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Mexico Holiday: Oaxaca + Palenque + Merida + Uxmal + Chichen Itza Pyramids

Grand Mexico: Mexico City + Oaxaca + Palenque + Yucatan

19 NIGHTS FROM:

$5,381

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

XPC19M

• Mexico City

• Teotihuacan Pyramids

• Oaxaca

• San Cristobal

• Indian Villages

• Palenque Ruins

• Merida

• Chichen Itza

• Playa Del Carmen

• Mexico Holiday & Oaxaca

This Mexico holiday starts with a visit to the astonishing ancient pyramids outside Mexico City, before flying to Oaxaca, famous for its festivals & culture. Visit indigenous villages around San Cristobal & travel to the stunning Mayan Ruins at Palenque. Then fly to colonial Merida & visit Uxmal, Kabah & Chicken Itza, before relaxing on the stunning Yucatan coast. English speaking guide, all transfers & specified sightseeing included.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

Arrive at Mexico City Airport where you will be met and transferred to this high altitude city, that is the oldest capital in the Americas and one of the largest cities in the world.

Check into your hotel and embrace this colourful and vibrant city, originally established by the Aztec Indians (the 'Mexica').

Day 2

This morning enjoy a private tour of the highlights of Mexico City.

At the heart of the city is the Zócalo (or Plaza de la Constitución), a huge central square built by the conquering Spanish over the ceremonial centre of the vanquished Aztec city of Tenochtitlán. Ruins of their 13th century Templo Mayor can be seen here, as well as the baroque Metropolitan Cathedral built by the Spanish and outside views of the National Palace, which is the residence of the president. There is a dense concentration of museums and art galleries in this area.

West of the Zócalo, the historic centre stretches through the main commercial district and past the National Art Museum to the Tower of Latin America skyscraper and the Opera House / Palace of Fine Arts, with its magnificent Art Deco interior. Both overlook Alameda Central Park, which is the oldest public park in Mexico.

Afterwards you will be dropped off at the world class National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepac Park. This museum is not to be missed, with its many ancient Olmec, Aztec, Mayan and other pre-Colombian artefacts - including the Stone of the Sun (the Aztec calendar stone) and the statue of Xochipilli.

At the end of the day make your own way back to your hotel.

Note: Try and avoid visiting museums on a Sunday, as they are free for locals so very crowded. If the National Palace is closed, you can see Diego Rivera murals in the Opera House, which has limited opening hours.

Day 3

Today we travel 1-hour north of Mexico City to the mysterious Teotihuacan Pyramids, ancient archaeological ruins that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This enormous city was built in 300 BC but was inexplicably abandoned centuries before the arrival of the Aztecs, who called it the 'Birthplace of the Gods'. This is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Americas and includes the third largest pyramid in the world, constructed according to precise astronomical measurements and filled with sacrificial victims.

You can climb the magnificent Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and view the Butterflies Temple, the Avenue of the Dead and Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Admire the majestic plazas and stone temples, covered with stone statues and faded murals

On our way back to Mexico City, we visit the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites on the American continent. On 12 December each year, thousands of pilgrims come to this basilica to pray to the virgin. Lunch is for your own account today.

Note: There is the option of an early morning hot air balloon ride over the pyramids, but this must be pre-booked. Try and avoid visiting the pyramids on a Sunday, as it is free for locals so very crowded.

Day 4

This morning your guide will transfer you 3-hours to the colonial city of Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza (known as the 'City of the Angels), located close to the famed twin volcanoes of Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl.

Along the way we stop at the archaeological site at Cacaxtla. Once a sprawling palace, it contains many vibrantly coloured murals painted in the Mayan style.

We then continue to Puebla which is an industrial city but, due to its history and breathtaking colonial architecture ranging from Renaissance to Mexican Baroque, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also well known for its culinary heritage and its pottery, including the locally produced painted Talavera tiles that adorn many buildings.

Day 5

This morning enjoy a walking tour of the colonial city of Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, starting in the Zócalo (main square). This beautiful historic centre has the largest number of 18th century buildings in all of Mexico.

Here you will see the Renaissance style Puebla Cathedral with its tall bell towers. Widely considered to be one of the best in Mexico, this enormous church has a tiled dome roof inspired by St. Peter’s basilica in Rome and an amazing octagonal altar. We also visit the 17th century Church of Santo Domingo and the attached Virgin of Rosario Chapel, one of the largest and most impressive examples of Mexican Baroque art, which is finely decorated with gold leaf.

