Welcome to lively Mexico! Stretching across a massive land area, Mexico ranks as Latin America’s third-largest country. With more than 100 million residents, it also proudly stands as the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking nation. Mexico’s flag, an iconic combination of green, white and red, carries deep meaning for the nation and its people. Green symbolises hope and victory, white represents the purity of Mexican ideals and red honours the blood shed by the country’s heroes. The central emblem is the Mexican coat of arms—an eagle perched on a cactus—which was based on the ancient Aztec symbol of Tenochtitlan. We begin our adventure in Playa del Carmen, one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s hotspots! This sun-soaked paradise has so much to offer – lively streets packed with beach bars, local art and endless energy. Whether you’re diving into the turquoise waters, or savouring tacos by the sea, Playa's charm is truly magnetic. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel.

Rise and shine for an unforgettable morning adventure to the Tulum ruins! Let your imagination wander as we explore ancient temples where Mayan legends spring to life amid lush greenery. Snap a few photos by the iconic Castillo and savour the postcard-perfect view. After our historical deep dive, the afternoon is yours to explore Playa del Carmen at your own pace. You could stroll down Quinta Avenida, teeming with colourful shops, vibrant restaurants and hidden treasures at every turn. Dip your toes in the sparkling waters or simply soak up Playa’s laid-back energy, recharging for the evening ahead. In the evening, we’ll meet for a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, we make our way to Chichén Itzá, the famous Mayan archaeological site. Here stands the majestic Pyramid of Kukulkan, soaring 27 metres high and dazzling visitors with its intricate stone architecture. Built between the 8th and 12th centuries on the remains of older temples, the pyramid flaunts some remarkable secrets about Mayan life and lore. Look closely, and you’ll discover that each step, platform, and carving is brimming with hidden meaning — like an ancient puzzle waiting to be cracked! One of its most mesmerising tricks involves the sun itself: during the spring and autumn equinoxes, sunlight creates a snakelike shadow that seems to slither down the pyramid’s steps, connecting the heavens to a massive serpent head at the base. This spectacle was no accident. The pyramid encodes precise information about the Mayan calendar, reflecting their incredible understanding of astronomy, timekeeping and cosmic events. After this unforgettable encounter with history, we travel to the vibrant city of Merida in the afternoon to check into our hotel.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Prepare to be dazzled by the Ría Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed gem stretching over 550 square kilometres along the northwestern tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. This ecological paradise bursts with life, featuring a harmonious blend of coastal dunes, mangroves, lagoons, marshes and lush lowland rainforest teeming with countless plant and animal species. We will venture on a guided boat tour through the shimmering waters, where we’ll encounter more than 300 species of wild birds winging gracefully overhead and maybe even spot a few shy crocodiles peeking out from the mangroves! One of the biggest highlights? Flamingos! They congregate here in bright pink flocks at certain times of the year, creating a jaw-dropping display that never fails to impress. Watch them wade in the shallows or take flight, adding a splash of neon brilliance to our day. With an expert guide at the helm, we’ll learn all about the interconnected ecosystems and their splendid residents, ensuring an unforgettable adventure. After our morning exploring, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch together at a local restaurant. Once back in Merida, enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure, exploring the city’s colourful streets, charming plazas and vibrant cultural scene.

This morning we’re in for a real treat as we explore the Maya site of Uxmal, considered the most important of all the archaeological sites of Maya culture in Mexico. Believed to have been built between 700 and 1,000AD, the Uxmal complex represents the pinnacle of late Maya art and architecture. At the city’s height, it was home to around 25,000 people and was a significant political and religious centre. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed Site features intricate geometrical patterns carved in stone, and the ornamentation on the structures reveal strong symbolism from the region’s Puuc style. On a guided tour, we’ll learn about the impressive Piramide del Adivino, known in English as ‘The Pyramid of the Magician’. Getting its name from an old folktale, this grand pyramid is 35 metres tall and was built over five different periods. We will also discover the Quadrangle of the Birds, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, the Ball Game Court and more—there’s so much to explore here, and experts suggest there’s even more yet to be excavated! After lunch at a traditional Mayan restaurant, we make our way to the Mexican port city of Campeche to check in to our hotel.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

A beautiful day awaits us as we set off on a city walking tour to discover the highlights of Campeche. Our first stop is Puerta de Tierra, the city’s largest colonial fort and a key element of Campeche’s UNESCO World Heritage status. It was built in 1732 under the direction of Don Antonio de Figueroa y Silva and is considered the most iconic remnant of the city’s colonial-era fortifications. While here, we’ll also wander down the vibrant Calle 59, perhaps Campeche’s most iconic street and marvel at the colourful buildings that line the footpath, many which house quaint boutiques and delicious eateries. Calle 59 has a stunning blend of Spanish and indigenous influences and will be a pleasure to explore. Next, we’ll head to Puerta del Mar, also known as ‘Sea Gate’. Facing the Gulf of Mexico, this gate was the main access point in and out of Campeche’s fortified walls. This 17th century gate led directly to the city’s docks and port area, making it a crucial point for trading. We will also visit the city’s main park, before making our way to marvel at the Baroque-style Campeche Cathedral that boasts elements of Neoclassical design. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax or discover more of the city at your own pace. We recommend checking out the Baluarte de la Soledad Museum, a fascinating museum that is housed within the city’s largest bastion, and Centro Cultural Casa Número 6, a private 16th century mansion-turned-museum that gives us an insight into upper-class living back in the day.

Today we make our way to the quaint city of Palenque. Nestled in the lush lowlands of Chiapas, Palenque is a charming town that serves as the gateway to the iconic ancient ruins of the same name. Upon arrival, our afternoon will be spent at one of Mexico’s most iconic sites, the ancient Mayan city of Palenque. Considered perhaps the best example of Maya architecture in the whole country, Palenque is set within a superb jungle landscape, where howler monkeys and colourful chirping birds add to the ruin’s allure. Palenque’s ruins date back to the Late Classic period—approximately 600 to 800AD—when the city thrived as a political and cultural powerhouse. Although the ancient city once spanned up to 15 square kilometres of dense jungle, only a fraction of its hundreds of structures have been excavated—a staggering fact! Among its most famous monuments is the Temple of the Inscriptions, an impressive pyramid built over eight levels, with a staircase rising about 27 metres to a series of small chambers. The temple is named for its intricate internal inscriptions that recount the city's history and its royal lineage. Other key structures within the site also feature beautifully carved bas-reliefs that depict mythological scenes and the reign of Palenque’s most famous ruler, Lord Pakal, and his descendants.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

We say adios to Palenque today as we make our way to San Cristóbal! Our first stop of the day is at Agua Azul, in Spanish translating to ‘Blue Water’. Situated on the Xanil River, Agua Azul is a series of cascading waterfalls that thunder into bright turquoise pools below. Nestled in a verdant jungle, the contrast of colours here are incredible. While here, we’ll grab some lunch and have the opportunity to swim in the gorgeous waters — a totally idyllic scene where it’s almost impossible not to swim! Our journey continues to the charming town of San Cristóbal de las Casas, our home for the next three nights. San Cristóbal is a colonial village characterised by its white stucco walls and red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, narrow sidewalks, elegant arcades and open plazas. Surrounding the town are many smaller villages of Mayan-speaking Indians. There’s great variety and diversity in their language, dress and customs, making this area one of the most fascinating in Mexico!

Today we enjoy an orientation walking tour of San Cristóbal, discovering the best of this beautiful town. Our guide will highlight many points of interest that you may wish to explore during free time over the coming two afternoons. You’ll enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. We recommend visiting the lively museum-research centre, Na Bolom, meaning ‘Jaguar House’ in Tzotzil, a native Mayan language. It was the home of renowned Danish archaeologist Frans Blom, one of the first to excavate Palenque, and his wife Gertrude, a Swiss anthropologist who mainly fought for the Lacandón people of eastern Chiapas and their jungle environment—quite the couple! Today, Na Bolom honours the Bloms’ work and legacy with a research centre that studies and supports Chiapas’ indigenous cultures and natural environment.

Special Experience

Dive into tradition as you taste authentic cuisine from the Chiapas region while enjoying a local folkloric performance.

Tonight, we’ll get a real taste of Chiapas as we dine at Las Pichanchas. Here, we’ll feast on regional flavours and taste local specialities, all while enjoying the unique melodies of the marimba—a percussion instrument popular in central America—and watching colourful folkloric ballet; this show is super fun and is full of music, dance and traditional dress!

Special Experience

Visit the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, nestled in the mountains surrounding San Cristóbal, to experience living Mayan culture and traditions.

