Marvellous Mexico

Day 1. Mexico City
Arrival to Mexico, reception and transfer to your hotel, the 4 star Gran Melia Reforma.

Day 2. Mexico City
After breakfast, a guided city tour through Mexico City, starting from The Zocalo, the historical centre of Mexico City. The tour includes the National Palace, famous for its colourful murals by Diego Rivera; the Cathedral Metropolitana, perhaps the most impressive in all of Mexico which was built by the Spanish in the 1520s. Return to your hotel.

Day 3. Mexico City - Teotihuacan
After breakfast, we shall drive 45 miles north to Teotihuacan, once the largest city in the Americas. Its name is Aztec as they discovered the city abandoned with no indication of an original name.
With its impressive Pyramids of the Sun, Moon and Quetzacoatl, you shall climb the pyramids for an incredible view over the entire complex. Continue on towards the Basilica de Guadalupe, famous for its dark skinned Virgin Mary. Return to your hotel in Mexico.

Day 4. Mexico City - Cuernavaca - Taxco
After breakfast, journey on to Cuernavaca, the"City of the Eternal Spring " for a glimpse of the colonial city centre with its sober cathedral and fortress like Palacio de Cortes. Continue through the fertile Morelos valley in to the Sierra Madre Occidental where, hidden away, is Taxco, the famous silver city and pearl of Colonial Mexican Art. Visit to the Santa Prisca Church and a silver workshop before returning to Mexico City.

Day 5. Mexico City - Tuxtla - San Cristóbal de las Casas
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Tuxtla. Arrival and transfer towards Rio Grijalv. En route, you shall enjoy a boat trip through the Canyon Sumidero. Continue on to San Cristóbal de las Casas, a handsome colonial town founded in 1524, transfer to your hotel, the 4 star Hotel Casa Vieja. Free afternoon to enjoy this town at your leisure.

Day 6. San Cristóbal de las Casas - Indigenous cultural visit
After breakfast, drive to san Juan Chamula where you will learn about the Tzotil religion. Continue onto Zinacatan and visit a church and family home to witness textiles being produced on a traditional loom. Return to San Cristóbal de las Casas for a city tour before transfer to your hotel.

Day 7. - San Cristóbal de las Casas - Palenque
After breakfast, journey by road to the ancient ruins Palenque, situated near a town of the same name. En route, visit to the waterfalls of Agua Azul. Arrival to Palenque, Mexico's most breath-taking archaeological park. Accommodation at the Chan Kah Resort Village. During the Mayan period, it was believed to be one of the most important cities of its day. Surrounded by lush tropical forest and jungle, this site has a serene, mystical atmosphere. Palenque contained tombs of ancient leaders and rulers, and still today, excavations are ongoing to uncover more of the mysteries and enigmas surrounding the ancient civilizations of the Maya.

Day 8. Palenque - Merida
After breakfast, visit to the La Venta museum before transfer to the airport for the flight to Merida and transfer to your hotel, the Casa del Balam. One of Mexico's most nostalgic colonial cities, similar to the city of Oaxaca, Merida combines colonial-era architecture with a rich Indian heritage.

Day 9. Merida - Uxmal - Kabah - Merida
After breakfast, transfer to Uxmal for a guided tour of this archaeological site including the Guesser Pyramid, the Nun's Square and Governor's Palace. After lunch, a visit to nearby Kabah, another archaeological site before returning to Merida.

Day 10. Merida - Chichen Itza - Cancun
After breakfast, head towards Chichen Itza, the most famous and finest preserved Mayan site in the Yucatan and now a new 7 wonders of the world site. A guided tour of this ancient Mayan city, dating back to 514 AD including 'The Castle' pyramid, 'The observatory', 'The one thousand columns square', 'jaguar's temple' and the Sacred Well (Cenote). Lunch before transferring to Cancun and your hotel, the 4 star Hyatt Regency.

Day 11. Cancun
Free day to enjoy the beaches of the Yucatan.

Day 12. Cancun - Juarez
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Ciudad Juarez, close to the US border. Transfer to your hotel, the Santa Fe. Free day.

Day 13. Juarez - Chihuahua
After breakfast, transport to the train terminal to board the train and start the journey which will eventually take us along the Copper Canyon rail journey. The train journey through the Copper Canyon is one of the most exciting train journeys in the world. The total distance from Los Mochis to Chihuahua is nearly 500 miles with a greatly varying landscape. There are 37 bridges, 86 tunnels, with cactuses, palm trees and banana plantations not to mention the Copper Canyon itself. The trip on the first day heads south and begins in the desert with its unique flora and fauna, including barrel cacti, road runners and Gila lizards.
Accommodation in Chihuahua, at the Mirador Hotel.

Day 14. Chihuahua - Creel
After breakfast in Chihuahua, a guided city tour allows for a visit to the Museum of the Revolution, once the home of Pancho Villa; the towering Chihuahua Cathedral, with its marvelous baroque facade, and the Government Palace. We shall also visit the Quinta Gameros Museum. As we reboard the train, we continue to pass south through montane forest, ranchlands and fertile orchards. Overnight stay in Creel at the Lodge.

Day 15. Creel - Barrancas
Today your train journey continues to Barrancas. In the afternoon you will enjoy a guided hike through the canyon itself. Here you will encounter the Tarahumara Indians. Overnight stay in Barrancas at the Hotel Divisadero Barrancas.

Day 16. Barrancas - El Fuerte
Today you will enjoy a hiking tour 'La Piedra Volada' before continuing onto Casita del Rancho. Return to your hotel for lunch before continuing the train trip to El Fuerte. Transfer to your hotel, the Posada del Hidalgo.

Day 17. El Fuerte
Free day at your disposal. A visit to the church, Palacio Municipal and the Plaza is recommended. The Posada del Hidalgo.

Day 18. El Fuerte - Los Mochis
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Mexico and your connecting flight home.

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