Aztec and Mayan History, Giant Pyramids, Colonial Charm, Countryside, Wildlife and a Golden Beach

Today enjoy a guided tour of Mexico City visiting the Lava Gardens, the residential area of El Pedregal and the famous Frida Kahlo Museum, known as La Casa Azul (The Blue House).

We then take a stroll through the lively Saturday bazar (handicraft market) in the centre of the colonial San Angel Quarter. 

Enjoy a half-day excursion to the extensive Aztec archaeological site of Teotihuacan, famous for the pyramid of the Sun, Moon and Quetzalcoati. Teotihuacan is an enormous archaeological site containing some of the largest pyramidal structures built in the pre-Columbian Americas. 

The city was thought to have been established around 200 BC, becoming the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas with over 200,000 inhabitants. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Today we visit the colonial town of Puebla, known for its colonial art and architecture. 

Continue to the archaeological site of Cholula, famous it's great pyramid. It is, in fact, the largest pyramid by volume in the world.

Enjoy a guided tour of Oaxaca visiting the Baroque Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzman. Continue to the former Convent of Santo Domingo to explore the Oaxaca Regional Museum. Browse through exhibits of Mixtec and Zapotec artifacts, including gold treasures.

Explore the traditional centre (the Zócalo) including the town square with fountains, laurel trees and a bandstand. 

Today we visit Santa Maria del Tule, a town famous for a 2,000-year-old Montezuma cypress, or the tule tree. Learn how this 509-ton tree - considered the world’s thickest with a girth of 173 feet (53 meters) - is growing within a family of ancient trees. We continue to the archaeological ruins of Mitla, a well-preserved Mesoamerican site in the Oaxaca Valley. Observe elaborate mosaics and hear about the Zapotecs who used the city as a religious centre.

Transfer to the airport and fly to Tuxtla Gutierrez. On arrival, our guide will transfer you to your chosen hotel in San Cristobal de las Casa for a 3-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure. 

Today we explore the colonial city centre of San Cristobal de las Casas with our guide visiting the cathedral and the impressive 16th century Dominican church with its intricate pink façade and gilded Baroque interior.

Next, it’s time to browse the handicrafts where Tzotzil Indians from the surrounding hills come to trade before we drive into the Chiapas highlands to visit the Tzotzil villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. 

Enjoy a guided tour of Merida (known as the White City) observing colonial and neoclassical architecture in the main square. Here,visit the Cathedral, the Government Palace, Town Hall and House of Montejo, as well as the Paseo Montejo with the beautiful mansions.

We also visit local markets and stop to watch the world go by being part of the charming local life of this wonderful city. 

Today we visit the Mayan archaeological site of Uxmal. Observe the Pyramid of the Dwarf, Nun’s Quadrangle and the amazing façades of Governor’s Palace, among others. Continue to Kabah, a site belonging to the so called ‘Puuc region’: the décor in façades of the prehispanic temples is exceptional. It is particularly visible at the Codz Pop main temple of Kabah, dedicated to Maya rain god ‘Chac’.

Later, travel along the ‘Franciscan Convent route’, with many important towns during the times of christianisation of Yucatán peninsula. The Franciscan order established convents in many towns around, of which the churches still exist today.

Enjoy a guided tour to Hacienda Ednakán and Chunakanán. Here, large Agave plantations for natural Sisal fibre production brought huge wealth to the region. You have a panoramic view of wide fields and learn about how Haciendas functioned in the past. Continue to  Chelemtún and Homún cenotes and enjoy a dip in the cool water.

In the afternoon, we drive to Izamal where many buildings are painted in golden yellow.

Stroll the picturesque lanes flanked by elegant houses and observe the monastery of San Antonio de Padua with its elegant archways around the main church yard. 

This morning we explore Chichén Itzá with its impressive Kukulkán Pyramid, the Great Ball Court, and other key landmarks while learning about the history and legacy of the ancient Maya civilization. 

We then continue to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast.

Enjoy a nature tour by boat on Rio Lagartos.

The mangroves of the Lagartos River and the nearby biosphere reserve, with the name Ria Lagartos are home to many species including flamingoes.