Mexican Contrasts
Mexican Contrasts
Mexican Contrasts
12 Days Starting in Mexico City, Mexico and ending in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico
Visiting: Mexico City, Queretaro, Querétaro, Puebla, Oaxaca, Tuxtla Gutierrez, San Cristobal De Las Casas
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2507596
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
36 - 72
Age range:
3-85
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Mexican Contrasts" tour, a captivating journey through Mexico's rich cultural tapestry. Begin in the vibrant Mexico City, exploring the historic Plaza of the Three Cultures and the awe-inspiring Teotihuacan pyramids. Travel to Querétaro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and immerse yourself in its colonial charm. Discover the magic of San Sebastián de Bernal and Tequisquiapan, with their artisanal crafts and local delicacies. Experience the theatrical history of Hacienda Atongo and the ancient Toltec capital of Tula. In Puebla, savor the city's renowned cuisine and architecture before heading to Oaxaca's monumental heritage. Journey through the stunning landscapes of San Pablo Villa de Mitla and Tuxtla Gutierrez, and marvel at the natural wonders of Sumidero Canyon. Delve into Mayan culture in San Cristóbal de las Casas, exploring caves, ecotourism parks, and the Museum of Maya Medicine. Conclude your adventure with a transfer to Tuxtla Gutierrez airport.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Mexico City
Location: Mexico City
Accommodation Name: hotel
Welcome to Mexico! Transfer to hotel and free time. Our guide will contact you late in the afternoon.
Day 2 : Mexico City
Location: Mexico City
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we’ll explore Mexico City and the remarkable site of Teotihuacan, located just 40 km from the capital. After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey at the Plaza of the Three Cultures, where past and present merge seamlessly. From there, we’ll continue to the impressive archaeological site of Teotihuacan, where we’ll visit the monumental Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl, the Citadel, and the Avenue of the Dead. We’ll also stop by a local artisan center. On our way back to the city, we’ll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Latin America. After returning to the hotel, the rest of the day will be free.
Day 3 : Mexico City, Queretaro
Location: Queretaro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Free morning in Mexico City. After lunch, we’ll provide an included transfer to the bus station for the journey to Querétaro, located 200 km from Mexico City. Upon arrival at the station, you’ll be transferred to the hotel. Querétaro is a historic city known for its rich cultural and architectural heritage. Founded in 1531, it played a key role in both Mexico’s Independence and the Mexican Revolution. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with charming plazas, baroque churches, and colonial buildings. Over the next few days, you’ll have time to stroll through the magnificent center, with its cobblestone streets, vibrant plazas lined with colonial architecture, the 18th-century aqueduct, lush gardens, and bustling markets.
Day 4 : Queretaro
Location: Queretaro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Today, we’ll visit the Pueblo Mágico of San Sebastián de Bernal, a charming town known for its tranquil atmosphere at the base of the world’s third-largest monolith. Here, you’ll find skilled textile artisans. We’ll also explore Tequisquiapan, famous for its mineral water spas and colonial-style buildings that line its cobblestone streets. This town is renowned for its handmade artisanal products, especially the woven baskets sold in the artisan market. A guided tour will be included, allowing us to delve into the local history.Our excursion will also include a delightful culinary experience, with a visit to the San Patricio Winery and the Bocanegra Cheese Cellar. You’ll learn about cheese production and the unique challenges of high-altitude winemaking, accompanied by a tasting of regional wines.
Day 5 : Queretaro
Location: Querétaro
Accommodation Name: hotel
We’ll enjoy a free morning in Querétaro for you to continue exploring this charming city. In the afternoon, we’ll include a unique theatrical experience! Just 40 km from Querétaro lies the Hacienda Atongo, a historic seventeenth-century estate. Here, we’ll take a guided tour with characters from another era, immersing ourselves in the rich history of the hacienda, from its main buildings to the vineyard. The visit will be brought to life with theatrical performances by local actors. We’ll also enjoy a refreshing drink made from wine produced on the estate. We’ll then return to Querétaro.
