Itinerary
- Day 1
Mexico City
You'll arrive in Mexico City and head to your hotel to get settled in. The rest of the day is yours to relax and adjust to the time zone. Your guide will reach out late in the afternoon to go over what's coming up.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Blanca)
- Day 2
Mexico City
This is a big sightseeing day. Start at the historic centre where you'll see the Zócalo main square, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the main Aztec temple site. After that, head to Chapultepec Park for some time to walk around. Later you'll go to the Basilica of Guadalupe to check out both the 18th-century old basilica and the modern temple next to it. In the afternoon, head to the coloured canals of Xochimilco where you'll take a decorated trajinera boat ride through the water. The evening finishes at Plaza de Garibaldi for dinner at a traditional restaurant with mariachi music playing.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional restaurant dinner at Plaza de Garibaldi)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Blanca)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Mexico City including Plaza of Three Cultures, Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Aztec temple, and Chapultepec Park
- Visit to Basilica of Guadalupe including old basilica from 18th century and modern temple
- Trajinera boat ride in Xochimilco
- Transfer to Plaza de Garibaldi with bars and restaurants
- Dinner at traditional restaurant in Plaza de Garibaldi
Landmarks Plaza of Three Cultures Zócalo Metropolitan Cathedral Aztec Temple (Templo Mayor) Chapultepec Park Paseo de la Reforma Basilica of Guadalupe Xochimilco Plaza de Garibaldi - Day 3
Tlalpujahua - Pátzcuaro
You'll drive through mining regions to reach El Oro de Hidalgo, a Pueblo Mágico with European-style buildings and an old train station worth seeing. From there, continue through areas where monarch butterflies migrate to visit Mina de las Dos Estrellas museum, which covers the region's mining history. Next stop is Tlalpujahua, where you can walk around the Baroque sanctuary and cobblestone streets that get decorated heavily for Christmas. You'll have time for lunch here. The day ends in Pátzcuaro, a colonial city built on pre-Hispanic foundations, known for its artisan markets and distinct character.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mision Patzcuaro Centro), Hotel (Best Western Plus Posada Don Vasco)
Optional Activities
- Visit to El Oro de Hidalgo - charming Pueblo Mágico with historic mining center architecture
- Visit to Mina de las Dos Estrellas mine-turned-museum highlighting mining history and culture
- Visit to Tlalpujahua, Pueblo Mágico in Michoacán with Baroque sanctuary
- Stroll through Pátzcuaro with colonial architecture and artisan markets
Landmarks El Oro de Hidalgo Mina de las Dos Estrellas Tlalpujahua Pátzcuaro 
- Day 4
Morelia - Cuitzeo del Porvenir - Guadalajara
Travel to Morelia, a UNESCO World Heritage city famous for its pink stone architecture. You'll see the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, and the university founded in 1540, with free time to walk around and grab lunch. Then continue to Cuitzeo del Porvenir situated on Mexico's second-largest lake, where you can visit the 16th-century Ex-Convent of Santa María Magdalena with its Plateresque architecture. By evening, you'll arrive in Guadalajara, the birthplace of Mariachi music and Tequila.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Plaza Diana)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Morelia Cathedral
- Explore Plaza de Armas in Morelia
- Visit Morelia's university founded in 1540
- Visit to Ex-Convent of Santa María Magdalena in Cuitzeo del Porvenir
Landmarks Morelia Cathedral Plaza de Armas Morelia University Cuitzeo del Porvenir Ex-Convent of Santa María Magdalena 
- Day 5
Tequila
Explore Guadalajara's mix of modern and colonial features. You'll see the historic centre with the cathedral, market, and Tapatía square. The Cabañas Hospice, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is on the agenda. After that, head to the town of Tequila to visit the Mundo Cuervo distillery where you'll learn how they make Mexican tequila, with both entrance and tasting included. You'll have free time to walk through the town and have lunch before heading back to Guadalajara.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Plaza Diana)
Included Activities
- Visit to Guadalajara historic center including cathedral, market, and Tapatía square
- Entrance to Cabañas Hospice (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Visit to Mundo Cuervo distillery in Tequila including entrance and tasting
Landmarks Guadalajara Cathedral Tapatía Square Cabañas Hospice Mundo Cuervo Distillery - Day 6
Guadalajara to Guanajuato
Travel to Guanajuato and arrive around midday. In the afternoon, explore this university city that's a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's known for its steep slopes, narrow streets, and churches built on hillsides. Take a cable car ride to El Pípila to get great views over the entire city spread out below.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Guanajuato)
Included Activities
- City tour of Guanajuato
- Cable car ride to El Pípila viewpoint
Landmarks Guanajuato El Pípila 
- Day 7
Dolores Hidalgo - Atotonilco - San Miguel de Allende - Querétaro
Drive through the mountains to Dolores Hidalgo, the birthplace of Mexican independence. Visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, a World Heritage Site also called the 'Sanctuary of God and Country.' From there, explore San Miguel de Allende, a World Heritage city with beautiful colonial architecture and charming cobbled streets. You'll have time to stroll around and take in the atmosphere. The day ends in Querétaro, known for its magnificent colonial centre, Plaza de Armas, and lively restaurants along pedestrian streets.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Real De Minas Tradicional), Hotel (Real Alameda Gran Turismo), Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Queretaro)
Included Activities
- Visit to Sanctuary of Atotonilco (World Heritage Site)
Optional Activities
- Explore Dolores Hidalgo
