Day 1 Arrive in Mexico City
Arrival in Mexico City.

Welcome to the capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. This is the country's largest city as well as its most important political, cultural, educational and financial center, and a logical place to begin our exploration of this fascinating country.

Overnight in Mexico City.
Included Meal(s): Dinner

Day 2 Mexico City Touring
This morning we'll depart for a tour of the Anthropological Museum at Chapultepec Park. The museum is considered one of the world's great museums, not only for its rich collection, but for the originality and practicality of its design. This is an excellent introduction to the astounding historical and cultural richness of Mexico.

We'll also visit the Zocalo (Plaza de la Constitución) in the heart of old Mexico City. We visit the Catedral Metropolitana, dating from 1562, taking over 250 years to complete. It reflects the most popular architectural styles from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Inside the church you will see several chapels fashioned in the churrigueresque style -- an ornamental baroque style.

We'll also visit the adjacent Templo Mayor Museum, designed to exhibit the archaeological findings of the zone that used to be the main temple of Mexica peoples. The collection shows the political, military, and aesthetic relevance of the city that dominated Mesoamerica before the Spaniards arrived.

Next (possibly after a break for lunch), we'll visit the Palcio de Bella Artes, primarily to view the immense murals by world-famous Mexican artists dominate the top floors of this splendid white-marble palace – a concert hall and arts center commissioned by President Porfirio Díaz. Construction on the iconic building began in 1905 under Italian architect Adamo Boari, who favoured neoclassical and art nouveau styles. Through the murals we learn more about Mexico's tempestuous history.

Finbally we visit Casa Azul. A must-see attraction, Frida Kahlo's house is beautiful as well as fascinating. A visit here gives you an insight into the life of this iconic painter and her famous husband Diego Rivera, some of shose murals we saw in Bellas Artes. The garden, with its Mesoamerican pyramid, is also a sight to behold.

Overnight in Mexico City.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3 Mexico City Touring
Our tour continues to the Palacio Nacional, originally built as headquarters for Cortes from the rubble left from the destruction of Montezuma's palace. The palace was used by Emperor Maximilian and all of the presidents of the modern state. We view the Diego Rivera Murals that decorate the stairwell and central courtyard. These famous masterpieces of modern art depict the native cultures of Mexico which existed before the arrival of the Spanish. They also show the Spanish conquest and the history of Mexico from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. As well as being works of art, Rivera's murals provide an illuminating introduction to the complex cultures and history of this ancient land.

We also visit Casa Azul. A must-see attraction, Frida Kahlo's house is beautiful as well as fascinating. A visit here gives you an insight into the life of this iconic painter and her famous husband Diego Rivera. The garden, with its Mesoamerican pyramid, is also a sight to behold.

Overnight in Mexico City.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4 Mexico City - Oaxaca & Monte Alban
This morning we fly south to Oaxaca.

As we enter town, there is a statue of Benito Juarez, a Zapotec lawyer from a nearby village, and Oaxaca's most famous son. Oaxaca is the capital of the state of the same name. Surrounded by green, densely forested hills, modern Oaxaca has been the site of a town since at least the time of Christ. Later, in the 15th century, it became an important Aztec town until it was captured by the Spaniards. The modern city has a Baroque flavour left over from the colonial period, and is a center of native culture and art. In the city center we will visit colonial monuments, gardens, palaces, plazas, temples, and monasteries.

This afternoon (depending on arrival timing we may head directly to the site before our hotel check-in -- your Tour Leader will advise) we visit the site of Monte Alban, visiting the site museum before walking out onto the site. Situated on a flattened mountaintop, the site affords commanding views of the Valley of Oaxaca, a stunning vista of endless mountain peaks. Monte Alban was an important religious site and today is one of the most impressive places anywhere; we stop at the ball court, the plaza, the Gallery of the Dancers, and the Observatory, considered to be the oldest in Mesoamerica.

Our visit to Oaxaca coincides with Dia de los Muertos, or 'Day of the Dead', celebrations. Each year, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, villagers throughout Mexico empty out of their homes and into local cemeteries to welcome the souls of their dearly departed. There are bouquets of marigolds and candles as far as the eye can see, and gravestones are cleaned and festooned with flowers. Families don embroidered indigenous dresses for feasts, for which they cook their deceased relatives' favourite foods. Oaxaca is one of the most spectacular places in the country to experience this annual spectacle, and the whole town and its surrounds will be festooned with décor and music and festive flavours; the special Day of the Dead street markets around town are particularly interesting and colourful.

