Day 01

Mexico City

Arrival transfer to the hotel.

Day 02

Mexico City

City tour - Shrine of Guadalupe - Pyramids of Teotihuacan. During the morning visit the main streets and avenues of Mexico City. Visit to the main square (called Zocalo, the National Palace in which you will admire the magnificent frescoes of Diego Rivera (closed on sundays). The frescoes narrate with images the most important events of our history during three centuries. We will see the ruins of the main temple of the Aztecs as well as the Cathedral. Then, you will make a stop in a handicraft center. On to Chapultepec Park, residential area, where you will see the homes of famous artists. In the afternoon, on the way to the sanctuary of Guadalupe short stop by the "Plaza de las 3 Culturas", where you see 3 different periods in the history of mexico represented by 3 different kind of buildings: an archeological site, a catholic church and a modern building of foreign affairs ministry.

We continue our tour to the Basilica, where you will see the original image of the virgin mary appeard on a simple piece of fabric belonging to the indian juan diego. You will see both basilicas, the one of the XVIII century and the one devoted to the virgin almost three decades ago. On a modern highway we will reach the site of Teotihuacan "where men become gods" during your tour you will have the time and opportunity to climb the amazing Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon as well as to visit the Palace of Quetzal-Butterfly, the Feather-Snake-temple and the Avenue of the Death as well as the Citadel. (10 hrs)

Day 03

Mexico City

Day at leisure.

Day 04

Mexico City - Oaxaca

Transfer to the airport. Flight to Oaxaca. Arrival transfer. Continue with visit to the archeological site of Monte Alban. This archaeological site was one of the first cities constructed in America. Founded in 800 a.c. arqueologists have determined different construction periods. In the 3rd century of our era Monte Alban reached its height with an extension of almost 7 square kms and a population about 25,000 inhabitants. From its amazing location on the top of a mountain, the Zapotecs took control of the central valleys in all concernings the economy, politics and religion of the area. Its culture reached noticeable progress in the sciences and arts like: arquitecture, astronomy, medicine and engineering. During the visit you will see the Ball Court, the Palace, the Observatory, the famous Dancers carved on stone stelaes and the tombs 7 and 104 of this huge complex, which are some of the most important structures in this site. (duration of visit: 04 hrs)

Day 05

Oaxaca

Mitla - Tule tree - City visit Oaxaca. Mitla was the most important city in Oaxaca in the Postclassic Era and is undoubtely a very good exemple of the most advanced arquitecture in Mesoamerica. Mitla is an interesting and particular case in mexican archeology since the site is surrounded by the present village of San Pablo de Mitla and this is a living proof of a place which has been inhabitated since the prehistoric time. Its magnificent buildings were constructed in the X century d.c. when the city became an important cultural and political center. Its constructions prove the high level of techniques and sofistication of the Mixtec people. / Tule tree. The impressive tree belongs to the Cypress family. It is over 2000 years old. Its height is 42 meters and its perimeter is almost 58 meters.

The city was founded in the heart of a wide valley at 1500 meters over sea level. Santo Domingo church with its adjacent Dominican Exconvent. The interior of the church is a masterpiece of mexican baroque and rococo. The exconvent is at present the Regional Museum and houses magnificent sculptures among other objetcts of the zapotec and mixtec cultures, including the treasure and findings of tomb no. 7 from Monte Alban. The main square is surrounded by ancient buildings like the Governor's Palace provided with elegant porticos. The solid construction of the Cathedral is a good exemple that the buildings in Oaxaca had to be constructed to resist the centuries. Low and massive, it had to suffer various constructive and restauration stages. Its main facade made out of green quarry shows a rich variety of baroque ornaments. Juarez Market is like a huge showroom of the oaxaque? cuisine. The exceptional variety of products yield an incredible mixture of colors and aromas.

Day 06

Oaxaca - Villahermosa

Departure transfer. Flight to Villahermosa (flight ticket not included). Arrival transfer to the hotel.

Day 07

Villahermosa - Merida

Visit in the morning to the archeological site of Palenque, one of the most interesting mayan cities from the classic era. Lunch included. Afterwards transfer back to the airport of Villahermosa. Flight Villahermosa - Merida. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 08

Merida

Morning at leisure. At 13:00 transfer to Uxmal . Visit to the archeological site, which is located at 80 kms south of Merida. It is considered undoubtely as one of the most beautiful mayan ruins cities. The dimensions of its buildings and the fine carvings of its facades is astonishing. According to a legend, the big pyramid of the dwarf was made in only one night. In uxmal you can observe the purest mayan architecture without foreign influences, such as the one of the Toltecs in Chichen Itza. The date of foundation of Uxmal is not exactly known, but it is estimated around the V or VI century of our era.an example of pure Puuc-Style in its buildings like the Pyramid of the Magician. Light and sound show in the evening. Dinner included. Back to Merida. (08 hrs)

Day 09

Merida - Cancun

Early departure and two and a half hours transfer to the archeological site of Chichen Itza. Visit of historical site to see the ancient buildings like: the Observatory, the 70 feet height Pyramid of Kukulkan, the Jaguar Temple, the Sacred Well and the Ball Court among others. Lunch included. On to Cancun. Transfer to your hotel. (10 hrs)

Day 10

Cancun

Day at leisure.

Day 11

Cancun

Departure transfer to the airport.