Mexico Travel Cities: Unveil Mayan Places and Magical Moments (Small-Group / 8 Days)

Overview

Join our 9-day "Mexico: Central 2 North America" tour from Chipa de Corzo to experience and enjoy Mexico the way it is. From the impressive Sumidero Canyon to vibrant Mexico City which carefully preserves its magic and cultural heritage, this adventure takes in all the natural, cultural, and historical highlights of 4 Mexican states. On your way, you will cross the Isthmus of Tehuantepec that geographically divides North America from Central America.

Highlights

• Get to know Mexico City - the largest city in Latin America and a world-class cultural hub.
• Witness enormous Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon in UNESCO-listed Teotihuacan.
• See dinosaur footprints and in the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• Enjoy stunning views at Hierve el Agua, a series of spectacular mineral springs in Oaxaca.
• Surf in Salina Cruz - one of the most important surfing centers on the Mexican Pacific coast.
• Take a boat trip in awe-inspiring Sumidero Canyon.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Fri): Chiapa de Corzo

Day 2 (Sat): Chiapa de Corzo

Day 3 (Sun): Chiapa de Corzo - Salina Cruz

In the morning, move to the city of Salina Cruz on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca. Check-in at one of the nearby surf camps and enjoy the sea! Optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Salina Cruz
• Meals Included: breakfast

Day 4 (Mon): Salina Cruz - Hierve el Agua - Mitla

Enjoy the sea & sun in the morning before going to Hierve el Agua, visiting one of the artisanal mezcal factories on your way. The location for some of the "Top posts" on Instagram, this series of spectacular mineral springs is a great place to enjoy impressive landscape and sunsets. Afterward, transfer to a nearby "Magical Town" of Mitla. Orientation walk of the historic center, check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mitla
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visit to Hierve el Agua, orientation walk in Mitla

Day 5 (Tue): Hierve el Agua - Monte Alban - Oaxaca

In the morning, after breakfast, go to Monte Alban. The former capital of the Zapotec people is today an illustrious ruin, but for over a thousand years it served as the second-largest ceremonial site in Mesoamerica, after Teotihuacán. In the afternoon, continue our "Mexico: Central 2 North America" tour in Oaxaca. A cultural colossus fit to rival anywhere in Mexico for history, gastronomy, and colorful manifestations of indigenous culture, Oaxaca is a complex but intensely attractive city whose majestic churches and refined plazas have deservedly earned it a UNESCO World Heritage badge. Accommodation, walking tour, optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Oaxaca
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visit to Monte Alban Archeological Zone, walking tour in Oaxaca

Day 6 (Wed): Oaxaca - Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve - Puebla

After breakfast, go to the UNESCO-listed Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve. Located in a complex system of mountain ranges and valleys, this region has played an important role in the development of agriculture in Mesoamerica. In the afternoon, move to Puebla. Once a bastion of conservatism and tradition, the city retains a well-preserved UNESCO-listed historic center, a stunning cathedral, and a wealth of beautiful churches. Accommodation, walking tour, optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located hotel/B&B in Puebla
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visit to Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve, walking tour in Puebla

Day 7 (Thu): Puebla - Cholula - Teotihuacán  - Mexico City

In the morning, continue our "Mexico: Central 2 North America" tour in a nearby "Magical Town" of Cholula. The oldest city in America inhabited without interruption since its origins, it proudly rises up next to the smoking Popocatepetl Volcano. Once there, visit the former Franciscan convent of San Gabriel, one of the oldest in America, and the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios. Built by Spaniards in the 16th century, it was placed right over the Great Pyramid of Cholula - the biggest one in the world by volume.
Afterward, our adventure tour will continue to Teotihuacán. A fabulous UNESCO-listed archaeological zone, it was Mexico's biggest ancient city and the capital of the country's largest pre-Hispanic empire. Lunch around Teotihuacan and evening arrival to Mexico City: check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the group.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
• Activities Included: guided visits to 2x archaeological zones - Teotihuacán & Cholula; walking tour in Cholula

Day 8 (Fri): Mexico City

Join your Tour Leader and start the day with a walking tour around the UNESCO-listed historic center of Mexico City and a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology. Then, choose by yourself what to do next  - your Tour Leader will be happy to give suggestions. Optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

• Transportation: walking, public transportation
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: walking tour of the Historic Center of Mexico City; guided visit to the National Museum of Anthropology

Day 9 (Sat): Mexico City

Last day of our "Mexico: Central 2 North America" tour: a free program. Choose whether to leave the same day, stay longer, or even join one of our next adventures!

• 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 & ARRIVAL: We will leave Chiapa de Corzo on Day 3 morning and arrive in Mexico City on Day 7 afternoon.
• AIRPORT TRANSFERS: This tour doesn't include airport transfers. Tuxtla Gutiérrez International Airport is about 30 km away from Chiapa de Corzo and is accessible by both taxis and public transport. Mexico City International Airport is 30-40 min away from the center of the city and is also easy to reach by both taxis and public transport.
• ACCOMMODATIONS: You will receive a list of accommodations together with trip notes 2 weeks before the tour. Most accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary). We can arrange pre- & post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when we send you final trip notes.
• 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 vehicle 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.

Notes

• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of walking and hiking. Therefore, travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness condition.
• AGE: Due to required physical condition, the recommended age of participants in this tour is 12-69 years. However, potential participants outside of the above-mentioned age group can still participate upon request if (1) they are in a good physical condition (2) that will allow them to cope with the pace of the group tour.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for daily departures. Most of the included activities such as walking tours (>2h, normally in historic centers of bigger cities), orientation walks (<2h, normally in smaller towns & villages), guided visits & hikes focus on local nature, history, culture & gastronomy and are led by a Tour Leader. You will receive suggestions for optional activities in trip notes. Extra day tours and activities can be booked by your Tour Leader for an extra fee.
• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & shoes; swimming suit & slippers/water shoes; a smaller backpack for daily tours; hat/cap, sunglasses & sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood & curiosity.
• GROUP VS. PRIVATE: Our multi-day tours offer both group and private departures (see pricing at checkout). 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 and the room/tour option you choose.