The Mariachi route (2024)

Jour 1

Welcome to Mexico. Transfer to hotel and free time. Our guide will contact you late in the afternoon.

Jour 2

Today we have a fantastic day acquaint ourselves with Mexico. We include a sightseeing tour of the city. We will visit the Plaza of Three Cultures, and the historic centre in which the Zócalo (main square) and its Metropolitan Cathedral stand out, the main Aztec temple, Chapultepec Park, the “Paseo de la Reforma” Avenue and the other main avenues of this impressive city. At the end of the visit we travel to the BASILICA OF GUADALUPE, the most visited Catholic temple in the Americas where the Virgin of Guadalupe is found. There we will be able to explore the old basilica dating back to the 18th Century and also the modern temple. In the afternoon we travel to the neighbourhood of XOCHIMILCO, a wonderful place with its canals and semi-floating gardens. Here we include a ride in a “trajinera”, one of the boats festooned with flowers. In the evening we include a transfer to the Plaza de GARIBALDI, with its many bars, restaurants and bars where tacos and tequila are served and the Mariachis sing. Dinner is included in a traditional restaurant.

Jour 3

We leave México DF, and amidst green countryside we enter the state of Michoacán. We travel to MORELIA, the splendid Michoacán capital whose center, with its magnificent cathedral, was declared UNESCO World Heritage. Time for lunch and a stroll in the center. After this, we see PATZCUARO, a pretty colonial village with its outstanding Basilica of Our Lady of Health and the house of the eleven courtyards which today is a craft center. Night in this “magical village”.

Jour 4

We set out for the state of Jalisco. We stop in TZINTZUNTZAN to know this town next to Lake Patzcuaro, which was the most important city of the Purepecha empire. We will visit the Franciscan Convent of Santa Ana, with its olive trees almost five hundred years old. In front of it are the Yácatas, ancient Purepecha Pyramids. We´ll see Lake Chapala, the largest natural lake in Mexico, surrounded by mountains. CHAPALA, time for a stroll and lunch in this small touristic city by the lake. We stop in the TLAQUEPAQUE district with its picturesque streets full of shops and craftsmen. Arrival in GUADALAJARA, capital of Jalisco and birthplace of Mariachi and Tequila.

Jour 5

In the morning we include a visit to Guadalajara, the modern metropolis with its colonial historic center, its cathedral, its market, its Tapatía square. We will enter the Cabañas Hospice, declared Unesco World Heritage. After the visit, we will go on to the next town of TEQUILA, we include entrance to the MUNDO CUERVO distillery and will see how this famous Mexican drink is made (entrance and tasting included). After this, time for a stroll and lunch in the picturesque town of Tequila. After lunch, we return to Guadalajara.

Jour 6

We travel to the state of GUANAJUATO. Arrival at midday. In the afternoon we include a city tour of this very beautiful university city declared World Heritage, its steep slopes, its narrow streets, its churches, and we also include a cable car ride to admire the view from “el Pípila”.

Jour 7

Amidst the mountains, we will travel to DOLORES HIDALGO, the city that is the cradle of Mexican independence. Afterwards we head to SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, a beautiful city with vice regal architecture and cobbled streets declared World Heritage. Time for a stroll. In the afternoon, we visit the ATOTONILCO Sanctuary, known as the “Century of God and the Patria”, World Heritage site (sometimes it will not be possible to visit inside due to the retreats that take place there). We then go to QUERETARO, with its very beautiful colonial center, its main square, its busy restaurants and pedestrian streets.

Jour 8

We travel to TEOTIHUACAN, which in Nahuatl means “the place where men become gods” and is one of the most impressive cities of the ancient world. We will admire the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, entry tickets and visit.CHOLULA, with its beautiful square, its tunnels under the pyramid and the picturesque sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios from where you can admire the magnificent panorama. Time to have lunch. In the afternoon, we travel to the very close PUEBLA, a historic city known for its gastronomic tradition, colonial architecture and ceramics. Its great renaissance cathedral and its active zocalo (main square) stand out. Free time at leisure.

Jour 9

We travel to the state of Oaxaca, through mountainous regions with pleasant landscapes. Arrival in OAXACA at the end of the morning - Visit included to this UNESCO World Heritage City of Aztec origin with its impressive monumental heritage. Shortly after, we go up to the site of MONTE ALBAN, which is set deep in a 400-metre mountain above the Valley of Oaxaca – entry tickets and visit are included. This is the most magnificent of the Zapotec cities. Free time in Oaxaca, an extremely beautiful colonial city which is full of life.

