Itinerary
- Day 1
Mexico City
You'll arrive in Mexico and get transferred to your hotel. After settling in, your guide reaches out to you later in the afternoon to go over what's coming next.
- Day 2
Teotihuacan
Starting with breakfast, you'll check out Plaza of the Three Cultures in Mexico City before heading to Teotihuacan, about 40 km away. The Pyramids of the Sun and Moon are the main draws, plus you'll see the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and walk the Avenue of the Dead. There's a stop at a local artisan center, then the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on your way back. The rest of your day is free to do as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Teotihuacan archaeological site
- Visit Pyramids of the Sun and Moon
- Visit Temple of Quetzalcoatl
- Visit the Citadel
- Walk Avenue of the Dead
- Stop at local artisan center
- Visit Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Landmarks/POIs Plaza of the Three Cultures Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun Pyramid of the Moon Temple of Quetzalcoatl Citadel Avenue of the Dead Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Day 3
Tepoztlan - Cuernavaca - Taxco
After breakfast you'll travel to Tepoztlan, a wellness-focused pueblo where you'll have time to wander the town and check out the artisan market. Then it's on to Cuernavaca to see Hernán Cortés's Palace, the cathedral, and the gardens, with time for lunch. By evening you'll reach Taxco, a mountain pueblo known for its silver work and colonial character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Tepoztlan town and artisan market
- Visit Palace of Hernán Cortés in Cuernavaca
- Visit cathedral in Cuernavaca
- Explore Cuernavaca gardens and parks
- Explore Taxco colonial town
Landmarks/POIs Tepoztlan Palace of Hernán Cortés Cuernavaca Cathedral Taxco - Day 4
Chilpancingo - Acapulco
You'll head through the mountains after breakfast to Chilpancingo to visit the regional museum with its large historical murals. From there, continue to Acapulco for beach time and lunch at a beachfront spot. The afternoon brings a visit to La Fortaleza, a 17th-century fort that once protected against pirates. You'll transfer to your hotel and have free time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit regional museum in Chilpancingo
- Relax on Acapulco beach
- Visit La Fortaleza fort
Landmarks/POIs Chilpancingo de los Bravo Acapulco Beach La Fortaleza - Day 5
Zihuatanejo
After breakfast, the drive takes you 230 km along the Pacific Coast to Zihuatanejo, a former fishing village. A 10-minute boat ride gets you to Playa Las Gatas, a beach you can only reach by water, where you'll swim and relax. Lunch happens at a beachfront restaurant before the boat ride back. You'll settle into your room with free time in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat ride to Playa Las Gatas
- Swim and relax at Playa Las Gatas
Landmarks/POIs Zihuatanejo Playa Las Gatas - Day 6
Lake Patzcuaro - Janitzio - Patzcuaro
The scenery shifts from desert to green mountains as you reach Lake Patzcuaro in Michoacán. A 30-minute boat ride takes you to Janitzio, an island where the Purépecha community lives and practices traditional butterfly-net fishing. You'll eat lunch at a local restaurant, explore the village, and can climb to the José María Morelos statue if you want. By boat you'll return to Patzcuaro, a colonial town with artisan markets and pre-Hispanic history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat ride to Janitzio
- Explore Janitzio island
- Boat ride return to Patzcuaro
- Explore Patzcuaro colonial town
Optional Activities
- Climb to José María Morelos statue on Janitzio
Landmarks/POIs Lake Patzcuaro Janitzio José María Morelos Statue Patzcuaro - Day 7
Morelia - Cuitzeo del Porvenir - Guadalajara
You're heading to Morelia, Michoacán's capital and a UNESCO site famous for its pink stone buildings. The Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, and the university from 1540 are on your list, plus you'll have time to explore and grab lunch. After that, you'll visit the 16th-century Ex-Convent of Santa María Magdalena near Mexico's second-largest lake. By evening you'll arrive in Guadalajara, a vibrant colonial city known as the birthplace of Mariachi and home to Tequila.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Morelia Cathedral
- Explore Plaza de Armas in Morelia
- Visit Ex-Convent of Santa María Magdalena in Cuitzeo del Porvenir
- Explore Cuitzeo del Porvenir town
Optional Activities
- Visit university in Morelia (founded 1540)
Landmarks/POIs Morelia Morelia Cathedral Plaza de Armas Ex-Convent of Santa María Magdalena Cuitzeo del Porvenir Guadalajara - Day 8
Tequila - Guadalajara
The morning starts with a tour of Guadalajara's colonial center, cathedral, market, and Tapatía square, including the Cabañas Hospice, a UNESCO site. Later you'll travel to the town of Tequila for a distillery tour at Mundo Cuervo to see how tequila's made and do a tasting. You'll walk through the town, have lunch, then head back to Guadalajara.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Guadalajara historic center
- Visit Guadalajara cathedral
- Visit Guadalajara market
- Visit Tapatía square
- Visit Cabañas Hospice
- Tour Mundo Cuervo distillery
- Tequila tasting
Landmarks/POIs Guadalajara Cathedral Tapatía Square Cabañas Hospice Mundo Cuervo Tequila - Day 9
Guanajuato
You'll arrive at Guanajuato by midday. In the afternoon, a city tour takes you through this university town with steep slopes, narrow streets, and churches all recognized as a World Heritage site. A cable car ride up to El Pípila gives you great views across the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Guanajuato
- Funicular ascent to El Pípila viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Guanajuato El Pípila - Day 10
Dolores Hidalgo - Atotonilco - San Miguel de Allende - Queretaro
Traveling through the mountains, you'll reach Dolores Hidalgo, where Mexican independence was born. The Sanctuary of Atotonilco, a UNESCO site called the Sanctuary of God and Country, is next. Then you'll explore San Miguel de Allende with its colonial architecture and cobbled streets. By evening you'll get to Querétaro, known for its colonial center, Plaza de Armas, and pedestrian streets filled with restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dolores Hidalgo
- Visit Sanctuary of Atotonilco
- Explore San Miguel de Allende
Landmarks/POIs Dolores Hidalgo Sanctuary of Atotonilco San Miguel de Allende Queretaro Plaza de Armas - Day 11
Tula - Puebla
The day starts heading to Tula, the ancient Toltec capital. You'll see the four-meter tall Atlantean warrior statues, plus pyramids, palaces, and carved columns showing pre-Hispanic craftsmanship. Later you'll continue to Puebla, a historic city known for food, colonial buildings, and ceramics. A visit to the Renaissance cathedral and the busy main square happens before you settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Tula archaeological site
- View Atlantean figures at Tula
- View pyramids at Tula
- View palaces at Tula
- View carved columns at Tula
- Explore Puebla
Landmarks/POIs Tula Atlantean Figures Puebla Puebla Cathedral - Day 12
Oaxaca
You'll travel through mountainous regions toward Oaxaca, arriving by late morning. A visit to this UNESCO site, originally founded by the Aztecs and known for its historical importance, is included. Then you'll go up to Monte Albán, sitting 400 meters above the Oaxaca Valley. This ancient Zapotec city comes with a guided tour. Back in Oaxaca, the rest of your time is yours to keep exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Oaxaca UNESCO World Heritage city
- Visit Monte Albán archaeological site
- Guided tour of Monte Albán
Landmarks/POIs Oaxaca Monte Albán - Day 13
Mexico City
You'll transfer from Oaxaca to the airport for your flight to Mexico City, arriving around 3:00 p.m. Your tour ends here, and you'll head off with great memories of the trip.
