Rich culture, colonial heritage and pre-Aztec pyramids

Day 1

Arrive in Mexico City

Arriving in Mexico City on Friday allows you to visit the city at the weekends, when it is quieter and there are more cultural activities and markets. On arrival (international flights are not included), you will will be met by our guide and taken to your chosen hotel for a 3 night stay.

Day 2

Visit the huge pre-Aztec pyramids 

Staying until Monday, opt to visit the huge pre-Aztec pyramids at Teotihuacan and the Saturday market. You may also chose to join local people and families for a walk in Chapultepec park or cycle on Avenida Reforma, which is closed to traffic on Sunday mornings. Then perhaps take a long lunch and in the afternoon have tea and cakes, watching the world go by in Coyacan. There are excellent restaurants with superb fusion cuisine and the hotel spa to enjoy. You can stay longer in Mexico City and perhaps travel out of town to visit Cuernavaca.

Veloso Tours has a range of half and full day excursions in Mexico City that are pre-bookable. Please ask your tour expert for full details.

Day 3

At leisure

Veloso Tours has a range of half and full day excursions in Mexico City that are pre-bookable. Please ask your tour expert for full details.

Day 4

Puebla

Today we drive to colourful Puebla, with great views of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes On arrival, visit the colonial era centre, with beautiful examples of Baroque architecture, a stunning cathedral, the vibrant El Parian market and charming Los Sapos. Overnight in your chosen hotel.

Day 5

Oaxaca's colonial heritage 

Drive to Oaxaca, admiring the dramatic landscapes of the Sierra Madre on the way. Here we stay for 3 nights, with two full days to explore. We visit Oaxaca and discover its rich indigenous and colonial heritage including the Zapotec archaeological site at Monte Alban, featuring pyramids, the tomb of kings, an ancient ball game court and a star observatory.

Day 6

See Tule's giant tree

Today enjoy an included full day tour of the surrounding area. We visit Tule's giant tree, over 1,000 years old and whose branches embrace and cover a small church. We then head to Teotitlan, known for a long tradition of weaving cloth in colourful, intricate patters. The next stop is the archeological site at Mitla, which has superb stone relief patterns on the temple facades. We finish a full day at a Mexican liquor distillery, where you may wish to try some tequila.

Day 7

Excursion to the artisan town of Arrazola

Today we have an excursion to the artisan town of Arrazola to see the colourful Alebrijes papier-mache figures and the black clay pottery of Coyotepetec. Later we will visit the little known ancient tombs at Zaachila and the impressive fortress-like monastery at Cuilapan.

Day 8

Return to Mexico City or stay at a Pacific Coast beach resort

Transfer to Oaxaca airport for your flight back to Mexico City (not included). You may also take a short flight to extend your stay at a beach resort on the Pacific coast at Huatulco, Puerto Escondido or Puerto Angel.