No. 09 Grand Tour of Mexico

DAY 01 - WELCOME TO MEXICO CITY You will be amazed by the size of our city from the moment you arrive. Meet and greet with a local representative and transfer to your hotel. Included: Shared Airport transfers, Overnight Hotel in Mexico City. DAY 02 - CITY TOUR AND ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM Get to know one of the world’s biggest and most exciting cities! Enjoy a guided visit to the historical center, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. This exciting tour will include “The Zocalo,” the heart of the city, where you will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest of the Americas, and the National Palace (if open - subject to government activities), to see the famous murals of Diego Rivera. You will also see the ruins of the Templo Mayor (panoramic visit), one of the most famous temples of the Aztecs in their ancient capital city of Tenochtitlan. The Templo Mayor is thought to located on the exact spot where the Aztecs saw the eagle perching on a cactus with a snake in its beak. This symbolized for the Aztecs that they had reached their promised land. Next, we drive down the beautiful Paseo de la Reforma Avenue to arrive at Chapultepec Park. In pre-Hispanic times a summer residence for the noble class of the Aztecs, now it is Mexico City’s largest park and one of the largest city parks in the world. We will visit the Museum of Anthropology (closed on Mondays). This museum is considered to be among the world’s most beautiful of its kind. Here you will admire the famous Aztec calendar stone, models of Tenochtitlan, a fascinating marketplace diorama, a giant Olmec stone heads from the jungles of Tabasco and Veracruz, among many other exotic treasures. The Museum of Anthropology is considered one of the best in the world, and visiting this Museum completely could take days, our visit is around 2 hours (approx.) to the Aztec Hall. You can consider staying on your own after so you can enjoy the rest of the day at the Museum. Please consider taking a Taxi from the Museum to your Hotel. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Walking Tour with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish language) in the historical Centre and Museum of Anthropology, Admission fee at Anthropology Museum, Overnight Hotel in Mexico City. 6 Hours Activity DAY 03 - PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACAN AND THE SHRINE OF GUADALUPE Teotihuacan,” the place where gods were created‟ is one of the most important archaeological sites of the country. The history of Teotihuacan is quite mysterious. The earliest buildings were constructed around 200 BC. Is assumed that the city may have counted 200,000 inhabitants during its period of prosperity. In those years, Teotihuacán was the biggest city in the American continent and one of the biggest in the world. Until its inhabitants abandoned the city around the 8th century, Teotihuacan was probably the most significant and civilized cultural center of ancient Mexico. During this guided excursion, you will encounter the magic and mystery of Teotihuacan. Admire (and climb?) the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Walk down the Avenue of the Dead, visit the Temple of Quetzalcoatl with its unique stone sculptures of plumed serpents, the Temple of the Butterflies, and the Fortresses. Before arriving at your hotel, we make a stop at the Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a pilgrimage place for millions of Mexicans and people from all around the world. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Walking Tour with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language) in Archaeological Site of Teotihuacan, Entry to Archaeological Site of Teotihuacan, Overnight Hotel in Mexico City. 8 hours activity DAY 04 - MEXICO CITY - CUERNAVACA - TAXCO Today we will visit two important colonial towns. We first travel to Cuernavaca, the “City of the Eternal Spring”. This nickname was given to the city by Alexander Von Humboldt because of its pleasant climate all year long. Cuernavaca is a perfect place to relax and explore its numerous historic monuments such as the Cathedral, constructed in the 16th century, and the Palace of Cortés, one of the oldest conserved colonial structures in the Americas, being almost 500 years old. Then we continue to Taxco, also called the “Silver Capital” of Mexico. Taxco is one the prettiest towns in Mexico and it´s the place for shopping silver. We will visit the center of Taxco with its pleasant atmosphere, paved streets, and Baroque architecture. Look around in a silver workshop and visit the Santa Prisca Church, considered one of the most beautiful in the country Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language) for walking tour, Overnight Hotel in Taxco. 7 hours activity Mexico City – Cuernavaca – 1hr 25mins Cuernavaca – Taxco – 1hr 30mins DAY 05 - TAXCO - ACAPULCO Departure in the morning to the Pacific Coast, this day we will provide transportation to Acapulco. Arrive around noon at the world-famous resort town of Acapulco. Acapulco was the country´s first resort-town and has always been a favorite retreat for people from all kinds of backgrounds. It has been a favorite jet-set destination since the 1950s. Glamorous, spontaneous, and splashy, Acapulco is a city of superlatives. It delivers a 24-hour exuberance that makes every moment count. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon we recommend an (optional) boat trip in the Aca Rey Yacht around Acapulco Bay to get a feel of this paradise. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Spanish Assistance for Transfer, Overnight Hotel in Acapulco. Taxco – Acapulco – 3hrs 30 mins DAY 06 -HIGHLIGHTS OF ACAPULCO (Not available on Mondays) Let us show you more of Acapulco, and its surroundings Discover the interesting historical heritage that Acapulco has to offer. Be amazed by the view of Acapulco Bay from the scenic freeway and explore the most famous sights in this beautiful place. Visit the Chapel of Peace, the San Diego Fort Museum (entry not included), we will go through the Zócalo and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Solitude, until we reach the Diego Rivera Mural, continue to the Traditional Zone to visit the Flamingos Hotel and attend the wonderful show of divers. The donation is paid directly at the site 50.00 Pesos approximately. Then visit Acapulco´s city center and end your tour will a genuinely unique show at La Quebrada. You will attend the famous Cliff Divers Show. Be amazed by the courage and skills of these divers, who elegantly dive into the ocean from a 45- meters high cliff, an unforgettable experience. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Panoramic City Tour, Cliff Diver Show, Overnight Hotel in Acapulco. 4 hours activity DAY 07 - ACAPULCO – MERIDA In due time, you will be transferred to Mexico City International Airport for your domestic flight to Merida. (Flight not included in the price). Take note you should arrive before at 13:00 hrs. Please contact us in case you need different options of domestic flight. . Meet and greet with a local representative and transfer to your hotel for check-in in Merida and to leave your belongings. Once you are ready, we start our sightseeing city tour of the main sights. The city of Merida founded by the Spanish military explorer Francisco de Montejo in 1526. In the central plaza, we will visit the Cathedral, Casa de Los Montejo (Museum & Cultural Center – entry not included), pass by the Government Palace and visit the Town Hall. Today, we will learn all about the ‘White City’ of Merida. We will drive through its main avenue Paseo de Montejo, which has some beautiful Colonial buildings, like the Palace and Canton, an authentic National Monument. This trip is for sure a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of the ‘White City’ Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation to/from the airport in Mexico City & Merida, Panoramic Tour with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Overnight Hotel in Merida. Acapulco – Merida (flight service not included) City tour in Merida – 2 hrs activity DAY 08 - UXMAL & KABAH Uxmal is the most prominent archaeological site of the Puuc Route, a series of ancient Mayan cities that share the same architectural patterns. Once upon a time, Uxmal was one of the most important ceremonial centers of the ancient Maya civilization. It can still be considered one of the most beautiful pre-Hispanic archaeological sites on the American continent, thanks to the proportion of its majestic constructions. The precision and elegance of the decorations are astonishing. Visit the Pyramid of the Magician, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, and the Governor's Palace. Later, we'll go south to explore Kabah. This site is located close to Uxmal and belongs to the Puuc route as well. In Kabah, we will see the famous Arch that connects the city with Uxmal, the Great Pyramid, and the stunning Temple of the Masks. At night and with a colder climate, you will enjoy the most important places of this beautiful city (on your own), also known as "The White City." Mérida was founded in 1542 by the Spaniard Francisco de Montejo. Nowadays, Merida is the capital city of the Mexican state of Yucatan, with still a strong influence of Mayan cultural heritage. It features a fascinating combination of art, history, and culture, with cobbled streets, stunning architecture, lovely parks, and delicious gastronomy. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Local Guided visit to Archeological Site of Uxmal and Kabah with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English-Spanish Language), Entry to Archeological Site of Uxmal and Kabah, Overnight at Hotel in Merida. Merida – Uxmal – 1 hr Uxmal – Kabah – 25 min Kabah – Mérida – 1 hr 30 min DAY 09 - MERIDA - CHICHEN ITZA - CANCUN At the end of the Early Classic Period, around the year 600 AD, Chichen Itza was one of the largest and most prominent Maya cities. Nowadays, Chichen Itza is undoubtedly the best-preserved Maya site on the Yucatan peninsula, and it was recently declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Various architectural styles are seen in Chichen Itza. Most famous landmarks are the Temple of Kukulkan (“El Castillo”), the Ballgame Court, the Platform of the Skulls, the Temple of the Jaguar, the Observatory, the One Thousand Columns, and the Sacred Cenote. Have lunch in a local restaurant (not included), and continue to Cancun. Drop off at your hotel (beach extension available upon request). Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Shared Transportation, Local Guided visit to Archeological Site of Chichen Itza with Bilingual Speaking Guide (English – Spanish Language), Entry to Archeological Site of Chichen Itza, Drop off at Hotel in Cancun.(Drop Off in Riviera Maya or Tulum with extra supplement $25 USD per person). Merida – Chichen – 2 Hrs Chichen – Cancun – 3 hr