5 Day Itinerary
£TBCpp
A 4-night journey in central Chiapas, where you will be able to experience an authentic Day of the Dead celebration. Experience one of Mexico’s cherished traditions, visiting sacred burial grounds near San Cristóbal de las Casas. Participate in the regional customs of the Tzotzil Maya and Chamula communities, and share stories with locals who have upheld these traditions for generations.
Today you will be picked up at the airport and driven about 35 minutes to the docking pier, where you will embark on your boat journey through the renowned Sumidero Canyon along the beautiful green river, Rio Grijalva. This canyon is within its own national park and the cliffs rise 900m above sea level, so it’s a truly impressive sight. It is home to a plethora of wildlife including crocodiles, monkeys and beautiful tropical birds. The boat journey lasts around 1 hour and 45 minutes and you then have the option to stop for lunch along the way in Chiapa de Corzo before continuing to your home for the next 4 nights, Hotel BO, in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Today you will explore San Cristobal de las Casas with a guided tour of the historical centre. This is a lively town with well preserved and attractive architecture including pastel coloured buildings and ornate churches. You will have the opportunity today to make your own altar, a local tradition at this time of the year in Mexico and your guide will take you to the local market to pick up the decorative flowers and candles.
After lunch, the altar decorations will begin. The altars in Mexico are a way of the locals showing their devotion and remembrance for their loved ones who are now deceased. The idea is to celebrate their lives, rather than mourn their passing. Once the altars are decorated, the incense and candles are lit to summon their souls.
You will then have the rest of the evening at leisure to wander around the town and admire the parades and performances in the street celebrating Day of the Dead.
Today you will have the chance to experience the festivities that happen at the local cemeteries as a way of celebrating the lives of the deceased. You’ll drive with your guide around 45 minutes to the burial hill of El Romerillo, which is full of decorations. You’ll find families paying homage to their loved ones by leaving offerings of flowers, candles, liqueurs and more. There is traditional food, music and games for children and the ambience is uplifting.
You’ll then continue on to the village of Teopisca for a traditional lunch, before continuing to Amentenago del Valle cemetery. The atmosphere here is quieter and more solemn and there are musicians playing the favourite songs of the deceased, requested by their families. You’ll have the opportunity to exchange stories with some of the locals and observe how this experience is an integral part of their culture and community. You’ll then head back to your hotel in San Cristobal.
Today you will experience the colourful celebrations at Zincantan, have lunch with a local family and visit the churches and cemeteries of San Juan Chamula and San Cristobal de las Casas.
Your first stop will be Mukenallakolteclum Cemetary, where you’ll have time to admire the incredible flower arrangements and brightly coloured flower embroidered garments. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with the community of Tzotzil Maya surrounded by the beautiful mountain scenery and you’ll then enjoy a delicious Mexican lunch with a local Zinacantecan family.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit the town of San Juan Chamula and its church and burial grounds to learn about a slightly different take on the Day of the Dead festivities. Finally, you’ll return to San Cristóbal for one more, contrasting, cemetery visit at the town’s main site, where you’ll find concrete tombs and mausoleums. In the evening, you’ll have time at leisure to wander the streets and soak up the atmosphere of your final Day of the Dead night in Mexico.
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Tuxla Gutierrez International Airport to connect with your flight home or onward travel plans.
£TBC per person
Based on two people sharing
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