Wendy Wu Grand Impressions of Mexico

Sumidero Canyon
Journey into this canyon, where 1,000m tall cliffs rise over the Grijalva River. While here, keep an eye out for crocodiles and spider monkeys.

Chichén Itzá
Visit Mexico’s most celebrated Mayan archaeological site. Here you’ll see the iconic Temple of Kukulcán and have time to wander through the complex.

Riviera Maya
Discover the region’s legendary Cenote Azul, a limestone sink hole. Then, get the chance to swim in the turquoise waters

Day of the Dead Parade
On selected October departure’s experience the spectacular Day of the Dead Parade

Day 1: Fly to Mexico
Fly to Mexico City. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to rest before meeting the rest of the group for dinner.
Dinner

Day 2: Explore Mexico City
This morning, head to Zócalo, the heart of the city. Here you’ll visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace where can see Diego Rivera’s mural. After lunch, head to the Templo Mayor Museum to learn about Tenochtitlan. Following this, you’ll visit the Frida Kahlo Museum at Casa Azul before seeing Plaza Hildago. Return to the city centre for dinner
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Ancient Teotihuacan
This morning, explore Teotihuacan, once one of the most influential cities in the ancient world. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead, climb the Pyramid of the Sun and admire the Temple of Quetzalpapálot. Later on, visit a family co-operative to learn about the ancient uses of materials like obsidian, maguey fibre and pulque. Then, return to Mexico City to see the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Travel to San Miguel de Allende
Head across the central Mexican plateau to reach San Miguel de Allende, considered the birthplace of the Mexican Revolution. On arrival, enjoy lunch before taking a relaxed orientation walk of the city, admiring its colonial-era architecture and learning about its history. This evening, enjoy Guanajuato cuisine with regional wines.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Cartoneria Workshop
Today, visit local artist Guadalupe Trejo and his family to discover the art of papier-mâché crafting. You’ll learn the legends and symbolism of traditional pieces as you create your own traditional alebrije, catrina, nicho or mask. Enjoy a lunch of regional specialities before having the rest of the day before dinner at leisure to explore or relax.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Guanajuato
Leave San Miguel de Allende and travel into the hills to reach Guanajuato. Sitting on the slopes of a ravine, the city is home to magnificent architecture and brightly coloured houses. Take a guided tour of the centre. As the sun sets, gather at the Templo San Diego for a private ‘callejoneada’, where you’ll parade the streets with costumed musicians and storytellers.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Travel to Guadalajara
Head west to Guadalajara. In the afternoon, take a walk through the historic centre before a festive evening with live mariachi and a dance show.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Tequila
Travel into the nearby lowlands to the town of Tequila. Begin with a visit to a distillery, where you’ll learn about the production of tequila. Then, enjoy a tasting session with an expert tequilero. Afterwards, wander through the town to find a spot for lunch.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9: Fly to Oaxaca
This morning, take a flight to Oaxaca. Have lunch before setting off on an orientation walk along Alcalá Street.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10: Explore Mount Albán
Spend the morning explore the site of Mount Albán, which was the capital of the Zapotec civilisation. Return to the city for an afternoon of exploration, admiring the architecture and trying some local delicacies as you go.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11: Cooking Masterclass
Head to Central de Abastos this morning, where you’ll join a local chef to explore and taste the produce on offer. Continue to a cookery school where you’ll learn how to prepare a Oaxacan dish. The afternoon is at leisure.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12: Sierre Norte Mountains
Travel into the Sierra Norte Mountains, where you’ll visit the Zapotec village of Benito Juárez. Here, you’ll learn about the rural way of life by meeting a family at their farmstead. Later in the day, continue to Tehuantepec.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13: Sumidero Canyon National Park.
Board a boat to explore Sumidero Canyon National Park, where you can look out for crocodiles and spider monkeys as you navigate the limestone cliffs. This afternoon, travel to San Cristobal de las Casas.