This morning, we head off the tourist trail to discover some of the beautiful indigenous villages that are in the mountainous area that surrounds San Cristóbal. First, we'll visit the small town of San Juan Chamula, known for its unique Tzotzil community, an indigenous group of Maya descent. Their strong culture, customs and traditional dress will leave us in awe and wonder. While here, we’ll visit its one-of-a-kind 16th century church, where hundreds of candles burn inside and pine needles cover the floor. This is a church unlike any other where Catholic practices mix with indigenous beliefs and rituals. It will leave you truly amazed! Please bear in mind, the local Tzotzil people do not allow pictures to be taken inside the church.

We’ll then make our way to Zinacantán—a name that translates to ‘Land of Bats’—another town where almost all of its residents are Tzotzil Maya. Here we will get the opportunity to meet with a local weaving family who will show us their fascinating techniques and practices—a handicraft passed down over centuries. They’ll also teach us how to make traditional, and totally delicious, tortillas.

On arrival back in San Cristóbal, we’ll enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant. After, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax or further explore this picturesque town.

Exploring the scenic Sumidero Canyon is first up on our agenda today! Located just north of the small town of Chiapa de Corzo, this beautiful canyon is nestled in the heart of Sumidero Canyon National Park and is not far from the Guatemalan border. We will take a scenic drive to reach the canyon, before hopping into a boat to further explore this natural masterpiece. While here, we’ll marvel at the sheer cliffs that soar up to a kilometre high at certain points, and that are said to have started forming 35 million years ago! After our exciting boat trip this morning, we’ll head into nearby Chaipa de Corzo for lunch, well known for its unique Mudéjar architectural style—a fusion of Islamic and Christian artistic tradition—and as the gateway to the famed national park. This afternoon, our journey continues to Tehuantepec, our destination for the night. Famous for its beautiful embroidered traditional dress— a style famously adopted by iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo—Tehuantepec was once a thriving centre of the indigenous Zapotec culture. Located on the edge of the state of Oaxaca, the wider Tehuantepec region played a key role in the pre-Hispanic era as an important trade route connecting Central America with central Mexico.

Steeped in centuries worth of history, today we head to Mitla and wander down its narrow and colourful streets. This is a great place to pick up a locally made souvenir! Before enjoying lunch together at a local restaurant, we’ll visit ‘Templo Católico de San Pablo Villa de Mitla’, a quaint church set in the centre of the Mitla’s main plaza. We will also visit the small archaeological site which is unique due its elaborate mosaic fretwork and geometric designs. No other site in Mexico has this decorative work. From there we head to a mezcal factory where we’ll learn about all things agave and have the chance to sip Mexico’s most iconic spirit. Next, we make our way to Teotitlan de Valle, a famous weaving village with a tradition that dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Our next stop is the impressive ‘Árbol del Tule’—an enormous tree with a circumference of over 48 metres at its base! The tree is between 1,500 and 3,000 years old and considered to be the oldest tree in the world. We’ll arrive at Oaxaca in the evening (pronounced ‘wah-hah-kah’), a beautiful colonial city that is definitely a highlight of our adventure across Mexico! Once we arrive, we’ll head for a local graveyard to dive into the magic of the Day of the Dead festivities! It is believed that during this festival, the border between the spirit world and real-world dissolves and deceased loved ones return to feast, drink and dance with the living. Families gather around ornate ofrendas, decorated with marigolds and sugar skulls, while lively parades fill the streets.

Our day is dedicated to discovering the best of Oaxaca—we’re in for a real treat today! We’ll start by heading out of Oaxaca to the scenic region that surrounds the city to visit the famous pre-Columbian archaeological site of Monte Alban. Perched on a mountain 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley, Monte Alban was once the spiritual capital of more than 30,000 Zapotecs. The ruins extend over the peaks of three mountain ranges that converge in Oaxaca's central valley at an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level. These mountain ranges are some of the most spectacular natural wonders in all of Mexico—don’t forget your camera! Returning to Oaxaca, we’ll set off on a walking tour, first visiting the Church of Santo Domingo and marvelling at its stunning interiors, built in the stunning New Spanish Baroque architectural style. We’ll then walk along Andador Turístico, also known as Oaxaca’s ‘Pedestrian Street’, a traffic-free avenue lined with historic, colonial-era stone buildings that now house small artisanal shops, museums, cafes and bars. We’ll also view the mesmerising exteriors of the Teatro Macedonio Alcala and the House of Cortés. The last leg of our city tour will include a visit the Temple of San Juan de Dios, the first church built in Oaxaca in around 1500. We’ll also see the stunning 19th century Government Palace complete with marble, arches and impressive murals, before heading to the bustling local markets and the iconic El Mayordomo chocolate store. After we wrap up our walking tour, the night is yours to explore the city’s electrifying festivities at your own pace. Prepare to be dazzled by exuberant parades, toe-tapping music, irresistible bites and the jaw-dropping costumes that make Day of the Dead so legendary. Bring your spirit of adventure, because this is one party you’ll be talking about forever!

