Gran Tour Messico con Museo d'Antropologia

Welcome upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Available evening.

American breakfast. Morning dedicated to visiting the National Museum of Anthropology, one of the most famous museums in the world, both for its organization with indoor and outdoor areas, but above all for the richness of its collection of artifacts from pre-Columbian cultures such as the Maya, Aztec, Olmec, Teotihuacan, Toltec, Zapotec, and Mixtec. I return to the hotel and have the rest of the day available.

Full day tour of Mexico and Teotihuacan. At an altitude of over 2,250 meters, in a valley dominated by the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes, Mexico City is one of the most fascinating metropolises in the Americas. Built on the ruins of the ancient Tenochtitlán, capital of the Aztec Empire, the city combines a millennia-old history with extraordinary contemporary vibrancy.

The historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents the heart of the capital. Here you will find the Plaza de la Constitución, known as the Zócalo, one of the largest squares in the world and for centuries the center of the country’s political, religious, and social life. Overlooking the square stands the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest in Mexico and one of the most significant examples of Spanish colonial architecture in Latin America.

Just a few steps away is the National Palace, a symbol of Mexican political power, while nearby rise the remains of the Templo Mayor, the main sanctuary of ancient Tenochtitlán. This important archaeological site bears witness to the greatness of the Aztec civilization and recalls the origins of the city. Many stones from the ancient temples were reused in the construction of the colonial buildings that still characterize the historic center today.

Beyond its monuments, Mexico City captivates visitors with its vibrant culture and renowned gastronomy. In traditional markets and neighborhoods, one can enjoy specialties such as tacos al pastor, tamales, and quesadillas, while street musicians and vendors help create an authentic and engaging atmosphere.

Visiting Mexico City means discovering a city of strong contrasts, where the Aztec past coexists with one of the largest metropolises in the world. Between monumental squares, archaeological sites, traditions, and unique flavors, the Mexican capital offers an experience rich in history, culture, and charm. Short stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico and the largest pilgrimage center in Latin America. Continuation to Teotihuacan. You will visit what remains of this city planned on a gigantic scale by the Aztecs, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the imposing Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon connected by the Avenue of the Dead along 2 km, the Temple of the Butterflies, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and the Citadel. Lunch at a restaurant. I return to the hotel and the evening is free.

American breakfast. Departure for Puebla. To reach the elegant colonial city of Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you ascend to an altitude of 3800 meters, with a spectacular view of the two volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl. Built by the Spaniards ten years after the conquest of Mexico, it has beautiful churches and fascinating buildings with polychrome ceramic facades, particularly the Chapel of the Rosary in the Church of Santo Domingo, one of the greatest expressions of Mexican Baroque. Continuation to Oaxaca. Hotel accommodation. Available evening.

American breakfast. In the morning, visit to the archaeological area of Monte Alban. In the afternoon visit to Oaxaca. The capital of the Zapotecs is an archaeological treasure dating back to 500 BC. The visible ruins today are the political and religious center of the city, which had tens of thousands of inhabitants, with colossal pyramids, astronomical observatories, and palaces. Along with the historic center of Oaxaca, Monte Alban is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon visit to Oaxaca. Oaxaca, at an altitude of 1600 meters, is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico, founded by the Spanish in 1521. During a panoramic tour, you can visit the Zócalo, where the Cathedral and the Church of Santo Domingo are located, as well as the Santa Catalina convent and the market, one of the most typical and lively in the region. Available evening.

American breakfast. Morning visit to a Mezcal factory.
Continuation to Tehuantepec. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is the narrowest point in Mexico, with only 210 km between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and it is an area with a unique cultural identity. Its population descends from the Zapotec indigenous people, an ancient matriarchal society. Lunch. Continue to Tuxtla Gutierrez. Hotel accommodation. Available evening.

American breakfast. Transfer to Chiapa de Corzo, about 55 km / 1 hour from San Cristobal, starting point for the picturesque navigation of the Grijalva River in the Sumidero Canyon, the largest natural wonder in Chiapas. You descend the river between walls of rock up to 1000 m high, waterfalls, dense vegetation; with a bit of luck you can see monkeys and crocodiles, as well as pelicans, herons and cormorants. Lunch at a restaurant. Continuation to San Cristobal de las Casas. Hotel accommodation. Afternoon available.

American breakfast. I return to the hotel and have the rest of the day available. In the morning, visit the market, one of the most typical in the region, and the baroque church of Santo Domingo. Visit the nearby indigenous communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinancantan, with very lively and authentic Mayan traditions, especially in San Juan, in the church of San Giovanni Battista, the epicenter of the Tzotzil Mayan religion that combines with Catholic rituals, one of the most intense sacred sites in all of Mexico. You will be hosted by a Zinacantecan family to prepare an authentic tortilla and taste the pox, the Mayan tequila. I return to the city and have the rest of the day available.

American breakfast. Departure to Palenque. Short stop at Agua Azul. Starting from 26/12/2023, there will be a small snack at the hotel before departure at around 5:30 in the morning. Breakfast will be provided during the stop in Ocosingo, at a local restaurant.

The Agua Azul waterfalls live up to their name (blue water) only during the dry season, from November to April. During the rainy season, especially in July and August, the color of the water changes from turquoise to brown, but the volume is greater and the spectacle is still remarkable. Hotel accommodation. Available evening.

American breakfast. In the morning, visit to the archaeological area of Palenque. Immersed in the forest, Palenque is considered the most beautiful Mayan city-state of the archaic period. Archaeological excavations have only uncovered a small part of the large center, but within the visitable quadrilateral, the richness of the remaining buildings allows us to imagine the ancient splendor of this priestly and warrior center, at the forefront of architecture and engineering, and a refined center of art without rivals in the pre-Columbian world, as evidenced by the funerary ensemble of Pakal, found in the Temple of the Inscriptions. Palenque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Departure to Campeche. Lunch along the bus journey with a packed lunch. Upon arrival, there will be a panoramic tour of the city. Available evening. Campeche (from the Mayan toponym Ah Kin Pech - "place of snakes and ticks") is a coastal colonial town with pastel-colored houses and powerful defensive walls around the port, which was targeted by French, Dutch, and English pirates in the 17th century. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hotel accommodation. Available evening.

American breakfast. Departure to Merida (MX). En route visit to the archaeological site of Uxmal. UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ceremonial site of Uxmal is one of the masterpieces of Maya civilization. Particularly significant are the Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor's Palace, spectacular buildings with fascinating decorative details. Lunch at a restaurant. Lunch is served at the ancient and fascinating Hacienda San Pedro Ochil, halfway between Uxmal and Merida. Afternoon visit of Merida (MX). Capital of the Yucatan region, Merida is a city with colonial buildings, pleasant parks, lively central streets, open-air concerts of popular music, and a vast craft market. Stop in the main square where the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Casa de Montejo overlook. Hotel accommodation. Available evening.

American breakfast. Departure to Riviera Maya. Along the route, visit the archaeological site of Chichen Itza. UNESCO World Heritage Site, halfway between Merida and Cancun, Chichen Itza is one of the largest and most complete archaeological finds in Mexico. It is estimated that during its peak period of splendor (10th-12th centuries), this center of Maya-Toltec culture was inhabited by half a million people. Its grandeur is also evidenced by the size of its most famous buildings, which rise on the well-maintained grassy area of the archaeological site: the pyramid El Castillo, the Ball Court, the Sacred Cenote used for human sacrifices, 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. Hotel accommodation. All-inclusive treatment.

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..