The Mirador Tour

Itinerary Description

Day 1 - Departure from UK

Take a daytime flight to Mexico City, arriving the same evening, where you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel for 3 nights. This is also the opportunity for our guide to provide you advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have.

 

Day 2 - Anthropological Museum & Pyramids of Teotihuacan

We take an excursion to the famous Anthropological Museum, housing a magnificent collection of Aztec and Mayan artifacts, great Olmec stone heads, burial tombs and exquisite pottery and ceramics. We continue to the pyramids of Teotihuacan ( 500BC- 700 AD) with the immense Pyramid of the Sun, the third largest in the world.

 

Day 3 - Mexico City at leisure

One day to relax, maybe have lunch in the beautiful neighbourhood of Coyoacan, followed by a visit to the Frida Kahlo museum.

Optional excursions to the historic town of Cuernavaca and Taxco, perched on the side of a mountain and renowned for its silversmiths.

Itinerary Description

Day 4 - Puebla

Morning departure with your guide and transport to visit Puebla, one of the five most important Spanish colonial cities in Mexico and a National Heritage site since 1987. After exploring the colonial architecture we continue to Oaxaca, where we will stay for three nights.

 

Day 5 - Monte Albán

We will visit the majestic, Zapotec archaeological site at Monte Albán.

 

Day 6 - Oaxaca at leisure

One day free to relax and explore the city in your own pace. Oaxaca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its indigenous culture, historically in conflict with a strong colonial heritage. Highlights include the markets selling indigenous crafts in papier-mache, woodcarvings, textiles and black pottery, the Centro Cultural, the Baroque cathedral and Zocalo.

Itinerary Description

Day 7 - Sumidero Canyon

Fly to Tuxtla Gutiérrez and on to the Sumidero Canyon. A mighty fissure cutting down 1000m into the earth whose sheer sides are blanketed with lush jungle, home to a variety of wildlife. We take a boat trip along the river, afterwards we continue to colonial San Cristóbal de las Casas for 3 nights.

 

Day 8 - San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

Hidden in the remote mountain, people preserve their culture in the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán and a fascinating rustic church with a blend of pagan and catholic symbols.

 

Day 9 - San Cristobal at leisure

One day free to relax and explore the city in your own pace. It's a pleasure to explore the cobbled streets and markets of San Cristóbal, set in a gorgeous highland valley surrounded by pine forest. It's a popular destination for tourists, with a great selection of hotels and a cosmopolitan range of cafes, bars and restaurants.

Itinerary Description

Day 10 - Transfer to Palenque

Continue to Palenque. We stay in Hotel Mision, beautifully integrated with the jungle.

 

Day 11 - Tour of Palenque site

In the morning we explore the important Mayan archaeological site. Walk among the ornate pyramids and temples, set on the edge of the rainforest, in an atmosphere of serenity and mystery.

In the afternoon we drive to Villahermosa and, if time allows, stop at La Venta Park to admire the huge Olmec Heads, before your flight to Merida for three nights.

Itinerary Description

Day 12 - Tour of Merida

We visit the historic city. The main plaza is a garden bordered by colonial buildings central to Mexican town life, fiestas and people watching.

 

Day 13 - Uxmal excursion

We visit the extensive site of Uxmal, perfectly restored, showing the intricate stone lattice work and mosaics, a fine example of the ornate Puuc style. The Pyramid of the Magician rises above the surrounding vegetation and overlooks the magnificent landscape of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Itinerary Description

Day 14 - Chichén Itzá

Morning journey to the mighty Chichén Itzá, a blend of the Toltec and Mayan cultures. The monuments here have few decorations and the massive pyramids, temples and astrological observatory are evidence of the impressive power and knowledge of their rulers. Time to visit the site at leisure and overnight at our nearby hotel.

 

Day 15 - Return home

Afternoon journey to Cancún airport for your return flight, arriving the following day, day 16. You can also choose to extend your trip to wind down for a few days on the beach.