Mayan Pyramids and Colonial Heritage

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 and the pyramids of Teotihuacan

We take an excursion to the famous Anthropological Museum, housing a magnificent collection of Aztec and Mayan artefacts, great Olmec stone heads, burial tombs, 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

At leisure in Mexico City 

A day to relax. Optional excursions are also available.

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 3 nights.

Day 5

Monte Albán

Today we visit the majestic, Zapotec archaeological site at Monte Albán.

Day 6

At leisure in Oaxaca 

A day free to relax and explore the city in your own pace. Oaxaca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its indigenous culture, fascinating history of many conflicts and a strong colonial heritage. Highlights include markets selling local crafts, woodcarvings and textiles, the Baroque cathedral and Zocalo.

Day 7

Sumidero Canyon

We fly to Tuxtla Gutiérrez and on to the Sumidero Canyon. A mighty fissure dropping 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 and afterwards continue to the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas for 3 nights.

Day 8

San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

A fascinating day today as we travel to villages hidden in the remote mountain. Here, we visit the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán where the local people have preserved their culture. We also explore the fascinating rustic church with a blend of pagan and catholic symbols.

Day 9

San Cristobal at leisure

A day free to relax and enjoy San Cristobal at your own pace. It's a pleasure to explore the cobbled streets and markets, 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.

Day 10

Transfer to Palenque

We drive to Palenque today, arriving at the Mision Hotel, beautifully integrated with the jungle, where we overnight.

Day 11

Palenque and Merida

In the morning we explore the important Mayan archaeological site at Palenque. We 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. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel for a 3 night stay.

Day 12

Tour of Merida

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

Day 13

Uxmal excursion

Today we take a guided excursion to 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.

Day 14

Chichén Itzá

This morning we drive 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

A chance to re-visit Chichen Itza in the morning. In the afternoon, we transfer to Cancún airport for your overnight flight home. You can also choose to extend your trip to wind down for a few days on the beach.

Day 16

Arrive in the UK