Mexico lindo. Tour designer: Melanie Goldbecker Telephone: +52 998 881 7500 Email: mgoldbecker@destinationservices.com MEXICO 12DAYS / 11NIGHTS Route: Round-trip from Cancun to Mexico City Type of tour: Culture and nature Departure days: One Friday a month 1
TOUR OVERVIEW Discover the best of Mexico with this magical 12-day tour offering an intriguing mix of ancient civilisations, breathtaking natural beauty and charming colonial cities. Beginning your adventure in Cancun, head inland to uncover mystical Mayan cities as well as the ruins of Zapotec and pre-aztec cities. Be humbled by the jaw-dropping scale of the Sumidero Canyon, learn about indigenous culture in Chiapas and lose yourself in the timelessness of graceful Merida. Savour the delights of picturesque Puebla, explore the magnificent metropolis of Mexico City and cruise the historic canals of Xochimilco... this promises to be an unforgettable journey, which will captivate your heart as you fall in love with Mexico lindo. Groups vary in size but are typically made up of about 6-10 travellers. PUNTOS DESTACADOS Chichen Itza: Uncover the mysteries of Maya civilisation at this ancient archaeological site dominated by the imposing Temple of Kukulkan Merida: Yucatan s White City is famed for the elegant tree-lined boulevards from the 19th century Uxmal: The Pyramid of the Magician in this UNESCO World Heritage Site rises above the jungle canopy Agua Azul waterfalls: Mineral rich waters create stunning visual effects as they cascade down a national park in Chiapas Sumidero Canyon: The 1,000-metre-high vertical walls of this verdant gorge are a truly awe-inspiring sight Monte Alban: Visit the ruins in the Oaxaca Valley of the hilltop capital of the Zapotec civilisation Teotihuacan: Behold the vast scale of this well-preserved ancient city dominated by the 2,000-year-old Pyramid of the Sun Xochimilco: Board a colourful trajinera and explore these beautiful floating gardens just outside the capital Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral: The largest cathedral in the Americas is a glorious mix of Renaissance, baroque and neo-classical styles DON T MISS! Yucatan: Savour traditional Yucatecan dishes such as pollo or cochinita pibil, which are made from either chicken or suckling pig wrapped in banana leaves and baked underground Oaxaca: Try typical toasted tlayuda tortilla prepared with grilled meat, beans and Oaxacan cheese while if you have an adventurous palate, roasted chapulines (crickets) are a must Mexico City: Head to Mercado Roma, where the din of traders and customers, the colours of the product and the aromas of freshly prepared food make for a truly Mexican experience DAY BY DAY DAY 1 CANCUN CHICHEN ITZA MERIDA (315km 4 hrs) Depart Cancun and head deep into the rainforests of the Yucatan peninsula in search of the legendary Maya city of Chichen Itza, which has been laboriously reclaimed from the jungle. Learn about the Maya and their civilisation as you admire the scale and detail of this ancient city. Behold the geometric perfection of the 25-metre-tall Temple of Kukulkan, popularly known as El Castillo ( the Castle ), which 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 2
the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled, and also the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped. Also extremely well-preserved are the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and adjacent Church, and the large observatory known as the Snail. Continue to Merida, the capital of Yucatan, which is known as the White City and boasts one of the largest colonial old towns in the Americas. Enjoy a city orientation tour on arrival, exploring the tree-lined Paseo de Montejo, which boasts a beguiling collection of mansions and palaces built by wealthy planters in the 19th century. In the city centre, appreciate the splendid Plaza Grande, location of the cathedral and the 16th century Spanish plateresque-style Montejo House, whose monumental carved stone façade is one of Merida s most popular landmarks. Overnight in Merida hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. DAY 2 MERIDA UXMAL CAMPECHE (160km 2.5 hrs) Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning exploring the ruins of another former Maya city clawed back from vegetation. Arrive at Uxmal and enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which as you approach it comes into view as it rises above the canopy of the jungle Unlike other Mayan cities, Uxmal was devoured by the rainforest after the Spaniards had arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-metre-tall Pyramid of the Magician, which towers over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle with its ornately carved interior and exterior walls. 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 with the other three still unclaimed from the bush. Continue to Campeche for a panoramic tour of this historic coastal city, driving through the heart of the picturesque old town, with its pastel-coloured colonial houses, colonnaded arcades and bell-gabled churches. Alight and explore further by foot, seeing sights such as ramparts of the old city walls and St Francis s Cathedral. The final leg of the day takes us along the gulf coast to the Tucan Siho Playa Hotel for check-in and dinner. Overnight in Campeche hotel on a half-board basis. DAY 3 CAMPECHE PALENQUE (360km 4.5 hrs) Savour a delicious American breakfast while enjoying views over the Gulf of Mexico before heading inland to Palenque, a bastion of the Ch'ol Maya people, in the state of Chiapas. We are now in Mexico s deep south, where the colourfully dressed descendants of the Maya can be seen everywhere, and their languages frequently heard on the streets and in the marketplaces. For thousands of years, the Maya s writ stretched across what are now the five southern Mexican states as well as all of Belize and Guatemala, and the eastern parts of both El Salvador and Honduras until their civilisation mysteriously collapsed in the eighth and ninth centuries. It was during this period that the now ruined city of Palenque (or B'aakal as the ancient Maya called it) entered decline and was devoured by the jungle until it was encountered by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. In its heyday, Palenque was a sprawling city-state that spanned nearly 60 square kilometres but archaeologists estimate that they have excavated only 5-10% of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. So far, more than 200 structures have been unearthed, with the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace, the Temple of the Count and the Temple of the Cross the most prominent. Overnight in Palenque hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. DAY 4 PALENQUE AGUA AZUL CHAMULA SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS (190km 3 hrs) Feast on a hearty American breakfast at the hotel before taking to the road for a journey through the highlands of Chiapas. Stop at the wonderful waterfalls of the River Agua Azul ( Blue Water ), which flow over a limestone bed in the middle of a dense rainforest. The mineral rich waters offer a kaleidoscope of shades of blue, ranging from turquoise to indigo. There are a number of falls, which cascade along a stretch of shallow canyons, tumbling down into cool natural pools. Special platforms allow for front-row viewing of this loud and stunning natural spectacle. Continue to San Juan Chamula, which is famed for its whitewashed cathedral with colourful ornamentation and pine scented, candlelit interior, where you can observe the rare religious rituals that the locals perform. The town is almost entirely inhabited by Tzotzil Maya, who apart from speaking their own language also wear distinctive clothing, with the men donning tunics called chujes and the women favouring blouses known as huipils. Chamula is renowned for the quality of its weavers and local 3
shops and markets offer a great variety. After this authentic indigenous experience, continue to San Cristobal de las Casas for check-in at the hotel with the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. DAY 5 SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS SUMIDERO CANYON TEHUANTEPEC (400km 4.5 hrs) Depart San Cristobal de las Casas after breakfast and head to one of Mexico s outstanding natural attractions, the Sumidero Canyon. This awe-inspiring gorge carved into the earth over millions of years by the River Grijalva has to be one of Mother Nature s least celebrated masterpieces which makes the experience of visiting it all the more exciting. During a wondrous boat tour along the imposing canyon bed, you will be able to appreciate just how deep ravine gorge is as you find yourself dwarfed by the sheer scale of its walls covered in thick vegetation and which in places are as high as 1,000 metres. Continue to Tehuantepec for check-in. Overnight in Tehuantepec hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis DAY 6 TEHUANTEPEC MITLA TULE OAXACA (260km 4.5 hrs) Take to the Pan-American Highway after breakfast, heading to Mitla, which was founded at some 2,000 years ago and was the holy city of the Zapotec, akin to the Vatican, Jerusalem or Mecca. They considered it to be the gateway between the world of the living and the world of the dead, and for a noble to be buried here virtually guaranteed an afterlife as an angel. Aware of its cultural, political and religious significance, the Spaniards chiselled away at its temples and palaces but enough have survived for us to be able to appreciate the creativity and stonemasonry of the Zapotecs. The ornamentation of the buildings was masterfully worked and the geometric fretwork has a surprisingly modern feel to it. The famous Prussian naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt visited Mitla in the early 19th century and devoted a chapter in one of his books to the ruins, describing Mitla as an imposing demonstration of man s genius. Continue to Oaxaca, stopping en route at the suburb of Santa Maria del Tule to admire the sacred Tule Tree, a Montezuma cypress, which according to local Zapotec legend is about 1,400 years old and which science appears to confirm. The tree s gnarled trunk has a circumference of 42 metres and a diameter of 14, making it the stoutest in the world. Take to the road for the brief journey to the Hostal de la Noria, which is just two blocks from the Zocalo square, for check-in. Overnight in Oaxaca hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. DAY 7 OAXACA MONTE ALBAN OAXACA (30km 0.5 hrs) After breakfast at the hotel, explore the bustling city centre with a guided city tour, taking in the main landmarks and attractions such as the tree-lined Zocalo, the Palacio de Gobierno and the Alameda de Leon, where the baroque cathedral is located. Oaxaca was built as a planned city by the Spaniards and the old town is set on a perfect grid centred on the Zocalo. Many of the colonial era homes and palaces have been expertly renovated and now house galleries, museums, boutique hotels and restaurants, adding an air of sophistication to an already elegant urban environment. Among the many beautiful churches, the Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude and the Church of St Dominic de Guzman stand out while the former is famed for its baroque façade, the latter boasts a stunning ornamental gilded ceiling. Afterwards, you have some free time stroll around in the local market, where you can find many local cotton products and souvenirs at reasonable prices. Then we drop by a local cooperative that produces the region s most famous product, the smokyflavoured mescal spirit, which is made from agave cactus. You cannot leave without trying it! In the afternoon, head to Monte Alban, the ancient Zapotec capital, which is located on the summit of a mountain just a few kilometres west of Oaxaca. This archaeological site combines with colonial Oaxaca to constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zapotec civilisation came to an end with the Spanish conquest in the 1520s but we can gain an insight into it through this engineering feat 400 metres above the Oaxaca valley. The ruins of pyramids, temples, plazas and other residential structures all centre on the Main Square, a large open area on the artificially flattened mountain top. From here, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city and valleys below. The relics are in a remarkably good state and the ballgame court looks like it could still be used to practise sports. Return to Oaxaca with the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Oaxaca hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. 4
DAY 8 OAXACA PUEBLA TEQUESQUITENGO (500km 6 hrs) Take to the road after breakfast at the hotel, heading northwards through the highlands of the Sierra Mixteca and arriving after midday at the colonial city Puebla. Enjoy a panoramic city tour taking in most of the city s famous churches such as the cathedral, the imposing St Francis with its towering belfry and St Dominic, visiting the latter to admire the gilded and sculpted Rosary Chapel. A short stroll through the picturesque city centre allows you to appreciate the range of architectural styles, with a strong presence of baroque palaces, monasteries and mansions. Local geological features are reflected in the widespread use of cantera stone, a grey volcanic rock, as well as red brick and tiles. Board the vehicle to continue westwards to the quiet village of Tequesquitengo, which is located on the shore of a lake of the same name. Check in at the historic Hacienda Vista Hermosa, where you will spend the night in this restored country estate founded in 1529 by Hernan Cortes, conqueror of the Aztec Empire. Overnight in Tequesquitengo hacienda on a bed-and-breakfast basis. DAY 9 TEQUESQUITENGO XOCHICALCO TEPOZTLAN MEXICO CITY (180km 2.5 hrs) American breakfast in the sumptuous surroundings of the hacienda is followed by an early morning departure for the precolonial archaeological site of Xochicalco, which the Nahuatl language means in the house of flowers. Like Monte Alban, it is located atop an artificially flattened hill and features a number of amazing archaeological relics such as the elaborately decorated Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent and the Pyramid of the Stele. The city was built on three levels: residential, commercial and civic-religious. The city was attacked, sacked and burned down about 1,100 years ago and abandoned after that, and to stroll along its often windswept open spaces overlooking the valley below has a haunting feeling. Continue to the magical town of Tepoztlan, which is Nahuatl for the place where copper is abundant. To wander along the cobblestone streets of this sleepy town is a somewhat humbling experience as towering over Tepoztlan is the 600-metre-high Tepozteco rock, which is crowned by an Aztec temple dedicated to the god Tepoztecatl. The Aztecs believed that the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl was born in the town and as such it was one of their holiest sites. After some free time in the town, continue to Mexico City for check-in at the centrally located Best Western Royal Hotel Zona Rosa, which will be your accommodation for the remainder of your Mexican adventure. Overnight in Mexico City hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. DAY 10 MEXICO CITY XOCHIMILCO MEXICO CITY (50km 1.5 hrs) Enjoy an American breakfast at the hotel before heading to the heart of the capital for a tour of the historic city centre. Starting in the vast Plaza de la Constitución, universally known as the Zocalo, visit the National Palace and the architectural jewel that is the Metropolitan Cathedral. Located in the east of the square, the current version of the National Palace dates from the 17th century, which explains its more than 200-metre-wide baroque façade. A palacefortress has stood on this site since pre-colonial times, with Montezuma, the last Aztec emperor, ruling his empire from this very spot. The Spanish conquistadors demolished his palace and built their new fortress over it, using the same materials. Since independence, the palace has at times served as both the Mexican parliament and as the official residence of emperors and presidents. The walls above the main staircase and along the corridor of the second floor are covered with magnificent murals depicting the history of Mexico from before the arrival of the Spaniards through to modern times. Other areas open to visitors include the Treasury, the former presidents' quarters, a number of courtyards and a botanical garden. The Metropolitan Cathedral is in the north of the square and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. Construction work began in 1573 and took 240 years to complete, hence the eclectic variety of architectural styles. While the initial inspiration was Gothic, most features are Renaissance, baroque and neo-classical. Admire the astonishing Altar of the Kings and the façade of the adjacent Tabernacle, both in the highly elaborate and ornamental churrigueresque style, or maybe light a candle in one of the 16 chapels dedicated to saints or the holy family. After this spiritual sojourn, head southwards to Xochimilco, making a small detour at the UNAM university campus to view its famous façade murals, which were painted and sculpted by some of Mexico s leading 20th century artists. All four sides of the Central Library are giant mosaics painstakingly designed by artist and architect Juan O'Gorman: one representing the Aztec past, one for the colonial era, one for independent Mexico and another celebrating the 5
university s academic and sporting prowess. In the afternoon cap off the day at the floating Gardens of Xochimilco, which are the remnants of a pre-colonial lake and canal system. Hop aboard a colourful trajinera a gondola-like vessel and enjoy a gentle cruise along the canals, surrounded by the scents of flowers and food. Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Mexico City hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. DAY 11 MEXICO CITY TEOTIHUACAN MEXICO CITY (100km 2 hrs) Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a visit to the National Anthropology Museum, which houses a priceless collection of artefacts, some dating from as far back 35,000 years ago. Enjoy a guided tour of this purpose-built facility featuring 11 sections dedicated to different eras and civilisations. Perhaps the most famous exhibit is the Aztec sun stone but Olmec sculptures and Mayan murals have lost none of their fascination after all these centuries. Scale models of pre-colonial cities offer an insight into the architectural feats of these ancient peoples despite the rudimentary technologies at their disposal. Having observed artefacts from the different civilisations 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, stopping at the famous Guadalupe shrine en route to visit both the old and new basilicas. Ancient Teotihuacan appears to have gone into decline in the sixth century but its influence on later civilisations 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 to climb one of the colossal pyramids to take in the panoramic views. In the evening return to the hotel with the rest of day at your leisure. Overnight in Mexico City hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. DAY 12 MEXICO CITY Transfer to Mexico City International Airport in the morning. Please book additional transfers and flights. Breakfast included. INCLUDED TOUR GUIDE: Operated with German-speaking local guide END OF SERVICES ACCOMMODATION: Eleven nights as indicated on a bed-and-breakfast basis MEALS: Daily breakfast included and one dinner on Day 2 TRANSPORT: Air-conditioned transportation ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES: All monuments and visits as indicated: Chichen Itza, Merida orientation tour, Uxmal, Campeche city tour, Palenque, Agua Azul waterfall, San Cristobal de las Casas orientation tour, San Juan de Chamula church visit, Sumidero Canyon, Mitla, Tule Tree, Monte Alban, Oaxaca city walk, Puebla city tour, Xochicalco visit, Tepoztlan visit, Mexico City tour, National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, UNAM murals, Xochimilco canal cruise, National Anthropology Museum, Guadalupe shrine and Teotihuacan visit OTHER: Gratuities for porters and chambermaids Motorway tolls and parking fees NOT INCLUDED Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme Optional tours International flight tickets or Mexican visa fees Gratuities for drivers and guides 6
OPTIONAL EXTRAS A wide range of optional excursions and pre and post-programme extensions are available on request. Please ask tour designer Melanie Goldbecker for rates and conditions. RECOMMENDATIONS Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mexico. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay. 7