No. 2 - Mexico Southern Adventure

DAY 01 – MEXICO CITY - PUEBLA – OAXACA Today we leave Mexico City (pick up at your hotel at 8:00 am) behind we will meet you at the lobby of your hotel. We travel to Puebla, Mexico’s fourth-largest city, passing the photogenic, snow-capped volcanoes Popocatépetl (Smoking Mountain, 5464m) and Iztaccíhuatl (Sleeping Lady, 5230m). A visit is planned to Santa Maria Tonantzintla with its beautiful temple decorated by indigenous people. In Puebla (World Heritage), also known as the “City of Angels,” we will have lunch in a local restaurant (not included) and visit the extraordinary Rosary Chapel, the Cathedral, the main square, and its beautiful historic center. Continue to Oaxaca, one of the most picturesque colonial towns of Mexico. Oaxaca (World Heritage) is also famous for its many indigenous traditions, reflected in its beautiful crafts and typical gastronomy. Included: Shared Transportation, Panoramic Tour of Puebla with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Overnight Hotel in Oaxaca. Mexico – Puebla 2 Hrs Puebla – Oaxaca 4 Hrs Important: If you did not hire the services of previous days with us, please consider that we will need to have the information of your hotel in Mexico City so that we can pick you up. A representative will be in contact with you to lease accordingly. We recommend that you add some extra days in Oaxaca or in Mexico City. DAY 02 – OAXACA - MONTE ALBAN - MITLA – TULE Visit the archaeological zone of Monte Alban, located only a few kilometers outside the city of Oaxaca. Monte Alban, meaning “White Mountain,” is an ancient Zapotec capital, constructed on a plateau at 1,940 meters above sea level. With pyramids, temples, tombs, ceremonial rock carvings, a court for the pre-Hispanic ball game, among many other mystical constructions, we will find here cultural traces from different civilizations. Its spectacular hilltop location guarantees breathtaking views of the valleys of Oaxaca. We then continue to Mitla, an old ceremonial center of the Zapotecs. Mitla is known for its outstanding mosaics in its walls, representing different geometric designs, a unique style of decorating in Mesoamerica. Adjacent to the archaeological site you can also see the 16th century Church of San Pablo, built by the Spanish with materials from the ruins. On the way back to Oaxaca, we will make a stop to admire the Tule tree, perhaps one of the most significant living beings in the world. Once again in Oaxaca, we will explore the beauty of this city, with sights such as the Cathedral, the magnificent Santo Domingo church, the Museum of Gold, and the colorful “20 de Noviembre” market. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Visit to Monte Alban and Mitla with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Entry for Archeological Site of Monte Alban, Mitla and Tule, Walking Tour Oaxaca City with Bilingual Speaking Guide, Overnight Hotel in Oaxaca. 8 Hrs. Activity DAY 03 – OAXACA (Flight not included) - SUMIDERO CANYON – SAN CRISTOBAL After Breakfast one of our representatives will meet you at your hotel to transfer you to Oaxaca International Airport. (Not included in the price) Meet and greet at Tuxtla Gutierrez airport before 13:00 hrs and continue to Cañon del Sumidero. Today’s highlight will be a boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon, which measures a thousand meters at its highest point. Admire the beautiful rock formations and enjoy the abundant wildlife that lives on the shores of the Grijalva river (crocodiles, spider monkeys, and many different species of birds). Afterward, you will pass through the historically significant town Chiapa de Corzo, on our way to San Cristobal de las Casas. Included: Breakfast, Shared Transportation, Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Boat Ride Sumidero Canyon, Overnight Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas. Tuxtla - Cañon Sumidero – 30 Min Cañon Sumidero – San Cristobal – 1.5 Hrs Important: The flight from Oaxaca to Tuxtla is not included in our price. Please contact us for prices and options. In case you will like to book this flight on your own please consider that you need to arrive at Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport before 13:00 hrs. DAY 04 – INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES Scheduled for today is an excursion full of mysticism. Visit the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, located in the highlands of Chiapas. In both Tzotzil Maya communities, the complex ethnic composition of Chiapas is well reflected, and they still demonstrate a rich variety of customs and beliefs expressed in traditions of both pagan and Christian origin. At the church of San Juan Chamula, you will witness healing rituals and prayers carried out in Tzotzil, the community’s native language. Try a cup of Posh, a local artisanal sugarcane-based liquor. Transfer to the indigenous village of Zinacantan. Here we will visit a place where weaving artisan women will show you how they elaborate their textiles and waist looms. Return to San Cristobal de las Casas. The rest of the day at leisure to go browsing the shops, markets, to go for dinner or simply, explore the town. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Overnight Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas. 8 Hours Activity starts at 9 am and end at 5 pm DAY 05 – SAN CRISTOBAL - AGUA AZUL – PALENQUE Early morning 4:00 am our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel. We will offer breakfast on route. On the way to Palenque, we will visit the waterfalls of Agua Azul. The turquoise color, which makes these waterfalls so unique, comes from the high level of the mineral content of the water. Enjoy the surrounding jungle environment and go for a swim (if time permits it). Afterward, we will continue our way through the lush jungle with Palenque as today’s final destination. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Entry to Waterfalls of Agua Azul, Overnight Hotel in Palenque. 12 hours Activity. Starts at 4 am and ends in Palenque at 5 pm San Cristóbal - Agua Azul – 4.30 Hrs Agua Azul – Palenque - 1.20 Hrs DAY 06 – PALENQUE – CAMPECHE Visit the archaeological zone of Palenque, one of the most important sites of the Mayan World. Lakamha, as the city was known among the ancient Maya, flourished in the 7th century. It rose to prominence under the reign of legendary King Pakal, whose tomb was found in one of Palenque ́s most iconic landmarks, the Temple of the Inscriptions. This ruined city is home to some of the most beautiful architecture, exquisite sculptures, and carvings produced by the ancient Maya. Enjoy a guided visit and admire the impressive structures as well as the breathtaking natural environment of this World Heritage Site. After this visit, we head to Campeche, a captivating town full of naval history, Spanish baroque architecture, and aging beauty. The city has spent the past few years restoring hundreds of downtown historical buildings, making it one of the most photogenic colonial towns in all of Mexico. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Walking Tour of Archeological Site of Palenque with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Entry to Archeological Site of Palenque, Panoramic Tour of Campeche, Overnight Hotel in Campeche. Palenque – Campeche – 6 hrs DAY 07 – CAMPECHE - UXMAL – MERIDA On the way to Merida, we will visit Uxmal (meaning “built three times”), located in the Puuc region. Uxmal, also listed as World Heritage, is considered one of the Maya cities that is most representative of the Puuc style, the region’s dominant architectural style. Explore the Magician Pyramid, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, the Governor’s palace, and the ballgame court. After this visit, you will enjoy lunch (not included) and then proceed to Merida. The “White City” was founded in 1542, by the Spaniard Francisco de Montejo. Nowadays, it is the capital city of the Mexican state of Yucatan, with still a strong influence of Mayan cultural heritage, stunning architecture, lovely parks, and delicious gastronomy. Upon arrival in Merida, we will enjoy a panoramic tour, including the highlights of the city (among them Montejo Avenue and the Plaza Grande). Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Guided visit of Archeological Site of Uxmal with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Entry to Archeological Site of Uxmal, Panoramic Tour in Merida, Overnight Hotel in Merida. Campeche – Uxmal – 2 Hrs Uxmal – Mérida – 1 hrs DAY 08 – MERIDA - CHICHEN ITZA – CANCUN At the end of the Early Classic Period, around the year 600 AD, Chichen Itza was one of the largest and most prominent Maya cities. Nowadays, Chichen Itza is undoubtedly the best-preserved Maya site on the Yucatan peninsula, and it was recently declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Various architectural styles are seen in Chichen Itza. Most famous landmarks are the Temple of Kukulkan (“El Castillo”), the Ballgame Court, the Platform of the Skulls, the Temple of the Jaguar, the Observatory, the One Thousand Columns, and the Sacred Cenote. Time to have lunch (not included), and continue to Cancun. Drop off at your hotel (beach extension available upon request). Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Guided visit to Archeological Site of Chichen Itza with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Entry to Archeological Site of Chichen Itza, Drop off at Hotel in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. (Drop Off in Riviera Maya or Tulum with an extra supplement of $25 USD per person). Merida – Chichen – 2 Hrs Chichen – Cancun – 3 hrs