Overview & Highlights
A comprehensive Mayan and Aztec tour for history lovers. Mesoamerica has a huge number of archaeological sites and monuments. From Mexico City move on to colonial and indigenous Oaxaca and the Yucatán Mayan jungle pyramids. Over the border to Mayan Copán (Honduras), and Tikal (Guatemala).
Travel from the pre-Aztec ruins of cities and temples around multi-layered Mexico City – where you will appreciate the Spanish colonial legacy in all its glory – to ancient Aztec pyramids, as well as Mayan temples and fortresses in the mountains around Oaxaca. Go on to explore the evocative ancient monuments, testimony to bygone Mayan empires, which lay hidden and silent for centuries amid the deep valleys and jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula.
Mexico is one of Latin America’s most vibrant and culturally rich destinations, with a huge diversity of historical, cultural and natural attractions. Its archaeological richness is second to none. Most of the sites, including Aztec pyramids and Mayan Aztec temples are easily accessible, but many still have a feeling of remoteness; evoking the atmosphere of bygone times.
Cross the border into the jungles of northern Guatemala to explore Tikal which was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979: this vast Mayan site is one of the most impressive of its type on the continent, with iconic ruins of temples and pyramids; and on to Copán in Honduras, an ancient Mayan city, with its superlative intricate stonework.
- Mexico City: Full day guided city tour and excursion to Teotihuacan pyramids
- Guided visits to Puebla and the pyramid at Cholula
- Oaxaca: Guided excursion to the Zapotec and Mixtec ruins of Monte Albán and Mitla
- Mérida: Guided excursions to Chichén Itzá, Uxmal and Kabah
- Palenque: Guided tour of the archaeological site
- Tikal: Guided tour of the ruins
- Copán Ruinas: Guided tour of the Copán Mayan site
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Mexico City. Transfer to central hotel.
Day 2
Guided city tour and excursion to Teotihuacan pyramids.
Day 3
At leisure in Mexico City. Optional excursion to the ancient Toltec city of Tula
Day 4
By road to Puebla, excursion to the great pyramid at Cholula
Day 5
By road to Oaxaca; guided excursion to the ruins of Monte Albán.
Day 6
Visit Mitla and El Tule.
Day 7
Fly to Mérida, Yucatán.
Day 8
Guided visit to the ruined Mayan city Chichén Itzá.
Day 9
Guided excursion to Mayan ruins of Uxmal and Kabah.
Day 10
Transfer to the city of Campeche on the gulf coast
Day 11
Onwards to Palenque in Chiapas state
Day 12
Guided excursion to Palenque archaeological site.
Day 13
Through the Tabasco lowlands and Peten jungle to Tikal in Guatemala.
Day 14
Guided tour of Tikal, Mayan ruined city.
Day 15
By land over the border to Copán, Honduras.
Day 16
Guided excursion to Copán, Mayan city.
Day 17
By road to Antigua, Guatemala.
Day 18
At leisure in Antigua.
Day 19
Transfer to Guatemala City airport for international flight home.
Things to do
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Accommodation
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