11 Day Itinerary
£17,100pp
Explore Mexico’s history and tradition on this two-week journey from west to east. Take in thousands of years of history, from ancient cities like Teotihuacán and Monte Alban, to archaeological sites of Mitla and Calakmul.
Welcome to Mexico!
You will be met at Mexico City airport and driven to your hotel, which should take between 30–45 minutes. You’ll have some time at leisure before you are met by your driver for a private transfer to an exciting culinary experience. This evening, pro chef, Alfredo Chávez, will lead you through an interactive dinner experience. Alvaro is committed to using endemic ingredients when creating his delicious and authentic Mexican dishes. The experience takes place in his own city apartment and you’ll watch him (and help!) to create a 6 course meal celebrating Mexican culinary heritage.
On your next day in Mexico City, you’ll visit the ancient city of Teotihuacán, a Mesoamerican site that is thought to have been inhabited by ancient cultures before the Aztecs. You’ll learn about the history, cosmology and religion with your expert guide, before heading back to Mexico City for an afternoon visiting the historical centre, including the Templo Mayor, the National Palace, Avenida Francisco Madero and the Palace of Fine Arts.
During your final day in the capital city, you’ll visit the picturesque neighbourhood of San Angel, located in the southern part of Mexico City. It’s famous for its cobbled streets and large, colourful houses. If you’re lucky enough to be around on a Saturday, you’ll be able to explore the Bazar del Sábado, an art and crafts market. Your next stop will be Coyoacán, where you’ll notice the distinct brick architecture. Your lunch will be at the market in Coyacán, full of exquisite flavours and local dishes! Finally, you’ll visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House, which is now a museum dedicated to her life.
Today you’ll be picked up at your hotel and driven to Mexico City airport where you will take a flight to Oaxaca. You’ll then be picked up at Oaxaca airport and driven to your hotel, where you can relax or explore on your own accord for the remainder of the afternoon/evening.
The next day, you’ll have a full day excursion visiting some of the fascinating sites outside of the city centre. Your first stop will be one of the oldest Mesoamerican cities: Monte Alban, where you’ll visit the main plaza and learn the theories surrounding the intricate rock carvings. Your next stop will be the ancient ceremonial centre of Mitla, famous for its intricate mosaic work that is unique to this centre. You’ll also have the chance to enter some of the tombs here. Finally, you’ll have the chance to visit one of the world’s oldest and largest living trees, Tule. Tule is a Montezuma Cypress tree with a circumference of 160 metres and is thought to be at least 2000 years old. You’ll experience how it is preserved and protected by the local community.
Today you’ll be transferred back to Oaxaca Airport for your flight to Tuxla Gutierrez via Mexico City.
Upon arrival into Tuxla (no later than 2:30pm) you’ll be driven around 40 minutes to the boat dock, from which you’ll embark on a beautiful boat trip along the Grijalva River to explore the 900m deep Sumidero Canyon. The boat experience lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and you’ll then be driven to San Cristobal de las Casas.
On your next full day in the region of Chiapas, you’ll be exploring the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas, before heading to two indigenous villages nearby: San Juan Chamula and San Lorenzo Zinacantán. In San Juan Chamula you’ll visit the church where the syncretism of pre-Hispanic traditions and Catholicism is evident and fascinating to learn about. San Lorenzo Zinacantán is well known for its colourful handmade textiles and predominantly indigenous population.
Today your driver will pick you up, and depending on your interests, take you to either the Agua Azul waterfall or to the Toniná archaeological site. At Agua Azul, you’ll have the chance to swim in the bright blue waters by the impressive waterfalls. Due to the rainy season, from September to November the water has a coffee colour as opposed to the turquoise waters you can see during the dry season. After the excursion, you’ll be driven to your hotel in Palenque for a restful night.
Today you will be driven to Puerto Calakmul and on the way you will stop to visit the Palenque archaeological site. You’ll explore this ancient Mayan city that was almost entirely covered by jungle for centuries. You’ll learn about the inscriptions that have been found there depicting the history of the city and you’ll also be able to climb up the temples offering impressive jungle views.
On your next full day in the area, you’ll visit one of the oldest and most astonishing archaeological sites – Calakmul. The area around Calakmul is also an area of important biodiversity and conservation, where species such as the jaguar, king vulture, harpy eagle, and spider monkeys among others inhabit. The site has been declared a patrimony of mankind by UNESCO.
For the next 3 days, you’ll be exploring the Riviera Maya and enjoying some of Mexico’s best beaches and snorkelling spots. En route to Playa del Carmen, you’ll stop by Laguna Bacalar where you can admire the 7 shades of blue and turquoise that this lagoon is famous for. If you wish, we can organise kayaking at this spot. You can then stop for lunch and enjoy a refreshing swim in a Mayan cenote called ‘Azul’, which has a depth of 90 metres and is surrounded by jungle. In the evening, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy your hotel.
On your next full day in the Riviera Maya, you’ll explore the majestic archaeological site of Chichen Itza with a unique arrival and end in a beautiful private cenote for a refreshing afternoon swim. You will fly in your private aircraft for about 45 minutes, in order to avoid a long car journey to Chichen Itza. You’ll be met at the nearest airstrip and driven to the entrance of Chichen Itza where you’ll embark on a historical journey learning about the cosmology, religion and everyday life of the Maya. After your time at Chichen Itza, you’ll be driven to a beautiful private cenote found within the ruins of a historic ranch. Cenotes are natural freshwater sinkholes and they were considered sacred to the Mayans. You’ll be in total privacy to relax and enjoy these crystalline waters while a delicious Mexican lunch will be served in the ranch’s garden. You’ll then be driven back to the airstrip to fly back to your hotel.
On your next day, you’ll visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Mexico’s largest protected areas, known as ‘Sian Ka’an’ meaning ‘The place where heaven begins’. You’ll be picked up and driven to the entrance of the private reserve, and you’ll then proceed by boat learning about the unique and diverse ecosystem – keep your eyes peeled for encounters with the likes of ospreys, crocodiles and manatees. It’s a fantastic place for birdwatching! If you wish, you’ll have time for a short walk in the jungle taking you to the ruins of an old temple, and you can end your day with a refreshing float along a freshwater river!
On your final day in Mexico, we’ve included a guided excursion to Tulum and Yal-Ku. Tulum is unique in that it is the only Mayan site with views across the Caribbean Sea. You’ll have the chance to swim in the sea and admire the site’s iconic ‘castillo’ from this unique perspective. You’ll then continue to Yal-Ku lagoon where you’ll have the chance to swim and snorkel in this lagoon where saltwater and freshwater mix, creating a perfect home for many types of tropical fish.
Day Itinerary
£17,100pp
5 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £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.
10 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £9,000pp
A cultural expedition, delving into its artistic and architectural highlights by visiting the best museums, galleries and historic cobblestone towns. Engage directly with artists and attend art classes to deepen your understanding of Mexico’s diverse artistic heritage.
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