Embark on an extraordinary trip visiting 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico, showcasing the pinnacle of ancient Mesoamerican ingenuity. Discover Chichén Itzá without the crowds through an overnight stay at one of the few hotels on-site, like Mayaland or Hacienda Chichén. Explore lesser-known gems such as Izamal, the “City of Three Cultures,” where well-preserved Maya temples reveal profound cultural legacies. Uncover the enduring impact of other civilizations, including Teotihuacan’s monumental pyramids and the Zapotec’s Oaxaca Barrio influences at Monte Albán
Highlights
- Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1 trip
- Discover Chichen Itza without the crowd with an overnight stay
- Explore lesser-known sites such as Izamal which reveal the ingenuity of Maya culture
- Uncover the legacy of other ancient Mesoamerican civilisations including the Teotihuacan and the Zapotec
Itinerary Outline
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Day 1
Arrival in Mexico City
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Day 2
Mexico City
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Day 3
Mexico City
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Day 4
Mexico City / Oaxaca
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Day 5
Oaxaca
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Day 6
Oaxaca / Merida
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Day 7
Merida
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Day 8
Merida / Chichen Itza
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Day 9
Chichen Itza / Tulum
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Day 10
Tulum
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Day 11
Departure from Tulum
Itinerary
Arrival in Mexico City
Transfer: Airport to Hotel
You will be transferred to your accommodation for the night.
Mexico City
Best of Mexico City
Step into the city’s historic center (UNESCO) at Zocalo. Admire the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, the lively Avenida Francisco I. Madero and the dazzling Palace of Fine Arts, which seamlessly blends Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. Visit the National Museum of Anthropology to uncover a vast collection of Mesoamerican artefacts, housed within a renowned architectural building by Pedro Ramirez Vasquez.
Evening Folklorico Ballet
Featuring over 70 choreographic pieces founded by Amalia Hernandez, the folkloric ballet represents the finest of Mexican culture and folklore through artistic representations that has captured the hearts of people worldwide.
Mexico City
Echoes of Teotihuacan
Journey approximately 75 minutes to the monumental ruins of Teotihuacan (UNESCO). Walk along the colossal Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, as well as the legendary Avenue of the Dead, as you uncover temples, palaces and murals which reveal the rituals, beliefs and daily lives of the Teotihuacano civilization.
Mexico City / Oaxaca
Transfer: Mexico City to Oaxaca
You will be driven approximately 45 minutes to the airport for your flight to Oaxaca. Upon arrival, you will be driven approximately 30 minutes to your accommodation.
Oaxaca
Monte Alban: Empires Above the Valley
Journey to the remarkable ruins of Monte Alban (UNESCO), one of the earliest great cities of Zapotec civilization in Mesoamerica. Perched dramatically atop a flattened mountain overlooking the Oaxaca Valley, this ancient capital once commanded political, economic, and spiritual influence across the region. You will also explore the historic Zocalo de Oaxaca (UNESCO), from its bustling central square to its largest central market where you will gain insights into different local handicrafts.
Oaxaca / Merida
Transfer: Oaxaca to Merida
You will be driven approximately 30 minutes to the Oaxaca airport, where you will board your flight to Merida. Upon arrival, you will be transferred approximately 20 minutes to your accommodation for the night.
Merida
Legends of Uxmal & Merida
Step into the ancient Maya world at Uxmal (UNESCO), renowned for its rounded architecture and intricate stone latticework. Uncover the legends surrounding the towering Pyramid of the Magician and the Maya cosmology in the Nuns’ Quadrangle. Stroll through the elegant city of Merida, including the lively Plaza Grande, the imposing Merida Cathedral, the Monument of the Homeland, as well as the stately Paseo de Montejo with its grand colonial edifices.
Merida / Chichen Itza
Transfer: Merida to Chichen Itza with Sightseeing
You will be driven 75 minutes to Izamal for sightseeing, followed by another 1 hour to Chichen Itza.
Pueblo Magico of Izamal
Listed in UNESCO’s tentative heritage list, Izamal is known as the “Yellow City” and believed to be the largest Mayan city of the northern Yucatan Peninsula. You will visit the impressive Convento de San Antonio de Padua built atop the base of an ancient Mayan pyramid, as well as its expansive atrium—one of the largest in the Americas!
Chichen Itza / Tulum
Transfer: Chichen Itza to Tulum with Sightseeing
You will be transferred to Tulum with sightseeing along the way.
Chichen Itza, Sacred Cenotes & Valladolid
Explore the legendary Chichen Itza (UNESCO): the Temple of the warriors, the Great Ball Court, and the iconic El Castillo (Pyramid of Kukulkan). Uncover the Maya cosmology, religion, as well as their profound understanding of life and death. Visit the magical sinkhole of Cenote Dzit Nup hidden within a mystical underground chamber, with its dramatic stalactites hanging from the rock ceiling as a shaft of sunlight pierces through the small opening. Let us whisk you to the colonial town of Valladolid with its elegant Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.
Tulum
Tulum at Leisure
Today is free at leisure for you to enjoy the beach, the beautiful surroundings, and/or the accommodation facilities. Alternatively, we are also happy to tailor-make excursions to visit the archaeological sites near Tulum, the unique Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, or arrange snorkelling with turtles at Akumal at an additional fee.
Departure from Tulum
Transfer: Tulum to Cancun Airport
You will be driven approximately 2 hours to Cancun airport for your onwards journey.
Hotels & Tour Price
Includes
- Accommodation as stated on twin sharing basis
- Meals as stated
- Tours as stated in private basis with English speaking guide
- Transfers as stated
Excludes
- Airfares and airport taxes
- Beverages where meals are included
- Travel insurance
- Visa (if required)
- Personal expenses such as gratuities, telephone, spa