Mexico: Aztecs, Maya & Zapotecs

20 days
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Small Group Tour
Discover Mexico's ancient history on this in-depth tour with archaeologist and anthropologist Nicholas James as he delves into the rich heritage left by the Aztecs, Maya and Zapotecs as we travel from Mexico City to the Yucatan. Highlights include the pyramids of Teotihuaćan, the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, and the temples of Palenque Uxmal a...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy the most thrilling varieties of history, architecture and scenery on Mexico
    • See the fascinating monuments of the Aztecs, Maya and Zapotecs.
    • Enjoy the magnificent colonial monasteries and churches
    • See the Avenue of the Dead, and the Pyramids of the Moon and the Sun, including the structures characteristic monumentality ki Teotihuacán "City of the Gods".
    • Visit the famous Maya pyramids of Chichén Itzá and the remarkably well-preserved sculptures of Ek Balam

What's this trip about?

    Discover Mexico's ancient history on this in-depth tour with archaeologist and anthropologist Nicholas James as he delves into the rich heritage left by the Aztecs, Maya and Zapotecs as we travel from Mexico City to the Yucatan. Highlights include the pyramids of Teotihuaćan, the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, and the temples of Palenque Uxmal and Chichén Itzá.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMexico
End CityGatwick

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

  • North America
  • New Mexico

Attractions

  • Mexico City

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Return airfare
    • Accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room
    • Full board with water
    • Excursions & admissions
    • Gratuities

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Itinerary

DAY 1
Depart Heathrow 1410 on British Airways, arriving Mexico City 1930. Transfer to Zócalo Central Hotel for four nights.

DAY 2
Morning walking tour through historical centre including the Zócalo (main square), National Palace (Riviera murals) and cathedral followed by afternoon visit to National Museum of Anthropology (fine archaeological collection).

DAY 3
Whole-day excursion to Teotihuacán (chief pre-Aztec city of Central Mexico) via 16th century Acolman Monastery.

DAY 4
Visits to Templo Mayor (main Aztec temple in Mexico with museum) and College of San Ildefonso (Orozco murals).

DAY 5
Depart via folk-Baroque churches of Acatepec and Tonantzintla, and Puebla historical centre (colonial buildings). Transfer to Cholula for overnight stay at Hotel Villas Arqueológicas.

DAY 6
Morning walking tour in Cholula. Transfer by coach to Oaxaca for two nights at Hostal de la Noria.

DAY 7
Morning excursion to Monte Albán archaeological site followed by afternoon walking tour in Oaxaca including Santo Domingo and Cultural Museum of Oaxaca.

DAY 8
Morning excursion to Tlacolula (market town) and Mitla ancient Mixtec-Zapotec archaeological site. Afternoon: transfer overland to Tehuantepec for overnight stay at Hotel Calli.

DAY 9
Continue overland into Chiapas region including possible boat ride into Sumidero Canyon. Continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas for two nights at Hotel Casa Mexicana.

DAY 10
Excursion to the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. Afternoon in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

DAY 11
Transfer overland through Ocosingo region via Agua Azul waterfalls to Palenque for two nights at Chan-Kah Hotel.

DAY 12
Whole-day in Palenque including visit to Classic Maya complex (Temple of the Inscriptions, palace, ball court, museum).

DAY 13
Transfer up the Yucatán peninsula via Campeche (beautiful walled city) to Uxmal for two nights at Hacienda Uxmal.

DAY 14
Whole-day at ancient Maya ceremonial centre of Uxmal: Pyramid of the Magician, Nunnery Quadrangle, Governor’s Palace and ancient ruined towns of Kabah and Labná.

DAY 15
Depart via Hacienda Yaxcopoil (19th century Sisal plantation) followed by Merida (city tour). Transfer to Chichén Itzá for two nights at Hacienda Chichén Itzá.

DAY 16
Morning visit to Chichén Itzá archaeological site. Afternoon: optional visit to Balankanché (ancient cave shrine).

DAY 17
Excursion to Ek Balam and Cobá archaeological sites. Transfer to seaside town of Playa del Carmen for two nights at Iberostar Quetzal Hotel.

DAY 18
Morning excursion to Tulúm (ancient ruined hilltop town). Free afternoon.

DAY 19
Free morning. Transfer to Cancún for 1735 departure.

DAY 20
Arrive Gatwick 0855.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,612
Price per day$331
Single supplement (single occupancy)$831
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with ACE Cultural Tours.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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ACE Cultural Tours Reviews & Ratings

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Simon

Oct 2019

Very interesting

Very interesting, the renovated building is architecturely very pleasing to the eye, lovely staff and the people working there seem very friendly, full credit to the...

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Tour Operator

ACE Cultural Tours

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ACE Cultural Tours (including ACE Cultural Cruises) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the ACE Foundation.

Founded in 1958, ACE is by far the oldest and most experienced provider of study tours and cultural travel in the United Kingdom, runnning tours, cruises and courses in the British Isles, Europe and across the globe.

In 2015 we celebrate our 58th season offering residential courses and study tours at home and abroad. All our tours combine three essential elements: exciting destinations,interesting subjects and stimulating leaders.

Each of our tours is led by an experienced course director: from one of the BBC's most distinguished music commentators to one of the few Europeans granted permission to guide in the Hermitage; from a geo-physicist with the British Antarctic Survey to the head of Special Collections at the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Although experts lead our tours, participants need no previous qualifications or experience to enjoy an ACE course; all that is required is a curiosity in the subject concerned. Most groups have between 15 and 25 participants.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Visa and passport
    • Internal airfare
    • Personal expenses
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
acecul-MEXO-16

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