Treasures of Mexico
2017 - 14 Day Guided Tour Star Rating 4v
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Mexico City • Oaxaca • Theuantepec • San Cristobal De Las Casas • Palenque • Campeche •
Meridá • Chichen Itza •
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Saturday
Fly with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick to Cancun, arriving this evening and continuing with an Aeromexico flight to Mexico City. On
arrival, you will be met by your Native Trails representative, once through security, and transferred to the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton
for 3 nights.
Day 2 - Sunday
After breakfast, meet with your tour leader and fellow travellers to commence your first day of sightseeing. This morning take in the sights
of Mexico City, the political, social and cultural centre of this fascinating country. Key visits include the Zócalo (Main Square) – the heartbeat
of the capital and its stunning cathedral, the Presidential Palace and The Museo Nacional de Antropologia (Anthropological Museum and the
Historic Centre); home to artifacts exploring the civilization and culture of Mexico, including the Toltecs, Aztecs and Mayans. This afternoon
venture to the south of the city to Xochimilco, best known for its floating gardens created by the Aztecs and now a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Enjoy a small boat tour to explore the stunning gardens, popular with visitors and locals alike. A boxed lunch will be provided today
whilst in Xochimilco. Return back to your hotel, rest of the afternoon/evening is at leisure. (B,L)
Day 3 - Monday
Today you will visit the two Basilicas dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the most visited religious site in Latin America. Right next door to
each other, the original 1531 Basílica Antigua (Old Basilica) is a classic piece of Spanish Colonial architecture, whilst the new, modern
Basilica holds the legendary cloak of the virgin. Enjoy a short walk to visit the churches and gardens close by. Afterwards, travel to
Teotihuaca (approximately 50 minutes), an ancient Toltec city, also known as City of the Gods – famous for 2 huge pyramids, the Sun and
Moon. Often seen as rivals to the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, mystery is still cast over these fascinating ruins. Climb the Pyramids for unrivaled
views across the city and walk the Avenue of the Dead to understand the scale of the historic architecture. Travel back to Mexico City
(approximately 60 minutes) for the rest of the afternoon/evening at leisure. (B)
Day 4 - Tuesday
Leave Mexico City early this morning, for the full day’s drive to Oaxaca (approx. 470km or 8hrs). Stop en-route at the colourful city of Puebla,
famous for its architecture and local cuisine. Explore the streets off the Zócalo and venture around the Cathedral and Plaza de la
Constitucion before continuing on the scenic drive to Oaxaca. Stay in Oaxaca for 3 nights at Casa Conzatti. (B)
Day 5 - Wednesday
Your sightseeing today will include Oaxaca’s ancient hilltop temple of Monte Alban, meaning ‘White Mountain’. Overlooking the city and
surrounded by a circle of terraces, houses, temple and tombs take in the impressive views where the people of Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs
once inhabited. Head back down the valley to the city and explore Oaxaca, in particular its Regional Museum and the magnificent Church of
Santo Domingo. After returning to the hotel, the rest of the afternoon/evening is at leisure. (B)
Day 6 - Thursday
Visit Mitla, the Zapotecan ruins, famous for Patio de las Grecas (Patio of the Mosaics). For many years Mitla was the religious centre of the
Zapotec, but today the neighbourhood is full of picturesque markets where weavings and other goods are produced and sold. Next stop is
Teotitlán del Valle. The whole village has specialized in the manufacture of carpets, and every family, mostly of Zapotec origin, has its own
style and master weavers. On return to Oaxaca, stop at the peaceful village of Santa María del Tule, home to the 2,000-year-old, and
enormous, montezuma cypress tree. Return to Oaxaca, evening at leisure. (B)
Day 7 - Friday
A further day’s travelling through the beautiful and interesting Sierra Madre del Sur to Tehuantepec (approx. 240km or 4hrs). Stop on the
way in the small village of Santiago Matatlan and visit a mescal distillery. Understand how this handcrafted spirit in the Oaxaca villages is
made and, for those being adventurous - a mescal tasting is, of course, incomplete without the famous worm! An arrival in Tehuantepec,
check in and overnight at Hotel Calli. (B)
Day 8 - Saturday
Depart Tehuantepec for San Cristobal de la Casas (approx. 383km or 4 hrs). En-route we will stop for a morning boat ride seeing the
impressive Sumidero Canyon, home to tropical vegetation and exotic animals. Continue to San Cristobal, where on arrival, you will have a
short tour of the town. Overnight at the Hotel Mansión del Valle San Cristóbal. (B)
Day 9 - Sunday
At an altitude of 2,133 m, San Cristóbal de las Casas offers a pleasant climate to its visitors. From the Zócalo, you will walk through the
historic center to the Cathedral and to the most beautiful building of San Cristóbal, the church Iglesia del Convento Santo Domingo. Visit the
Indian village of Chamula - the ceremonial center of the Chamula and Zinacantán. Next, you will reach the valley of Zinacantán; famous for
its artisans and the Chiapas Indians living there. The region is very fertile, so expect to pass fields grown with spices, citrus plants, flowers,
and squash, before getting to the center. The afternoon is free to enjoy at leisure. (B)
Day 10 - Monday
After breakfast, transfer by road to Palenque (approx. 198km or 4 hrs plus stops). En-route you will visit the town of San Juan Chamula, a
centre of local culture most notable for its fascinating blend of Catholic and indigenous religions. Stay at the Hotel Ciudad Real Palenque
for 1 night. (B)
Day 11 - Tuesday
After breakfast, depart for the city of Campeche (approximately 365km or 7hrs). On the way, stop outside Palenque to a mysterious area –
home to arguably one of the most beautiful sites in all of Mexico. Engulfed by the jungle, these ruins display the best of Mayan architecture.
