Discover Mexico's Cultural and Scenic Wonders

Welcome to Mexico City. We’ll transfer you to your hotel on arrival — the rest of the day is free, so you can settle in or explore at your own pace. Our guide will contact you in the late afternoon.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

After breakfast, we head to the Plaza of the Three Cultures, where pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern Mexico meet. We then continue to Teotihuacan – 40 km from the capital, entrance included – to explore the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl, the Citadel and the Avenue of the Dead. We also visit a local artisan centre. On the way back to the city, we stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe – patroness of Latin America. After returning to the hotel, you have the rest of the day free.

After breakfast we leave Mexico City for the state of Morelos and the Pueblo Mágico of Tepoztlán – a spiritual and wellness destination set against verdant hills with a small pyramid at the summit. You’ll have free time to wander the streets or browse the artisan market. We then continue to Cuernavaca, the state capital known as the City of Eternal Spring, with roots in prehispanic times and later a retreat for Aztec nobility and the colonial Spanish elite. We’ll take in the historic centre – including the Palace of Hernán Cortés and the cathedral – and you’ll have free time for lunch. In the afternoon we travel on to Taxco in the state of Guerrero, a picturesque mountain town famed for its silver craftsmanship, cobbled lanes and whitewashed houses. You’ll have time to explore before settling in for the night.

After breakfast in Taxco, we travel through the mountains towards the state capital of Guerrero, then continue to the Pacific coast. We arrive in Acapulco, renowned for its beaches and striking coastal scenery. You’ll have free time to enjoy its popular beach – you can swim and choose a restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, we include entrance and a visit to the Fort of San Diego – a 17th–century fortress built to protect the city from pirate attacks. After the visit, we transfer you to the hotel – the rest of the day is free to relax.

After breakfast, we continue along the Pacific coast for 230 km to Zihuatanejo – a relaxed seaside town that began as a fishing village and still retains its charm, with cobbled streets and pristine beaches. We include a 10–minute boat ride to Playa Las Gatas – accessible only by sea – where you can swim, unwind and have lunch at one of the many restaurants. We then return by boat, settle into the accommodation and you have the rest of the day free. Please note that during peak season accommodation in Zihuatanejo may be limited – in this case we may depart in the late afternoon to stay in the city of Lázaro Cárdenas.

We leave Zihuatanejo and travel inland as the scenery shifts towards the green mountains of Michoacán. Our first stop is Lake Pátzcuaro, where we board a boat for a 30–minute crossing to Janitzio, an island inhabited by the Purépecha community, known for preserving its traditions and distinctive butterfly–net fishing. You’ll have time to choose a local restaurant for lunch, stroll the traditional streets and, if you wish, climb to the statue of José María Morelos. We then return by boat to Pátzcuaro – a beautiful colonial town with pre–Hispanic roots, notable architecture and lively artisan markets.

We depart Pátzcuaro for Morelia, capital of Michoacán – a UNESCO World Heritage city celebrated for its pink-stone architecture and elegant historic centre. Its highlights include the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and the University of Morelia, founded in 1540, and you’ll have free time to stroll and choose a spot for lunch. En route to Guadalajara, we stop in Tlaquepaque, a Pueblo Mágico known for mariachi music, live performances, artisan shops and excellent local cuisine. We then continue to Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco – regarded as the birthplace of mariachi and tequila – arriving in the late afternoon.

This morning we explore Guadalajara – a modern metropolis with a colonial heart. We tour the historic centre, taking in the cathedral, the market and Plaza Tapatía, and we visit the UNESCO–listed Hospicio Cabañas. After the visit, we continue to the town of Tequila, where we include entrance to the Mundo Cuervo distillery to see how this famous Mexican drink is made – tasting included. You then have free time to stroll and have lunch in Tequila before we return to Guadalajara.

Today we travel into the state of Guanajuato, arriving around midday. In the afternoon we include a guided city tour of this beautiful university city – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – exploring its steep hills, narrow streets and notable churches. We also include a cable car ride up to the El Pípila viewpoint to enjoy panoramic views over the city.

We travel through the mountains from Guanajuato to Dolores Hidalgo – the birthplace of Mexican independence. We then visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, also known as the Sanctuary of God and Country and recognised as a World Heritage Site – please note that interior access may be restricted during retreats. Afterwards, we explore San Miguel de Allende, a World Heritage city celebrated for its colonial architecture and cobbled streets, where you’ll have time to stroll at your own pace. Later, we continue to Querétaro, known for its elegant colonial centre, Plaza de Armas and lively restaurants and pedestrian streets.

We depart from Queretaro for Tula, where we include entrance and a visit to the archaeological site – the former Toltec capital. We’ll see the striking Atlantes, warrior figures standing around four metres tall, and explore pyramids, palaces and carved columns that showcase this pre–Hispanic civilisation.We then continue to Puebla for a panoramic tour of this historic city – renowned for its gastronomy, colonial architecture and distinctive pottery – taking in its impressive Renaissance style cathedral and lively Zócalo. After the visit, we travel on to Mexico City, arriving at around 8.30 pm.

We include breakfast this morning. After that, our services conclude – transfers from the hotel to the airport are not included.