over 2,100 meters and features colorfully painted one-storey houses. You'll settle in for two nights at your hotel. The trip covers about 350 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip through Sumidero Canyon
Landmarks Sumidero Canyon - Day 9
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Start your morning at the Zócalo and walk through the old town toward the cathedral and Iglesia del Convento Santo Domingo church. Later, you'll visit the Mayan villages of Chamula and Zinacantán to learn about Maya traditions and see how the local indigenous people live today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of San Cristóbal de las Casas
- Visit Cathedral
- Visit Iglesia del Convento Santo Domingo
- Visit Mayan village of Chamula
- Visit Mayan village of Zinacantán
Landmarks Zócalo (San Cristóbal de las Casas) San Cristóbal Cathedral Iglesia del Convento Santo Domingo - Day 10
San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque
Scenic drive from the cool plateau through Villahermosa down into the tropical lowlands. You'll visit the Roberto Barrios waterfalls where you can cool off with a dip if time allows. After that, continue to Palenque and check in for one night. This drive is about 214 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Roberto Barrios waterfalls
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Roberto Barrios waterfalls (if time permits)
Landmarks Roberto Barrios Waterfalls - Day 11
Palenque to Campeche
Morning visit to the Palenque ruins on the edge of Chiapas's subtropical rainforest. Then drive to Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site beautifully restored from its pirate-attacked past. You'll tour the old town including the Zócalo and La Concepción Cathedral, plus explore the old bastions that now house small museums. The distance is roughly 362 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Palenque ruins
- Tour of Campeche old town
- Visit Zócalo (Campeche)
- Visit La Concepción Cathedral
- Visit city wall bastions
Landmarks Palenque Zócalo (Campeche) La Concepción Cathedral - Day 12
Campeche to Mérida
After breakfast, drive to the Mayan ruins of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see the Pyramid of the Magician, Nun's Quadrangle, Pyramid of the Fortune Teller, and Governor's Palace. Continue to Mérida for a city tour of Plaza de la Independencia, the cathedral, and Paseo Montejo boulevard. About 237 km for this leg.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Uxmal ruins
- City tour of Mérida
- Visit Plaza de la Independencia
- Visit Mérida Cathedral
- Visit Paseo Montejo
Landmarks Uxmal Pyramid of the Magician Nun's Quadrangle Governor's Palace Plaza de la Independencia Mérida Cathedral Paseo Montejo - Day 13
Mérida to Cancún
After breakfast, drive to Chichén Itzá to explore the famous ruins, including the 30-meter-high Kukulkan pyramid, Temple of the Warriors, Thousand Columns, and ball court. Your tour ends in Cancún in the afternoon with transfer to the airport. Additional transfers to Riviera Maya beaches or Caribbean islands can be arranged separately. Total distance is about 329 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chichén Itzá ruins
Optional Activities
- Transfer to Riviera Maya hotels (Playa del Carmen or Cancún) - separate booking required
- Transfer to Caribbean islands - not included
Landmarks Chichén Itzá Kukulkan Pyramid Temple of the Warriors
