Wonders of Mexico

Hinweis: Diese Reisebeschreibung ist derzeit leider nur auf englisch verfügbar.

Day 1 to 1 – Arrive Mexico City

Upon arrival at the international airport in Mexico City, your driver will be on hand to collect you and transfer you to your hotel by private vehicle. Once you have checked in, the remainder of the day is at your leisure as the first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities.

Mexico City is the world’s most populated city with over 20 million people. Founded by Spanish conquerors in 1521, Mexico’s capital sits at 2309 metres above sea level and was built on the site of the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. The extensive metro system and trolley buses make getting around easy and there is certainly plenty to see and do here.

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Day 2 to 2 – Mexico City and Teotihuacan

This morning you will meet your private guide and spend the day exploring Mexico City and the nearby archaeological site of Teotihuacan. A good starting point is the main square where you will find the impressive Catedral y Sagrario Metropolitano, the main cathedral of Mexico City with a magnificent Latin-Baroque style façade. The enormous Zocalo has been the heart of the city since the Aztec rule at the time of Montezuma I. This area was once surrounded by palaces and temples and it is now the second largest public square in the world. You will gain an understanding of Mexico’s history, culture and people, visiting highlights such as Templo Mayor and the National Palace where you can see murals depicting the struggle for independence by one of the country’s most famous artists, Diego Riviera.

This afternoon you will travel to famous pyramids of Teotihuacan, and en route you will visit the church of Guadalupe. Upon arrival at the archaeological site, you will have a guided tour of the colossal Sun and Moon pyramids. The Aztec people called Teotihuacan the “Birthplace of the Gods” but neither they, nor modern archaeologists, have been able to unravel the secrets of these massive ruins, presided over by the third-largest pyramid in the world. You are free to climb the pyramids for an overwhelming view and to wander the complex at your own pace soaking up the atmosphere. Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your hotel and the evening is free at your leisure. You can enjoy a spicy Mexican dinner and maybe a few tequilas in the Zona Rosa while listening to music performed by a mariachi band.

Included Excursions

Tours of Mexico City & Teotihuacan

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s

Day 3 to 3 – Puebla and Oaxaca

This morning you will meet your private guide and depart for Oaxaca. En route you will visit the colonial city Puebla, flanked by four of Mexico’s best-known volcanoes – Popocatepetl, Iztaccihuatl, Malinche and Citlaltepetl, also called Pico de Orizaba. The historic centre of Puebla has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there more than 70 churches and 1000 colonial buildings located here. With your guide you will visit the Zocalo, the Cathedral and the Rosary Chapel.

Puebla is famous for hand-painted Talavera tiles and was the first city in New Spain to master the art of decorating and glazing fire-baked clay – an art introduced by the Spanish. Spanish tile makers took up residence in Puebla and set a standard of excellence that prevails to this day. You will see tiles adorning many churches and other buildings around town.

Puebla has fabulous regional cuisine, some of delectable dishes include the famous mole poblana sauce, as well as the seasonal delicious dish of chiles en nogada. Following you visit, you will continue to Oaxaca where the evening is free at your leisure. Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most captivating cities where there is a clear blend of colonial influences and Indigenous traditions.

Included Excursions

Tour of Puebla

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s

Day 4 to 4 – Monte Alban and Milta

This morning you will meet your private guide and travel to Monte Alban, the religious capital of the Zapotecan people, built upon a hill. This place is rich with pyramids and tombs and set in a beautiful panoramic location. The ruins extend over the peaks of three mountain ranges that converge in Oaxaca’s central valley, at an altitude of 1600 metres above sea level.

Following your tour of Monte Alban, you will continue to Mitla, named by the Spaniards after San Pablo Mitla. Mitla’s quaint, narrow and colourful streets are home textile merchants, as well as to a great number of Mezcal producers and vendors. You will visit the church located here and the neighbouring archaeological site. Today you will also take in Santa Maria del Tule, where the famous Arbol del Tule (tree of tule) is located. This mighty tree, having a circumference of over 160 feet at its base, is between 2000-3000 years old, making it one of the oldest in the world. The remainder of the day is at your leisure in Oaxaca.