Jour 10

We leave for SAN PABLO VILLA DE MITLA, a magical town. We allow time for a walk together to the Church of San Pablo dating back to the Sixteenth Century and through its beautiful rustic streets. We continue our route in the sierras of Oaxaca towards the Isthmus. Lunch is included en route. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive in TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, the capital of the state of Chiapas.

Jour 11

We see the CAÑON DEL SUMIDERO, on a boat we sail up this impressive canyon almost 1 km deep and 14 km long. Then we take a stroll in CHIAPA DEL CORZO, a colonial site of tradition and culture. After this, we go further into the Mayan culture and visit beautiful villages inhabited by the Tzotziles Indians. In ZINACANTAN we can admire the dresses of the women and the beautiful shops and weaving workshops. In SAN JUAN CHAMULA we will be surprised by its church which mixes Christianity with pre-columbine traditions in its rites. Continuation to SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, arrival at lunchtime. Afternoon free in this very beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.

Jour 12

A stage of beautiful mountain scenery inside Chiapas, visiting areas inhabited by communities that have maintained their Mayan language and traditions. A stop in OCOSINGO, the regional capital. After that we continue to AGUA AZUL, admission included to the National Park, lunch included and time to walk or bathe among the more than 50 waterfalls between three and 30 meters tall. We go on to MISOL HA, an impressive waterfall that you can walk behind. Continuation to PALENQUE -dinner included and accommodation-. Note: in some instances, roadblocks might be expected in the region of Ocosingo due to local social issues. In that event, we would take an alternative route visiting the City of Villahermosa and the ecological reserve of Yumka instead of the usual stops at Ocosingo, Agua Azul and Misol Ha.

Jour 13

We visit the impressive archaeological site of PALENQUE, a Mayan city surrounded by jungle, where we will see its temples, pyramids and ball game. Admission and tour with local guide included. Afterwards, we travel to the Gulf of Mexico through the state of Tabasco. CAMPECHE, arrival in this Mexican port city known for its colonial buildings and its 17th century fortifications created to face pirate attacks. Dinner included.

Jour 14

We leave for the state of Yucatan. In a bit over two hours, we arrive to MERIDA. Tour of the city, the vibrant capital of the Mexican Yucatan State boasts a rich colonial and Mayan heritage. We see the fortified cathedral of Merida and the limestone church of the Third Order as well as the House of Montejo, a 16th century mansion and the emblem of Plateresque colonial architecture. Free time in the afternoon, we suggest you to visit the Museum of the Mayan World on your own. In the evening, we include a transfer to attend the "Mayan Ball Game show". Accommodation.

Jour 15

Today we enjoy a beautiful stage to see the Yucatán state. IZAMAL, one of the prettiest cities in Mexico, declared a "Magic town". In CHICHEN ITZAN, we include admission and a visit to the most important and renowned vestige of the Mayan civilization, a World Heritage Site where we see the mythical pyramid of Kukulcán and the warriors´ temple. After the visit we include a Mayan cuisine lunch. We continue to RIO LAGARTOS, a small fishing village in the middle of a Biosphere Reserve.

Jour 16

Today we enjoyed an exciting day where nature is featured. In the morning we include a boat ride of over two hours. We enter the biosphere reserve, where we can see crocodiles among its mangroves, lots of birds including pelicans and pink flamingos. You can also "live the mud experience" by smearing mud with high concentrations of sulfur, minerals and salts that act as exfoliants for the skin, leaving a feeling of softness throughout the body. After that, we travel to VALLADOLID, the third largest city of the Yucatan with a very nice historic city center. We recommend you to have lunch in one of the restaurants of the main square. In the afternoon we visit the CENOTE CHOJ HA, managed by the local Mayan community, where we will walk along a short path in the jungle to explore its dry cave and where you can swim in the wonderful lake inside the wet cave. Continuation to CANCUN. Arrival at the end of the afternoon.

Jour 17

Our services end after breakfast. We suggest that any travellers who wish to extend their stay for a few days can do so resting by the beautiful beaches of Cancun or the Riviera Maya.