Veracruz Tour: Travel Mountains, Enchanting Cascades and Know the Coast Culture (Small-Group / 15 Days)

Veracruz Tour: Travel Mountains, Enchanting Cascades and Know the Coast Culture (Small-Group / 15 Days)
USD $1,543.00
  • Duration: 15 Days

Overview

Veracruz Tour is an adventure to uncover hidden gems and witness breathtaking waterfalls, majestic mountains, and the beauty of the sea. An unforgettable experience that caters to adventurers and history buffs alike. Explore the past and present in a truly interactive way with us!

Highlights

  • Get to know Mexico City - the largest city in Latin America and a world-class cultural hub.

  • Climb impressive Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon in UNESCO-listed Teotihuacan.
  • Visit a series of impressive waterfalls around Cuetzalan.
  • See original voladores ("flyers") dance in Cuetzalan.
  • Hike & enjoy the view from the summit of La Malinche Volcano.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mexico City

Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de Mexico - the largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. Arrive at any time before meeting your group and Tour Leader in the evening: welcome dinner & get-together with the rest of the group.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Mexico City
  • Meals Included: dinner
  • Activities Included: welcome meeting

Day 2: Mexico City

Join your group for a walking tour around the historic center in the morning (Metropolitan Cathedral, Zocalo, National Palace, and Museum of Anthropology), then choose by yourself what to do next in this diverse city - your Tour Leader will be happy to give suggestions. Optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Mexico City
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: walking tour in Mexico City, guided visit to the National Museum of Anthropology

Day 3: Mexico City - Teotihuacan - Tlaxcala

After breakfast, we will go to visit and explore Teotihuacan - a complex of UNESCO-listed pyramids, set amid what was once Mesoamerica’s greatest city. Afterward, we will go to Tlaxcala - the capital of Mexico’s smallest state, largely undiscovered by tourists, unhurried and unself-conscious, with a compact colonial downtown defined by grand government buildings, imposing churches, and a handsome central plaza. Accommodation, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Tlaxcala.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Tlaxcala
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: guided visit to Teotihuacan Archeological Zone; walking tour in Tlaxcala

Day 4: Tlaxcala - La Malinche National Park

After breakfast and check-out from our accommodation in Tlaxcala, we will go to nearby La Malinche National Park. With an elevation of 4462 meters, it has the sixth-highest peak in Mexico that is frequently used as a training/acclimatization climb by mountaineers. Opt to join your Tour Leader for an easy but spectacular 5h hike to the summit or stay in the camp to enjoy other outdoor activities. Optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: eco-cabins near La Malinche National Park
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: guided hike to La Malinche volcano; entrance to La Malinche National Park

Day 5: La Malinche National Park - Cantona Archaeological Zone - Cuetzatlan

After breakfast and check-out from our accommodation, we will continue our "Mexico: Hidden Route" tour in Cantona Archeologic Zone. This pre-Hispanic city rivaled Teotihuacan barring the way to trade and thus contributing to its decline. Then we will continue to Cuetzatlan - a unique town situated among the mountains, coffee plantations, and tree-like ferns. Accommodation, walking tour around the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Cuetzatlan.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Cuetzatlan
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: guided visit to the Cantona Archeologic Zone; walking tour in Cuetzatlan

Day 6: Cuetzatlan

After a morning visit to nearby waterfalls, opt to explore the town or visit some of the nearby attractions:

    • Jardin Botanico Xoxoctic. Enjoy the exuberant wildlife and the perpetual mist that blankets countless types of multicolored orchids, arborescent ferns, and butterfly gardens.
    • Caves systems, with Aventura Cave being the most popular and easily accessible. Just 10 minutes drive from the center of the town it is 420 meters long and goes to a maximum depth of 80 meters under the ground.

Optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Cuetzatlan.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Cuetzatlan
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: visit to Cuetzatlan Waterfalls

Day 7: Cuetzatlan - Yohualichan Archeological Zone - Tlapacoyan

After breakfast and check-out from our accommodation, we will go to visit and explore Yohualichan Archeological Zone. First settled by the Totonacs and later overthrown by the Aztecs, the present indigenous inhabitants of the area are Aztec ancestors.  After a tour of the pyramids, continue our "Mexico: Hidden Route to the Gulf Tour" in Tlapacoyan - a small town famous for nearby Filobobos Ecological Reserve. Accommodation, walking tour around the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Tlapayocan.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Tlapayocan
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: guided visit to Yohualichan Archeological Zone; walking tour in Tlapayocan

Day 8: Tlapayocan - Filobobos Ecological Reserve - Costa Esmeralda

Whitewater rafting on Filobobos River

In the morning, go rafting in Filobobos Ecological Reserve. In the afternoon, continue to our accommodation on Costa Esmeralda. This is one of the most popular parts of the Gulf of Mexico's coastline due to its pristine beaches that are perfect for swimming and diving. Optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Costa Esmeralda
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: rafting in Filobobos Ecological Reserve

Day 9: Costa Esmeralda - Ciénega del Fuerte State Park

Relax on the beach before going for a boat tour in Ciénega del Fuerte State Park in the afternoon. The park has a large expanse of rainforests and offers an opportunity to watch crocodiles and birds in its mangroves. Optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Costa Esmeralda
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: boat tour in Ciénega del Fuerte State Park

Day 10: Costa Esmeralda - Veracruz

In the morning, after breakfast and check-out, go to Veracruz - the oldest port in the country defined by its history, traditions, joyful people, and delicious food. Walking tour around the historic center, free time, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Veracruz
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: walking tour in Veracruz

Day 11: Veracruz

Free day - choose whether to explore the city, relax on the beach or visit some of the nearby attractions:

  • Chachalacas beach with its 550 acres of sand dunes and spectacular views of the ocean is a perfect site to ride 4x4 motorcycles, slide yourself from the sand dunes and feel the adrenaline in throughout your body.

  • La Antigua - an important spot in the history of Veracruz, as it was the first European village founded in Mexico, in 1519, by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.

  • Cempoala - an archaeological site that was the capital of the Totonac civilization at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards. 

Optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

  • Accommodation Included: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Veracruz
  • Meals Included: breakfast

Day 12: Veracruz - Tlacotalpan - Orizaba

In the morning go to Tlacotalpan. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this town is located on the banks of the Papaloapan River. After a walking tour of the ce, boat ride, and free time in the town, we will continue to Orizaba. Guarded by the spectacular snowy Pico de Orizaba, this city has created its own personality combining colonial architecture with green and colorful natural landscapes. Accommodation, orientation walk, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Orizaba
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: orientation walks in Orizaba & Tlacotalpan; boat tour in Tlacotalpan

Day 13: Orizaba

Free day - choose whether to explore the city and/or visit some of the nearby attractions:

  • Los 500 Escalones: beat the challenge of walking up the 500 steps and admire the Elephant Waterfall next to the Rio Blanco Canyon from one of its 3 viewpoints.

  • Cañón de la Carbonera: with a length of 8.5 kilometers and a depth of 200 to 750 meters, the reserve has at least 24 waterfalls, 12 springs, and 4 caverns, the ideal place to visit and practice canyoning, hiking, and rappelling.

Optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Orizaba
  • Meals Included: breakfast

Day 14: Orizaba - Cholula - Puebla

In the morning head to Cholula - the oldest city in America inhabited without interruption since its origins, where you will see The Great Pyramid of Cholula, the world's largest pyramid topped by the Virgen de Los Remedios church. Then we will continue to Puebla, Mexico's fourth-largest city with well-conserved colonial architecture chosen by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Walking tour, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Puebla
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: walking tours in Cholula & Puebla

Day 15: Puebla - Mexico City

End of "Mexico: Hidden Route" tour. Breakfast, check-out, and departure to Mexico City.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Meals Included: breakfast

Why go with us

  • Small groups of up to 13 travelers: closer communication, easier coordination, more adventures & fun!
  • Off-the-beaten-track tours with maximum immersion in local nature, culture, and traditions.
  • The easy-going atmosphere of our tours is perfect for informal travel & making new friends among co-travelers and locals.

Logistics

  • DEPARTURE: We will leave our accommodation in Mexico City on Day 3 morning around 9 am.
  • ARRIVAL: We will be back in Mexico City on Day 15 around noon.
  • ACCOMMODATIONS: An exact list of accommodations is sent together with trip notes 2 weeks before the departure date. Most of the accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary).

  • ROOM TYPES: 

    • Shared Twin Room: Single bed in a twin room shared with another co-traveler of the same gender. This option is specifically designed for solo travelers and applies just to group departures.

    • Double/Twin Room: Private room for 2 people. You can choose between 1 double bed or 2 single beds.

    • Triple Room: Private room for 3 people. It normally has 1 double bed for 2 people and 1 single bed for 1 person.

    • Quad Room: Private room for 4 people. It normally has 2 double beds for 2 people each.

    • If none of the room types above fits you, please contact us and we will send you a personalized quote.

  • TRANSPORT: The type of private vehicle for inter-city transfers depends on the size of the group and may include a car, 7-seater, minivan. Inside urban areas, walking is the most common way of transportation.
  • ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for departures. Both walking tours &  orientation walks focus on local history, culture & gastronomy and are led by a Tour Leader.

Notes

  • FOOD: Food & drinks included in the tour (be it breakfasts at our accommodations, Market Food Experiences, lunches, or dinners) can normally meet most of the common dietary restrictions. However, due to the active program of the tour and different menus in each place, satisfying a special diet or food preferences of a particular traveler will depend on circumstances and cannot be fully guaranteed. Market Food Experiences normally involve live commentary about local gastronomic traditions & tasting of the most representative regional dishes.
  • PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of hiking & walking. Therefore, travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness condition.
  • WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & (preferably hiking) shoes; swimming suit & slippers; a smaller backpack for daily tours; hat/cap, sunglasses & sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood & curiosity.
  • GROUP vs PRIVATE TOUR: Group tour - take a scheduled trip with other travelers. Private tour - take a trip on your own, with friends or family. Private tours are customizable (you can depart any day and we can add additional stops & activities on your request) and thus may cost more than group tours.
  • PRICING: The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers & room option you choose.