This morning, we wave goodbye to the enchanting streets of Oaxaca. Buckle up as we hit the road, heading north through breathtaking landscapes toward the charming colonial city of Puebla. Also known as 'City of Angels' and 'City of Tiles', Puebla is famous for its Baroque-style churches, local ceramics and delectable dishes, including the spicy Mole Poblano sauce—a total must-try when in Mexico. Its historic downtown area remains a Spanish colonial treasure, filled with 17th and 18th century European architecture with beautiful tiles adorning the many churches and buildings. Once we've soaked in the views, it’s time to treat our taste buds with a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. After refuelling, we hop back on the road for our final leg: the journey to the buzzing heart of the country—Mexico City! Sprawling across a valley, encircled by volcanoes and mountains and atop an ancient Aztec civilisation, Mexico City is North America's highest city and one of the world's most densely populated. With a long and fascinating history that runs from ancient indigenous civilisations through to the invasion of the Conquistadors and subsequent colonial rule, Mexico City boasts an array of fascinating sights and attractions. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel. The evening is yours to explore. You can choose to wander hip neighbourhoods, sip mezcal in a rooftop bar, or hunt down legendary street tacos. Go for it!

Our day is dedicated to exploring the delights of bustling Mexico City. We’ll see the main city square, Plaza de la Constitución or more commonly known as the ‘Zócalo’. The plaza is constructed from the stones of ancient palaces and temples and is said to be the second largest in the world after Moscow’s Red Square. The Zócalo is bordered by the Cathedral to the north and the National Palace to the east. In the centre of the plaza is an enormous Mexican flag which is ceremoniously raised and lowered each day and carried into the National Palace—immersing in this historically and culturally significant square is a real treat.

Special Experience

Board an authentic Mexican trajinera for a lively lunch cruise through the vibrant canals of Xochimilco.

This afternoon, we’ll immerse ourselves in traditional Mexican culture with a visit to Xochimilco, a vibrant borough known for its ancient canal system—you’ll hardly believe you’re still in Mexico City! These popular waterways are the last remnants of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs. Here, we’ll admire the hundreds of colourful trajineras (gondola-like boats) cruising along the canals while enjoying delicious food, lively mariachi music and pretty scenery.

Afterwards, we’ll explore a colourful arts and crafts market before we return to our hotel—the perfect place to grab an authentic souvenir!

After breakfast, we set off for the nearby site of Teotihuacán, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Mexico. The early history of this ancient Mesoamerican city remains a mystery, and the identity of its original founders is still unknown—yes, it wasn’t built by the Aztecs! Teotihuacán is believed to have been established around 100 BC, with the Aztecs arriving nearly 1,000 years later. It was they who named the city Teotihuacán, meaning ‘Birthplace of the Gods’. Remarkably advanced for its time, Teotihuacán was a multi-ethnic society whose people worshipped a variety of gods, and at its height, it was the largest city in the Americas, home to an estimated 125,000 residents. This morning, we have the opportunity to discover some of the city’s most incredible religious and ceremonial structures. The Temple of the Sun, standing an impressive 66 metres tall, is one of the largest structures of its kind in the world. Across the complex, the Temple of the Moon rises 43 metres from the ground and is slightly smaller but equally as striking. Connecting the two pyramids is the ‘Avenue of the Dead’, a 40-metre-wide thoroughfare that features various smaller structures lining either side. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe or known locally as 'Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe'. This Roman Catholic Church and shrine, arguably the most important Christian site in Latin America receiving some twenty million pilgrims annually, was built near the location where Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego. It also houses the original apron of Juan Diego that shows the icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which we’ll be able to see! This evening we’ll enjoy a group farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Our tour through mesmerising Mexico concludes after breakfast this morning. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!