Please note that our meal plan in Oaxaca may vary at the discretion of your Tour Leader. Because Day of the Dead festivities generally occur from sunset onward, we will likely include lunch instead of dinner in order to maximize our time at this colourful event.

Overnight in Oaxaca.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5 Oaxaca & Mitla
Early this morning we travel 45 km to the fascinating site of Mitla. En route we stop at the Tule Tree, or "Taxodium Mucrunatum". In Spanish, it is called "Sabino". This extraordinary tree is supposed to be over 2,000 years old with a circumference of almost 60 metres!

We continue to Mitla, a beautiful Zapotecan site distinguished by the finely-carved and inlaid stones that form unique geometric patterns. Another feature of the site is one that ties the pre-Columbian world with that of the Spanish Conquest: a small colonial church on the site of the ruins, typical of those that the Spanish frequently built as a symbol of the new religion they were bringing to this new the land.

We depart on the road back to Oaxaca, making a stop at a Mezcal maker en route. Mezcal is a liquor made from the Maguey Agave, as opposed to Tequila, which has the Blue Agave as its primary ingredient. We will have an interesting look at Mezcal production, which is done on a small scale when compared to Tequila (produced in Jalisco State, not far from Guadalajara).

Back in Oaxaca, we visit the ex-Convento de Santo Domingo (Regional Museum or Museo se las Cultruas de Oaxaca), one of the best museums we will visit on the tour. This museum contains, among other things, the Mixtec treasures from Tomb 7 at Monte Alban. Related to the Day of the Dead, the Palacio de Gobierno is usually filled with huge sand tapestries every November 1st.

Overnight in Oaxaca.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 Oaxaca: Cooking Class
Today in Oaxaca, we have the chance to know more about the wonderful unique food from this region in a half-day cooking class. Our class offers you the opportunity to learn, hands-on, the complex cuisine of Oaxaca. We will learn about the ingredients, enjoy hand-made meal preparation, mezcal tasting and, of course, enjoy the meal we prepared at the end of the class.

Balance of the afternoon to enjoy Oaxaca (due to the size of our lunch, dinner on your own this evening).

Later this evening we can re-group and take in the carnival-like parade that occurs on 01 November. The procession is well-known for its Day of the Dead comparsas, rolling crowds of musicians and costumed characters.

Overnight in Oaxaca.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 Oaxaca - Puebla: Walking Tour
We have morning departure from Oaxaca for a scenic journey of about 5 hours, with stops along the way.

The various species of cactus you are seeing on the hillsides in this arid area are the Pitahaya (organpipe) cactus. It looks like what its name suggests: many shoots, and very large. The small, single-stemmed cacti, which cover the hillsides for miles around, are the Saguaro. We will make stops to view/photograph these curious plants, as well as the expansive mountain and valley views afforded by this high pass.

Upon arrival we'll embark on a walking our of Puebla. The city has a fascinating history: it is the only city in Mexico that was founded specifically for the Spanish colonialists, in 1531. As a result, the city has a distinctly European feel, with grand boulevards, Parisian-style arcades, imposing monuments and street-side cafes, but all with Mexican flair.

We will see some of the city's many ornate churches including the gold-leafed Capilla del Rosario. Also included this afternoon is the Museo de Santa Monica. This "secret convent" reflects the period when nuns and priests were forced underground -- literally -- in 1857. This convent was discovered in 1935 and later turned into a museum. The convent's entrance was through the homes of the religiously faithful through cupboards in the dining hall; today the entrance to the convent-cum-museum is still through a private home.

Overnight in Puebla.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 Puebla: Cacaxtla & Cholula
This morning we drive to Cacaxtla, located in what historians have named the "trade corridor". On arrival we walk approximately 800 metres to the great mound of the main pyramid. This site is particularly interesting for the colourful frescoes that date from the middle of the 7th and 8th centuries. Each of the murals relates important facts about the culture of the ancient people; one unexpected discovery is the presence of the Maya who hailed from the Yucatan some 1300 km (800 miles) away! Of particular importance is the "Battle Mural."

We then travel to the Great Pyramid of Cholula, the largest in Mexico, though it is almost all hidden inside a hill. About 10 minutes of walking through a very narrow and interesting tunnel takes us deep inside the pyramid. The pyramid is solid, but archeologists made many tunnels, most of them closed to the public, in order to see what lay beneath the massive pyramid's exterior. We continue outside the pyramid walking clockwise around the pyramidal mound, looking down on the far side at a fairly extensive site. Those with the energy might walk up to the church at the top of the pyramid hill.

Today we include lunch in the vicinity and free up your evening to take in Pueba's lively street life.

