Mexico – History & Beaches 9D/8N

Day 1:
Mexico City

Arrive in Mexico City, get transferred to your hotel and relax after sampling the local food over dinner…(D)

Day 2:
Coyoacan

Head out to Coyoacan, the “place of those who have coyotes”, the place where Cortés prepared his war strategy for the conquest of the Aztecs. Walk around and explore this city which was one of the first colonial settlements and admire the museums, the paintings and the architecture.

Then on to Xochimilco, “The place of flowers” – one of the most picturesque and colorful areas of Mexico City, and one of the last remaining vestiges of the old Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan; Explore this old town with its canals, floating gardens and brightly decorated “trajineras” (the traditional Mexican equivalent of a gondola). Enjoy the lively atmosphere on the canals and enjoy a delicious local lunch on the boat.

Embark on a guided walking tour of the town visiting the Cathedral, Palaces and the ruins of the Templo Mayor, one of the most important temples of the Aztecs in their ancient capital city of Tenochtitlan. After a tiring day, head back to your hotel for some rest and recreation.

Day 3:
Hot-air balloon adventure

An early morning start to experience the Teotihuacan Pyramids like few people have done – looking down on them from the sky! This is a unique hot-air balloon adventure to catch breathtaking aerial views of the City of the Gods and its astonishing pyramids. Then cycle to San Martin Las Piramides, a small town near the pyramids of Teotihuacan, to see how the Pulque liquid is extracted from the Maguey plant to make the Agua Miel, a sap that turns into an alcoholic beverage which has been produced for millennia in Central Mexico. Have some of the heady brew if you wish, before a traditional light breakfast served by a local family in a beautiful countryside scenery. Next stop will be the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. Learn about, aadmire and climb the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and walk down the Avenue of the Dead with a historian/archaeologist. And then head to a cave where a shaman will perform a ceremony. Get back to Mexico City to freshen up at the hotel and head out for an authentic Mexican dinner at one of the traditional and colorful cantinas of Mexico City. (B, D)

Day 4:
City of Angels

Transfer to Puebla, the “City of Angels”, passing the snow-capped volcanoes of Popocatépetl (Smoking Mountain, 5464m) and Iztaccíhuatl (Sleeping Lady, 5230m). Visit the magical town of Cholula, where you will see the largest pyramid structure in the Americas. On top of the Great Pyramid of Cholula the Spanish built a church, a symbol of the religious conquest of Mexico. Explore this World heritage site – the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the breathtaking Capilla del Rosario in the Santo Domingo Church.

Head out to Oaxaca, one of the most colorful colonial towns of Mexico and, just like Puebla, listed as World Heritage. Check in to your hotel and relax after a long day… (B, L)

Day 5:
Ancient city

Explore this ancient city with its cathedrals, monuments, colourful streets, galleries, crafts shops, and restaurants, and be amazed by the cultural wonders you come across. Transfer to Monte Alban, one of the region´s most beautiful archaeological sites, constructed on a plateau at 1,940 meters above sea level. Learn about and see the pyramids and many other mystical constructions – you will find here cultural traces from different civilizations, such as the Olmecs, Mixtecs and Zapotecs. After a visit to another town famous for its handicrafts and wooden statues, head back to Oaxaca for dinner and rest. (B, L)

Day 6:
Place of the Dead

Visit Mitla, the “Place of the Dead”, and a ceremonial center of the Zapotecs with its outstanding mosaics. Move on to Matatlan; the maguey fields in the village of Union Zapata and visit a distillery in the village to learn about the traditional production process of Oaxaca´s sacred liquor… And then move on to learn about the production of home-made textiles in a village nearby. Head out to Latuvi, which consists of 8 little villages in the forested highlands of the Sierra Norte, a stunning natural area, and the perfect escape if you’re looking for tranquility, authentic Zapotec community life, and nature. (B, D)

Day 7:
Oaxaca

Visit the local community, learn about their customs and rituals, explore the countryside and head out to Oaxaca in the afternoon for an evening of celebration. (B, L)

Day 8:
Huatulco

Fly down to Huatulco by the Pacific Ocean and enjoy the virgin beaches of Bahia Organo and Bahia Maguey… Go on a boat ride to observe the marvelous natural wonders of the ocean, such as La Bufadora and the rock formation known as the “Face of Stone”. (B, D)

Day 9:
Back home

Chill and laze around by the Pacific Ocean till it’s time for you to head out to the airport and your flight back home…