Aztecs & Mayas
Aztecs & Mayas
Aztecs & Mayas
10 Days Starting in Mexico City and ending in Cancún
Visiting: Mexico City, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Cancún
Tour operator:
Tour code:
251897
Guide Type:
Partially Guided
Group size:
15 - 30
Age range:
8-99
Tour operated in:
English , SpanishInterests:
Art, Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
See the magic of Mexico with this 10-day guaranteed departure tour during which you’ll discover a fascinating mix of ancient civilisations, breath-taking natural beauty and charming colonial cities. Explore the magnificent metropolis of Mexico City, then head to the mystical Mayan cities and Aztec ruins of the south. Marvel at the awe-inspiring Sumidero Canyon, learn about indigenous culture in Chiapas, lose yourself in the timelessness of Merida and savour the delights of Puebla. This unforgettable journey showcases the best Mexico has to offer.Â
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Mexico City
Location: Mexico City
Accommodation: Hotel
After your plane lands at Mexico City International Airport, our tour representative will meet and greet you before assisting you with the shared transfer to your hotel. Once you are checked in, you can spend the rest of this first day at leisure. If you can’t wait to start exploring, hit the streets and start becoming acquainted with the hustle and bustle of Mexico City. Alternately, if you want to put your feet up after the flight, you can stay at the hotel relaxing and taking advantage of all the available services. In any case, make sure you get enough rest for tomorrow your adventure begins. Please note that the itinerary order may change depending on the weekday of arrival (considering the days of operation of tours and days in which the places to visit open).
Overnight in Mexico City.
Day 2 : Mexico City: City Tour & Anthropology Museum
Location: Mexico City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel at 8.00 hrs to take you to visit the ‘Zocalo’ – the city’s main square. Here you’ll find the cathedral and presidential palace. Later, visit the National Anthropology Museum, which houses a priceless collection of artefacts, some 35,000 years old. Enjoy a guided tour of this facility featuring 11 sections dedicated to different eras and civilisations. Perhaps the most famous exhibit is the Aztec sunstone, but Olmec sculptures and Mayan murals have not lost their beauty after all these centuries. The scale models of pre-colonial cities offer an insight into the architectural feats of these ancient people despite the rudimentary technologies at their disposal. Return to the hotel and in the evening enjoy dinner at Bellini's (adults only).Â
Overnight in Mexico City
Day 3 : Mexico City – Teotihuacan – Mexico City (100 Km – 2 Hrs)
Location: Mexico City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel. Having observed artefacts from the different civilizations that inhabited Mexico before the arrival of the Spaniards, it is now time to visit the remnants of one at the well-preserved ruins of Teotihuacan. Ancient Teotihuacan appears to have gone into decline in the sixth century but its influence on later civilizations such as the Aztecs cannot be doubted. Transport yourself back in time as you stroll along the Avenue of the Dead towards the imposing 2,000-year-old Pyramid of the Sun, the third largest in the world, and be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this once vast city. At the end of the visit, there is some free time to explore the site and climb one of the colossal pyramids to take in the panoramic views. We then return to the city, stopping at the famous Guadalupe shrine to visit both the old and new basilicas. Return to the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Mexico City
Day 4 : Ciudad De Mexico – Tuxtla Gutierrez – Sumidero Canyon – San Cristobal De Las Casas (70Km – 2 Hrs)
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today breakfast at the hotel is followed by a transfer to Mexico City Airport, where you’ll catch a flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez (airfare not included). You should land at Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport at 13:00 at the latest. There a tour representative will meet and greet you before taking you to the Sumidero Canyon, one of Mexico’s most outstanding natural attractions. This spectacular gorge carved into the earth over millions of years by the River Grijalva has to be one of Mother Nature’s least celebrated masterpieces. This makes visiting it even more exciting. During a two-hour boat tour along the imposing canyon bed, you will be able to appreciate just how deep this ravine gorge is. Find yourself dwarfed by the sheer scale of its high walls, which are covered in a thick coat of vegetation. Admire the beautiful wildlife, including crocodiles, monkeys and birds, and the wide range of flora in the surrounding rainforests. After the boat ride, continue to San Cristobal de las Casas, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel late in the afternoon.Â
