Mexico’s Mayan Trail

Day 1 London - Mexico City Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Mexico City. On arrival our coach will transfer you to the Hotel Geneve Ciudad de Mexico (3T+), Hotel Historico Central (4T) or Hotel Zócalo Central (4T) for a three-night stay. Day 2 Mexico City With a population of over 20 million, vast Mexico City spreads through an immense valley nearly 7,500ft above sea level. A true melting pot of all cultures and classes, the city showcases both ancient civilisation and modern city life. After breakfast we begin a city tour, which will include exploration of the Metropolitan Cathedral, which stands at the huge Zocalo, together with the National Palace with its famous collection of murals highlighting the history of Mexico. Later we make an extensive visit to the National Museum of Anthropology, one of the premier attractions the city has to offer and an introduction into sights to be seen later in the holiday. Day 3 Teotihuacan - Guadalupe Following breakfast we depart for our splendid day at Teotihuacan, one of the most important Aztec sites in Mexico and also one of the most impressive. The ruins of Teotihuacan are spread over a large distance and activities here include a walk along the ‘Avenue of the Dead’ and to view of the magnificent 70 metre high Sun Pyramid, which can be climbed for a breathtaking view. After our explorations we return to our hotel in Mexico City, visiting the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe en route to view the image of the miraculous Virgin Maria. Day 4 Mexico City - Puebla Today we travel to Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Mexico’s best-preserved Spanish colonial treasures. On arrival you will have a walking tour of the historical city centre and afterwards there will be free time for lunch at one of the many cafés and restaurants that surround the main square. The afternoon is at leisure to explore this wonderful city at your own pace. We stay for one night at the NH Puebla Centro Histórico (3T+). Day 5 Puebla - Oaxaca We depart Puebla today and head to our next destination Oaxaca, steeped in history and pronounced a city by King Carlos V of Spain in 1532. This afternoon we take a brief walking tour of the central district to help acquaint ourselves to this beautiful city. We stay for two nights at the Hostal de La Noria (4T). Day 6 Monte Alban - Oaxaca We begin the day at Monte Alban, the most important archaeological site in Oaxaca and arguably one of the most outstanding with a fabulous mountaintop location. We view the ruins of buildings dating between AD 250-800, which include a ball court and pyramids; however, the origins can be traced back to 500 BC when Monte Alban was first settled. Over 180 tombs have been discovered here so far. Following our arrival back into Oaxaca the afternoon is at leisure to explore as you wish. Day 7 Oaxaca - Tehuantepec Our day starts at Santa Maria del Tule to view the famous Tule Tree, located in the atrium of the Santa Maria de la Asuncion temple and thought to be over 2000 years old, with a circumference of over 50 metres. We continue to Mitla, where the Zapotecas believed the dead came to find their last resting place. Many of the buildings here are festooned with beautiful fretwork. We travel on to Teotitlan del Valle, a village famous for its locally made rugs and blankets. Later we drive to Tehuantepec for an overnight stay at the Hotel One Salina Cruz (3T). Day 8 Tehuantepec - San Cristobal This morning we travel by road to Tuxtla Gutierrez where we join our included boat tour along the Grijalva River and through the impressive Sumidero Canyon. Later, we continue to San Cristobal de las Casas where we stay for two nights at the Casa Vieja Hotel (4T). Day 9 San Juan Chamula - Zinacantan After breakfast we visit the renowned Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, where we gain an insight into the lives of the local communities. This afternoon we take a walking tour of San Cristobal. Day 10 San Cristobal - Palenque This morning we depart San Cristobal for the city of Palenque. Our route takes us past stunning vistas of forested valleys before arriving at Palenque in time for a late lunch. Our hotel this evening is the Ciudad Real (3T+). Day 11 Palenque Today we make an extensive visit to the ruins of Palenque in their mysterious jungle setting, which at its height in AD 600-700 was ruled by a dynasty of kings and queens. When belief in the system was lost, the city crumbled, only to be re-discovered in 1785. While the site itself is large, the majority of the city is still as yet unexcavated, buried in the surrounding jungle. Following plenty of time to explore we return to our hotel where the remainder of the day is free to relax. Day 12 Palenque - Campeche Leaving Palenque behind, we travel to the coastal city of Campeche, which was founded in the 1540s and was the main port for the Spanish in the Yucatan, who built huge fortifications to protect their goods from piracy. This afternoon we enjoy an orientation of the city and visit the Fuerte de San Miguel Museum. This evening we stay at the Hotel Plaza Campeche (4T). Day 13 Campeche - Kabah - Uxmal - Merida Our first stop today is at the semi restored site of Kabah, to view the huge array of sculptures illustrating the rain god Chac, with its characteristic long nose. A short drive then takes us to the Mayan archaeological site of Uxmal where we visit many temples, the Pyramid of the Wizard and the Quadrangle of the Nunnery and take time to view the intricate bas-relief stonework. Our day finishes at the white city of Merida on the northwest coast of the Yucatan peninsula. We stay at the Gamma by Fiesta Inn Mérida El Castellano (4T). Day 14 Merida - Chichen Itza Today we travel to one of the largest and most famous Mayan sites in the world. Chichen Itza showcases some of the best Mayan architecture including the 24 metre high Pyramid of Kakulcan, the Temple of the Warriors and the largest ball court found to date. You will also visit the 22 metre deep Sacred Cenote, a well where over fifty skeletons have been found. The Hotel Villas Arqueologicas (4T) is located within walking distance of the ruins. Day 15 Chichen Itza - Cancun - In-flight Today we transfer to Cancun Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London. Day 16 London Arrival at London Gatwick Airport where you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.