Experience the magic of Mexico on this 13-day guided journey that includes a scenic ride aboard the new Maya Train. From the vibrant heart of Mexico City to the lush landscapes of Chiapas, discover a rich blend of ancient civilizations, colonial charm, and natural beauty. Explore the iconic ruins of Teotihuacan, sail through the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon, and delve into Mayan history in Palenque, Uxmal, and Chichen Itza. Continue your adventure aboard the Maya Train as you travel to the laid-back coastal town of Tulum, where jungle meets turquoise sea. With a mix of guided tours and free time, this itinerary offers a complete and unforgettable taste of Mexico’s cultural heritage and scenic wonders.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Mexico City: This enormous capital city maintains its colonial charm while offering a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere.
Teotihuacan: Behold the vast scale of this well-preserved ancient city dominated by the 2,000-year-old Pyramid of the Sun.
Sumidero Canyon: Marvel at the towering 1,000-metre-high cliffs and lush canyon walls as you cruise through this dramatic natural wonder carved by the Grijalva River.
Campeche: Stroll through this charming colonial city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with pastel-colored mansions, fortified walls, and cobbled streets steeped in pirate-era history.
Uxmal: Admire the Pyramid of the Magician at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where ornate architecture rises dramatically above the jungle.
Merida: Wander the elegant 19th-century boulevards of Yucatán’s lively capital, rich in history, culture, and colonial charm.
Chichen Itza: Step into the world of ancient Maya civilisation at this legendary archaeological site, crowned by the majestic Temple of Kukulkán.
Tulum: Renowned for its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. This "Pueblo Mágico" offers a combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Maya Train: Journey in comfort through the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula aboard the Maya Train, an innovative railway linking ancient Maya sites with vibrant modern destinations. Enjoy scenic views of jungles, villages, and historic landmarks as you travel in style, experiencing the region’s cultural and natural richness from a unique and sustainable perspective.
Day 1: ARRIVAL MEXICO CITY
After your plane lands at Mexico City International Airport, our tour representative will meet and greet you before assisting with your shared transfer to the hotel. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. If you're eager to start exploring, head out and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Mexico City. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to unwind after your journey, relax at the hotel and take advantage of its services. Either way, be sure to get plenty of rest as your adventure begins tomorrow.
Overnight in Mexico City.
Day 2: MEXICO CITY: CITY TOUR & ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel at 8.00 am to take you to visit the ‘Zocalo’ – the city’s main square. Here you’ll find the cathedral and presidential palace. Later, visit the National Anthropology Museum, which houses a priceless collection of artefacts, some 35,000 years old. Enjoy a guided tour of this facility featuring 11 sections dedicated to different eras and civilisations. Perhaps the most famous exhibit is the Aztec sunstone, but Olmec sculptures and Mayan murals have not lost their beauty after all these centuries. The scale models of pre-colonial cities offer an insight into the architectural feats of these ancient people despite the rudimentary technologies at their disposal. Return to the hotel and in the evening enjoy dinner at Bellini's (adults only).
Overnight in Mexico City.
Day 3: MEXICO CITY – TEOTIHUACAN – MEXICO CITY (100 Km – 2 hrs)
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel. Having observed artefacts from the different civilizations that inhabited Mexico before the arrival of the Spaniards, it is now time to visit the remnants of one at the well-preserved ruins of Teotihuacan. Ancient Teotihuacan appears to have gone into decline in the sixth century but its influence on later civilizations such as the Aztecs cannot be doubted. Transport yourself back in time as you stroll along the Avenue of the Dead towards the imposing 2,000-year-old Pyramid of the Sun, the third largest in the world, and be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this once vast city. At the end of the visit, there is some free time to explore the site and climb one of the colossal pyramids to take in the panoramic views. We then return to the city, stopping at the famous Guadalupe shrine to visit both the old and new basilicas. Return to the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Mexico City.
Day 4: CIUDAD DE MEXICO – TUXTLA GUTIERREZ – SUMIDERO CANYON – SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS (70km – 2 hrs)
Today breakfast at the hotel is followed by a transfer to Mexico City Airport, where you’ll catch a flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez (airfare not included). You should land at Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport at 13:00 at the latest. There, a tour representative will meet and greet you before taking you to the Sumidero Canyon, one of Mexico’s most outstanding natural attractions. This spectacular gorge carved into the earth over millions of years by the River Grijalva has to be one of Mother Nature’s least celebrated masterpieces. This makes visiting it even more exciting. During a two-hour boat tour along the imposing canyon bed, you will be able to appreciate just how deep this ravine gorge is. Find yourself dwarfed by the sheer scale of its high walls, which are covered in a thick coat of vegetation. Admire the beautiful wildlife, including crocodiles, monkeys and birds, and the wide range of flora in the surrounding rainforests. After the boat ride, continue to San Cristobal de las Casas, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel late in the afternoon.
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 5: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS – SAN JUAN CHAMULA AND ZINACANTAN – SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS (30km – 1.5 hrs)
After breakfast, head out to visit San Juan Chamula, famed for its whitewashed cathedral with colourful ornamentation and pine-scented, candlelit interior. Here you can observe the religious rituals that the locals perform. The town is almost entirely inhabited by Tzotzil Maya, who apart from speaking their own language also have distinctive clothing, with the men wearing tunics called 'chujes' and the women favouring blouses known as' huipils'. Chamula is renowned for the quality of its weavers and the local shops and markets offer a great variety. Upon your return to San Cristobal, spend the afternoon at leisure. We recommend visiting the baroque church of Santo Domingo as well as its colourful art and food markets, where you can admire the clothes of the Maya cultures that inhabit the region.
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 6: SAN CRISTOBAL – WATERFALLS – PALENQUE (230km – 5.5 hrs)
We will collect you from the hotel early in the morning, ready to begin your trip to Palenque. Enjoy your breakfast en route as we begin travelling north-east towards the beautiful waterfalls in Chiapas, perhaps some of the most impressive waterfalls in the world! Don't forget your swimsuit today, as you will have the opportunity to take a dip in one of the natural pools with bright blue water. This fascinating area of natural beauty is a wonderful place to relax and refresh yourself. After spending some time admiring the waterfalls and swimming, we will continue our journey to the city of Palenque, where we will arrive in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight in Palenque.
Day 7: PALENQUE – CAMPECHE (360km – 4.5 hrs)
Today’s breakfast will be followed by a visit to the Temples of Palenque. This archaeological site boasts some of the finest examples of Mayan architecture, including sculptures, roof combs and bas-relief carvings. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the premises, admiring its beauty and learning interesting information. The impressive Temple of Inscriptions, which reaches a height of almost 23 metres, is where the tomb of the Maya ruler was found and excavated in the early 1950s. In its heyday, Palenque was a sprawling city-state that spanned almost 60 square kilometres. However, archaeologists estimate that they have excavated only 5-10% of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. So far, over 200 structures have been unearthed, with the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace, the Temple of the Count and the Temple of the Cross being the most prominent. At the end of the tour, continue to Campeche and check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Campeche.
Day 8: CAMPECHE – UXMAL – MERIDA (250km – 3.5 hrs)
Today, after breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a panoramic tour of this historic coastal city, driving through the heart of the picturesque old town with its colonial houses, arcades and churches. Alight and explore further on foot, visiting sights such as the old city walls and St Francis’ Cathedral. Leave Campeche and continue to the impressive archaeological site of Uxmal. Enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, which rises into view above the canopy of the jungle as you approach. Unlike other Maya cities, Uxmal was engulfed by the rainforest after the Spanish arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-metre Pyramid of the Magician, which towers over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle. Across the central plaza, just beyond the ballgame court, is the Governor’s Palace with its elaborately decorated roof. At the southern end of the main complex is the Great Pyramid, of which only one side has been excavated. Then, visit the beautiful white colonial city of Merida, where we will take a panoramic tour of its most prominent sites, including the residential area, the monument to the homeland and Montejo Avenue.
Overnight in Merida.
Day 9: MERIDA – CENOTES DE CUZAMA – MERIDA (95 KM – 2 hrs)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then prepare for a day at Cenotes de Cuzama (Santa Barbara). On this tour, we will visit three of the most beautiful cenotes in Yucatán, located in the "Cenote Ring," an extraordinary semicircular alignment of more than 100 cenotes. Experts associate this formation with the theory of an asteroid's impact on Earth 65 million years ago, which not only altered the course of life on the planet but also left a 180-kilometer crater. At the very site of these events, we will discuss the occurrence, the ecosystem, and the profound connection between the Maya civilization and the cenotes. Be ready to swim, and if you'd like, snorkel in the crystal-clear, magical waters of these unique natural formations. After the visit and swim, we’ll have time for lunch before returning to Merida.
Overnight in Merida.
Day 10: MERIDA – CHICHEN ITZA (125km – 1.5hrs)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then head deep into the rainforests of the Yucatan peninsula in search of the legendary Maya city of Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Learn about the Maya and their civilisation as you admire the scale and beauty of this ancient city. Behold the geometric perfection of the 25-metre Temple of Kukulkan, popularly known as El Castillo (‘the Castle’). This temple was built both as a representation of the mystical Maya calendar and to reflect the optical illusion of a serpent snaking its way up or down the pyramid during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Admire the Great Ball Court, the largest of 13 discovered at the site; see the haunting Skull Platform, where the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled; and the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped. Enjoy lunch at a typical restaurant. Continue to your hotel at Chichen Itza (Pisté).
Overnight in Chichen Itza.
Day 11: CHICHEN ITZA – TULUM BY MAYAN TRAIN (150 km – 4 hrs)
After a delicious breakfast, check out and head to the Maya Train station, ready to continue our adventure to Tulum. Board the modern Tren Maya and settle into your seat as the journey unfolds through the stunning landscapes of the Yucatán Peninsula. Watch as the scenery shifts from dense jungle to wide-open plains and small vibrant towns, offering glimpses into the daily life and natural beauty of this captivating region. Along the way, enjoy the comfort and convenience of the train, a symbol of Mexico’s commitment to sustainable travel and cultural connectivity. Upon arrival at the Tulum station, disembark and transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, soaking in the laid-back, bohemian vibe of Tulum or simply relaxing in your hotel’s serene surroundings.
Overnight in Tulum.
Day 12: TULUM
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Tulum. Take the opportunity to relax on the beach, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or explore the town’s laid-back atmosphere. For those interested in history and nature, we recommend a visit to Parque El Jaguar, home to the impressive Tulum archaeological site. Set on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into the Mayan world, while the park’s trails provide a chance to enjoy the surrounding jungle scenery.
Overnight in Tulum.
Day 13: CHICHEN ITZA – CANCUN DEPARTURE (120 km – 2 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Cancun Airport for your departure flight.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mexico. However, the climate in Chiapas can be wet and cold, especially in winter, therefore we recommend to bring warm clothes, a raincoat and umbrella. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