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 5 : San Cristobal De Las Casas– San Juan Chamula And Zinacantan – San Cristobal De Las Casas (30Km – 1.5 Hrs)
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, head out to visit San Juan Chamula, famed for its whitewashed cathedral with colourful ornamentation and pine-scented, candlelit interior. Here you can observe the religious rituals that the locals perform. The town is almost entirely inhabited by Tzotzil Maya, who apart from speaking their own language also have distinctive clothing, with the men wearing tunics called 'chujes' and the women favouring blouses known as' huipils'. Chamula is renowned for the quality of its weavers and the local shops and markets offer a great variety. Upon your return to San Cristobal, spend the afternoon at leisure. We recommend visiting the baroque church of Santo Domingo as well as its colourful art and food markets, where you can admire the clothes of the Maya cultures that inhabit the region.Â
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 6 : San Cristobal – Waterfalls – Palenque (230Km – 5.5 Hrs)
Location: Palenque
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We will collect you from the hotel early in the morning ready to begin your trip to Palenque. Enjoy your breakfast en route as we begin travelling north-east towards the beautiful waterfalls in Chiapas, perhaps some of the most impressive waterfalls in the world! Don't forget your swimsuit today, as you will have the opportunity to take a dip in one of the natural pools full of bright blue water. This fascinating area of natural beauty is a wonderful place to relax and refresh yourself. After spending some time admiring the waterfalls and swimming in the water, we will continue our journey to the city of Palenque, where we will arrive in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Palenque.
Overnight in Palenque.
Day 7 : Palenque – Campeche (360Km – 4.5 Hrs)
Location: Campeche
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today’s breakfast will be followed by a visit to the Temples of Palenque. This archaeological site boasts some of the finest examples of Mayan architecture, including sculptures, roof combs and bas-relief carvings. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the premises, admiring its beauty and learning interesting information. The impressive Temple of Inscriptions, which reaches a height of almost 23 metres, is where the tomb of the Maya ruler was found and excavated in the early 1950s. In its heyday, Palenque was a sprawling city-state that spanned almost 60 square kilometres. However, archaeologists estimate that they have excavated only 5-10% of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. So far, over 200 structures have been unearthed, with the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace, the Temple of the Count and the Temple of the Cross being the most prominent. At the end of the tour, continue to Campeche and check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Campeche
Day 8 : Campeche – Uxmal – Merida (250Km – 3.5 Hrs)
Location: Mérida
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, after breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a panoramic tour of this historic coastal city, driving through the heart of the picturesque old town with its colonial houses, arcades and churches. Alight and explore further on foot, visiting sights such as the old city walls and St Francis’ Cathedral. Leave Campeche and visit the impressive archaeological site of Uxmal and enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, which rises in to view above the canopy of the jungle as you approach. Unlike other Maya cities, Uxmal was engulfed by the rainforest after the Spanish arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-metre Pyramid of the Magician, which towers over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle. Across the central plaza, just beyond the ballgame court, is the Governor’s Palace with its elaborately decorated roof. At the southern end of the main complex is the Great Pyramid, of which only one side has been excavated. Then, visit the beautiful white colonial city of Merida, where we will take a panoramic tour of its most prominent sites including the residential area, the monument to the homeland and Montejo Avenue.
Overnight in Merida.
Day 9 : Merida – Cenotes De Cuzama – Merida (95 Km – 2 Hrs)
Location: Mérida
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then prepare for a day at Cenotes de Cuzama (Santa Barbara). On this tour, we will visit three of the most beautiful cenotes in Yucatán, located in the "Cenote Ring," an extraordinary semicircular alignment of more than 100 cenotes. Experts associate this formation with the theory of an asteroid's impact on Earth 65 million years ago, which not only altered the course of life on the planet but also left a 180-kilometer crater. At the very site of these events, we will discuss the occurrence, the ecosystem, and the profound connection between the Maya civilization and the cenotes. Be ready to swim, and if you'd like, snorkel in the crystal-clear, magical waters of these unique natural formations. After the visit and swim, we’ll have time for lunch before returning to Merida.
Overnight in Merida.
Day 10 : Merida – Chichen Itza – Cancun / Riviera Maya (315Km – 4 Hrs)
Location: Cancún
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then head deep into the rainforests of the Yucatan peninsula in search of the legendary Maya city of Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Learn about the Maya and their civilisation as you admire the scale and beauty of this ancient city. Behold the geometric perfection of the 25-metre Temple of Kukulkan, popularly known as El Castillo (‘the Castle’). This temple was built both as a representation of the mystical Maya calendar and to reflect the optical illusion of a serpent snaking its way up or down the pyramid during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Admire the Great Ball Court, the largest of 13 discovered at the site; see the haunting Skull Platform, where the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled; and the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped. Enjoy lunch at a typical restaurant. Continue to Cancun or Riviera Maya where we will drop you off at your selected extension hotel (hotel not included).
What's Included
TOUR GUIDE:Â
- Operated with local English & Spanish speaking licensed guide on a shared basis
ACCOMMODATION:Â
- 9 nights' accommodation
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-3 Mexico City
Standard Hotel Category = Majestic or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = NH Reforma or similar 4*
Day 4-5 San Cristobal
Standard Hotel Category = Mansión del Valle or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Casa Vieja or similar 4*
Day 6 Palenque
Standard Hotel Category = Mision Palenque or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category =Chan Kah or similar 4*
Day 7 Campeche
Standard Hotel Category = Plaza Colonial or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Plaza Campeche or similar 4*
Day 8-9 Merida
Standard Hotel Category = Gobernador or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Mision de Fray Diego or similar 4*
OPTIONAL EXTRA
1 Night extension in Playa del Carmen or the Cancun area
Standard Hotel Category = Las Golondrinas (Bed & Breakfast) or similar 3*
Superior Hotel Category = Beachscape (Bed & Breakfast) or similar 4*
Deluxe Hotel Category = BlueBay Grand Esmeralda (All Inclusive) or similar 5*
3 or 4 Nights extension in Cancun
Standard Hotel Category = Cancun Bay (All Inclusive) or similar 3*
MEALS:
- 9 breakfasts,Â
- 2 lunches on day 9 and 10
- 1 dinner on day 2
TRANSPORT:
- Air-conditioned transportation on a shared basis
- Airport arrival transfer from Mexico City International airport to selected hotel on shared basisÂ
- Departure transfer to Hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya on shared basis
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:Â
- All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Mexico City tour on day 2, Anthropological Museum on day 2, Teotihuacan on day 3, Basilica de Guadalupe on day 3, Sumidero boat trip on day 4, San Juan Chamula and Zinacatan on day 5, Agua Azul or Misol-Ha waterfalls on day 6, Palenque ruins on day 7, Campeche city tour on day 8, Uxmal on day 8, panoramic tour in Merida on day 8, Cenotes de Cuzama on day 9 and Chichen Itza on day 10.
OTHER:Â
- Meet & Greet on day 1Â
What's Not Included
- Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme
- Optional toursÂ
- International and domestic flight tickets or Mexican visa fees and local taxes
- Gratuities for drivers and guides
- Environmental tax fee (to be paid directly at the hotel)
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mexico. However, the climate in Chiapas can be wet and cold, especially in winter, therefore we recommend to bring warm clothes, a raincoat and umbrella. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
- Arrival transfer is provided from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) only. In case of arrival at (AIFA) airport additional supplement is required
- The estimated arrival time in Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel is 18.30 hrs. Departure transfer to the airport is not provided
- Please note that there are ongoing road works on the access road to the Cancun Airport which are affecting the traffic. As it is required to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure we suggest booking an additional night stay in Cancun
- The itinerary order may change depending on the weekday of arrival (considering the days of operation of tours and days in which the places to visit open)
- In San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, photographs or video are prohibited within the temples, of traditional authorities, processions and rituals
- Please consider your flight Mexico City / Tuxtla Gutierrez arriving latest 13:00 hrs in order to take part in the Sumidero Canyon boat tour. For arrivals, after 13:00 hrs the transfer to San Cristobal will be offered (you will not take part in the Sumidero boat tour). Airfare is not included in the package.
- Please note that during transfers between zones there will be no guide service
- There is no guarantee that you will be part of the same group during the tour
- The assigned guide and group size may change during the itinerary
- Local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.
- All Inclusive in Cancun Bay Resort includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, cocktails and room service.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-3 Mexico City
- Standard Hotel Category = Majestic or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = NH Reforma or similar 4*
Day 4-5 San Cristobal
- Standard Hotel Category = Mansión del Valle or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Casa Vieja or similar 4*
Day 6 Palenque
- Standard Hotel Category = Mision Palenque or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category =Chan Kah or similar 4*
Day 7 Campeche
- Standard Hotel Category = Plaza Colonial or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Plaza Campeche or similar 4*
Day 8-9 Merida
- Standard Hotel Category = Gobernador or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Mision de Fray Diego or similar 4*
OPTIONAL EXTRA
1 Night extension in Playa del Carmen or the Cancun area
- Standard Hotel Category = Las Golondrinas (Bed & Breakfast) or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Beachscape (Bed & Breakfast) or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = BlueBay Grand Esmeralda (All Inclusive) or similar 5*
3 or 4 Nights extension in Cancun
- Standard Hotel Category = Cancun Bay (All Inclusive) or similar 3*
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-3 Mexico City
- Standard Hotel Category = Majestic or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = NH Reforma or similar 4*
Day 4-5 San Cristobal
- Standard Hotel Category = Mansión del Valle or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Casa Vieja or similar 4*
Day 6 Palenque
- Standard Hotel Category = Mision Palenque or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category =Chan Kah or similar 4*
Day 7 Campeche
- Standard Hotel Category = Plaza Colonial or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Plaza Campeche or similar 4*
Day 8-9 Merida
- Standard Hotel Category = Gobernador or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Mision de Fray Diego or similar 4*
OPTIONAL EXTRA
1 Night extension in Playa del Carmen or the Cancun area
- Standard Hotel Category = Las Golondrinas (Bed & Breakfast) or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Beachscape (Bed & Breakfast) or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = BlueBay Grand Esmeralda (All Inclusive) or similar 5*
3 or 4 Nights extension in Cancun
- Standard Hotel Category = Cancun Bay (All Inclusive) or similar 3*
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 10 years and above
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What do I need to bring?
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mexico. However, the climate in Chiapas can be wet and cold, especially in winter, therefore we recommend to bring warm clothes, a raincoat and umbrella. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
-
What is the maximum group size?
The assigned guide and group size may change during the itinerary
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, Airport arrival transfer from Mexico City International airport to selected hotel on shared basis
Departure transfer to Hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya on shared basis -
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Mexico City tour on day 2, Anthropological Museum on day 2, Teotihuacan on day 2, Basilica de Guadalupe on day 2, Tonantzintla on day 3, Puebla tour on day 3, Cholula on day 3, Sumidero boat trip on day 4, San Juan Chamula and Zinacatan on day 5, Agua Azul or Misol-Ha waterfalls on day 6, Palenque ruins on day 7, Campeche city tour on day 8, Uxmal on day 8, panoramic tour in Merida on day 8, Celestun BT on day 9 and Chichen Itza on day 10.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, International and domestic flight are not included
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.Â
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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Low Deposit
Destination Services Mexico requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services mexico charges.
At 6 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.