Discover Contrasts of Mexico

Today you will board on a flight to Mexico City.

The capital of Mexico, where the hustle-bustle of shops, the sensational, lingering smell of Mexican street food and chaotic roads is where we start our tour. At every corner, you can see a glimpse of a museum or gallery, a fascinating, history-holding landmark, verdant parks, several markets that your eyes appeal to and suave eateries that will make your mouth water.

Upon arrival, you will meet one of our representatives. As for the schedule today, there are no activities planned so you are free to arrive at the hotel any time.

If you’re in the mood to explore Mexico City, take a stroll around Alameda Central, which is the oldest municipal park of Mexico City, or you could visit the natural history museums.

We’ll traverse deep into Mexico City on foot and by public transport. The Mexico City times square, also known as The Zocalo is a vibrant place in the capital; the main square has been the ceremonial centre since the Aztec times. From the hotel, we will take a stroll, enjoying the taste of traditional, saccharine bread at a local pasteleria enroute to the Zocalo. Situated on the Zocalo is the National Palace which is the President’s permanent residence. We’ll take a look at it from outside. On the northern side of the Zocalo, there is the Grand Metropolitan Cathedral which we will also explore. This Cathedral represents the conquests of the Spanish over the Aztecs, as it lays on top of the former Templo Mayor, the main temple where Aztecs used to celebrate their gods.

Once we are done exploring the Mexico City times square, we will hop on public transport to the Chapultepec Park, sauntering through to the Museum of Anthropology. Known as one of the best museums in the entire world, their exhibits give you the true spring of Mexico’s interesting history.

Today’s tour ends at the museum. You can choose to opt out and spend more time to delve further into the museum exploring or head back to the centre with our tour leader.

Our destination today is a place not even history can tell the cause. It’s a mystery of how the Teotihuacan Pyramids are still standing today, half of the stone there, and half gone. We will be travelling from the hotel to Teotihuacan (around a 1-hour drive) to explore these abandoned Pyramids in a city which was one the most populous. En route, we will stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe, or Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a significant pilgrimage site for Mexicans.

After our visit, we will have lunch nearby. In the afternoon, we will head back to Mexico City, and you will have the choice to climb the Torre Latinoamericana this evening – a skyscraper in Mexico City- giving a shocking eagle-eye view.

Today we’ll drive through the hot country to Oaxaca, one of the most colonial, fascinating cities in Mexico. The drive will take around eight hours, but several stops will be taken along the way. During the journey, we’ll be jaw- dropped by the spectacular views out to the Sierra Madre Mountains and cactus-covered expanse.

Arriving in Oaxaca in the later afternoon will have you amazed at the mind- captivating city with bright colours and agriculture at every corner of your eye.

Today we’ll visit Monte Alban, which was built by the Zapotec people who lived in Oaxaca 1500 years ago. After the Zapotec abandoned this site, the Mixtec people buried their elites and offerings for the afterlife in these pyramids.

This afternoon, we’ll have some free time to explore Oaxaca. Take a meandering stroll through the centre and spend time in the markets to pick up memorable souvenirs or delve further into the history of some fascinating exhibits. A swim in the hotel’s swimming pool might work for you as well.

We begin to head towards San Cristobal. The drive will lead us up through the winding roads of the Mountain range, Sierra Madre Occidental. Our first stop is a 2000-year-old swamp cypress tree in Santa Maria de Tule, close to Oaxaca. Next we’ll head to the miniature town of Teotitlan de Valle, an area where Spanish isn’t as common as the Zapotec language. We’ll commence to the ancient Mixtec site of Mitla, where we explore the ruins. Finally, we will journey on to Tehuantepec, before stopping at San Cristobal. Our drive time today in 10 hours, including stops.

We depart early this morning as we have a five- hour drive to Cahuare, the starting point to the amazing Sumidero Canyon. With a unique rift of 41 kilometres and up to 1000 metres deep, the canyon stands in Chiapas. It is told that in the 16th century, 1000 Chiapas indigenous people committed suicide as they refused to submit to the Spanish rule. We will take a trip on a speed boat to appreciate the gorgeous canyon, before travelling up a mountain road to San Cristobal de las Casas.

Today we will be visiting San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, both indigenous villages nearby San Cristobal that show a typical blend of Catholicism and traditional Maya beliefs. This area is famous for weavings in intricate designs and vibrant textiles. During free time this afternoon you can pick up souvenirs that you’d like.

San Cristobal is a scenic town to explore and has museums too. The Na Bolom, House of the Jaguar, is dedicated to the preservation of the Lacandon tribe. It displays many of their artefacts.

Today we have a long drive ahead of us. The road will look slow and in its own pondering pace, but the scenic views should keep us entertained. We’ll be driving to the town of Villahermosa, where we’ll stop for lunch. Along the way, there will be the choice to halt in the small town of Chontalpa to try the famous pina miel

Today’s guided visit to the ruins of Palenque is one of the highlights of our tour to Mexico. The ruins concealed the tomb of the high priest Pakal. His body furnished with a jade death mask- the most prized relic of the Maya Culture, only just discovered in the mid- 20th century. Once the forest was cleared, the tomb was revealed. This rainforest still has a lingering aura of deep mystery.

We’ll leave Palenque early in the morning and travel for a few hours to the border of Mexico and Guatemala. After crossing into Guatemala, we will commence for another straight 3 hour drive to the picture- perfect town of Flores. Situated on the shores of Lake Peten Itza, Flores is a city with a rich history. It was also the last Maya city to fall to the Spanish.

After morning breakfast, we’ll leave Flores and drive to Yaxha, where’ll we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the mind-blowing ruins. This area is rich in rainforests and is flooding with wildlife.

The ruins span several square kilometers and include 500 structures uncovered so far. The city’s name was given thanks to quaint location. We’ll spend around two hours adventuring the site before stopping for lunch and return to Flores. There will be a chance for an optional boat trip on Lake Peten Itza.

Today we will pay a visit to Tikal, the great Maya metropolis, which can just be contrasted with the celebrated ancient cities of Egypt and Greece. Tikal was abandoned by its rulers around 890 AD and totally deserted 100 years later. It was rediscovered in 1848, only a few of its great temples and pyramids have been gouged. The site is colossal, so we include a guided tour in the morning, then followed by free time after to let you explore. We can appreciate the nature, birdlife and the surrounding trees that envelope over you. At 3.30pm we head back to Flores.

Today we’ll say farewell to Guatemala and be welcomed by Belize. En route, we’ll visit the site of Xunantunich, with its incredible array of pyramids and temples. Then, we’ll make our way to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoon is free. You could walk into town to check out the small artisanal markets or visit the ruins of Cahal Pech.

Depart Belize’s International airport. We hope memories of this tour will forever stay with you.