Mexico City and the vestiges of the Maya civilization, especially those in Chiapas and Yucatan, are at the core of this short but exiting tour, which has much to offer in terms of landscape and emotion. At the gates of the capital city you will visit the majestic Aztec site of Teotihuacan, with its gigantic pyramids. In Chiapas, at the heart of the jungle, the stunning site of Palenque will leave you awestruck; and the Museo de la Venta in Villahermosa will unfold the mystery of its Olmec sculpture before you. In the Yucatan peninsula you will see the port of Campeche, fortified to resist the assaults of the pirates; the outstanding archaeological sites of Uxmal and Chichen Itza; the beautiful Merida, with its colonial buildings; and, finally, the turquoise sea and Caribbean climate of the Riviera Maya. This is a week you won't forget.,
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., lunch at a restaurant, return to the hotel; the rest of the night is free, 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., continue to,
Car
Day 3 — Mexico City → Palenque
American breakfast, transfer to the airport, Flight to, Villahermosa means “Beautiful Village”: one must be honest and confess that this industrial, oil-boom city is quite far from beautiful; however, it makes for the perfect gateway for the fabulous Mayan site of Palenque. Visit the La Venta Archaeological Park – an open air museum where you will admire the Olmec colossal heads, sculpted from large, black basalt boulders, frowning at you with their inscrutable expression., continue to Palenque, accommodation, free afternoon,
Car
Day 4 — 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., continue to Campeche, 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 5 — 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 6 — 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., arrival at Riviera Maya in the evening, accommodation, all inclusive treatment,
Day 7 — Riviera Maya
American breakfast, transfer to Cancun airport, end of the tour Expected hotels
1 Mexico City: NH Centro Historico
2 Palenque: Villa Mercedes
3 Campeche: Plaza Campeche
4 Merida: Courtyard by Marriott Merida
5 Riviera Maya: Barcelò Maya Grand
From 11/01/2024:
1 Mexico City: NH Centro Historico
2 Palenque: Villa Mercedes
3 Campeche: Gamma Campeche Malecon
4 Merida: Courtyard by Marriott Merida
5 Riviera Maya: Barcelò Maya Grand
Hotels may be replaced with others of the same category without prior 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.,
Starts from
7 days / 12 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,
