Flavors and Cultures (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 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’ll depart from Mexico City toward the state of Puebla. On the way, admission will be included to the Ex-Hacienda de Chautla, founded in the 18th century and famous for its English-style castle situated on an artificial lake surrounded by forests. We’ll continue our journey to the charming town of Cholula, home to a lovely plaza and the picturesque Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. We’ll then travel to Puebla, a vibrant urban area with 1.5 million inhabitants, where history meets modernity. Known for its rich colonial and Baroque heritage, the city boasts impressive landmarks such as the majestic Cathedral and the stunning Rosary Chapel. Overnight stay in this lively and dynamic city.

Jour 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

Today, we’ll embark on an 8-hour excursion with a local tour operator. From San Cristóbal de las Casas, we’ll visit Las Grutas del Mamut, named due to its rock formation resembling a prehistoric mammoth. This massive cave is filled with impressive rock formations that captivate visitors.We’ll then continue to El Arcotete Ecotourism Park, a scenic site surrounded by lush, varied vegetation and abundant wildlife. Here, a striking natural stone archway, shaped over thousands of years by the flow of the Fogótico River, awaits us. This unique formation combines elements of a natural arch and caves, with numerous caverns, rock formations, and stalactites to explore.Our final stop will be the Rancho Nuevo Ecotourism Park, home to a cave stretching 10.2 kilometers in length and reaching depths of up to 550 meters. An illuminated pathway extends 750 meters into the cave, allowing us to admire the fascinating shapes formed by stalactites and stalagmites over time. This geological marvel is nestled in a conifer forest, where you can also enjoy horseback riding, camping, hiking, and spelunking activities.We’ll return to San Cristóbal de las Casas where you’ll have free time.

Jour 8

Today, we’ll include a 5-hour excursion with a local tour operator to Moxviquil, a true example of a learning community for sustainibility. This expansive area, lush with vegetation, offers a range of activities such as native birdwatching, observing pollinators and insects, exploring the beautiful orchid garden, and taking part in the signature interpretive hiking trail, a unique experience that connects visitors directly with nature.Afterward, we’ll visit the Museum of Maya Medicine, dedicated to sharing and preserving Tsotsil-Tseltal healing practices in Chiapas. The museum features a variety of settings that showcase traditional medical practices, as well as the methods and therapeutic resources used by community healers, including the Jilol (pulse reader), Koponej witz (mountain prayer specialist), Tzakbak (bone-setter), Jvetome (midwife), and Acvomol (herbalist).We’ll then return to our hotel, with the rest of the afternoon free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

Jour 9

According to your flight schedule, we’ll include a transfer to Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport, where you may take the most convenient flight (not included) to Mexico City airport (or another destination), marking the end of your journey.