13 Day Mexico's Mayan & Aztec Illumination

13 days
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Small Group Tour
3 Mexico City, 1 Puebla, 1 Veracruz, 2 Palenque, 1 Campeche, 2 Merida, 1 Chichén Itzá, 1 Cancun
From$4,019
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy all of the delights of buzzing Mexico City one of the most vivacious cities in Latin America Admire gorgeous views of the cathedral, beautiful churches and colonial buildings in Puebla At the romantic plaza in Veracruz see strolling jarochos, guitarists and marimba bands In Villa Hermosa, visit the intriguing park with giant 12-feet Olmec heads from La Venta Visit the astonishing soaring jungle swathed temples of Palenque, a national treasure! Tour Campeche, a colonial city with Baroque Spanish architecture and a walled historic district At the dramatic archaeological site of Uxmal, view the pyramids and temples from 600 AD Enjoy hospitality, a home-cooked dinner and conversation with a local family in Merida View the distinctive architecture of Merida at the ornate 15th century Casa Montejo Tour the wondrous ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site In magical Valladolid, stroll the picturesque square with its rows of colorful historic buildings †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

What's this trip about?

    3 Mexico City, 1 Puebla, 1 Veracruz, 2 Palenque, 1 Campeche, 2 Merida, 1 Chichén Itzá, 1 Cancun

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • North America

Attractions

  • Cancun
  • Mexico City
  • Palenque

Trip includes

    • Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed Flights Miami-Mexico City, Cancun-Miami Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges 12 nights accommodations
    • 3 nights Mexico City 1 night Puebla 1 night Veracruz 2 nights Palenque 1 night Campeche 2 nights Merida 1 night Chichén Itzá 1 night Cancun Hotel taxes, fees & service charges Hotel porterage All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates† 27 meals: 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 5 dinners (including welcome and farewell dinners)
    • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern motor coach Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary Active itinerary with unique cultural features

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Itinerary

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. Tonight, an orientation meeting with your Tour Ma...
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 ...
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-rev...
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...
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 e...
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. ...
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 cit...
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, ...
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 cr...
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 ancie...
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 p...
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 principal ceremonial center of the Yucatan. Learn about ...
DAY 13, Wednesday - Depart Mexico
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,019
Price per day$309
Last Updated: 7/13/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Gate 1 Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Jan 2024

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Dec 2023

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Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, European river cruises, independent vacations and customized international vacation packages for less. Our discount travel packages and tour packages to destinations worldwide provide exceptional value, saving our customers time and money. We have taken care of all the details so you don't have to. Find your dream vacation today.

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Founded in 1981 with 3 employees; now with over 200 employees worldwide

Headquarters: Fort Washington, PA (Suburban Philadelphia)

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30+ years of providing travel services to clientèle

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Gate 1 Travel's active membership in USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), a professional organization representing the world's leading tour operators, requires that Gate 1 meet a minimum requirement of $1 million professional liability insurance (Gate 1 maintains a $5 million policy).

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Not Included:Optional tours and gratuities.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Additional Information

Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Trip ID
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