11 Days / 10 Nights Departures: January - December 2024
Day 1: Mexico City - Oaxaca, Mexico
Type: Bus
Times: 00:10, 09:00, 10:00, 23:00
Duration: 7 hours
Transfer from Mexico City to Oaxaca
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Oaxaca.
Day 2: Oaxaca, Mexico
Enjoy a free day to experience Oaxaca on your own.
Visit the historic centre of Oaxaca City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to admire its colonial architecture, colourful buildings, and charming streets. make sure to explore the Zócalo (main square) and the Santo Domingo Church and Cultural Centre. You could also visit the ancient Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán, which offer spectacular views of the valley and impressive ancient structures.
Oaxaca is known for its unique and delicious cuisine so make sure you try traditional dishes like mole, tlayudas, chapulines (fried grasshoppers), and mezcal, a distilled alcoholic beverage made from agave.
Day 3: Oaxaca - San Cristobal de las Casas, MexicoOaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas
Type: Bus (Overnight)
Times: 19:00, 21:00, 22:30
Duration: 12 hours
Transfer from Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 4: San Cristobal de las Casas, MexicoEnjoy a free day to experience San Cristobal de las Casas at your own pace.This is a beautiful and historic city in the Mexican state of Chiapas and is known for its colonial architecture, indigenous culture and breathtaking natural surroundings.
Take a walk through the picturesque streets of the town's historic centre and visit the Church of Santo Domingo and the attached museum, which showcases a mix of indigenous and colonial art and artifacts.
You could also take a day trip to nearby indigenous Mayan villages, such as San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, to immerse yourself in local culture and traditions. Take a boat tour through the impressive Sumidero Canyon, which features steep cliffs and wildlife such as crocodiles and various bird species or discover Cascadas El Chiflón. This natural wonder is a series of cascading waterfalls, making it a great place for hiking, swimming, and enjoying the beauty of the Chiapas highlands.
Day 5: San Cristobal de las Casas - Palenque, MexicoSan Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque
Type: Bus
Times: 12:00
Duration: 9 hours
Transfer from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Palenque.
Day 6: Palenque, MexicoPalenque Ruins, Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls (from/to Palenque)
Departure Time: 08:00 hrs
Duration: 11 hrs
You will be picked up early in the morning and transferred to the Palenque ruins. You will have 3 hours and 30 minutes to visit these beautiful ruins hidden in the jungle. Then you will be transferred to Misol-ha where you will spend 45 minutes. The last stop will be at Agua Azul where you will have 2 hours and 30 minutes to freely explore this beautiful area. After seeing these 3 beautiful attractions, you will be taken back to Palenque and dropped off at your accommodation.
Palenque Ruins: The ancient Mayan city of Palenque is one of Mexico's most breathtaking archaeological parks surrounded by lush tropical forests and jungles. This site has a serene, mystical atmosphere. From the moment you enter, you feel engulfed by a sense of history, timelessness and awe. Explore the site on foot and climb up the pyramids for great views of the ancient city and the jungle. (approx. 3 1⁄2 hours)
Agua Azul Waterfalls: Rio Xumul-Ha (meaning River of Blue Water, or in Spanish, Agua Azul) features a series of torrential cascades and fast-flowing waters rolling down a limestone ridge to form pools and small streams. Take a one-hour walk next to the falls in the breathtaking green valley and swim in one of the calm parts of the refreshing blue river. (approx. 2 1⁄2 hours)
Misol-Ha Waterfall: River Misol-Ha (meaning "Streaming Water"), in the "Chol Maya" tribe area of Chiapas, creates one of the state's most wonderful natural sights as the river glides off the edge of a cliff and 40 meters down into a deep pool of water surrounded by lush vegetation. Swim in the deliciously refreshing water and be impressed by the sight of the fall from below. A small walkway will take you behind the water curtain created by the waterfall where you can walk inside the caves. (approx. 30 - 45 minutes)
TOUR INCLUDES:
NOT INCLUDED:
Palenque to Merida
Type: Bus
Times: 08:30, 20:45, 22:00
Duration: 9 hours
Transfer from Palenque to Merida
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Merida.
Day 8: Merida, MexicoChichen Itza Day Trip (from Merida to Tulum)
Departure Time: 08:00, 08:10, 08:15, 08:20 hrs
Duration: 11.5 hrs
Chichen Itza is one of the most well-preserved Maya archaeological sites in the country and once stood as a mighty citadel of the Maya civilization in the 9th and 10th centuries A.D., serving as its political and economic centre. One of its most legendary structures is the Kukulkan pyramid, also known as El Castillo, which is a giant Maya calendar with exactly 365 steps divided among 4 staircases and the pyramid’s highest platform. During both equinoxes (around March 21st; and September 21st) the sun’s shadow cast on this pyramid at a perfect angle creates the illusion of a serpent creeping its way along the structure’s northern staircase.
Don’t miss the Gran Juego de Pelota, in which ancient Maya warriors battled to the death in this ceremonial game. Check out the acoustics of the structure by holding a conversation with someone standing 135 meters away at the opposite end of the field and the stone carvings of players in action. Feel the spirit of the Maya world by standing here admiring this unique and majestic construction that was once of monumental importance to the former inhabitants here.
Other impressive structures you can’t miss are the Plataforma de los Craneos (Skull Platform) and the Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cave). Check out the impressive stone carvings on other pyramids and temples of jaguars, flowers, birds, trees, eagles and among the more gruesome, human sacrifices and human hearts in the clutches of bird claws. The observatory, El Caracol, named The Snail for its spiral staircase, was once an important point from which priests determined important dates for ceremonies and rituals.
TOUR INCLUDES:
NOT INCLUDED:
Tulum to Playa del Carmen
Type: Bus
Times: 08:10, 10:20, 11:20, 11:30, 13:00, 14:20, 15:20, 16:30, 17:35, 18:45, 19:20, 20:20, 21:25, 22:20, 23:57 hrs
Duration: 1 hour
Transfer from Tulum to Playa del Carmen.
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Playa del Carmen.
Day 10: Playa del Carmen, MexicoToday you have the entire day to explore Playa del Carmen at your own pace.
Some popular things to do include relaxing on the soft white sands of the. beautiful beaches, and water sports like snorkelling, scuba diving, and kiteboarding.
You could alsovisit Xcaret Park. This eco-archaeological park offers a mix of nature, culture, and adventure. You can explore cenotes, swim in underground rivers, visit a butterfly pavilion, and enjoy cultural shows.
Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences, this beautiful coastal town has something to offer for every traveller.
Day 11: Playa del Carmen - Cancun, MexicoPlaya del Carmen to Cancun
Type: Bus
Times: Every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 23:10
Duration: 1.5 hours
Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Cancun.