The Mexican terrain with its contrasting topography is unlike any other country. It offers a display of deserts in the north, giving way to highlands and mountains, finally leading to tropical rainforests and beaches towards the south. Its highest point, the Pico de Orizaba volcano is 5636 meters high, while its lowest point, the Laguna Salada is 10 meters deep.Rich in the history of ancient cultures and civilizations, which were eventually colonized by Spanish conquerors shaped the Mexico we see today. The famous Aztec civilization was based in Mexico. Their tales and legends form an interesting part of many urban traditions that define the Mexican society.
Day 01 Arrive Mexico By Flight
Arrival at Mexico airport meet assist and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Mexico
After breakfast, proceed to the morning city tour will concentrate on the area of the Zocalo. It will include visits to the 18th Century Cathedral, the National Palace with the famous murals by Diego Rivera and there will be an option for those who wish to visit the ruins of the ‘Templo Mayor’ Not included in the price. This is a recently-discovered ruin of an Aztec Temple next to the Cathedral and it also has a small museum. The afternoon will be devoted to the Museum of Anthropology, considered the best of its kind. It displays many treasures of the different pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Mexico
After breakfast, proceed to the tour will first stop at the Plaza of 3 Cultures, so-called because of the ruins of an Aztec Temple, a church from the Spanish Conquest and a ‘modern’ housing estate all to be seen in the area. The tour continues to the Basilica of Guadalupe – the most important religious shrine in all Mexico and America’s pilgrimage center, the people can appreciate the old Basilica as well as the newer building. Then the tour continues to the imposing Pyramids of Teotihuacan, probably the greatest vestige of the Aztec Empire, where the people will visit the two Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, the temple of Quetzatcoatl, walk along the ‘Avenue of the Dead’ and also visit the Museum. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Mexico–Tuxtla – Flight/Tuxtla – San Cristobal (59 Kms/1H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to the airport for flight from Mexico City MEX to Tuxtla Gutierrez TGZ. Just at the other side of the town is the magnificent Sumidero Canyon, where the River Grijalva cuts its way through the high rock formations. This is the place where the local Indians hurled themselves into the Canyon rather than submit to the Spanish Conquerors. The group will be taken on a spectacular boat ride into the Canyon itself that will give you the chance to see it at it’s best. Following this to San Cristobal is about another hour. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 San Cristobal
After breakfast, proceed to the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinancantan lie just outside San Cristobal. San Juan Chamula is where the Chamula Indians live and there will be a visit to the special church where they carry out their religious practices no cameras allowed !. Zinacantan is where the Indians wear brightly-coloured clothes, the road to this village offers a fabulous scenery! Again no photos allowed! In the afternoon there will be time to walk around San Cristobal and see some of the beautiful colonial architecture of the city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 San Cristobal – Palenque (250 Kms / 5H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to the road to Palenque comes out of the Chiapan Highlands and down to the more jungle-like scenery in the area of the famous ruins. About 1 hour out of nearby the road are the beautiful Waterfalls of Agua Azul, considered one of the wonders of Mexico, the water comes straight out of the mountains and cascades down several falls into turquoise pools surrounded by jungle. The people can swim there if they so wish. Continuation to Palenque afterwards. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Palenque – Campeche (300 Kms / 6H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to the whole morning is taken up with visiting the extensive ruins at Palenque, surrounded by emerald jungle, Palenque’s setting is superb and its Mayan architecture and decoration are exquisite, at the peak of Palenque’s power, the entire city was painted vermilion, you should not miss the crypt in the Temple of inscriptions and the museum, everything you will see here was achieved without metal tools, pack animals or the wheel! From there it is on to Campeche, a city filled with historic buildings. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Campeche – Merida (200 Kms / 3H 30M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to the distance from Campeche to Merida is relatively short and between there are the ruins at Uxmal and Kabah. The first ruins visited are at Kabah, undoubtedly the most impressive building here is the Palace of the Masks, offering an amazing sight, with its façade covered in nearly 300 masks of Chac, the rain god or sky serpent. Then one of the highlights of Yucatan, the ruins at Uxmal. There will be plenty of time to visit all the major points of the ruins such as the Pyramid of the magician, the Nunnery quadrangle, the House of turtles and the Governor’s Palace before continuing on to Merida to arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 Merida – Chichen Itza – Cancun (301 Kms / 6H appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to the new highway from Merida to Cancun passes by Chichen Itza, one of the largest and best kept sites in Mexico. It actually is two cities, one ruled by the Mayans during the 6th – 10th centuries, and the older, a Toltec-Mayan city emerged around 1000 AD. Don’t miss the towering Castillo with its cosmological symbolism – There are 365 steps depicting the solar year, 52 panels for each year in the Mayan century and 18 terraces for the number of months in the religious year. The enormous ball court nearby, is the largest ever discovered, and is lined with fascinating carvings. Continuation to the world-famous resort of Cancun is direct and the road is very straight. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Cancun
After breakfast, day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful waters and the clear – white sand of Cancun. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 Depart Cancun By Flight
Departure transfer to onwards destination.
City | Nights | 5* Hotels |
Mexico | 03 | Krystal Grand |
San Cristobal | 02 | Casa del Alma Hotel |
Palenque | 01 | Piedra de Agua Palenque |
Campeche | 01 | Aak-Bal All Suite Resort |
Merida | 01 | Villa Mercedes InterCont’l |
Cancun | 02 | Presidente Intercontiental |
- Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
- 10 nights accommodation as per the program.
- Daily breakfast at the hotels.
- Entrance fees.
- Air Ticket: Mexico – Tuxtla Gutierrez
- Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian speaking guide.
- The 18th Century Cathedral
- The National Palace
- Aztec Temple
- The temple of Quetzatcoatl
- The Indian villages of San Juan Chamula
- Beautiful Waterfalls of Agua Azul
- All transfers, sightseeing, excursions by private vehicle.
- All taxes.
Branding
– Logo branding on Vehicles.
– Color and logo branding Merchandise.
– Departure gifts with company’s branding.
- Personal Expenses.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.