Itinerary Highlights
- Explore Mexico City’s vibrant streets and hear stories of Aztec emperors and revolutionary artists
- Journey through the Chiapas highlands and learn of the traditions of modern-day Maya
- Discover the iconic Mayan ruins of Uxmal, Kabah and Chichen Itza, hidden in the jungle
- Relax on Tulum’s white-sand beaches, visit the jade cenotes or head to the dramatic cliffside ruins
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
12 nights from £3,985 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
This vibrant, tailor-made itinerary takes you deep into the heart of Mexico, blending ancient history, rich culture and dazzling natural beauty with time to unwind on the Caribbean coast.
Beginning in bustling Mexico City, you’ll walk in the footsteps of Aztec emperors and revolutionary artists, during which you’ll learn about centuries of history. From here, fly southeast to the lush highlands of Chiapas, where charming colonial towns and traditional villages offer you a warm welcome – and an insight into the lives and customs of the region’s modern-day Maya communities.
As you make your way northeast through the jungle-fringed landscapes of Palenque and the Yucatán Peninsula, uncover some of the most iconic and evocative Mayan ruins in Mexico: the grand temples of Uxmal and Kabah, and the awe-inspiring Chichen Itza. Along the way, you’ll also get to explore dramatic canyons, visit turquoise waterfalls and taste the flavours of each diverse region.
And when it’s time to slow down, your final days are spent on the powder-soft beaches of Tulum. Discover jade cenotes and the cliffside ruins on a walk or simply choose to relax by the sea.
Whether you’re a culture lover, a keen historian or want to experience Mexico's wild and wonderful sides, this immersive sample route gives you an experience like no other.
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 collected from the airport by a local representative who takes you to your hotel base for the next two nights.
Day 2 Mexico City
You are collected this morning and taken for an extensive introductory tour of Mexico's capital City. Built on top of the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, the city's main square and centre point is the Zocalo, one of the largest public squares in the world. Flanked by some of the city's most important buildings, stop by the Metropolitan Cathedral (the largest church in Latin America) and the Palacio Nacional to get a sense of some of the complex history of the country.
Continue along the famous boulevard, Paseo de la Reforma (Mexico City's main thoroughfare), which once connected the Zocalo with the castle of Chapultepec, towards the Anthropological Museum and your next stop. One of the most highly regarded museums in the Americas, you may get lost in the treasures of Aztec culture.
Day 3 Mexico City to San Cristobal de las Casas
This morning, take a short flight south to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, gateway to Chiapas’ natural wonders. On arrival, head straight to the dramatic Sumidero Canyon, formed approximately 36 million years ago. Board a motorboat to cruise along the Grijalva River, beneath towering cliffs that soar over 1,000 metres above you, and keep an eye out for herons, monkeys and crocodiles on the riverside.
In the afternoon, travel into the highlands. Your destination is San Cristobal de las Casas, a charming colonial town in pine-forested hills. While here, check in for a two-night stay, soaking up the cool, clear mountain air and laid-back pace of life.
Day 4 San Cristobal de las Casas
San Cristobal de las Casas is an absolute pleasure to explore, with its picturesque cobbled streets and markets, welcoming ambience and wonderfully clear highland light. Explore the colonial centre on foot, visiting the cathedral with its lavish interior, gold-encrusted pulpit and the impressive 16th-century Santo Domingo temple. A ten-kilometre drive into the highlands lies the Tzotzil Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Descending from the ancient Maya, these local people maintain many unique customs, costumes and beliefs. Experience these authentic highland towns and colourful market stalls.
Day 5 San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque
Today you have a final morning in San Cristobal before you are collected and driven to Palenque, as you drop down from the highlands towards the lowlands and eventually into the Jungle. Your lodge for the nights is ideally located for your morning visit to the archaeological site.
Day 6 Palenque to Merida
This morning you are collected and taken a guided tour of the archaeological site of Palenque. Hidden within the jungle, these temples are a fantastic example of Mayan architecture in Mexico. Wander through the 500 buildings spread throughout the forest, exploring the Temple of the Inscriptions (the tallest of the buildings), the Temple of the Sun (crowned with a prominent roof comb) and the Palace (with its maze of corridors and rooms).
Take a stop for lunch, before later in the afternoon you drive to the town of Villahermosa, where you then fly to Merida, the capital of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Day 7 Merida
Though a bustling city, Merida's historic centre retains its colonial charm, while its laid-back tempo is a delight for visitors. It features a large, leafy main plaza and impressive European-style mansion houses painted in warm pastel shades.
You are collected this morning for an introduction to the city, before then heading out of the city to the lesser visited site of Uxmal. Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is characterised by low horizontal palaces set around courtyards and symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting Chaac, the rain god. It's considered one of the best examples of Puuc architecture in the region.
Day 8 Merida to Chichen Itza and Tulum
From Merida, transfer to the most famous Mayan city: Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Chichen Itza, meaning 'Mouth of the Well of the Water-Sorcerer', is the best restored Yucatan Mayan site and dates back to late Classic times, AD600-900. The major buildings in the north display a Toltec influence and are dominated by El Castillo, the most iconic image of this site.
At the end of your visit to the site, continue onwards to the coast, and your hotel base for the next three nights along the beaches of the Riviera Maya.
Day 9 -10 Riviera Maya
Enjoy two free days to relax by the beach or explore the local area.
If you still want to explore Mayan sites, visit nearby Tulum. Dating back to the 12th century, the site commands a spectacular position overlooking the beautiful beach. Being a limestone peninsula, the Yucatan is covered in cenotes (sinkholes), and if you're seeking adventure, head to one of the many in the region. Said to be the ancient Mayan means of communication to the underworld, these sinkholes, often surrounded by lush jungle, are a wonder to swim, snorkel and dive in.
Day 11 Flight Home
Today at the agreed time you are collected and driven to Cancun airport and your chosen flights back to the UK.
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
12 nights from £3,985 per person
Sarah Frankish
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
The price is based on two adults sharing, accommodation with bed and breakfast; services of an English speaking tour guide and excursions.
Why Choose Us?
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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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