Welcome to Mexico City, the economic, industrial and cultural centre of Mexico! Sprawling across a valley, encircled by volcanoes and mountains and atop an ancient Aztec civilisation, Mexico City is North America's highest city and one of the world's most densely populated. With a long and fascinating history that runs from ancient native civilisations through to the invasion of the Conquistadors and subsequent colonial rule, Mexico City boasts an array of fascinating sights and attractions.

Upon arrival, we will be met and transferred to our hotel.

We begin the day with a tour of bustling Mexico City. Our sightseeing will include the main city square – Plaza de la Constitucion or the Zócalo. The plaza is constructed from the stones of ancient palaces and temples and said to be the second largest in the world after Moscow’s Red Square. The Zócalo is bordered by the Cathedral to the north and the National Palace to the east. In the centre of the plaza is an enormous Mexican Flag which is ceremoniously raised and lowered each day and carried into the National Palace. We venture inside the National Palace to view the famous Diego Rivera murals.

This afternoon we visit Xochimilco, a borough famous for its canals and hundreds of colourfully decorated boats - trajineras. Here we will experience the last remnants of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs.

Afterwards we’ll stop to explore a colourful arts and crafts market before we return to our hotel.

In the evening we’ll meet for a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast we travel to the nearby site of Teotihuácan, considered to be one of the most impressive and mysterious archaeological sites in Mexico. The city was established in 100BC and the name Teotihuácan roughly translates as ‘Birthplace of the Gods’.

Here we’ll marvel at the magnificent structures built in the pre-Columbian Americas, including the Temples of the Sun and the Moon. These are the largest buildings within Teotihuácan, with the Temple of the Sun rising 66 metres above ground level and the Temple of the Moon rising 43 metres.

After lunch at a local restaurant we visit the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, or 'Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe'. This Roman Catholic Church and shrine, arguably the most important Christian site in Latin America, was built near the location where Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, and houses the original apron of Juan Diego that shows the icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe – we’ll be able to see this famous image.

This morning we depart Mexico City and travel to Puebla, famous for its Baroque-style churches, local ceramics and delectable dishes, including the spicy Mole Poblano sauce. Puebla was the main colonial city of Mexico. It has had many names over the years including 'City of Angels' and 'City of Tiles'. The historic downtown area remains a Spanish colonial treasure, filled with 17th and 18th century European architecture with beautiful tiles adorning the many churches and buildings.

We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant here, before we continue to Oaxaca.

Today we discover magical Oaxaca (pronounced wah-hah-kah). With a vibrant and colourful arts scene, unique cuisine and a colonial city centre, this town is definitely a highlight of our journey across Mexico.

Highlights of our walking city tour include the Church of Santo Domingo, Oaxaca’s pedestrian street, the Cathedral, the Theatre Macedonio Alcala (outside only) and the House of Cortés (outside only). We’ll also visit the Temple of San Juan de Dios, the Government Palace with its impressive murals, the local markets and El Mayordomo chocolate store.

This afternoon we tour the scenic region surrounding Oaxaca and visit the large pre-Columbian archaeological site of Monte Alban. Situated on a mountain 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley, Monte Alban was once the spiritual capital of more than 30,000 Zapotecs. The ruins extend over the peaks of three mountain ranges that converge in Oaxaca's central valley at an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level. These mountain ranges are some of the most spectacular natural wonders in all of Mexico.

This morning we travel southeast to Mitla, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Oaxaca region. It is home to textile merchants and a great number of mezcal producers and vendors.

On the way we visit the ‘Árbol del Tule’ - an enormous tree with a circumference of over 48 metres at its base. The tree is between 1,500 and 3,000 years old and considered to be the oldest tree in the world. We also stop at a mezcal factory and Teotitlan del Valle, a famous weaving village with a tradition that dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Once we arrive in Mitla we’ll stroll through the quaint, narrow and colourful streets and have lunch.

This afternoon we continue the journey to Tehuantepec.

Awaken early this morning in the city of Tehuantepec, famous for its beautiful embroidered traditional dress – a style adopted by the artist Frida Kahlo.
We’ll take a scenic drive to the Sumidero Canyon near Chiapa de Corzo and explore this impressive canyon by boat. Marvel at the walls that soar up to a kilometre high at certain points.

After enjoying lunch, we continue to the charming town of San Cristóbal de las Casas.

San Cristóbal is a colonial village characterised by its white stucco walls and red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, narrow sidewalks, elegant arcades and open plazas. Surrounding the town are many smaller villages of Mayan-speaking Indians. There’s great variety and diversity in their language, dress and customs, making this area one of the most fascinating in Mexico.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll return to San Cristóbal and learn more about the town on a tour.

Enjoy the scenic drive through the lush green valleys as we head back down the mountain to Palenque. Along the way we stop to admire and enjoy lunch at the beautiful Agua Azul waterfalls, a series of cascading waterfalls with stunning blue water.

We’ll then continue our journey to Palenque.

Awaken in the ancient Mayan city of Palenque. With its superb jungle setting and exquisite architecture, is one of the marvels of Mexico. Palenque was first occupied around 100 BC, but it flourished from about 600 to 700 AD.

Our morning is dedicated to exploring this archaeological city, which boasts several magnificent pyramids and the well-preserved Bell Tower. The pyramid structures feature intricate and very fine stucco and carved bas reliefs depicting mythical and historical events relating to the reign of the Mayan ruler, Lord Pacal, and his descendants. Palenque’s 500 buildings are spread over 15 square kilometres, but only a few have been excavated.

This afternoon we travel to the beautiful Spanish colonial city of Campeche. Founded in 1540, the city retains some of the walls which once protected it from pirates and buccaneers.

An incredible morning visiting the Mayan site of Uxmal. Uxmal is considered the most important of all Mayan sites. The complex of ruins here represents the pinnacle of late Mayan art and architecture of the Puuc region, believed to have been built between 700 and 1,000 AD.

After lunch we make our way to historic Merida, the cultural capital of the Yucatán State. Merida is a cosmopolitan town that still conserves its provincial, colonial atmosphere with its narrow streets and broad central plazas, hence its nickname as the ‘White City’. We stop at the Zócalo and visit the Cathedral (outside only), the Government Palace, the Town Hall (outside only) and the House of Montejo, before checking in to our hotel.

Today we visit the Celestún Biosphere Reserve. Spanning more than 146,000 acres across the north-western tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, the Reserve is home to mangrove forests, crocodiles and more than 300 species of wild birds! We enjoy a guided boat tour here, allowing us to admire the abundant birdlife and search for its famous flamingos.

After lunch we’ll return to Merida.

This morning we visit Chichén Itzá, the famous Mayan archaeological site home to the enormous pyramid of Kukulkan. This 27 metre tall pyramid was built from the 8th to 12th centuries directly upon the foundations of previous temples. The architecture of the pyramid encodes precise information regarding the Mayan calendar.

After lunch we travel to the resort town of Playa del Carmen and check into our hotel.

Playa del Carmen is one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s hotspots. It offers amazing reefs that are excellent for diving and snorkelling, and home to rays, moray eels, sea turtles and a huge variety of corals. Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) is the main pedestrian thoroughfare and is full of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops.

Today is at leisure to explore this city or relax and unwind.

This evening we’ll enjoy a group farewell dinner at La Parrilla, a traditional Mexican grill.

Today marks the end of our adventure through Mexico. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!