Aztecs and Mayas Exploration

Upon arrival at Mexico City International Airport, our tour representative will welcome you and assist with your shared transfer to the hotel. After check-in, the remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure. You may choose to begin exploring the vibrant city or simply relax and make use of the hotel’s facilities. Be sure to rest well, as your adventure begins in earnest tomorrow. Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast, we will meet you at the hotel at 8.00 am to begin the day’s exploration at the Zócalo, Mexico City’s main square. Here, you will see the impressive Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, both central to the city’s history and governance. Next, we visit the National Anthropology Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of artefacts spanning 35,000 years. Our guided tour covers 11 sections dedicated to various eras and civilisations, including the renowned Aztec Sunstone, Olmec sculptures, and Mayan murals. The museum’s scale models of pre-colonial cities provide a fascinating insight into the architectural achievements of ancient Mexico. After the tour, we return to the hotel. In the evening, adults can enjoy dinner at Bellini’s, a revolving restaurant offering panoramic city views. Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the well-preserved ruins of Teotihuacan, once a major pre-Hispanic city whose influence shaped later cultures such as the Aztecs. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead towards the impressive Pyramid of the Sun, which at 2,000 years old is the third largest pyramid in the world. Take in the vast scale of this ancient city and enjoy some free time to explore the site further or climb one of the pyramids for panoramic views. On the return journey to Mexico City, we stop at the renowned Guadalupe shrine to visit both the old and new basilicas. Once back at the hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore at your leisure.

After breakfast, we transfer you to Mexico City Airport for your flight to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (airfare not included). You should arrive at Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport by 1pm at the latest, where a tour representative will meet you. From there, we head to Sumidero Canyon, a striking natural gorge carved over millions of years by the Grijalva River. During a two-hour boat tour along the canyon, you’ll witness the towering cliffs draped in lush vegetation and spot local wildlife such as crocodiles, monkeys and various bird species. After the boat trip, we continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas, arriving late afternoon for check-in at your hotel.

After breakfast, we visit San Juan Chamula, known for its distinctive whitewashed church adorned with colourful decorations and a pine-scented, candlelit interior. Here, you can observe traditional religious ceremonies performed by the local Tzotzil Maya community. The town’s residents maintain their language and wear traditional clothing—men in tunics called 'chujes' and women in embroidered blouses known as 'huipils'. Chamula is also renowned for its skilled weavers, and the local shops and markets offer a wide variety of handcrafted textiles. Returning to San Cristóbal de las Casas, you will have the afternoon at leisure. We suggest exploring the baroque Santo Domingo church and its vibrant art and food markets, where you can appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the region’s Maya peoples.

We will collect you from the hotel early this morning to begin our journey to Palenque. Enjoy breakfast en route as we travel north-east towards some of Chiapas’s most stunning waterfalls. Be sure to bring your swimsuit, as you’ll have the chance to swim in one of the natural pools with striking blue water. This area offers a refreshing break amid impressive natural surroundings. After spending time admiring the waterfalls and enjoying a swim, we continue to Palenque, arriving in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Palenque.

After breakfast, we visit the Temples of Palenque, an exceptional archaeological site showcasing some of the finest examples of Mayan architecture. Our guided tour highlights intricate sculptures, roof combs and bas-relief carvings, including the impressive Temple of Inscriptions, which stands nearly 23 metres tall and houses the tomb of a Maya ruler discovered in the 1950s. Palenque was once a vast city-state covering almost 60 square kilometres, though only around 5 to 10 per cent has been excavated to date. Over 200 structures have been uncovered, with the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace, the Temple of the Count and the Temple of the Cross among the most notable. After the tour, we continue to Campeche, where you will check in to your hotel for the evening.

After breakfast, we begin with a panoramic drive through Campeche’s historic centre, taking in its charming colonial houses, arcades and churches. We then explore on foot, visiting key sights such as the old city walls and St Francis’ Cathedral. Leaving Campeche behind, we continue to the remarkable archaeological site of Uxmal. This UNESCO World Heritage Site emerges above the jungle canopy, offering a guided tour of its well-preserved structures. Highlights include the 35-metre Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor’s Palace with its intricate roof decorations, and the partially excavated Great Pyramid. Later, we visit Mérida, a striking colonial city, where we take a panoramic tour of its main attractions, including the residential district, the monument to the homeland, and Montejo Avenue. We spend the night in Mérida.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out for a day at the Cenotes de Cuzamá (Santa Bárbara). Here, we will visit three of the most stunning cenotes in Yucatán, part of the remarkable semicircular formation known as the “Cenote Ring.” This natural alignment of over 100 cenotes is linked to the impact of an asteroid some 65 million years ago, an event that shaped the region’s landscape and ecosystem. At the site, we will explore the geological history, the local environment, and the significant role cenotes played in Maya culture. You will have the opportunity to swim—and if you wish, snorkel—in the clear, refreshing waters of these unique natural sinkholes. After the visit, we will pause for lunch before returning to Mérida for the evening.

After breakfast, we journey into the heart of the Yucatán rainforest to explore the legendary Maya city of Chichen Itza, recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Discover the rich history of the Maya civilisation as you take in the impressive scale and design of this ancient site. Marvel at the 25-metre Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo, which embodies the Maya calendar and creates a striking serpent illusion during the equinoxes. Visit the Great Ball Court—the largest of its kind—alongside the Skull Platform, where the remains of sacrificial victims were once displayed, and the Sacred Cenote, a site of ritual offerings. After a traditional lunch, we continue to Cancun or the Riviera Maya, where you will be dropped off at your chosen hotel for your onward stay.