Overnight in Puebla.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 Oaxaca - Veracruz
An early departure today takes us from the high plateau of Central Mexico to the lush green Caribbean coast, a total 1600 m / 5,280 foot descent.

We'll stop at a mountain viewpoint (weather permitting), just after the turnoff for the coast, to see Mount Orizaba, the highest in the country at over 5700 m / 18,810 feet. We will continue through the towns of Orizaba and Cordoba, important centres for sugarcane, tobacco, and coffee production.

After a lunch break en route, we continue to Veracruz. To early explorers, this was door to the New World. Set on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, Veracruz is rich in heritage and colonial architecture and has a distinctly Caribbean feel. It had a monopoly on foreign trade in the Atlantic basin during Mexico's Colonial period and, as such, was constantly menaced by pirates!

We drive on, seeing the Palacio Municipal, the cathedral, and the Malecon, a seafront boulevard, arriving at the hotel late afternoon.

This evening you can visit the Zocalo, with lots of live music in the evening. There are Mariachi groups, but the most common instrument here is the Marimba, a Xylophone that originally came with African slaves to the Caribbean. For 50 pesos they'll play you a song.

Overnight in Veracruz.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10 Veracruz - Zempoala - El Tajin - Papantla
Today we travel along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico through a balmy tropical region producing rice, coffee, sugar, tobacco, oil, cattle, and a large assortment of fruit.

We stop at Zempoala, a lovely and quiet Totonac site. It was here that Cortes arranged to travel into the highlands on his expedition of conquest. We can visit the site museum before continuing to El Tajin (lunch en route), one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Mexico.

El Tajin's name comes from a Totonac legend about twelve old men called "The Tajin". They supposedly lived on the site and had the powers of gods of thunder. The site is set amid tobacco fields and banana plantations, apiaries and vanilla groves, and is situated on a terraced hillside on a tributary of the Rio Tecolutla. We will see the famous Pyramid of the Niches which is noted for its beautiful symmetry, carving and its 365 altar-niches.

After our tour we continue on to Papantla.

Overnight in Papantla.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11 Puebla - Teotihuacan: Site Tour
This mornng we skirt Mexico City and travel to the massive archaeological site of Teotihuacan (500 BC-AD 700). We travel through scenery of pine forests, rivers, waterfalls and magnificent mountains. En route we will pass the Popocatepetl volcano, said to be dormant, but occasionally belching forth a puff of steam! Estimated at 2.5 million years in age, this "Smoking Mountain" soars to 5452 m/17,882 feet.

Teotihuacan was the first major urban area in the New World and was named "the City of the Gods". On the site we will see the Pyramid of the Sun, which the adventurous can climb. This is the pyramid at which the cult of the famous god Quetzalcoatl began. Legend dictates that he allowed himself to be tested by bravely casting himself into a fire. He survived the fire but was transformed into a plumed serpent. Other structures on the site include the Pyramid of the Moon, the Avenue of the Dead, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. We have a comprehensive tour of the site, including the excellent museum, before heading to the hotel.

Overnight near Teotihuacan.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12 Teotihuacan - Tula - San Miguel de Allende
This morning we travel to San Miguel via Tula, capital of the Toltecs.

Tula achieved dominance between AD 950 and 1150. According to Aztec legends it was a magnificent place -- palaces were decorated with gold, turquoise and jade. These riches were earned as tributes from conquered territories, for the Toltecs were great warriors. The greatest monuments at Tula today are the huge Atlantean statues, standing 5 m (16 feet) high on top of the Piramide de Quetzalcuatl. Originally these stone figures would have supported the roof of a temple. The pyramid on which they stand (and also other carved columns behind the Atlantes) features reliefs of warriors, snakes and crocodiles -- some traces of the original bright paint remain.

We continue to San Miguel de Allende, one of Mexico's most beautiful towns. Most of its buildings date from the 1600's and the colonial period, and new construction must follow building standards so that it fits in stylistically. The town has a flourishing artist community.

On arrival we'll have a walking tour of San Miguel, starting at El Jardin, the main plaza, and on to the house of Ignacio Allende, an attractive example of an 18th century San Miguel house. After a pause at the museum we cross to La Paracchia, the main church with its bizarre Gothic towers added in the early part of the 20th century. We then walk over to the ex-convento of La Purissimo Concepcion to see the courtyard and the hall with a strange mural by Alfonso Siquero (who was implicated in an attempt on Leon Trotsky's life). We finish with a visit to the ex-convento of San Francisco.

Overnight in San Miquel.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 13 San Miguel - Guanajuato
We continue our journey through central Mexico to the Guanajuato, located in the Bajio, a central lowland plateau. Our route is scenic, and our first views of Guanajuato, located on a deep valley below, are spectacular. Guanaguato is best known as a mining town; the modern city is riddled with tunnels, many of which have been converted to auto-routes to expedite traffic around the city.

Overnight in Guanajuato.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14 Guanajuato: City Tour
This morning we enjoy a walking tour of the cobbled streets in this colonial city which became famous from silver mining. The city is alive with music everywhere; at the Jardin de la Union bands play year-round. We visit La Compania Church, University Campus, the Diego Rivera Museum, located in the house where he was born. There are several rooms of Rivera's art and some powerful photos of a bedridden Frida Kahlo.

Alhondiga is the fortified granary where, on September 28, 1810, 260 Spanish families were massacred inside where they had taken refuge from the ‘insurgentes.’ There is a very good museum inside with some rooms with pre-Conquest artifacts, as well as several rooms dealing with colonial and revolutionary history. We visit the Municiple Market, designed by Gustav Eiffel and brought here from Europe. After a visit to the Teatro Juarez, we take the funicular to La Pepila for superb views over town. In 1989 the whole city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve its colonial character.

In the afternoon, we drive up to visit the church of San Cayetano near the Valenciana silver mine. You will have time in the afternoon to explore Guanajuato's many picturesque little plazas on your own. This is a great city for people watching! (dinner on your own this evening).

Overnight in Guanajuato.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 15 Guanajuato - Morelia: Walking Tour
Today we travel to Morelia.

Morelia has the atmosphere of a European cathedral town. Set at a bracing altitude of 1930 m (6,368 feet), it is the state capital of Michoacan and one of Mexico's most gracious cities. It rests on a gentle sloping hill overlooking the Valley of Guayangero and is another of Mexico's colonial gems -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- wonderfully restful and clean with wide boulevards, lovely squares, and shady parks. Architecturally, the city is of the 17th and 18th century Spanish colonial style, proudly displaying numerous masterfully restored mansions, churches, and civic buildings. Most are oft pink-coloured stone with lacy, delicate facades.

On arrival we will have a walking tour of Morelia, starting at the courtyard of the Collegio San Nicholas, where Miguel Hidalgo was rector in the early 19th century, and where Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon was a religious student. We walk through the Plaza de los Martires (the Zocalo) to the Cathedral, an extraordinary building that took over 100 years to build. We leave the cathedral and walk a few blocks to the Casa de Morelos, a very fine example of a Morelia house from the late 18th century and good displays regarding Mexico's War of Independence.

We then walk a few blocks to the Casa de la Cultura with its excellent Museo de las Masqueras, which exhibits masks from all over Mexcio. Our next point of interest is the Plaza Valladolid and the Casa de los Artensanias where you can see artisans working on weaving and carving and other crafts.

Overnight in Morelia.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 16 Morelia: Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
We have a full-day excursion to the Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in the mountains near the town of Angangueo. At the right time of year (Nov - Mar), millions (even billions) of Monarch Butterflies assemble here as part of their migratory / mating cycle; a truly extraordinary sight. To reach the elevation where the butterflies congregate, there is a +/- 30 minute walk up a well-worn path (alternatively you can rent horses - payable locally). Once we get close to the summit (about 10,000 ft), we can view the monarchs, which often perch on the branches of the fir trees in such numbers as to weigh the branches down!

After a break for lunch back in the park's parking area, we return to Morelia, arriving in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Morelia.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 17 Morelia - Guadalajara
Today we travel to Guadalajara, the capital city of the state of Jalisco and the second largest city in the country. It is considered a colonial city, though much of its architecture dates from the independence period. It has a far more relaxed feel than Mexico City and contains many nice areas for walking. Time-permitting today, we may accomplish some of our on-foot sightseeing upon arrival (dinner on your own this evening).

Overnight in Guadalajara.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 18 Guadalajara: City Tour
Guadalajara is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico and Latin America. Endowed with an extraordinary climate, this is the land of Mariachi, Tequila, the Instituto Cultural Cabanas (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and home to a wide culture that ranges from fine art to the height of the popular arts.

The heart of City of Roses is the Centro Historico. This is where we will learn about the foundation of this city and explore the well-preserved 16th and 17thI century architectural masterpieces of Cross Square surrounding the Metropolitan Cathedral. Visit magnificent colonial buildings like the Governor Palace, Cathedral, City hall, Liberty Square, gallery of Illustrious Jaliscians, Degollado Theater, Tapatia Plaza, the Cabanas Cultural Institute, and Liberty Market.

