Mexico's Ancient & Colonial Cities
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- Tour Operator
- Caravan Tours
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Mexico City | Mexico City : Welcome to the glory of old Mexico. Review the ancient cultures of the Nahua, Aztec, Olmec, Toltec, and Maya civilizations. Visit the grand colonial cities of Puebla, Veracruz and Merida. Fly to Mexico City, the capital of this fascinating country with an exotic blend of indigenous and international cultures, close yet breathtakingly foreign. Caravan provides a transfer from the Mexico City airport for a two night stay at your centrally located hotel. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Dinner is at your hotel, then join Caravan for an 8:00 p.m. welcome briefing. D |
| Day 2 | Mexico City | Mexico City, Teotihuacan Ruins : This morning visit Mexico's grandest archaeological site, ancient Teotihuacan, built by the Nahua. The sixth largest city in the world in 400 A.D., Teotihuacan was mysteriously abandoned 300 years later, centuries before the Aztec occupation. Visit the Jaguar Palace and the Temple of the Plumed Conch Shells. See the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Walk the Avenue of the Dead, flanked by temples and palaces. Enjoy lunch. Then, a brief visit to the National Palace. See the murals of Mexico's greatest artist, Diego Rivera. These colorful murals cover Mexico's pre-Columbian Indian history, the colonial period and the Revolution. Next, drive by Mexico City's main square and Cathedral. Visit Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park. See archaeological treasures of pre-Hispanic civilizations, including the Toltec, Mexica, Aztec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Olmec and Mayan. See the immense Aztec Calendar Stone. Enjoy dinner. BLD |
| Day 3 | Veracruz | Mexico City, Puebla, Veracruz : Morning drive to visit the historic center of colonial Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is famous for its hundreds of churches. Enjoy lunch. Arrive in mid-afternoon at the port city of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico. For centuries Veracruz has been a crossroads of the Americas, with Caribbean, European, African and Mexican cultures. Explore the romantic plaza, the oldest in Mexico, with strolling mariachis, serenading guitarists and marimba bands. Enjoy dinner. BLD |
| Day 4 | Palenque | Villa Hermosa, Olmec, Palenque : Mango orchards and pineapple fields give way to lush vegetation and tropical flowers on your drive east today (a box lunch en route). Photostop at Villa Hermosa's La Venta Park. See giant Olmec heads up to twelve feet tall. The Olmec are the predecessors of the Maya and Aztec. Continue to Palenque for a relaxing two night stay. Dinner tonight. BLD |
| Day 5 | Palenque | Palenque : Palenque is magical. Here mysterious Mayan ruins are set against a natural backdrop of jungle foliage. See the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Inscriptions and the Group of the Cross. See the four story observation tower rising from the huge rectangular palace. Unique in the Mayan world, this observation tower is believed to have been constructed to view the winter solstice. After lunch, your day is at leisure to enjoy the tropical gardens of your resort. Enjoy dinner. BLD |
| Day 6 | Merida | Palenque Uxmal, Merida : Head north through the state of Campeche. Enjoy lunch overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Next, through the Puuc Hills to visit ancient Uxmal, dating back to 600 A.D. At Uxmal, see the Pyramid of the Magicians, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor's Palace with its 20,000 intricately carved lace-like stones and the Turtle House. Then, drive to Merida, Yucatan's capital and cultural center, for a two night stay. Your hotel is ideally located near the Plaza Principal, lined with shops, cafes, strolling mariachis, and serenading guitarists. Enjoy dinner. BLD |
| Day 7 | Merida | Merida, Chichen Itza : Morning drive to visit the Mayan-Toltec ruins of Chichen Itza. See the Castle Pyramid. Visit the Ballcourt, the Sacred Cenote and the Group of a Thousand Columns. Learn about achievements made by the Maya more than 1500 years ago, including the 365 day, 19 month Mayan Haab calendar. Enjoy lunch. Return to Merida. Drive by Merida's colonial mansions. Merida offers great shopping for paintings, handicrafts, hammocks and huipiles. Farewell dinner. BLD |
| Day 8 | Cancun | Merida, Cancun : After breakfast, Caravan transfers you from Merida to Cancun. Arrive at Cancun airport at 11:00 a. m. Schedule flights after 1:00 p.m. If you are staying over in Cancun, Caravan will transfer you to your Cancun hotel. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. B |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
Mexico City : Sheraton Centro Historico Veracruz : Hotel Emporio Palenque : Mision Palenque Merida : Casa del Balam
- Disclaimer
- * Prices are per-person, double occupancy
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
2008 Plus Taxes and Fees:
Double $129; Triple $119; Single $1592009 Plus Taxes and Fees:
Double $169; Triple $159; Single $199How to Reserve Space
You can reserve space free for up to 7 days, then a $300 deposit per person is due. Full payment due 60 days prior to departure.In Latin America, Caravan transfers you between the airport and hotel on the starting and ending dates of your tour.
All Meals Included
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
