Great Mexico

Descrizione

Programma

Day 1:
Mexico City
Arrival at Mexico City International Airport and transfer to hotel. Accommodation.

Day 2:
Mexico City
American breakfast in hotel and city tour that includes: Plaza de la Constitución (The Constitution Plaza) known as Zócalo, surrounded by beautiful baroque buildings, among which is the Cathedral (the country’s largest religious monument built over the great Aztec temple). The Palacio Nacional (National Palace), headquarter of the Presidency of Mexico, only visible externally. One of the main and most recently discovered attractions is the Templo Mayor, the great temple of the Aztec capital. Brief stop at the Guadalupe Shrine.
The tour continues to Teotihuacán, named by the Aztecs as “the place where the Gods are born”. This location includes three great constructions: The Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon and the Citadel; all of them were built over the so called “Calzada de los Muertos” (Road of the Dead). Lunch in restaurant. Return to Mexico City and accommodation.

Day 3:
Mexico City - Puebla - Oaxaca (474 km)
Departure by bus to the beautiful and colonial city of Puebla; visit of the Santo Domingo church, where it is possible to visit the Rosario Chapel, one of the biggest works of Mexican Baroque art. In the afternoon the tour proceeds to Oaxaca by bus. Arrival and accommodation in the hotel.

Day 4:
Oaxaca
Day dedicated to the city of Oaxaca and Monte Alban.
In the morning visit of the famous archeological site of Monte Alban, ceremonial center built on a hill and rich in pyramids, tombs and sunken reliefs.
In the afternoon return to Oaxaca and visit of the city known as the “Patriots Cradle” that includes the Zocalo, where the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Church are ubicated; then continue to the old Santa Catalina from Siena friary and to the local market, one of the most typical of the region. Return to hotel and accommodation.

Day 5:
Oaxaca - Santiago Matatlán - Tuxtla Gutiérrez (567 km)
Depart to Santiago Matatlan, located 1 hour from Oaxaca; Santiago Matatlan is know as "the capital of Mezcal". Visit of a Palenque, Mezcal workshop, where will be possible to see the traditional process of production of this famous beverage that everyday is gaining international popularity. The tour continues to Tehuantepec (4 hours) for lunch. In the afternoon proceed to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, capital of the State of Chiapas (5 hours). Arrival and accommodation in hotel.

Day 6:
Tuxtla Gutiérrez - San Cristóbal de las Casas (68 km)
Transfer to the Cahuaré wharf to enjoy a launch boat trip through the Cañón del Sumidero (Sumidero Canyon); the altitude and the beauty of the place will make the experience unforgettable. Lunch in restaurant. Afterwards, continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 7:
San Cristóbal de las Casas
In the morning visit one of the most typical local markets where hundreds of Indigenous people sell their hand-made products every day; the tour continues to the Baroque Santo Domingo Church founded in 1547. Then visitors will meet the Indigenous communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán; the San Juan Chamula community is particularly linked to this church where ceremonies were celebrated that have a great influence of paganism. The Indigenous population of Zinacantan, on the other hand is very loyal to the Catholic faith. Also you can taste a delicious “Tortilla” made by yourself and enjoy a shot of “Pox”, an ancient Mayan elixir! Return to San Cristóbal and accommodation.

Day 8:
San Cristóbal de las Casas - Palenque (191 km)
Coffee station in the hotel and early departure to Palenque with a stop in Ocosingo to have breakfast in a local restaurant and at the Agua Azul (Blue Water) waterfalls; the trip will last approximately 5 hours on a mountain road and on the road the visitors can enjoy the abudant vegetation of this Chiapanecan (from the State of Chiapas) zone. Arrival at Palenque and check-in at the hotel.

Day 9:
Palenque - Campeche (362 km)
Visit of the Palenque archaeological site. The area displays beautiful Mayan work made in stone and stucco; this area is frequently recognized as one of Mexico’s most beautiful places due to its ruins enclosed in the Chiapanecan jungle. Its most important temple is called Templo de las Inscripciones (Temple of the Inscriptions), and here the explorers discovered Pakal’s tomb with his famous jade mask. Then continue to Campeche, which is the capital of the Campeche State. Lunch in restaurant on route. Upon arrival to Campeche, short visit to the ancient town, surrounded by fort walls and towers built to protect this city from the pirates. Campeche keeps a Colonial mood thanks to its gorgeous houses and austere churches. After visiting the city, check-in at the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 10:
Campeche - Uxmal - Mérida (169 km)
Departure to Mérida with visit of the Uxmal archaeological site on route. Uxmal means “built in three stages” and it is a typical example of the classic and post-classic Mayan period; its main constructions are: Pirámide del Adivino (The Fortuneteller’s Pyramid), Palacio de los Gobernadores (Governor’s Palace) and the Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (Quadrangle of the Nuns). Lunch at restaurant. The tour continues to Mérida, also known as the “White City”, which has Colonial houses as well as houses that date from the beginning of the century in Arabic, French and Italian styles. Those houses have witnessed all the old wealth that was generated thanks to the sisal culture. Stop at Mérida’s Zócalo, where visitors can admire the city’s main monuments: the Cathedral, the Government’s Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Francisco Montejo’s House. Check-in at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 11:
Mérida - Riviera Maya (309 kms)
Departure to visit Chichén Itzá archaeological site. Chichén Itzá was the Mayan capital of Yucatán and flourished between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. Visitors can admire the impressive buildings of the northern and central archaeological sites, such as: the Kukulcán Temple, the Ball Game, the Observatory, the Warrior’s Temple, the Convent of the Nuns and the Sacred Cenote. Lunch at Chichén Itzá in restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to Riviera Maya, visiting Cenote Saamal on route, with some time for a refreshing swim. Arrival and accommodation in the hotel, in All Inclusive treatment.

Day 12:
Riviera Maya
Transfer to the Cancun International airport.

La quota include

- Hotels mentioned in the program or similar accommodations
- American breakfast in every hotel – 6 lunches as specified and All Inclusive treatment in the hotel Barcelò Maya Beach
- Restaurant fees and tips
- Entry to the archaeological sites and museums mentioned in the program
- Porter service in airports and hotels

La quota non include

- Dinners or other meals not mentioned in the program
- Beverages and extras in hotels and restaurants
- Tips to drivers and/or tour guides
- International airport taxes
- Immigration fees for each entry and stay in Mexico
- Final day: Transfer to any destination in Cancún or other hotels in Riviera Maya

Itinerario

Sistemazioni previste in ciascuna località