Day 14: Indigenous villages
Today, you’ll explore some of the indigenous villages of the region. Begin at the Tzotzil Maya community of San Juan Chamula to see a pre-Columbian ritual. Then, continue to Zinacantan, where you’ll visit a family workshop to watch women spin, dye and brocade huipiles. Sit down for a home-cooked lunch and listen to your host’s stories.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15: Explore San Cristobal
Embark on a guided walking tour of the city. Along the way. Visit the Cathedral, the Arco del Carmen and the pastel-coloured houses of San Cristobalito hill. The afternoon is at leisure before regrouping for dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 16: Agua Azul
Head down out of the mountains to reach the Cascadas de Agua Azul, a waterfall in the rainforest. Here you can wander along the footpaths and paddle in the water. Continue north into the Maya lowlands, arriving in Palenque in the late afternoon.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 17: Discover Palenque
Wake up early to head into Palenque National Park. Joined by a specialist guide, travel through the Mayan ruins before spending the afternoon at the Roberto Barrios waterfalls.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 18: Travel to Campeche
Cross the savannah of Tabasco to reach Campeche on the Gulf Coast. Explore the pastel-coloured mansions and coral-stone ramparts as you hear tales of pirate raids.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 19: Explore Uxmal
Start the day with a guided walk of Campeche’s walled city. Then, travel inland to the Mayan ruins of Uxmal. Here, you’ll learn about the astronomy of the Pyramid of the Magician before admiring the Nunnery Quadrangle and the Governor’s Palace. From here, continue to Mérida.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 20: Explore Mérida
Explore the city’s colourful markets before strolling through the historic heart of the city to admire the elegant 19^th century mansions. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious traditional lunch.

Day 21: Discover Chichén Itzá
Today, you’ll visit the iconic site of Chichén Itzá, which you’ll explore with a guide. Continue to a Maya village, where you’ll visit a local family for lunch and stories about local life. This afternoon, head to the beachside resort of Playa del Carmen
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 22: Cenote Azul
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Playa del Carmen before visiting Cenote Azul. Here you can relax or swim in the turquoise waters. Head back to Playa del Carmen to enjoy a farewell dinner.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 23: Fly Cancun to UK
Transfer to Cancun to board your flight to the UK, arriving the following day.
Breakfast

Itinerary – Day of the Dead Departures

On selected October departures, you’ll enjoy a slightly different itinerary at the beginning of the tour to allow you to experience the Day of the Dead celebrations.

Day 1: Fly to Mexico
Fly to Mexico City. On arrival, meet your National Escort and transfer to the hotel
Dinner

Day 2: Explore Mexico City
Spend the day exploring the city, seeing the Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, which is home to a monumental mural by Diego Rivera. Head to the neighbourhood of Coyoacán where you’ll visit Casa Azul, the house where Frida Kahlo was born. In the evening, head to Paseo de la Reforma to watch the Day of the Dead Parade.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Ancient Teotihuacan
Explore the site of Teotihuacan, getting the chance to walk along the Avenue of the Dead. Then, visit a local co-operative to watch artisans create traditional crafts using obsidian, maguey fibre and pulque. Return to Mexico City where you’ll head to Xochimilco for an enchanting Día de Muertos experience awaits you. End the day with a visit to a local alter or cemetery gathering.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Travel to San Miguel de Allende
Leave Mexico City and travel to San Miguel de Allende. On the way, visit San Juan de Dios Cemetery, where families honour their loved ones with traditional offerings. Upon arrival in San Miguel de Allende, take a stroll though the historic centre. After dinner on a rooftop terrace, join  the vibrant Catrina Parade, with face painting, live music and dancing in the main square.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

You’ll then follow the standard itinerary for the remainder of your tour.

Sacred Cities at Sunrise
Enjoy exclusive early access to both Teotihuacan and Chichén Itzá, giving you chance to explore the sites before the crowds arrive.

Living Traditions of Mexico
Spend time with the Zapotec people in the Sierra Norte Mountains, and enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a Tzotzil Maya family in a Zinacantan village

Rhythms of Jalisco
While in Guadalajara, enjoy a performance by a live mariachi band and dancers, including folkloric dances from Jalisco state, including Jarabe Tapatío, the Mexican Hat Dance

• Return flights and transfers
• 22nts in 3/4* accommodation
• All meals: 22 breakfasts, 21 lunches and 22 dinners
• Touring with guides and entrance fees
• Domestic transportation

Classic
See the classic sites in the company of an expert guide so that you can really understand the history and culture of the destination. On Classic tours, everything is taken care of, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the experience to the full. These tours are fully inclusive of all meals and a comprehensive touring programme including authentic cultural experiences.

This tour has a maximum group size of 28 people per group

This tour has a physical rating of 1. A reasonable level of fitness is required, and you should expect to be on your feet for much of the day. You’ll be getting on and off coaches, trains or boats and walking around the sights, often including steps, plus occasional longer walks.