DAY 1, Friday – Depart for Mexico
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico City, Mexico. Transfer to the hotel. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM
Overnight: Mexico City

DAY 2, Saturday – Mexico City, Museum of Anthropology, Xochimilco
The morning starts with a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology. Learn from the vast collection of archaeological treasures from pre-Hispanic civilizations before continuing to Xochimilco. The floating gardens or “Chinampas” of Xochimilco have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After returning to the hotel the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by dinner
Overnight: Mexico City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday – Mexico City, Teotihuacan, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Begin the day in the city center to view the famous murals of Diego Rivera inside the grand National Palace. Continue to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Stop for lunch on the way to Teotihuacán, the archaeological site that was once the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. Visit the Jaguar Temple before continuing to the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Avenue of the Dead flanked by temples and palaces. Spend the evening at leisure
Overnight: Mexico City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4, Monday – Colonial Puebla
Leaving the city head for the colonial town of Puebla. En route you may view the towering snow-capped volcanoes of La Malinche, Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Arrive in the Centro Historico de Puebla. Admire views of the cathedral, a wealth of beautiful churches, and more than 1,000 colonial buildings adorned with the Talavera ceramic tiles for which the city is famous. Following lunch, the afternoon is on your own to explore
Overnight: Puebla
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Tuesday – Romantic Veracruz
This morning, continue your journey to Veracruz, founded by the conquistador Hernan Cortes upon his landing in the early 1500s. After lunch, take a walking tour of the downtown. The evening is yours to enjoy the main plaza
Overnight: Veracruz
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Wednesday – La Venta Park, Palenque
On the long drive from Veracruz to Palenque stop in Villahermosa’s outdoor La Venta park where you view the displayed giant Olmec heads from the settlement of La Venta. The Olmecs are known as the earliest major civilization in Mesoamerica. Continue to the town of Palenque and check into the hotel
Overnight: Palenque
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Thursday – Palenque, a National Treasure
Today, visit the temples of Palenque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your tour, see the highlights of this site, including the Temple of the Cross Group, the Temple of Inscriptions and the Grand Palace. It was here that archaeologists discovered the tomb of the Mayan King Pakal. Visit the museum before returning to your hotel. Dinner this evening is a gastronomic experience in pre-Hispanic fusion cuisine
Overnight: Palenque
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Friday – Historic Campeche
Depart this morning for the UNESCO World Heritage city of Campeche. Stop for lunch before arriving to the port town originally built as a walled fort to thwart pirate attacks. Take a walking tour this afternoon of the colonial-era city with its Baroque Spanish architecture. Spend the evening at leisure
Overnight: Campeche
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Saturday – Uxmal, Merida
Today, visit the archaeological site of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to 600 AD. Examples of Puuc style architecture can be seen at the terraced Governor’s Palace with its 20,000 intricately carved stones that create an image of fine lace. Here, you also view the majestic Pyramid of the Magician and the four rectangular buildings of the Nunnery Quadrangle. After lunch, continue to Mérida for an orientation walk of the Centro Historico. The rest of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Merida
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Sunday – Explore Merida
Today’s exploration of the city begins at the Plaza de la Independencia, bordered by the fortress like 16th century Merida Cathedral that was built using relics from ancient Mayan temples. See the city’s distinctive architecture as you arrive at the 15th century Casa Montejo. Walk to Palacio de Gobierno and view the collection of murals depicting the conquest of the Yucatan. Later, meet a local family in their home. Share a home-cooked dinner and hear about local customs and daily life in Merida
Overnight: Merida
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Monday – Travel to Chichen Itza
Continue exploring the Yucatan’s ancient and colonial towns today with a visit to Izamal, one of Mexico’s “Pueblos Magicos” or Magical Towns. After lunch, stroll the central square, a colonial gem, with its rows of colorful historic buildings, before continuing to Chichén Itzá
Overnight: Chichén Itzá
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Tuesday – Chichen Itza, Cancun
Today, rise early to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. This metropolis, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the principal ceremonial center of the Yucatan. Learn about the history of Chichén Itzá and the unusual beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient Mayan civilization. Later, travel to Cancun, Mexico’s resort city bordering the Caribbean Sea. The rest of the day is at leisure. This evening, bid adios to your Tour Manager at dinner
Overnight: Cancun
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Wednesday – Depart Mexico
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast