Signature Mexico in Depth

Welcome to Mexico City, Mexico’s colourful capital. With more than twenty million inhabitants living in the greater metropolitan area, it’s one of the largest and most populated cities in the world.

From its Aztec temples, baroque and colonial architecture to its vibrant and flavoursome cantina’s, Mexico City will awaken your senses.

Today is an arrival day, with no activities planned, so explore at your leisure.

We will explore magnificent Mexico City, built on top of the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. Our first stop is the Zocalo (main square), one of the biggest public squares in the world. We will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the biggest church in Latin America, and the Templo Mayor. We then drive along the famous boulevard Paseo de la Reforma, built during the short-lived reign of Emperor Maximilian to connect the main square and his castle in Chapultepec. Our last stop is the Museum of Anthropology, where we will have some time to explore the treasures of the Aztec culture. Visiting the Aztec Hall, which contains one of the biggest highlights of this museum: the Aztec Calendar. This 12-foot carved basalt slab was discovered buried beneath the Zocalo. Approximate duration: 4-5 hours.

Rest of your day is at leisure, check out more of the city as you wish.

Please note: This tour only operates Tuesday to Sunday. Templo Mayor and the Museum of Anthropology are closed on Monday’s.

Waking early, you will enjoy an excursion to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan.
Known as the ‘city of the gods,’ Teotihuacan is one of the most important pre-Aztec civilisations. The origins of the city and what happened to the population who once lived here are somewhat of a mystery. The city consists of a number of structures including The Pyramid of the Moon, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Ciudadela and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.

Today’s highlight is a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids with a champagne to celebrate, followed by breakfast. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit the site on foot to explore the temples up close.

You will be return to your hotel in Mexico City in the early afternoon, the rest of your day is at leisure to explore or relax.

Today you will enjoy a private tour to Coyoacan, the Frida Kahlo Museum and the studio of Diego Rivera.

Coyoacan is a neighbourhood of Mexico City’s south known for its cobblestone streets, art galleries, colourful buildings and artisan markets.
There you will visit the home and museum of Frida Kahlo, a painter known for her portraits and nature inspired artworks. The museum is a treasure trove of both Frida’s and her husband Diego Rivera’s paintings. Then you will visit the house of Diego Rivera, this is a house and studio that was designed by his wife Frida and offers a more in-depth look at their life and art.

You will be collected from your hotel in Mexico and transferred to the airport for your flight to Tuxtla.

On arrival at Tuxtla airport you will be whisked away and welcomed to the area with a thrilling motorboat ride on the Grijalva River through the Sumidero Canyon. Enroute you will visit the colonial town of Chiapas de Corzo. There you will discover the temple ruins, thought to have links to the Olmecs, the oldest known civilization of Mesoamerica. The town’s main square, complete with a sacred Pochota tree, and the local markets are more sights to explore. You will continue to San Cristobal de las Casas for two nights. This colonial town has cobblestone streets and buildings with red roofs and stucco walls.

Please note; Flight arrival to Tuxtla Guiterrez Airport must be before 12:30pm

Today you will explore the town centre of San Cristobal de las Casas. Highlights include the main plaza, the Cathedral de San Cristobal, the Templo de Santo Domingo Church and the Mercardo de Dulces y Artesanias Ambar. Next you will head to the Chiapas highlands to visit two Tzotzil Indian Villages, San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. During your visit you will uncover the unique customs and beliefs of the people of these villages who are descendants of the ancient Maya.

A visit to the San Juan Chamula Church, complete with its striking white façade, chanting worshippers, candles and incense smoke, will leave an impression. In Zinacantan explore the local handicraft market and it’s two churches, the Iglesia de San Lorenzo and the Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia De Zinacantan.

From San Cristobal de las Casas you will drive to Agua Azul, a series of five hundred blue waterfalls located on the Xanil River. Surrounded by rainforest, the turquoise waters of Agua Azul cascade into pools where you can take a swim whilst enjoying nature at its finest. Continuing from Agua Azul you will travel to the town of Palenque, the gateway to the Maya temples which share the town’s name

Today you will visit the archaeological site of Bonampak. Set within the dense jungle, the ruins of this ancient Maya city lay hidden until 1946. Known for its colourful murals depicting Mayan life and mythology, with its frescos completed in 790 AD. From Bonampak you will head to the border town of Frontera Corozal and board a boat to travel along the Usumacinta River which separates Mexico and Guatemala. Arriving in Yaxchilan you will visit the ruins of this significant Maya site. There are three main complexes, the Great Plaza, the Grand Acropolis and the Small Acropolis, with around 120 structures in total to explore.

Today we’ll head to the UNESCO World Heritage listed ruins of Palenque. The site consists of around five hundred buildings set within the natural surroundings of the Tumbala Mountains and amongst the cedar, mahogany and sapodilla trees of the jungle. This environment also provides a habitat for the local toucans and howler monkeys. Highlights of the ruins include the Temple of Inscriptions, or El Palacio, and the Temple of the Crosses. From Palenque, we’ll continue to the walled port city of Campeche for the night.

Departing Campeche, you will travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site in Uxmal. This ancient Maya city is considered one of the best preserved ruins with highlights including the Great Pyramid, The Pyramid of the Magician, the Quadrangle of the Birds and the Quadrangle of the Nuns. From Uxmal you will visit Kabah, the second largest ruin in the Puuc region. Here, a guide will take you to Codz-Pop, the most preserved and restored building at this site. In the afternoon you will arrive in Merida, the vibrant capital of the state of Yucatan. Merida is a foodie haven and there are several attractions to visit from its grand museum, main plaza and cathedrals to its nearby underwater cenotes.

The city of Merida is considered somewhat of a gastronomical and foodie hub, so today you will embark on a guided street food tour.

Your first stop is the central market, Lucas de Galves. Here you will learn about local produce and get the opportunity to taste some empanadas, polcanes, panuchos or salbutes and cochinita pibil tacos.
Afterwards, we will take you to a local restaurant for a seafood taco feast before visiting a local ice creamery for dessert.

Today you will travel via private service to Chichen Itza, passing Mayan villages and sisal plantations along the way.

Chichen Itza is Mexico’s most famous and impressive Mayan ruins and is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Highlights include the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the hall of 1,000 columns, the Maya ball court and the Cenote de los Sacrificios.
From Chichen Itza you will continue the Riviera Maya where you will be dropped off at your hotel in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Free day to enjoy the white sand beaches and pristine waters of Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya. Explore the area at your leisure or sit back and relax on the beach, the choice is yours

You will be transported to Cancun airport to fly to your next destination.