Day 6 : Queretaro, Tula, Puebla
Location: Puebla
Accommodation Name: hotel
We’ll depart for Tula, the ancient capital of the Toltecs. Admission to its archaeological site is included. The Atlantean figures, imposing four-meter-tall warrior statues, are the site’s main attraction. You’ll also see pyramids, palaces, and carved columns, showcasing the sophistication of this pre-Hispanic civilization. We’ll then arrive in Puebla, a historic city renowned for its culinary traditions, colonial architecture, and ceramics. Highlights include its impressive Renaissance cathedral and its lively main square. We’ll spend the night in this lively and active city.
Day 7 : Puebla, Oaxaca
Location: Oaxaca
Accommodation Name: hotel
We travel to the state of Oaxaca, through mountainous regions with pleasant landscapes. Arrival in OAXACA at the end of the morning - Visit included to this UNESCO World Heritage City of Aztec origin with its impressive monumental heritage. Shortly after, we go up to the site of MONTE ALBAN, which is set deep in a 400-metre mountain above the Valley of Oaxaca – entry tickets and visit are included. This is the most magnificent of the Zapotec cities. Free time in Oaxaca, an extremely beautiful colonial city which is full of life.
Day 8 : Oaxaca, San Pablo Villa De Mitla, Tuxtla Gutierrez
Location: Tuxtla Gutierrez
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
We leave for SAN PABLO VILLA DE MITLA, a magical town. We allow time for a walk together to the Church of San Pablo dating back to the Sixteenth Century and through its beautiful rustic streets. We continue our route in the sierras of Oaxaca towards the Isthmus. Lunch is included en route. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive in TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, the capital of the state of Chiapas.
Day 9 : Tuxtla Gutierrez, Sumidero Canyon, Chiapa Del Corzo, Zinacantan, San Juan De Chamula, San Cristobal De Las Casas
Location: San Cristobal De Las Casas
Accommodation Name: hotel
We see the CAÑON DEL SUMIDERO, on a boat we sail up this impressive canyon almost 1 km deep and 14 km long. Then we take a stroll in CHIAPA DEL CORZO, a colonial site of tradition and culture. After this, we go further into the Mayan culture and visit beautiful villages inhabited by the Tzotziles Indians. In ZINACANTAN we can admire the dresses of the women and the beautiful shops and weaving workshops. In SAN JUAN CHAMULA we will be surprised by its church which mixes Christianity with pre-columbine traditions in its rites. Continuation to SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS. Afternoon free in this very beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.
Day 10 : San Cristobal De Las Casas
Location: San Cristobal De Las Casas
Accommodation Name: hotel
Today, we’ll embark on an 8-hour excursion with a local tour operator. From San Cristóbal de las Casas, we’ll visit Las Grutas del Mamut, named due to its rock formation resembling a prehistoric mammoth. This massive cave is filled with impressive rock formations that captivate visitors.We’ll then continue to El Arcotete Ecotourism Park, a scenic site surrounded by lush, varied vegetation and abundant wildlife. Here, a striking natural stone archway, shaped over thousands of years by the flow of the Fogótico River, awaits us. This unique formation combines elements of a natural arch and caves, with numerous caverns, rock formations, and stalactites to explore.Our final stop will be the Rancho Nuevo Ecotourism Park, home to a cave stretching 10.2 kilometers in length and reaching depths of up to 550 meters. An illuminated pathway extends 750 meters into the cave, allowing us to admire the fascinating shapes formed by stalactites and stalagmites over time. This geological marvel is nestled in a conifer forest, where you can also enjoy horseback riding, camping, hiking, and spelunking activities.We’ll return to San Cristóbal de las Casas where you’ll have free time.
