Paths of History (2025)

Jour 1

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

Jour 2

Today, we’ll explore Mexico City and the remarkable site of Teotihuacan, located just 40 km from the capital. After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey at the Plaza of the Three Cultures, where past and present merge seamlessly. From there, we’ll continue to the impressive archaeological site of Teotihuacan, where we’ll visit the monumental Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl, the Citadel, and the Avenue of the Dead. We’ll also stop by a local artisan center. On our way back to the city, we’ll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Latin America. After returning to the hotel, the rest of the day will be free.

Jour 3

Free morning in Mexico City. After lunch, we’ll provide a transfer to the bus station for the journey to Puebla, located 135 km from Mexico City. We’ll travel by regular coach, arriving at the Puebla bus station where another transfer will take you to the hotel.In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore this charming city, founded in 1531, renowned for its stunning colonial architecture, ornate churches, and rich history. Puebla is a vibrant cultural and culinary hub with a lively university atmosphere.Over the next few days, you’ll have plenty of time to explore this fascinating city at your own pace. Highlights include its impressive cathedral, the historic Palafoxiana Library (the first public library in the Americas, established in 1646), the famous Calle de los Dulces with its traditional candy shops, and the Callejón de los Sapos, known for its antique stores. Overnight stay included.

Jour 4

We’ll embark on a 5-hour excursion with admission included to the Ex Hacienda Chautla, founded in the 18th century and famed for its English-style castle set on an artificial lake amid scenic forests. We’ll then visit Val Quirico, a picturesque tourist complex designed to evoke the ambiance of a medieval European village, perfect for a stroll through artisan shops and quaint cafés. Afterward, we’ll return to Puebla, where you’ll have free time to enjoy this lively city.Note: This excursion will be conducted as a regular service with a local tour company. Transfers to the starting point are not included.

Jour 5

Today, we’ll enjoy an included 6-hour excursion. Our first stop will be in Cholula, a Pueblo Mágico with several main attractions: San Francisco Acatepec, Santa María Tonantzintla, the San Gabriel Convent, the Royal Chapel, and Soria Park. We’ll climb up to La Virgin of Los Remedios Sanctuary, located atop the Great Pyramid.Next, we’ll visit Chipilo, a community of Italian immigrants known for their cheese production, where a cheese tasting is included. Our journey will continue to Atlixco, where you’ll explore its Historic Center, admire the Wide Staircase murals Floral Clock, and visit the Magical Garden and the Glass Viewpoint. We’ll return to Puebla, and you’ll have free time to enjoy the city at your own pace.Note: This excursion is a regular service with a local tour company. Transfers to the starting point are not included.

Jour 6

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 7

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 8

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. Afternoon free in this very beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.

Jour 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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.