- Stroll through San Miguel de Allende colonial city
- Explore Querétaro colonial center and Plaza de Armas
Landmarks Dolores Hidalgo Sanctuary of Atotonilco San Miguel de Allende Querétaro Plaza de Armas 
- Day 8
Tula - Puebla
Head to Tula, the ancient capital of the Toltecs. At the archaeological site, you'll see four-meter-tall Atlantean warrior statues, pyramids, palaces, and carved columns that show how sophisticated pre-Hispanic civilization was. Continue to Puebla, a historic city known for its food traditions, colonial architecture, and ceramics. You'll see the impressive Renaissance cathedral and the busy main square. Stay overnight in this active colonial city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Four Point By Sheraton Puebla)
Included Activities
- Admission to Tula archaeological site including Atlantean figures, pyramids, palaces, and carved columns
Optional Activities
- Explore Puebla Renaissance cathedral
- Visit Puebla main square
Landmarks Tula Archaeological Site Puebla Cathedral Puebla Main Square 
- Day 9
Oaxaca - Monte Albán
Travel through mountainous regions toward Oaxaca and arrive by late morning. This UNESCO World Heritage city was originally founded by the Aztecs and has significant historical heritage. Head up to Monte Albán, positioned on a mountain 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley. Your tour of this ancient Zapotec city includes tickets and a guided walk through the site. When you return to Oaxaca, you'll have free time to explore more on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Conzatti), Hotel (Oaxaca Real)
Included Activities
- Visit to Oaxaca UNESCO World Heritage city
- Admission and guided tour of Monte Albán archaeological site
Landmarks Oaxaca Monte Albán 
- Day 10
Oaxaca to Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Head out early from your starting point and stop in San Pablo Villa de Mitla, a charming Pueblo Mágico where you can walk around the 16th-century Church of San Pablo and wander through the rustic streets. The drive continues through the mountains of Oaxaca heading toward the Isthmus, with lunch provided along the way. You'll arrive in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas, by late afternoon. The journey takes you through some nice mountain scenery as you transition from one state to another.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Tuxtla Gutierres), Hotel (Fiesta Inn Tuxtla Fashion Mall)
Included Activities
- Stroll near the 16th-century Church of San Pablo in San Pablo Villa de Mitla
- Explore picturesque rustic streets of San Pablo Villa de Mitla
Landmarks Church of San Pablo San Pablo Villa de Mitla 
- Day 11
Cañón del Sumidero - Chiapa del Corzo - Zinacantan - San Juan Chamula - San Cristóbal de las Casas
See the Cañón del Sumidero by sailing up this almost 1 km deep and 14 km long canyon by boat. Walk through Chiapa del Corzo, a colonial site with strong traditions and culture. Then move into Mayan culture by visiting beautiful villages inhabited by Tzotzil Indians. In Zinacantan, you'll see traditional women's dresses and browse shops and weaving workshops. Visit San Juan Chamula, where the church uniquely blends Christianity with pre-Columbian traditions in a way you won't see elsewhere. Arrive in the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas (founded in 1528) with the afternoon free to explore.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Diego De Mazariegos)
Included Activities
- Boat tour up Cañón del Sumidero
- Visit to Chiapa del Corzo
- Visit to Zinacantan village
- Visit to San Juan Chamula village
Landmarks Cañón del Sumidero Chiapa del Corzo Zinacantan San Juan Chamula San Cristóbal de las Casas 
- Day 12
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Take an 8-hour excursion with a local tour operator from San Cristóbal de las Casas. Visit Las Grutas del Mamut, a massive cave named for its mammoth-like rock formations filled with geological features. Continue to El Arcotete Ecotourism Park, surrounded by lush vegetation and wildlife, where a natural stone archway shaped by the Fogótico River is located. Finish at Rancho Nuevo Ecotourism Park, which has a 10.2 km-long cave reaching depths of 550 metres with an illuminated 750-metre pathway showing stalactites and stalagmites in a conifer forest. Return to San Cristóbal with free time in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Diego De Mazariegos)
Optional Activities
- 8-hour excursion with local tour operator including Las Grutas del Mamut cave
- Visit to El Arcotete Ecotourism Park with natural stone archway
- Visit to Rancho Nuevo Ecotourism Park cave with horseback riding, camping, hiking, and spelunking activities available
Landmarks Las Grutas del Mamut El Arcotete Ecotourism Park Rancho Nuevo Ecotourism Park - Day 13
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Take a 5-hour excursion with a local tour operator to Moxviquil, a learning community focused on sustainability. Explore this area filled with lush vegetation where you can do native birdwatching, observe pollinators and insects, and see beautiful orchid gardens. An interpretive hiking trail connects you directly with nature. Visit the Museum of Maya Medicine, which showcases Tsotsil-Tseltal healing practices in Chiapas and features traditional medical methods and community healers including pulse readers, mountain prayer specialists, bone-setters, midwives, and herbalists. Return to your hotel with the afternoon free to relax.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Diego De Mazariegos)
Optional Activities
- 5-hour excursion with local tour operator to Moxviquil sustainability community
- Native birdwatching and observation of pollinators and insects at Moxviquil
- Orchid garden exploration at Moxviquil
- Interpretive hiking trail at Moxviquil
- Visit to Museum of Maya Medicine in Chiapas
Landmarks Moxviquil Museum of Maya Medicine - Day 14
San Cristóbal de las Casas to Airport
Based on your flight schedule, you'll be transferred to Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport where you can take the flight that works best for you back to Mexico City or another destination, bringing your journey to a close.
