Discover Mexico's Magical Heritage Journey - 13 Days

Welcome to Mexico. On arrival in Mexico City, we’ll meet you for your transfer to the hotel and check-in. The rest of the day is free – you can relax after your flight or take a short stroll near the hotel if you wish. Our guide will contact you in the late afternoon. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

This morning we head to Xochimilco to glide along its canals on a trajinera – a colourful, flower-decked boat – among the semi-floating gardens. Afterwards, we take a panoramic city tour, passing the Plaza of the Three Cultures, the historic centre with the Zócalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Aztec Templo Mayor, as well as Chapultepec Park, Paseo de la Reforma and the city’s main avenues. You’ll have free time for lunch around the Zócalo.

In the afternoon, we visit the Basilica of Guadalupe – the most visited Catholic shrine in the Americas and home to the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe – where we see both the old 18th-century basilica and the modern temple. In the evening, we continue to Plaza Garibaldi, famous for its cantinas, restaurants and bars where tacos and tequila are served and mariachi bands perform. Dinner is included at a typical Mexican restaurant.

We begin the day travelling into the mountains and forests where monarch butterflies spend the winter. We visit La Mina de las Dos Estrellas – a mine–turned–museum that showcases the region’s mining heritage – before continuing to Tlalpujahua, a Pueblo Mágico in Michoacán known for its Baroque sanctuary, cobbled streets and handcrafted Christmas ornaments, with many shops displaying Santa Claus figures. You’ll have free time to stroll and choose a place for lunch. We then continue to Pátzcuaro for a panoramic tour of this colonial city, noted for its pre–Hispanic origins, architecture and craft markets.

We depart Pátzcuaro for Morelia, capital of Michoacán – a UNESCO World Heritage city celebrated for its pink-stone architecture and graceful historic centre. We tour its main sights, including the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and the University of Morelia, founded in 1540. You’ll have free time to stroll and choose a place for lunch. Continuing our journey, we stop in Tlaquepaque – a Pueblo Mágico alive with mariachi music, live performances, artisan shops and tempting local cuisine. We then continue to Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco and a vibrant colonial city known as the birthplace of mariachi and tequila, arriving in the late afternoon.

In the morning, we explore Guadalajara, a modern metropolis with a handsome colonial centre. Our city tour takes in the Cathedral, the historic market and Plaza Tapatía, and includes entry to Hospicio Cabañas – a UNESCO World Heritage site. After the visit, we continue to the nearby town of Tequila for a guided tour of the Mundo Cuervo distillery to see how this emblematic Mexican spirit is produced – entrance and tasting included. You then have free time to wander the picturesque streets and choose a spot for lunch. We return to Guadalajara after lunch.

We travel from Guadalajara to the state of Guanajuato, arriving around midday. In the afternoon, we take an included city tour of this beautiful university city – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – exploring its steep slopes, narrow streets and historic churches. We also ride the cable car to the El Pípila viewpoint to admire the city from above.

We travel through the mountains to Dolores Hidalgo – the birthplace of Mexican independence. We then visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, known as the Sanctuary of God and Country and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site – please note that access to the interior may not be possible during religious retreats. We continue to San Miguel de Allende, another World Heritage city with elegant colonial architecture and cobbled streets, where you have time to stroll at your own pace. Later, we arrive in Queretaro, known for its magnificent colonial centre, Plaza de Armas and lively restaurants along pedestrian streets.

We depart for Tula, where we include entrance and a visit to the archaeological site, the ancient Toltec capital. The highlights are the Atlantes – imposing warrior figures around four metres tall – along with pyramids, palaces and carved columns that reflect the sophistication of Toltec culture. We then continue to Puebla for a panoramic tour of this historic city, known for its cuisine, colonial architecture and Talavera pottery. We’ll see its magnificent Renaissance–style cathedral and the lively Zócalo. Overnight in Puebla.

We travel by road through the mountains into the state of Oaxaca, arriving by late morning. We include a guided visit of Oaxaca’s UNESCO listed historic centre, known for its outstanding heritage. We then continue to Monte Albán – set on a mountaintop about 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley – where tickets and a guided tour are included. Afterwards we return to Oaxaca and you have free time to keep exploring at your own pace.

We set off early from Oaxaca, making a brief stop in San Pablo Villa de Mitla – a Pueblo Mágico – where you can stroll by the 16th–century Church of San Pablo and along its rustic streets. We then continue through the mountains of Oaxaca towards the Isthmus, with an included lunch en route. By late afternoon we arrive in Tuxtla Gutiérrez – the capital of Chiapas.

From Tuxtla Gutiérrez, we set out for the Cañón del Sumidero and board a boat to glide between its towering walls – cliffs rise to almost 1 km and the navigable stretch runs for about 14 km. We then continue to Chiapa de Corzo for a leisurely stroll through this colonial town rich in tradition. Afterwards, we delve further into Maya culture with visits to Tzotzil communities – in Zinacantán we see the women’s traditional dress and visit weaving workshops, and in San Juan Chamula we visit the church where Christian practices mix with pre‑Columbian rites. We continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas, where you have the afternoon free to explore this beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.

We transfer from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport for our included flight to Mexico City. On arrival, we transfer to the hotel and check in.

Breakfast at the hotel – our services conclude afterwards. Airport transfers are not included, so you will need to make your own way to the airport.