Real Mexico

Day 1  Mexico City      
Bienvenidos! Where better to start a Meh-i-co exploration than in Mexico City – one of the world's largest urban centres. Let’s kick things off with a welcome meeting today at 6pm.

Day 2  Mexico City
Maybe grab some chilaquiles (a type of breakfast nachos) in the morning, then join your leader for an orientation walk around the historic centre of the city. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy – if you like art, the Frida Kahlo Museum is a must-see, and for all museum lovers there's the Museum of Anthropology or the Palace of Fine Art. Don’t forget to snack your way around the city too, munching on tostadas, tortas, and chicharrones all day long.

Day 3  Mexico City to Oaxaca      
Take a public bus to the smaller but no less beautiful city of Oaxaca (around 7 hours). Pronounced ‘wuh-haa-ka’, this colourful town in the south is full of colonial buildings, colourful arcades and busy markets. Your group leader will provide an orientation walk to get your bearings, before giving you the time to visit at your own pace. Get lost admiring the spectrum of coloured buildings or sit in the main square listening to a street performer, sipping a mezcal and watching the world pass by.

Day 4  Oaxaca
The city (and state) of Oaxaca is yours to explore on this free day, full of optional experiences. Perhaps head to the spectacular mountain top temples of Monte Alban just outside the city. Alternatively, you could take a day tour out to the nearby Mitla Ruins. Perhaps on the way back to Oaxaca, you could stop into a mezcaleria (mezcal distillery) to learn about the lesser-known but more and more popular hermano (brother) of tequila.  

Day 5  Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas    
Today is another full day in Oaxaca, but be prepared to board an overnight bus later to travel to the mountain-top village of San Cristobal de las Casas. You’ve got today to bask in the colour and sights of Oaxaca, so why not test out your culinary skills at a delicious cooking class?  

Days 6-7  San Cristobal de las Casas
Say ‘hola’ to San Cristobal, your pastel-hued highland home for the next two days. Today and tomorrow are at your leisure here. Your group leader will point the main things out on a leader-led city tour, and afterwards, will help you arrange any optional activities. With its winding cobblestone streets snuggled in the Chiapas highlands, San Cristobal de las Casas has an old-world feel mixed with strong pre-hispanic roots.  

Day 8  San Cristobal de las Casas to Lacanja River      
Today travel along a windy road by private vehicle to Lacanja River (approximately 6 hours). You will stop at Agua Azul (blue water) waterfall on the way, where you'll have an option to swim in the cascading pools. Once you've arrived, the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore. There are a few optional activities on offer, including a number of hikes, or  a rafting experience over Lacanja River waterfalls and backwaters and to the nearby archaeological site, then travelling back through the jungle and past the waterfalls of Moctuniha.      

Day 9  Lacanja River
This morning is free to explore the Lacanja jungle and surrounding lush trails and waterfalls. There are a few optional activities on offer, including a rafting experience over Lacanja River waterfalls and backwaters and to the nearby archaeological site, then travelling back through the jungle and past the waterfalls of Moctuniha.

Day 10  Lacanja River to Palenque
This morning, drive to Palenque by private transfer. After arrival, head to the archaeological zone and visit the ruins of Palenque. Sitting on a hilltop surrounded by thick trees, the ruins date back to AD600 and are some of the most impressive Mayan relics in Mexico. As you take a self-guided walk among the temples, listen out for the eerie calls of howler monkeys and screeching parrots echoing from the jungle.      

Days 11-13  Merida      
Today, travel by public bus and head north up to the old-world charm of Merida, gateway to the Maya ruins of Uxmal. Make the most of the next few days to explore Merida. Take an orientation walk on arrival and wander through the Old Town, checking out some museums and stroll the city streets, which are alive with art and culture. Mornings are the best time to visit the outdoor markets, where you can stock up on hammocks and Maya replicas. A tour of Uxmal is also highly recommended including a guide and shared transport.

Day 14  Merida to Playa del Carmen
Today, travel to Izamal by local bus which is known as the City of Yellow, because of the yellow ochre and white hues painted on many of the buildings, as the local’s way to preserve its light and project it to the future. Enjoy a leader-led city tour with a visit the San Antonio de Padua Convent. Then continue to visit the most well-known archaeological site in Mexico: Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza is considered the most important example of a fusion of Maya and Toltec tradition and civilisation in Yucatan. Lastly onto the resort hub of Playa del Carmen.

Day 15  Playa del Carmen
With no activities and no accommodation planned for the day, you are welcome to check-out at any time.