On arrival in Campeche, learn about the city’s rich history whilst exploring the narrow streets and its restored colonial buildings before
ending up in the Zócalo. Overnight at the Hotel Plaza Campeche. (B)
Day 12 - Wednesday
After breakfast, transfer to Uxmal (approx. 177km or 4 hrs) for a tour of the ruins, including the Pyramid of the Wizard. Immerse in the
history of the late Classic Maya period with its decorated façades, vast terraces, squares, columns, and archways. Afterwards, continue to
Merida, the colonial capital of Yucatán (approx. 80km or 1hr) for a tour. Founded in 1542, the influence of Spain and France is noticeable
throughout the city with its with colonial charm, narrow streets, and romantic horse-drawn carriages. On your tour, you will see the
cathedral, the Palacio Municipal, and the Casa de Montejo, the house where the founder of the city was born. Overnight at the Holiday Inn
Merida. (B)
Day 13 - Thursday
You will have an early start this morning as you head to Chichén Itzá, one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. Your transfer will involve
a short flight to arrive at the sacred Mayan site. Explore temples, structures, pyramids and columns, however the most famous structure
being the Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo – built with 365 steps—one for each day of the year. In the afternoon, head to
Cancun where you will check in for your overnight Virgin Atlantic flight back to the UK. (B)
Day 14 - Friday
Arrive at in the UK this morning.
Meals: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
TOUR NOTES
For current departure dates and prices please check our website
There is no pre tour accommodation available on this tour in Mexico City,
However, at the end of the tour, we recommend extending your stay at the
Sandos Playacar or Secrets Capri.
2.5%. As a backup to cards, it’s a good idea to take a little cash – best in
US dollars, which are easily the most exchangeable foreign currency in
Mexico, though Euros are also widely exchangeable. In tourist resorts and
many Mexican cities along the US border, you can make some purchases
in US dollars, though the exchange rate will probably not be in your
favour.
Time difference
Electricity
Pre/Post Tour information
GMT -5 hours (summer) -6 hours (winter)
Tour inclusions
 Domestic Flights
 Private air conditioned transport throughout
 Entrance fees to all monuments
 The services of an experienced local guide in each destination
 1 bottle of water on the bus per person per day
Tour exclusions
 International flights
 Flight upgrades and airport transfers in the UK
 Insurance
 Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, tips & gratuities,
video camera fees at monuments
 Anything not detailed on the itinerary.
Dining inclusions
12 breakfasts and 1 lunch.
Included activities
 Tours listed in the itinerary.
Accommodation
Occasionally we may need to substitute one or more of the hotels with
that of a similar standard.
Journey times
British voltage is 240 volts, 50 cycles AC. In Mexico it is 127 volts with 2 pin
flat adaptors. As the sockets can vary, an 'International Traveller’s Adaptor
Set' will be required, which consists of a selection of two- and three-pin plugs
and connectors. Voltage sometimes fluctuates and power cuts are possible.
Air conditioning units can be temperamental. A torch will be useful. Take
care of poor wiring.
Tipping
Some service workers depend on tips to supplement their wages. In
restaurants a tip of 10% - 15% is customary unless service is included in
the bill. In hotels it’s nice (though optional) to leave 5% to 10% of your room
costs for those who keep it clean and tidy. Taxi Drivers don’t expect tips
unless they provide some extra service. Porters at the airport usually get
50-100 pesos.
What to pack
 Lightweight, cotton clothes. Smart casual is acceptable in hotels.
A light sweater or fleece for early mornings and evenings and airconditioning can be cool in restaurants.
Comfortable, sturdy footwear.
Casual clothing and sandals for dinner and relaxing at your hotel.
Sun cream, sunglasses and hat.
Camera and/or video camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
Swimming attire for an occasional swim.
Binoculars.
Mosquito repellent and spray.
Handy wipes, antiseptic hand gel and bottled water where possible.
Low denominations of local currency – handy for ad-hoc tipping!
What to expect
Mexico is a vast country and journey times between destinations can
sometimes be long. Journey times are listed in the itinerary and are
approximate.
A tour in Mexico is an adventure where anything can happen. We
recommend you are of a reasonable fitness level as touring often involves
long walks and uneven surfaces, this tour may not be suitable for those
who require special assistance.
Group size
Recommended vaccinations
There is a maximum of 25 people per group.
Language
Spanish is the official language and it may help to learn a couple of
phrases before you travel. Most Mexicans do speak English though,
especially in the more built up cities.
Visa requirements
Visiting Mexico as a tourist you don’t need a visa, but you do need a tourist
card, which you can get on arrival by completing an immigration form
available on-board flights to Mexico.
Currency
Mexico’s currency is the peso. The peso is divided into 100 centavos. The
most convenient form of money in Mexico is a major international credit
or debit card – preferably two cards. With these you can obtain cash easily
from ATMs. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted for
payment many upper midrange and top-end hotels, and some restaurants
and stores. Occasionally there’s a surcharge for paying by card, or a
discount for paying cash. Buying by credit card normally gives you a
similar exchange rate to ATM withdrawals. In both cases you’ll normally
have to pay your card issuer a foreign-exchange transaction fee of around
We advise you to discuss your individual requirements for Mexico with
your GP at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel.