This itinerary, all on-land, will lead you from Mexico City to Yucatan, through the colonial city of Oaxaca and the ancient Zapotec and Mixtec citadels of Mitla and Monte Albán. Crossing the isolated state of Chiapas, sailing down the beautiful Sumidero Canyon, you will also enjoy the view of San Cristobal de Las Casas and the Maya villages, proud of their tradition. You will admire the Agua Azul waterfalls, the stunning Maya site of Palenque, the Campeche jungle and the archaeological sites of Uxmal and Chichen Itza; the colonial glories of Merida; Puebla and Oaxaca and, finally, the turquoise sea and Caribbean climate of the Riviera Maya.,
Characteristics
Group tour with local guides
bilingual (Italian, Spanish, French, English), depending on departure day, services might be shared with Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American travellers
Itinerary
Day 1 — Mexico City
Welcome upon arrival and transfer to the hotel, free evening and night,
Day 2 — Mexico City
American breakfast, full day tour of Mexico City and, The ancient Aztec city of Tenochtilan, rising at an altitude of 2,250 m in the proximity of the volcanoes Popocatepetl and Ixtacihuatl, is now a 20-million-inhabitant metropolis: a crucial spot for understanding Mexico’s past as well as its future. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Zócalo, the “Constitution Square” – the third largest square in the world after Tienanmen and the Red Square. Zócalo is overlooked by the Cathedral, Mexico’s largest religious building, and by the National Palace, the seat of the presidential offices. The Palace will be seen from outside only. After that, visit the remains of the Templo Mayor – the great Aztect pyramid., Brief stop off at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, dedicated to Mexico’s patron saint: a major pilgrimage site in Latin America., continue to, Visit the remains of this colossal Aztec city, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site: see the massive Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and the 2 km-long Avenue of the Dead; the Butterfly Temple; the Temple of Quetzalcoatl; and the Citadel., lunch at a restaurant, return to the hotel; the rest of the night is free,
Car
Day 3 — Mexico City → Oaxaca
American breakfast, The colonial city of Puebla (UNESCO World Heritage Site) rises at an altitude of 3,800 m, offering a grand view of the volcanoes Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl. Built by the Spaniards ten years into the Conquest, it boasts several fine churches and gorgeous buildings, decorated with colourful ceramics. One example of this is the Capilla del Rosario of the Church of Santo Domingo, one of the best expressions of New Spanish Baroque., continue to, accommodation, free evening and night,
Day 4 — Oaxaca
American breakfast, morning visit to the archaeological site of Monte Alban, The Zapotecs’ capital, dating back to 500 b.C., is a true archaeological treasure. Its vestiges used to be the city's political an religious core, encompassing gigantic pyramids, astronomical observatories, and palaces. Dozens of thousands of people lived there. The Historic Centre of Oaxaca and the Archaeological Site of Monte Albán are UNESCO World Heritage Sites., afternoon visit of, Rising at an altitude of 1,600 m, Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial cities. It was founded by the Spaniards in 1521. The panoramic tour includes the Zócalo, with the Cathedral and the Church of Santo Domingo; the convent of Santa Catalina; and the bustling, traditional city market., free evening and night,
Car
Day 5 — Oaxaca → Tuxtla Gutierrez
American breakfast, morning visit to a Mezcal factory. Continue to Tehuantepec, The Isthmus of Tehuantepec represents the narrowest part of Mexico, with a distance of just 210 km between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. The locals are descendants of the ancient, matriarchal civilisation of the Zapotec., lunch, accommodation, free evening and night, continue to Tuxtla Gutierrez,
Car
Day 6 — Tuxtla Gutierrez → San Cristobal de las Casas
American breakfast, Transfer to Chiapa de Corzo (about 55 km / 1 hour away from San Cristobal); from here you will go for a picturesque cruise on the Rio Grijalva in the Cañón del Sumidero, the largest single Natural Wonder in Chiapas. As you sail down the river, flowing between 1000 m-tall rocky walls and scenic waterfalls, you might catch sight of monkeys, crocodiles, pelicans, herons and cormorants: the inhabitants of the surrounding thick forest., lunch at a restaurant, continue to, accommodation, free afternoon,
Day 7 — San Cristobal de las Casas
American breakfast, In the morning, visit the market – one of the most representative of the area – and the baroque church of Santo Domingo. After that, visit the nearby native communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinancantan, still taking pride in their unbroken Mayan tradition. The township of San Juan boasts a unique blending of Mayan Tzotil religion and Catholic rites: its well-known church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist is the ideal core of this communion, and one of the holiest sites in Mexico., The tour includes a visit to a Zinacantan family, where you will cook a typical tortilla and taste some “Pox” – the Mayan tequila., return to town; the rest of the day is free,
Car
Day 8 — San Cristobal de las Casas → Palenque
American breakfast, departure to Palenque, Brief stop off at, Starting from 12/26/2023, a small snack in the hotel before departure around 5.30 in the morning, breakfast will be made during the stop in Ocosingo, in a local restaurant.
The waterfalls of Agua Azul (“blue water”) are true to their name in the dry season, from November to April. During the rain season, especially in July and August, their water is brownish rather than blue; however, the huge volume of water falling makes for an outstanding view all the same., continue to Palenque, accommodation, free evening and night,
Car
Day 9 — Palenque → Campeche
American breakfast, morning visit to the archaeological site of Campeche, Palenque, at the heart of the forest, is considered the most beautiful Maya city state of the Archaic period. Excavation brought to light just a minor portion of this huge site; however, the magnificence of what has been dug out will inevitably leave the beholder speechless, awestruck at the splendour of this ancient religious and military centre. The civilisation of Palenque was outstandingly advanced in terms of architecture and engineering, and its artistic refinement was unmatched in the Pre-Columbian world. One example of this are the grave goods of Pakal, discovered in the Temple of the Inscriptions. Palenque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site., departure to, lunch en route, brief panoramic tour of the city upon arrival, Campeche – whose name is derived from the Maya name of “Ah-Kin-Pech”, “the place of snakes and ticks” – is a colonial seaside town, with matte-painted houses and massive walls built around the port: in the 17th century it used to be a sitting target to French, Dutch and English pirates. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site., accommodation, free evening and night,
Car
Day 10 — Campeche → Merida
American breakfast, departure to Merida, En route visit to the archaeological site of, The UNESCO-listed ceremonial centre of Uxmal is one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture. Its highlights are the Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor's Palace – two impressive edifices, wondrously decorated., lunch at a restaurant, Lunch will be served in the old, charming Hacienda San Pedro Ochil, halfway between Uxmal and Merida., afternoon visit of Merida, The capital of the Yucatán, Merida is a colonial town, full of pleasant parks and humming streets, and lively with its several open air concerts and its rich craft market. Stop off at the main square, overlooked by the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Palacio Municipal, and the Casa de Montejo., accommodation, free evening and night,
Car
Day 11 — Merida → Riviera Maya
American breakfast, departure to Riviera Maya, En route visit to the archaeological site of, The UNESCO-listed Chichen Itza, halfway between Merida and Cancun, is one of the largest and most intact archaeological sites in Mexico. It is estimated that, at the time of its apex (10th-12th century), this Mayan-Toltec site was home to half a million people. Its magnificence shows in the colossal size of its famous structures, rising on the neatly-cut grass of the archaeological area: the El Castillo pyramid; the Ballcourt; the Sacred Cenote, a human sacrificial site; the Observatory; and the Temple of the Warriors., lunch at a restaurant, The visit includes a stop off at the Samaal cenote: enjoy a swim in this beautiful natural pit of karst origin., late night arrival at Riviera Maya, accommodation, all inclusive treatment,
Day 12 — Riviera Maya
American breakfast, transfer to Cancun airport, end of the tour Expected Hotels
1 - Mexico City: Hilton Mexico City Reforma
2 - Oaxaca: Holiday Inn Express Centro Histórico
3 - Tuxtla Gutierrez: Marriott
4 - San Cristobal de las Casas: Villa Mercedes
5 - Palenque: Villa Mercedes
6 - Campeche: Plaza Campeche
7 - Merida: Courtyard by Marriott Merida
8 - Riviera Maya: Barcelo Maya Grand
From 26/12/2023:
1 - Mexico City: Barcelo Mexico Reforma
2 - Oaxaca: Holiday Inn Express Centro Histórico
3 - Tuxtla Gutierrez: Hilton Garden Inn Tuxtla Gutierrez
4 - San Cristobal de las Casas: Sombra del Agua
5 - Palenque: Villa Mercedes
6 - Campeche: Gamma Campeche Malencon
7 - Merida: Courtyard by Marriott Merida
8 - Riviera Maya: Barcelo Maya Grand
Hotels may be replaced with others of equal category without notice.,
Notes
ROOMS: rooms only have one or two beds. “Triple”, “quadruple”, “family” room refers to the number of the guests, who will sleep in the beds provided (max. 2). The possibility of adding a rollaway bed – even if requested at the time of reservation – is subject to availability, with a supplement to be paid on site. Likewise, special requests for double or separate beds; adjoining, high-floor, low-floor rooms etc. are always upon request and these services can never be considered as granted.
DISABLED PEOPLE: disabled travellers can take part to the tour as long as they are self-sufficient. This is because means of transport are not equipped with a wheelchair platform; in addiction, due to insurance and security reasons, neither the guide nor the driver are allowed to help passengers getting on board. Disabled passengers must thus travel with an assistant of their own, to provide them all the help they might need during the tour. All bookings are on request.
HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The Organizing Body reserves the right to substitute the itinerary and/or the hotels to alternative of a similar or superior category in the event of unplanned circumstances, and if the safe and normal proceeding of the tour is threatened. Furthermore, when in the impossibility for all of the travellers to stay at the same hotel, the group will be split amidst several hotels of the same category.,
Grand Mexico Tour — NAAR
Starts from
12 days / 18 nights – from Mexico City to Riviera Maya,
Price includes
Accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar), daily American breakfast; lunch and dinner as per program, domestic flights (when specified), bilingual (English-speaking) local courier / guide, admissions, visits and excursions: as scheduled, airport and hotel porterage, 1 piece per person,
Price does not include
Meals that have not been specified; beverage; any extra, tips, tourist tax for every entry into Mexico, air travel and taxes, administration fees and “no-risk” coverage, trip cancellation, medical expense & baggage coverage,
