Mexico and Merida Cultural Exploration

Upon arrival at Mexico City International Airport, our representative will welcome you and escort you by shared transfer to your chosen hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and settle inenjoy the hotels facilities or explore the nearby surroundings at your own pace. Please note that the itinerary may be adjusted depending on your day of arrival to ensure all planned activities can be accommodated. You will spend the night in Mexico City.

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you at around 9 am to begin a tour of Mexico Citys historic centre. We will explore the Zcalo, the citys main square, followed by visits to the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, home to Diego Riveras renowned murals. Next, we will visit the National Museum of Anthropology, which remains the foremost institution preserving Mexicos indigenous heritage since its opening nearly fifty years ago. This guided tour lasts approximately five hours, after which you may return to the hotel or choose to stay and explore the area independently or enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before making your own way back. In the evening, we will collect you from the hotel at 7.30 pm for dinner at Bellini, Mexico Citys only revolving restaurant, offering panoramic views of the city alongside a menu of traditional Mexican and international dishes, including a local drink. After dinner, we will visit Plaza Garibaldi, a lively nightlife hub famous for its mariachi bands, traditional dances and drinks, where a traditional beverage is included. We will return to the hotel around midnight.

We begin the day with a full-day tour through some of Mexico Citys most vibrant and traditional neighbourhoods. En route to Xochimilco, we travel along Insurgentes Avenue the fourth longest street in the world and a Guinness World Record holder passing notable landmarks such as Mexicos largest bullring, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and the 1968 Olympic Stadium. Upon arrival at the tranquil canals of Xochimilco, we board a traditional trajinera, a brightly painted flat-bottomed boat, for a scenic cruise through one of the last remnants of the Aztec era. We recommend purchasing snacks and drinks beforehand to enjoy a relaxed lunch as you float past colourful floating gardens. Learn about the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally a pre-Columbian city on the shores of Lake Xochimilco. You may be accompanied by live Mariachi bands hired by visitors, adding to the festive atmosphere. Later, we visit Coyoacan, known as the cultural heart of Mexico City, where colonial-era mansions and the Church of San Bautista reflect its rich heritage. We also explore the Frida Kahlo Museum, or The Blue House, gaining insight into the life and work of this iconic Mexican artist. We return to the hotel in Mexico City for the evening.

After breakfast, we will collect you from the hotel lobby at around 9.00 am for a visit to two remarkable ceremonial sites that illustrate the religious history of Mexico. Our first stop is the Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Tlatelolco, where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the esplanade and the archaeological zone of what was once the largest pre-Columbian market in Mexico. Next, we visit the Basilica of Guadalupe, the countrys most important religious sanctuary, home to the revered image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. You will explore both the atrium and the interior of the basilica. We then continue to Teotihuacan, known as the place where the gods are made. Before entering the archaeological site, we will explain its origins and significance, including its role in the production of textiles and obsidian tools. Inside the site, we will visit key landmarks such as the temples of Quetzalpapalotl and the Feathered Snails, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Citadel, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and conclude with the impressive Pyramid of the Sun. On the return journey to Mexico City, there will be a stop at a traditional restaurant for lunch (not included). You will arrive back at your hotel at approximately 4.30 pm.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to Mexico City International Airport for your flight to Mrida (flight not included). Upon arrival at Mrida Airport, a representative will welcome you and escort you to your chosen hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the hotels facilities or explore the charming surroundings at your own pace. Overnight in Mrida.

After breakfast, meet your guide at around 8.30 am for a hands-on cooking experience that begins with a visit to a local market. Here, we will explore traditional Yucatecan dishes and sample fresh regional fruits while learning about the customs and culinary traditions of the area. Once you have gathered all the ingredients, we will take a short bus ride to a local home where your host will guide you step by step through preparing a traditional menu. The class concludes around 2 pm, after which you will return to your hotel to relax for the remainder of the day.

We will visit three of the most stunning cenotes within the Yucatns ring of cenotes a remarkable semicircular formation of over 100 sinkholes linked to the asteroid impact that created a 180-kilometre crater around 65 million years ago. At the site, we will discuss this event, the unique ecosystem it created, and the profound connection the ancient Maya had with these natural wells. Be ready to swim and, if you wish, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of these extraordinary formations. After enjoying the cenotes and some free time to swim, we will stop for lunch before returning to Mrida.

Begin the day with a hearty breakfast before setting off to explore the archaeological site of Uxmal, a key highlight of the Puuc Route. Upon arrival, we will tour the impressive Mayan ruins, discovering remarkable structures rich in history and craftsmanship. You will learn about the significance of the site and hear captivating legends associated with notable landmarks such as the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, and the Governors Palace. Following the visit, we will stop at the Museum of Chocolate, where you will uncover the story of cacaofrom its ancient origins and cultural importance to its global uses and traditional Mayan preparation methods. Return to your hotel in Mrida for the night.

After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel at around 8.45 am for the journey from Mrida to Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Enter the Yucatn Peninsulas rainforest to explore this legendary Mayan city, carefully restored from the jungle. Discover the impressive scale and intricate details of the site as you learn about the Maya civilisation. Admire the 25-metre-high Kukulkan Temple, also known as El Castillo, renowned for its geometric precision and the optical illusion of a serpent descending the pyramid during the equinoxes. Visit the Great Ball Courtthe largest of thirteen found herethe Skull Platform, where sacrificial victims heads were displayed, and the Sacred Cenote, used for ritual offerings. Explore other key structures including the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and its adjacent Church, and the Caracol observatory. After your visit, enjoy lunch at a nearby local restaurant before continuing to Cancun or the Riviera Maya, where you will be dropped off at your chosen hotel.