Itinerary Highlights
- Tour Mexico City’s vibrant streets before exploring Aztec ruins and seeing Diego Rivera murals
- Visit Oaxaca’s colourful markets, baroque churches and the ancient Monte Albán hilltop ruins
- Meet the Tzotzil Maya and uncover jungle-clad temples and Mayan legends at Palenque
- Discover Yucatán’s colonial charm, savour local cuisine and marvel at the iconic Chichén Itzá
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
12 nights from £4,850 per person
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
Journey through the heart of Mexico, a country brimming with ancient traditions, gorgeous natural beauty, an irresistible culture and delicious cuisine on this 12-night tailor-made tour.
From the ancient ruins of lost civilisations to vibrant colonial towns and rich indigenous heritage, this immersive adventure is perfect for experiencing Mexico in all its diversity, depth and colour.
Your adventure begins in Mexico City – a buzzing, cosmopolitan capital layered with centuries of history. Trace the legacy of the Aztecs among the towering pyramids of Teotihuacán, discover Diego Rivera’s murals and explore world-class museums. Then it’s on to Oaxaca, a charming city where baroque churches sit beside bustling markets and the remarkable Monte Albán ruins command sweeping valley views.
Head into the highlands to San Cristóbal de las Casas, with its cool pine forests and colourful streets. You’ll meet the Tzotzil Maya in their traditional villages for a chance to gain insight into one of Mexico’s most fascinating indigenous cultures. From here, travel through jungle landscapes to reach the magnificent Mayan site of Palenque, where ancient temples emerge from the canopy.
In the Yucatán Peninsula, discover Merida’s colonial elegance and sample regional dishes packed with bold, local flavour. Explore Uxmal and Kabah, home to intricate Mayan carvings, before ending at the awe-inspiring Chichén Itzá – one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’.
With expert guides, carefully chosen accommodation and seamless travel, this is a journey filled with unforgettable experiences: blending history, culture and nature to reveal the true magic of Mexico.
Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.
Itinerary
Day 1 Fly UK to Mexico
Depart the UK today on your chosen flights to Mexico. On arrival you are met and driven into the city and your base for the next three nights.
Day 2 Mexico City
You are collected today for an introductory tour of Mexico City centre. Begin in the vast Zócalo, once the centre of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, and now framed by grand colonial architecture. Then you visit the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral and, if open, the Palacio Nacional, famed for Diego Rivera’s sweeping murals depicting Mexico’s turbulent past. Continue along Paseo de la Reforma, the city’s iconic boulevard, which is lined with statues and historic landmarks. In the afternoon, you delve into pre-Hispanic Mexico at the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology – a treasure trove of Aztec artefacts and cultural heritage.
Day 3 Teotihuacan
This morning, you head northeast of the capital to explore one of Mexico’s most extraordinary archaeological sites: Teotihuacan. It was once a vast Mesoamerican metropolis, later revered by the Aztecs, now offering a remarkable glimpse into ancient civilisation. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead and stand before the awe-inspiring Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest in the world. Then you visit the Pyramid of the Moon and explore the Quetzalpapalotl Palace Complex, known for its intricate stone carvings and vibrant murals. Return to Mexico City in the afternoon with time to relax or explore at your leisure.
Day 4 Mexico City to Oaxaca
Fly southeast this morning to Oaxaca, nestled in a valley encircled by the Sierra Madre del Sur. Once a centre of Mixtec and Zapotec civilisations, the city has now taken on a Spanish flavour, blending colonial elegance with indigenous heritage. This afternoon, set out on a walking tour through Oaxaca’s colourful streets, where baroque churches, leafy plazas and lively markets reflect centuries of rich cultural fusion. Take in the laid-back atmosphere, admire the city’s vibrant facades and get a taste of its celebrated local cuisine.