Included Excursions

Tour of Mitla

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 5 to 5 – Sumidero Canyon

Today is a long travel day and you will depart early in the morning for the State of Chiapas in the direction of its capital, Chiapa de Corzo. En route you will visit the impressive Sumidero Canyon, travelling by local boat. The canyon is surrounded by a national park and has vertical walls which are up to 1000 metres high. You will reach the warmer and more jungle-like region of the Grijalva Valley where you will pass beneath towering waterfalls and you may even glimpse crocodiles sunning themselves on the riverbanks.

After your adventure through the canyon, you will continue the journey up into the mountains, to San Cristobal de las Casas which is located at 2000 metres above sea level. San Cristobal de las Casas beautiful colonial city with cobbled streets, shady plazas and a handicrafts market on the grounds of the Santo Domingo church. With excellent views of the city from some of the churches on the outskirts of the town, you can spend an evening watching the sun set over the town, turning the buildings magnificent colours.

Included Excursions

Boat Excursion through the Sumidero canyon

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 6 to 6 – San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas is surrounded by 21 indigenous villages with distinct languages, dress and customs. Red tiled houses painted in brilliant colours dominate the city, maintaining a delightful provincial charm. Today you will visit the indigenous communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, located few kilometres from San Cristobal.

You will also have a short city tour where you can visit the local market to admire the art craft abilities of the indigenous locals and possibly pick up a gift or two! You will also discover the famous local churches, among which the most important being Santo Domingo. The remainder of the day is free in San Cristobal to enjoy this unique place; its markets, colourful architecture, churches and the many little shops and restaurants.

Included Excursions

San Cristobal de las Casas Tour

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 7 to 7 – Agua Azul Waterfalls

Today you will descend from the Chiapas Mountains, drive through to the greenest valleys, all the way to the jungles of Palenque. En route you will visit the beautiful Agua Azul waterfalls where it is possible to go for a refreshing swim in the clear, turquoise waters. On arrival in Palenque, you will check into your hotel and the remainder of the day is free at your leisure.

Included Excursions

Agua Azul Waterfalls

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 8 to 8 – Palenque and Campeche

The entire morning is dedicated to a guided visit to the amazing archaeological site of Palenque, still partly hidden in the tropical jungle. With your guide you will explore the fascinating pyramids and temples located here, learning about rise and fall of Palenque’s dynasty. Though not the largest of Mayan sites, Palenque is many people’s favourite. The architecture, particularly the ornate and well-preserved “Bell Tower”, is highly advanced, and its inscriptions and murals are some of the best in the Maya world.

This afternoon you will depart for colonial colourful town of Campeche and transfer to your hotel on arrival. Your guide will provide an orientation of the town and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure.

Included Excursions

Tour of Palenque,Campeche orientation tour

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 9 to 9 – Uxmal and Merida

Today you will depart for Merida, the capital of the Yucatán State also known as the “white city” for its colonial buildings. En route you will visit to the archaeological site of Uxmal, one of the most important places in the Mayan culture. Uxmal was once an important Mayan trading site and is now one of the best restored ruins in the Yucatan.

On arrival in Merida you will visit the Zocalo where you can see the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the House of Montejo. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. If you happen to be in Merida on a Sunday evening, the square comes alive as the locals dress up in traditional clothes and bands and orchestras hold free concerts.

Included Excursions

Tour of Uxmal,Merida orientation walk

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 10 to 10 – Chichen Itza and Cancun

Today you will depart for Cancun, your final destination in Mexico. En route you will visit the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. This immense complex has a surface area of 300 hectares, representing two different periods of Mayan history: one purely Mayan and other with a Toltec influence which is reflected in its architecture and sculpture. With your guide you will visit the Pyramid of Kukulkán, the Castle, the Ball Game, the Temple of the Tigers, the Sacred Cenote, the Building of the Nuns and the Temple of the Warriors.

Following the tour you will be transferred to your hotel in Cancun where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Cancun was once just a small fishing village and is now a huge resort famous for its beautiful beaches and electric nightlife.

Included Excursions

Tour of Chichen Itza

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 11 to 11 – Depart Cancun

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.

Sadly, the time has come to say goodbye to Mexico. You will be collected from the hotel and transferred to the international airport in Cancun to board your onwards flight.

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Wonders of Mexico - Karte