As Puebla is well known for producing some delicious sugary treats, don’t miss a visit to Calle de los Dulces ('Sweet Street') and on a Sunday you can browse the antiques stalls on Frog Alley. Quirky Xanenetla is one of Puebla’s youngest neighbourhoods. Once quite run down, street art has breathed new life into the neighbourhood which now boasts over 55 large and colourful graffiti murals.

We also visit the Amparo Museum, which houses one of the finest collection of Mexican art in Latin America - including an extensive display of pre-Hispanic ceramics and mural fragments.

After lunch (own account) we visit the 'magic town' of Cholula and the Cholula Archaeological Zone, an ancient Mesoamerican site known for its huge pyramid. The Great Pyramid of Cholula (also known as Tlachihualtepetl) is the largest pyramid not only in the Americas, but in the whole world. Enjoy exploring the town and on a clear day you may get a view of the Popocatepetl Volcano.

Note: The Amparo Museum is closed on a Tuesday, when we visit the Baroque Museum instead.

Day 6

We leave Pueblo today and drive 4-hours to the central state of Oaxaca.

The town of Oaxaca is known for its lovely colonial buildings, many of which are made from green volcanic stone. Oaxaca is also renowned for its indigenous people and its festivals, especially Easter Holy Week parades and the famous 'Day of the Dead' celebrations at Halloween.

Day 7

Today enjoy exporing the cultural and culinary delights of Oaxaca with your guide.

We start in the Zocala (the main square) situated in the heart of the historic centre, with its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture that goes back four centuries. On the southern end of the plaza you can see the Government Palace, with its beautiful mural painting depicting the history of Oaxaca. The nearby Cultural Museum, housed in a former monastery, contains an amazing turquoise encrusted skull and the Church of Santo Domingo should also not be missed.

Our next stop is at one of Oaxaca's wonderfully chaotic markets - Benito Juarez or 20 de Noviembre. Here you can find just about anything - from flowers to toys, meats, chocolate, clothing, herbs, local handcrafts and 'chapulines' (fried grasshoppers, sold by the basketful).

You can also learn more about the city’s creative history at the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures (closed on Sundays and Mondays).

In the evening enjoy a mezcal tasting (strong spirit made from agave) and a traditional dinner of grilled tlayuda, a dish consisting of a large, thin and crunchy tortilla covered with cooked and mashed beans, asiento (pork lard), lettuce or cabbage, avocado, meat (usually shredded chicken, beef or pork), cheese and salsa. On Fridays and Saturdays you can also enjoy live Mexican ballads.

Day 8

Today enjoy a full day tour to Monte Alban, Mitla or Yagul and the Tree at Tule.

Monte Alban was the ancient capital of Zapotec and once supported 35,000 people. It is an extraordinary collection of temples, palaces, terraces, dams, canals and pyramids carved out of the mountain and contains the ruins of one of the oldest Mesoamerican cities. Here you can see great plazas, truncated pyramids, a ball court, underground passageways and over 170 tombs - the most elaborate uncovered in the Americas. This ancient city is centred around the Great Plaza, an open area on the mountain top which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and is flanked by four platforms. Two temples stand on a platform to the south.

Afterwards we visit the ancient archaeological site at either Mitla or Yagul, which were important pre-Colombian Zapotec religious and ceremonial centres. Here you will see elaborate mosaic fretwork and geometric designs that cover tombs, panels, friezes and entire walls. These mosaics are made with small, finely cut and polished stones that have been fitted together without the use of mortar.

Our last stop is at the famous Tree of Tule, growing in the church yard in the picturesque town of Santa María del Tule. This mighty Montezuma cypress has a circumference of over 160 ft (54 m) at its base, and is between 2,000 and 3,000 years old - making it one of the oldest living things on earth. It has the largest girth of any tree on the planet and is Mexico's national tree. Lunch is for your own account today.

Note: As the number of Monte Alban entrance tickets is limited per day, we need to set off early this morning. Mitla is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, when we will visit Yagul instead.

Day 9

We leave Oaxaca today and travel 5-hours southeast towards the city of Tehuantepec.

Along the way we detour along a narrow, winding and unpaved road to Hierve el Agua (meaning "the water boils") - to view this amazing set of natural rock formations that resemble a cascading waterfall. With two rock cliffs that rise 50 to 90 metres above the valley below, this unusual site has many extending white rock formations created by water springs that are over-saturated with calcium carbonate and other minerals. As the water falls over the cliffs, excess minerals are deposited - much in the same manner that stalactites are formed in caves. One of the cliffs, called the 'cascada chica' (small waterfall) or the amphitheatre, contains two large artifical pools for swimming and a number of smaller natural pools.

Afterwards we continue to Tehuantepec. The Isthumus of Tehuantepec is the narrowest point in Mexico, so in pre-Hispanic times this was an important trade route that connected the Pacific Ocean with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. Each neighbourhood has its own colonial church, many of which are prettily painted and floodlit at night.

Day 10

Today we leave Tehuantepec and travel 5-hours through central Mexico to San Cristobal de las Casas, one of Mexico's oldest colonial cities situated in the Central Highlands.

After driving through many rural towns, we stop at the Sumidero Canyon to enjoy a shared boat ride on the dam, where you may see crocodiles, monkeys and abundant birdlife.

We continue to San Cristobal, which is also known by its local name of Jovel. It is nestled in a small valley surrounded by hills and is the cultural capital of the state of Chiapas.

Day 11

This morning we explore the charming colonial city of San Cristobal de la Casas, which has a local market where hundreds of indigenous people sell their textiles and handicrafts. We admire the beautiful baroque Santo Domingo Church, founded in 1547 and view the red-tiled houses and narrow winding streets.

We then head to two indigenous towns nearby. In San Juan Chamula we visit a church where the blending of pre-Hispanic traditions and Catholicism is evident in its rituals and where ceremonies are held to counter the influence of paganism.

The village of San Lorenzo Zinacantán on the other hand is very loyal to the Catholic faith and is known for its traditional textiles and indigenous population. The men wear pink/red jackets with embroidery and tassels, and the women wear vivid pale blue shawls and navy skirts. Every day at midday, the women prepare a communal meal that the men eat in shifts.

In these villages you can see backstrap weaving, the making of tortilla and many other aspects of village life. You can enjoy a simple but tasty meal cooked on a hotplate over an open fire and sample local tortilla. If you are adventurous, you can try a shot of 'pox' - a very strong ancient Mayan alcoholic drink made from sugarcane flavoured with cinnamon and hibiscus flower.

Note: Please be aware it is regarded as very disrespectful to take photographs of indigenous people without their permission. They are particularly sensitive to inappropriate dress, so don’t wear shorts or revealing clothing. In Chamula you are not allowed to take photos inside the church.

Day 12

Today we leave San Cristobal and drive 5-hours along a mountain road to Palenque, the largest Mayan city ever discovered in Mexico with some of the countries best Mayan temples.

Along the way we stop at the Agua Azul Waterfall (or 'Blue Water Fall'), with its turquoise waters and crystal clear swimming pools, where a boxed lunch is included. Here you can swim in its bright blue waters. The best time to see the blue glow that makes these waterfalls so remarkable is during the dry season (December to July), as at other times of the year the waters are not blue.

We can also detour to view the Misol-Ha Waterfall, before arriving in Palenque situated deep in the dense jungle far from the outside world - giving it a wonderful atmosphere.

Day 13

This morning enjoy a half day tour of the famous Palenque Mayan Ruins that lay deeply covered by the jungle for hundreds of years.

Palenque is a relatively small archaeological site dating from around 226 BC to 799 AD, but it contains some of the finest architecture, sculpture, roof comb and bas-relief carvings that the Mayas ever produced. Less than 10% of this ancient city has been excavated so far, leaving over a thousand structures still to be discovered, but much of their history has been reconstructed from reading the hieroglyphic inscriptions on these monuments.

The most famous ruler of Palenque was Pacal the Great, whose tomb has been excavated in the Temple of the Inscriptions. His magnificent jade death mask and other artefacts from his tomb are on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.

Day 14

We leave Palenque today and drive 5-hours to the historic colonial port of Campeche.

We drive through the pretty fishing village of Sabancuy then continue to Campeche with its captivating port filled with naval history, Spanish Baroque architecture and aging beauty.

Day 15

This morning we explore the cobbled streets and walled historic district of the harbour city of Campeche on a walking tour.

After nearly a century of invasion by French, Dutch and English pirates, this city was fortified by the Spanish in 1686 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 1,000 buildings of historical significance. It is one of the most photogenic cities in Mexico. Its preserved fortifications include Fort San Miguel, which is today home to the Campeche Archaeological Museum. Here you will see artefacts from various Mayan sites, including Edzná and Isla de Jaina.

Afterwards we travel 2.5-hours to Mérida, the cultural capital of the Yucatán Peninsula since the Spanish conquest. Along the way we stop for a panoramic view over the Mayan ruins at Kabah, the second largest site in the Puuc region after Uxmal. Only a small portion of this site has been excavated, so there are many massive pyramids hidden in the jungle all around you. The most famous structure here is the "Palace of the Masks", which is elaborately decorated with stone masks of the long-nosed rain god, Chaac. Across the road is a large arch thought to have been the main entrance to the city.

We then visit the ruins at Uxmal (meaning 'built in three stages'), an ancient Mayan city known for its rounded architecture, intricate latticework and palaces arranged around patios and courtyards. These homes are richly sculptured and decorated with thousands of small polished stones, set in geometric mosaics. The key buildings on this archaeological site include the Fortune Teller’s Pyramid, the Governor’s Palace and the Quadrangle of the Nuns.

At the end of the day we continue to Mérida - known as the 'White City'. This is a town steeped in history with narrow streets, broad central plazas, thriving markets and the region’s best museums. It has colonial houses as well as homes that date back to the beginning of the last century in Arabic, French and Italian styles, thanks to the wealth generated from the sisal trade.

Day 16

This morning enjoy a half day private tour of the historical centre of Mérida.

From the Zócalo (main square) you can admire some of the city’s most important buildings - the Cathedral, Government Palace, Municipal Palace and Francisco de Montejo’s house. Don’t miss the 'Monument to the Homeland', a wonderful sculpture that tells the story of the Yucatan and the country on its carved stone surfaces, before heading down El Paseo de Montejo, a beautiful wide avenue modelled on the Champs Elysees in Paris, with many grand colonial buildings.

Your afternoon is free to explore Merida independently.

Day 17

Today we drive 1.5-hours to Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a huge coastland wetland sanctuary that covers over 146,000 acres.

Meaning 'painted stone' in the Mayan language, Celestun is a tranquil fishing village with some wonderfully secluded emerald beaches. The nature reserve is shallow, overgrown with vegetation and dotted with lagoons, salt flats and cenotes (underwater sinkholes). It is one of the largest mangrove swamps in the Gulf of Mexico. This reserve is home to many water birds and is a wintering zone for North American migrants such as warblers and sandpipers.

Celestun is renowned for its over 18,000 pink flamingos, best seen in the morning when the waters are calmer, but the reserve is also home to nesting sea turtles, crocodiles and a great number of fish and marine species. With over 300 different bird species you can see pelicans, roadrunners, vultures, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and much more. Enjoy a boat ride on the Rio Celestun and an included lunch at a local restaurant, where you can swim and enjoy the beach.before we return to Merida.

Day 18

Today we leave Merida and drive 4-hours to your Playa del Carmen beach resort on the spectacular Mayan Riviera.

Along the way we visit Chichen Itza (meaning 'Entrance to the Witches Well'), the most visited Mayan ruins in all of Mexico. It was the focal point of the Northern Mayan empire from AD 600 until AD 1200 and had an extremely diverse population, as a result of which you can see a wide variety of architectural styles at this site.

The most spectacular structure is El Castillo Pyramid (or Kukulcán Temple) with its rich cosmological symbolism - it has 365 steps (number of days in a solar year), 52 rectangles (years in a Mayan century) and 18 terraces (months of their religious calendar). During the spring and autumn equinox, its ingenious structure results in the sun creating the illusion of a serpent crawling down the steps of the pyramid - making it one of the great wonders of the ancient world. Other structures include the enormous Ball Court, the Observatory, Temple of a Thousand Columns, Warrior’s Temple, Convent of the Nuns, El Mercado (market place) and the Sacred Cenote (pool) where human sacrifices were carried out.

After an included lunch we drive to the Mayan Riviera, visiting Cenote Saamai along the way, where there is time for a refreshing swim. Afterwards you will be dropped off your beach resort near Playa del Carmen. Check in and relax on the shores of the warm Caribbean Sea with its turquoise waters, sandy beaches and wonderful snorkelling and diving.

Day 19

At leisure to relax at your tropical resort on the spectacular Mayan Riviera, lapped by the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The Great Mayan Reef (Mesoamerican Barrier Reef) stretches from the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula to the islands off the coast of Honduras and is the largest coral reef in the northern hemisphere. Hundreds of species of fish and many endangered and protected marine animals are found here – including loggerhead, leatherback, green, hawksbill and Olive Ridley sea turtles, and West Indian manatees – making this a paradise for snorkelling and diving. It is possible to swim with whale sharks from June to September.

There are many optional activities in this holiday town, including day visits to snorkel at Xel-Ha waterpark (the largest natural aquarium in the world); zip-lining at Xplor adventure park; visits to the famous archaeological sites at Chichen Itza or Tulum; the Mayan caves in Aktun Chen; Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve and the Xcaret cultural theme park.

Try a Mayan spa treatment or simply stroll along the beach and absorb the holiday atmosphere of this town with its wide variety of bars, restaurants and shops.

Day 20

Transfer 1.5-hours to Cancun Airport for your flight home.

Note: Your driver will only speak Spanish.

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