Day 5 Oaxaca
Travel just outside Oaxaca to Monte Albán, one of Mexico's most important and impressive Zapotec sites. Perched high above the valley floor, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers sweeping views over the Oaxaca Valley. Walk among the vast ceremonial plazas, temples and pyramids that once formed the region’s political and spiritual heart. Discover the site's key features – including the Gran Plaza, Ball Court, Observatory and Palace – and learn of the civilisation that once thrived here.
Day 6 Oaxaca to Sumidero Canyon and San Cristobal de las Casas
Depart first thing this morning for a flight via Mexico City and on to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the gateway to one of Mexico’s most dramatic natural wonders. On arrival, set off by motorboat through the awe-inspiring Sumidero Canyon, where towering cliffs soar over 1,000 metres above the Grijalva River. It was formed 36 million years ago and is home to crocodiles, herons and spider monkeys, which you can see as you cruise. Later, continue by road into the highlands and arrive at San Cristóbal de las Casas, a beautifully preserved colonial town surrounded by pine forest.
Day 7 San Cristobal de las Casas
Begin the day with a walking tour of San Cristóbal de las Casas, a city of cobbled streets, pastel buildings and artisan markets. Then you visit an ornate cathedral and the 16th-century Santo Domingo temple, a baroque masterpiece. Afterwards, travel into the highlands to discover the Tzotzil Maya villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. These communities preserve pre-Hispanic traditions, visible in their striking clothing, rituals, churches and markets.
Staying at
Diego de Mazariegos
Day 8 San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque
You have a final morning in San Cristobal before you are collected and driven towards Palenque. Your base in the lowlands of Palenque is surrounded by jungle and ideally placed for your visit of the archaeological site tomorrow.
Staying at
Chan-Kah Palenque
Day 9 Palenque
Today, you set out early for a guided tour of Palenque, one of Mexico’s most captivating Mayan sites. The ruins include over 500 structures, shrouded in jungle and many still partly hidden beneath the canopy. Marvel at the Temple of the Inscriptions, the tallest pyramid here, before admiring the intricate stonework of the Temple of the Sun. You then continue to The Palace, a grand complex of courtyards and corridors.
Staying at
Chan-Kah Palenque
Day 10 Palenque to Campeche
Today you continue your journey across Mexico by land, and drive around 6 hours north towards the city of Campeche. Campeche is a historic city with a rich cultural and architectural heritage. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture and defensive walls built to protect against pirate attacks during the 17th century.
Day 11 Campeche to Merida with Uxmal Ruins
Today, you are collected and taken on the road from Campeche to Merida, and visit Uxmal, one of the finest examples of Mayan Puuc architecture on the way. Around 80km south of Merida, this UNESCO-listed site features ceremonial courtyards and intricate carvings of Chaac, the rain god. Highlights include the towering House of the Magician, the Nunnery and the House of Turtles.
Day 12 Merida to Chichen Itza
Spend the morning uncovering the charm of Merida, Yucatán’s cultural capital. You are taken on an introduction to the city, revealing leafy plazas, colonial-era mansions and a thriving contemporary arts scene, with museums and galleries reflecting its rich heritage. Later today, transfer to your peaceful base for exploring Chichén Itzá tomorrow morning. Just moments from the site, this restored 16th-century hacienda offers an ideal setting to relax before your final day of discovery.
Day 13 | Chichen Itza to Cancun and Flight Home
You are collected this morning and are taken for an extensive tour at Chichén Itzá, a New Seven Wonder of the World and an extraordinary ancient Maya city. Discover the iconic pyramid ‘El Castillo’, with its 365 steps symbolising the days of the year; it’s dedicated to Kukulcan, the feathered serpent god. Explore the Sacred Cenote, a natural well central to Maya rituals and offerings to Chaak, the rain god. At the end of your visit, you are either driven on towards Cancun airport for your chosen flights home, or you could look to extend your trip with time on the coast at the Riviera Maya, or on Island of Holbox.
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
12 nights from £4,850 per person
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Pricing Notes
Breakfast is included throughout.
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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