Day 11 : San Cristobal De Las Casas
Location: San Cristobal De Las Casas
Accommodation Name: hotel
Today, we’ll include a 5-hour excursion with a local tour operator to Moxviquil, a true example of a learning community for sustainibility. This expansive area, lush with vegetation, offers a range of activities such as native birdwatching, observing pollinators and insects, exploring the beautiful orchid garden, and taking part in the signature interpretive hiking trail, a unique experience that connects visitors directly with nature.Afterward, we’ll visit the Museum of Maya Medicine, dedicated to sharing and preserving Tsotsil-Tseltal healing practices in Chiapas. The museum features a variety of settings that showcase traditional medical practices, as well as the methods and therapeutic resources used by community healers, including the Jilol (pulse reader), Koponej witz (mountain prayer specialist), Tzakbak (bone-setter), Jvetome (midwife), and Acvomol (herbalist).We’ll then return to our hotel, with the rest of the afternoon free for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Day 12 : San Cristobal De Las Casas, Tuxtla Gutierrez
Location: Tuxtla Gutierrez
According to your flight schedule, we’ll include a transfer to Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport, where you may take the most convenient flight (not included) to Mexico City airport (or another destination), marking the end of your journey.
What's Included
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Transfer to hotel in Mexico City
Upon arrival in Mexico City, a transfer to the hotel is included.
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Exploration of Mexico City and Teotihuacan
A guided exploration of Mexico City and the archaeological site of Teotihuacan is included.
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Transfer to Queretaro
An included transfer to the bus station for the journey to Querétaro is provided.
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Guided tour in San Sebastián de Bernal and Tequisquiapan
A guided tour of San Sebastián de Bernal and Tequisquiapan is included, along with a visit to the San Patricio Winery and Bocanegra Cheese Cellar.
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Theatrical experience at Hacienda Atongo
A unique theatrical experience at Hacienda Atongo with a guided tour and a refreshing drink is included.
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Admission to Tula archaeological site
Admission to the archaeological site of Tula is included.
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Visit to Monte Alban
Entry tickets and a visit to Monte Alban are included.
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Lunch en route to Tuxtla Gutierrez
Lunch is included en route to Tuxtla Gutierrez.
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Boat ride in Sumidero Canyon
A boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon is included.
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Excursion to Las Grutas del Mamut and Ecotourism Parks
An 8-hour excursion to Las Grutas del Mamut, El Arcotete Ecotourism Park, and Rancho Nuevo Ecotourism Park is included.
What's Not Included
FlightsFlights to and from Mexico City are not included.
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes transfers to and from bus stations and airports, as well as a boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon.
Accommodation
Accommodation details are not provided in the tour information.
Check out our Q&As
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What can I expect to see in Mexico City during the tour?
In Mexico City, you will explore the Plaza of the Three Cultures and visit the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, where you can see the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl, the Citadel, and the Avenue of the Dead. You will also visit a local artisan center and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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What activities are included in Queretaro?
In Queretaro, you will visit the Pueblo Mágico of San Sebastián de Bernal and explore Tequisquiapan, known for its mineral water spas and artisanal products. You will also have a guided tour of the San Patricio Winery and the Bocanegra Cheese Cellar, including a wine tasting.
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What is the highlight of the visit to Tula?
The highlight of the visit to Tula is the archaeological site, where you will see the Atlantean figures, which are four-meter-tall warrior statues, as well as pyramids, palaces, and carved columns.
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What unique experiences are offered in San Cristobal De Las Casas?
In San Cristobal De Las Casas, you will visit Las Grutas del Mamut, El Arcotete Ecotourism Park, and Rancho Nuevo Ecotourism Park. You will also have an excursion to Moxviquil and the Museum of Maya Medicine, where you can learn about traditional healing practices.
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What is included in the visit to Oaxaca?
In Oaxaca, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage City and the site of Monte Alban, which is a significant Zapotec city. You will have free time to explore the beautiful colonial city.
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What will I experience at Sumidero Canyon?
At Sumidero Canyon, you will take a boat ride through the canyon, which is almost 1 km deep and 14 km long, offering impressive views of the natural landscape.
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Europamundo requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of europamundo charges.
Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 10 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 2 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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