DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Mexico
Bienvenidos! Welcome to buzzing Mexico City, Mexico a city with a storied history dating from pre-Hispanic to colonial-era and now one of the most contemporary and vivacious cities in Latin America; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city's attractions including nearby Chapultepec park, an open green space in the heart of the city that bustles with local culture. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager and attend an orientation meeting about the exciting discovery of Mexico that lies ahead. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 5 PM on Day 1 of the itinerary or earlier, if possible
Overnight: Mexico City

DAY 2, Saturday - Mexico City, Museum of Anthropology, Xochimilco
The morning starts with a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology, the largest and most visited museum in all of Mexico. Learn from the vast collection of archaeological treasures from pre-Hispanic civilizations before continuing to Xochimilco. The floating gardens or “Chinampas” of Xochimilco have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exploring the canals offers a window into the past, while simultaneously enjoying the vibrant sounds and culture of Mexico today. After returning to the hotel the rest of the afternoon is yours to continue exploring. Tonight, a festive Welcome Dinner with traditional Mexican cuisine, caps the day
Overnight: Mexico City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - Mexico City, Teotihuacan, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The tour of the capital starts in the city center or Zocalo to view the famous murals of Mexico’s great artist, Diego Rivera inside the grand National Palace that depicts Mexican civilization from the arrival of Quetzalcóatl (the Aztec plumed serpent god) to the post-revolutionary period. Continue to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico’s most prominent pilgrimage site. Stop for lunch on the way to Teotihuacán, the impressive archaeological site that was once the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. Visit the Jaguar Temple before continuing to the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Avenue of the Dead flanked by temples and palaces. This evening is on your own to relax, or explore the eclectic gastronomy of Mexico City
Overnight: Mexico City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4, Monday - Colonial Puebla
Leaving the city head for the charming Colonial town of Puebla. En route you may view the astonishing sight of the towering snow-capped volcanoes of La Malinche, Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Arrive in the picturesque Centro Historico de Puebla. Admire gorgeous views of the stunning cathedral, a wealth of beautiful churches, and more than 1,000 colonial buildings adorned with the Talavera ceramic tiles for which the city is famous. With a long culinary history, you can expect a great lunch in Puebla. The afternoon is on your own to explore the city's charm and exquisite regional cuisine
Overnight: Puebla
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Tuesday - Romantic Veracruz
This morning, continue your journey to romantic Veracruz. One of the largest and historically prominent ports in Mexico. It was founded by the conquistador Hernan Cortes upon his landing in the early 1500s. After lunch, take a walking tour of the bustling downtown. The evening is yours to enjoy vibrant main plaza, don’t be surprised to see serenading guitarists and marimba bands
Overnight: Veracruz
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Wednesday - La Venta Park, Palenque
On the long drive from Veracruz to Palenque stop in Villahermosa’s intriguing outdoor La Venta park where you view the displayed giant Olmec heads from the settlement of La Venta. Enter through a zoo, devoted to animals and culture from Tabasco and other nearby regions. The Olmecs are known as the earliest major civilization in Mesoamerica. It has been proposed that people from Europe, Africa and Asia may have lived in this "new world" before it was even discovered by Columbus in 1492. Continue to the town of Palenque and check in at the hotel. Enjoy the many delightful amenities and get ready for tomorrow’s fascinating discoveries
Overnight: Palenque
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Thursday - Palenque, a National Treasure
One of the highlights of your Mexican journey is surely today's visit to the soaring jungle swathed temples of Palenque, a national treasure! Abandoned for unknown reasons, the vast, mysterious and enchanting ruined city of Palenque is one of the most beautiful Mayan city-states in the world, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. On your tour, see the highlights of this mystical site -- the Temple of the Cross Group, Temple of Inscriptions and the Grand Palace -- while you listen to sounds of howler monkeys in the distance. It was here that archaeologists discovered the tomb of the Mayan King Pakal. Today, Palenque is filled with hundreds of ruined buildings, huge stones and stucco pyramids with intricate carvings and hieroglyphs. Visit the treasure filled museum before returning to your hotel. Dinner this evening is a gastronomic experience in pre-Hispanic fusion cuisine
Overnight: Palenque
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Friday - Historic Campeche
Depart this morning for UNESCO World Heritage city of Campeche. Stop for lunch before arriving to the charming port town originally built as a walled fort to thwart pirate attacks. A walking tour this afternoon of the colonial-era city with baroque Spanish architecture, cobblestone streets and a charming historic district. In the evening, sample delicious Mexican and Spanish flavors at one of the town's select restaurants
Overnight: Campeche
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Saturday - Uxmal, Merida
Today, visit the archaeological site of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, view the pyramids and temples that date back to 600 AD. Superb examples of Puuc style architecture can be seen at the terraced Governor's Palace with its 20,000 intricately carved stones that create an image of fine lace. Here, you also view the majestic Pyramid of the Magician and the four rectangular buildings of the Nunnery Quadrangle. After a lunch of local favorites, on to Mérida, one of the country's loveliest colonial cities for an orientation walk of the Centro Historico. The rest of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Merida
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Sunday - Explore Merida
Merida has been the cultural capital of the entire Yucatan Peninsula since its conquest by the Spanish. The exploration of the city begins at the Plaza de la Independencia, bordered by the fortress like 16th century Merida Cathedral that was built using relics from ancient Mayan temples. See the glories of the city’s distinctive architecture as you arrive at the ornate 15th century Casa Montejo, a former family mansion. Walk to the local gathering place at centralized Palacio de Gobierno; view the remarkable collection of murals depicting the conquest of the Yucatan. Time to wander on your own. Later, meet a local family in their home. Share a delectable home-cooked dinner and hear about local customs and daily life in Merida and Mexico
Overnight: Merida
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Monday - Travel to Chichen Itza
Continue exploring the Yucatan’s ancient and colonial towns today visiting vibrant Izamal. One of Mexico’s “Pueblos Magicos” or Magical Towns, Izamal is stunning both in the brilliant yellows which color the main square, but also the rich cultural ties that connect the past to the present. After lunch at a charming restaurant, stroll the picturesque central square, a spectacular colonial gem, with its rows of colorful historic buildings. Then on to Chichén Itzá, undoubtedly one of the "Seven Wonders of the World"
Overnight: Chichén Itzá
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Tuesday - Chichen Itza, Cancun
Today, rise early to visit the astonishing ruins of Chichén Itzá, considered the most famous and most spectacular of Mexico’s Mayan sites. This magnificent metropolis, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the principle ceremonial center of the Yucatan. Learn about the fascinating history of Chichén Itzá and the unusual beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient Mayan civilization. The entire site is dominated by the towering walls of the dramatic Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo with its 365 steps—one built for each day of the year. Later on to Cancun, Mexico's vivacious resort city bordering the Caribbean Sea. Known for its white sand beaches and energetic nightlife. The rest of the day is yours to relax at the hotel's pools or, on the beautiful beaches. This evening bid adios to your newfound friends at tonight’s Farewell Dinner, -- share wonderful memories of the journey together through Mexico
Overnight: Cancun
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Wednesday - Depart Mexico
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast