Mexico's Ancient Civilizations
Details
- Tour Operator
- Caravan Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 9/1/2023
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Mexico City | Mexico City : Welcome to the glory of old Mexico. Revel in the splendor of the ancient Olmec, Nahua, Aztec, and Maya civilizations. Visit the colonial cities of Puebla, Veracruz, and Merida. Fly to Mexico City International Airport (MEX). Transfer on your own using the airport's taxi service. Rates are fixed based on city zones. Pay for your taxi ticket in advance at the booth inside the airport terminal and then go outside and stand in line for your official verified taxi. Enjoy a two- night stay at your downtown Mexico City hotel, 7,349 feet above sea level. Rooms are available for check-in after 4:00 p.m. Join Caravan for an 8:00 p.m. welcome briefing. Dinner is served until 10:00 p.m. Meals: Dinner |
| Day 2 | Mexico City | Teotihuacan, Museum of Anthropology : Morning visit to Teotihuacan, one of Mexico's grandest archaeological sites. Teotihuacan was built by the Nahua. See the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Walk the Avenue of the Dead, flanked by temples and palaces. Next, drive by Mexico City's main public square, known as 'El Zocalo', and the Metropolitan Cathedral, built on the ancient ruins of Aztec Temples. Lunch. Then, visit Mexico City's world-famous National Museum of Anthropology. See the immense Aztec Calendar Stone and other priceless archaeological treasures. Dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 3 | Veracruz | Puebla, Veracruz : Morning drive to Puebla. This colonial city is famous for its hundreds of churches. Visit the nearly 400 year old Basilica Cathedral of Puebla, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Stroll the Zocalo park and plaza in Puebla's historic center. Shop for colorful hand-painted pottery plates at a Talavera marketplace. Lunch. Next, drive to the port city of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico. For centuries, Veracruz has been a melting pot in the Americas for people of Caribbean, European, and African descent. Explore Veracruz's romantic plaza, the oldest in Mexico. Listen to lively music from strolling mariachis, serenading guitarists, and marimba bands. Dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 4 | Palenque | La Venta, Palenque : Morning drive along Veracruz's scenic waterfront. Then, continue through mango orchards and pineapple fields. Enjoy a box lunch en route as you travel through the lush vegetation of Mexico's coastal wetlands. Visit La Venta Park. See the mysterious Olmec heads. These giant stone carvings are up to twelve feet tall. The Olmec preceded the Nahua, Maya, and Aztec civilizations by thousands of years. Continue to Palenque for a relaxing two-night stay at your hotel. Dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 5 | Palenque | Palenque : Morning visit to Palenque. Here ancient Mayan ruins are set against dense jungle foliage. See the Main Plaza and the Temple of the Inscriptions and the Group of the Cross. Marvel at the four-story tall observation tower, unique in the Mayan world. Lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure. Explore the tropical gardens of your hotel or relax by the pool. Dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 6 | Merida | Campeche, Merida : Head north through the state of Campeche. Enjoy lunch along the Gulf of Mexico. Then, continue to Merida, Yucatan's capital and cultural center. Pass by the beautiful mansions of Montejo Boulevard 'Paseo Montejo'. Enjoy a two-night stay at your modern hotel in downtown Merida. Private Caravan show this evening of a Baile Folklorico, Mexican Dance. Dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 7 | Merida | Uxmal, Merida : Morning visit to the Mayan ruins of Uxmal. See the Pyramid of the Magicians, the Nunnery Quadrangle, and the Turtle House. Admire the lattice style stonework of the Governor's Palace. Lunch. Then, a sightseeing drive through Merida's historic center. Visit Plaza de la Independencia and see the imposing Merida Cathedral, built over a sacred Maya site with reclaimed temple stone. Free time to shop for beautiful embroidered weavings and elegant guayabera shirts at the numerous handicraft stores. Dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 8 | Cancun | Chichen Itza, Cancun : This morning, head east across the Yucatan peninsula. Visit Chichen Itza. See the Castle Pyramid. Visit the Ballcourt, the Sacred Cenote, and the Group of a Thousand Columns. Lunch at a Spanish style Hacienda on a private jungle preserve. Continue to Cancun and your hotel near the airport. Farewell dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 9 | Cancun | Cancun : Your tour ends this morning at your hotel. Transfer by hotel courtesy shuttle to Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Cancun, Mexico. Breakfast begins at 6 a.m. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. Muchas Gracias! Meals: Breakfast |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
- Mexico City : Barcelo Mexico Reforma
- Veracruz : Gran Hotel Diligencias
- Palenque : Hotel y Spa Mision Palenque
- Merida : Courtyard by Marriott Merida
- Cancun : Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Cancun Airport
- Disclaimer
Plus Tax & Fees: Double $236; Triple $229; Single $287
Hold Space Free up to 3 Days
Then, $300 deposit per person. Full payment due 60 days prior to start of tour.
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