We'll also head out of the centre to Tlaquepaque ("Tla-Kah-Pa-Keh"), a fashionable colonial neighbourhood in the southeast of Guadalajara, was once a small village in its own right, even in pre-hispanic times. Today, it's a trendy shopping district offering fine arts and crafts, galleries, and excellent food.

Overnight in Guadalajara.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 19 Guadalajara - Villahermosa - Palenque
Today we fly south to Villahermosa and continue by road to Palenque.

Palenque is famous for the ruins of a Mayan city dating from about 600 AD to 800 AD. Set amidst thick trees, Palenque still evokes some of the wonder that the early Spanish visitors must have felt when they first came across the ruins.

Overnight at Palenque.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 20 Palenque: Site Tour - Campeche
This morning we will visit the archaeological site of Palenque. The ruins now visible are the heavily restored remains of the ceremonial center of a more extensive settlement bordered by agricultural fields. Our visit ends with a stop at the museum which has on display some remarkable Olmec relics.

We then transfer to Campeche and have a walking tour upon arrival. San Francisco de Campeche is the capital city of the state of Campeche and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The name of Campeche comes from the Mayan word "Ah Kim Pech", which means "The Place of Boa Serpent". It was fairly unknown to the Western world until, on March 22, 1517, Spanish soldiers commanded by Francisco Hernandez de Cordova reached the village to replenish their water supply. The historic centre has kept its outer walls and system of fortifications, designed to defend this Caribbean port against attacks from the sea.

Overnight in Campeche.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 21 Campeche - Uxmal - Merida
This morning we will drive on to Merida; on the way we will visit the archaeological site of Uxmal.

Uxmal was one of the sites to which the Maya returned again and again in the course of their civilization. The name means 'thrice built'. The Palace of the Governor at Uxmal is considered by many to be the most beautiful of all the Maya structures in Central America. Here some 20,000 hand cut stones have been set into acres of geometric friezes. This truly is a step back into the years of Mayan glory (AD 7-10).

We arrive in Merida, probably the most beautiful town in the Yucatan Peninsula. We find that the most enjoyable way to sightsee is from a calesa, or horse drawn carriage (30-40 minnutes; remainder of time by bus). During the nineteenth century, European traders flocked to the bustling city to exchange their luxuries for the area's much sought after sisal hemp. The state capital's many buildings and the Moorish and rococo-style mansions of the Paseo Montejo reflect the strong Old World influences.

Overnight in Merida.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 22 Merida: At Leisure
Today is free to enjoy Merida.

Dinner on your own this evening.

Overnight in Merida.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 23 Merida - Chichen Itza: Site Tour
Today we travel to Chichen Itza and have a tour of the site on arrival.

This is a wonderful archaeological site incorporating the ruins of two different cultures, the ancient Maya and the later arriving Toltecs. The substantial fusion of highland central Mexican and Puuc architecture make Chichen Itza unique. The El Castrillo, the temple of Panels and the Platform of Venus are superb architectural feats. The most impressive monuments here are the Temple of the Warriors, the group of a thousand columns, the Temple of Kukulcan, the Temple of Chac-Mool and the Ball Court. The Toltecs interest in astronomy and mathematics is evident with a visit to the Astronomical Observatory, perhaps one of the most impressive revelations
is the phenomenon occurring during equinoxes, when shadows cast across the ramp of the castle appear to form the shape of a slithering serpent.

Overnight at Chichen Itza.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 24 Chichen Itza - Coba: Site Tour - Chichen Itza
Today we have an excursion to the nearby site of Coba, one of the grandest Mayan city-states, and have a tour of this impressive site upon arrival. As a large trading center, Coba was connected to other Mayan cities by an elaborate network of roads known as "sacbes". The ancient temples are still surrounded by the thick Yucatan jungle which adds a lot of natural flavour to a rich cultural experience.

Return to Chichen Itza.

Overnight in Chichen Itza.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 25 Coba - Tulum - Cancun
In order to beat the crowds, we depart early today for Tulum, one of the most beautiful Maya sites, perched high on the cliffs above the Caribbean. Tulum means "wall" in Maya. The most impressive site at this area is the large pyramid on the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea. A wide staircase leads to a two-chamber temple on the top. Two serpent columns divide the entrance and above the middle entrance is a carved figure of the Diving God. The sight at the top of the pyramid is stunning with a breathtaking view of the ocean and surrounding jungle. You will have free time to explore this site on your own.

We continue to Cancun.

Overnight in Cancun.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Day 26 Departure
Departure from Cancun.

BUEN VIAJE!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast