Wonders of Mexico: from Mexico City to Chichén Itzá

An 8-day journey from the highlands of Mexico City to the Yucatán Peninsula. Visit mysterious Teotihuacán, the Sumidero Canyon, the Agua Azul waterfalls and the country’s most spectacular Maya sites: Palenque, Uxmal and Chichén Itzá. Meet the indigenous communities of Chiapas and explore the colonial cities of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Campeche and Mérida. Small groups (2 to 14 people), a Spanish- and Italian-speaking guide, 4* and 5* hotels and 5 lunches included.

Day 1 – Monday: Mexico City

Arrival at Mexico City airport, transfer to the hotel and overnight at the Barceló Reforma 5*.

Day 2 – Tuesday: Mexico City – Teotihuacán – Mexico City (100 km)

City tour starting at the Zócalo, with the National Palace (exterior), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Aztec Templo Mayor (exterior). Drive along the main boulevards and visit the Diego Rivera Mural Museum, home to “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central”. Panoramic tour of the Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Tlatelolco, once the Aztec empire’s most important market. Excursion to Teotihuacán, the “city of the gods”: the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Avenue of the Dead, the Citadel with the Temple of Quetzalcóatl and the Palace of the Butterflies. Lunch. On the way back, visit to the Basilica of Guadalupe.

Day 3 – Wednesday: Mexico City – Tuxtla Gutiérrez – San Cristóbal de las Casas (68 km)

Transfer to Mexico City airport for the flight to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (not included). On arrival, transfer to the Chiapa de Corzo pier and boat trip on the Grijalva River through the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. Visit to the Moorish-style fountain of Chiapa de Corzo, shaped like the crown of the Catholic Monarchs. Lunch and continuation to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Overnight at the Sombra del Agua 4*.

Day 4 – Thursday: San Cristóbal de las Casas – Indigenous communities (20 km)

Visit to the Indigenous Market and the Temple of Santo Domingo, followed by the Tzotzil communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. Free afternoon.

Day 5 – Friday: San Cristóbal de las Casas – Agua Azul – Palenque (191 km)

A drive through the rainforest to the Agua Azul waterfalls, famous for their turquoise water. Continuation to Palenque and overnight at the Villa Mercedes Palenque 4*.

Day 6 – Saturday: Palenque – Campeche (362 km)

Visit to the archaeological site of Palenque, set in the jungle: the Palace, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Foliated Cross and the Temple of the Inscriptions. Lunch on the way and arrival in Campeche, a fortified UNESCO World Heritage city. City visit and overnight at the Hotel Plaza Campeche 4*.

Day 7 – Sunday: Campeche – Uxmal – Mérida (169 km)

Visit to Uxmal, the jewel of the Puuc Route, with the Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor’s Palace. Lunch and continuation to Mérida. Panoramic city tour: Mérida owes its wealth to the henequen (agave fibre) trade, as its French, Italian and Arab-style mansions show. Overnight at Villa Mercedes Mérida, Curio Collection by Hilton 5*.

Day 8 – Monday: Mérida – Chichén Itzá – Cancún/Riviera Maya (309 km)

Visit to Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the Observatory, the Pyramid of Kukulcán (El Castillo), the Great Ball Court and the Sacred Cenote. Stop at a cenote for a refreshing swim. Lunch and transfer to your chosen hotel in Cancún or the Riviera Maya. End of services.