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$3,849
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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

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
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
    • 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

Itinerary

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Mexico
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico City, Mexico. Transfer to the hotel. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM Overnight: Mexico City

DAY 2, Saturday - Mexico City, Museum of Anthropology, Xochimilco
The morning starts with a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology. Learn from the vast collection of archaeological treasures from pre-Hispanic civilizations before continuing to Xochimilco. The floating gardens or "Chinampas" of Xochimilco have been named a UNESCO ...
DAY 3, Sunday - Mexico City, Teotihuacan, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Begin the day in the city center to view the famous murals of Diego Rivera inside the grand National Palace. Continue to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Stop for lunch on the way to Teotihuacán, the archaeological site that was once the largest city in the pre-Col...
DAY 4, Monday - Colonial Puebla
Leaving the city head for the colonial town of Puebla. En route you may view the towering snow-capped volcanoes of La Malinche, Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Arrive in the Centro Historico de Puebla. Admire views of the cathedral, a wealth of beautiful churches, and mor...
DAY 5, Tuesday - Romantic Veracruz
This morning, continue your journey to Veracruz, founded by the conquistador Hernan Cortes upon his landing in the early 1500s. After lunch, take a walking tour of the downtown. The evening is yours to enjoy the main plaza Overnight: Veracruz Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Wednesday - La Venta Park, Palenque
On the long drive from Veracruz to Palenque stop in Villahermosa's outdoor La Venta park where you view the displayed giant Olmec heads from the settlement of La Venta. The Olmecs are known as the earliest major civilization in Mesoamerica. Continue to the town of Palenque and check into the hotel Overnight: Palenque Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Thursday - Palenque, a National Treasure
Today, visit the temples of Palenque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your tour, see the highlights of this site, including the Temple of the Cross Group, the Temple of Inscriptions and the Grand Palace. It was here that archaeologists discovered the tomb of the Mayan K...
DAY 8, Friday - Historic Campeche
Depart this morning for the UNESCO World Heritage city of Campeche. Stop for lunch before arriving to the port town originally built as a walled fort to thwart pirate attacks. Take a walking tour this afternoon of the colonial-era city with its Baroque Spanish architecture. Spend the evening at leisure Overnight: Campeche Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Saturday - Uxmal, Merida
Today, visit the archaeological site of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to 600 AD. Examples of Puuc style architecture can be seen at the terraced Governor's Palace with its 20,000 intricately carved stones that create an image of fine lace. Here, you al...
DAY 10, Sunday - Explore Merida
Today's 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 ancient Mayan temples. See the city's distinctive architecture as you arrive at the 15th century Casa Mon...
DAY 11, Monday - Travel to Chichen Itza
Continue exploring the Yucatan's ancient and colonial towns today with a visit to Izamal, one of Mexico's "Pueblos Magicos" or Magical Towns. After lunch, stroll the central square, a colonial gem, with its rows of colorful historic buildings, before continuing to Chichén Itzá Overnight: Chichén Itzá Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Tuesday - Chichen Itza, Cancun
Today, rise early to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. This metropolis, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the principal ceremonial center of the Yucatan. Learn about the history of Chichén Itzá and the unusual beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient M...
DAY 13, Wednesday - Depart Mexico
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,849
Price per day$296
Last Updated: 2/23/2024
Start Date
End Date
Land Only
Land + Air Travel
Availability
03 May 2024
16 May 2024
$3,499
$3,999
10 May 2024
23 May 2024
$3,499
$3,999
06 Sep 2024
19 Sep 2024
$3,499
$3,949
13 Sep 2024
26 Sep 2024
$3,499
$3,949
27 Sep 2024
10 Oct 2024
$3,499
$3,949
11 Oct 2024
24 Oct 2024
$3,499
$3,949
18 Oct 2024
31 Oct 2024
$3,499
$3,949
25 Oct 2024
07 Nov 2024
$3,499
$3,949
01 Nov 2024
14 Nov 2024
$3,799
$4,249
15 Nov 2024
28 Nov 2024
$3,799
$4,249

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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Dec 2023

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Tour Operator

Gate 1 Travel

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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.

Company Background & Highlights

Mission: To deliver More of the World for Less by developing quality, affordable vacations for North Americans. To provide exemplary service to our customers and to earn their loyalty. To respect our partners. To invest in our employees, providing a safe and comfortable work environment. To know and understand our products and destinations. To constantly innovate and be a leader in technology.

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

Headquarters: Fort Washington, PA (Suburban Philadelphia)

Overseas Offices: Hungary, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Morocco, Argentina, Indonesia, Great Britain, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

30+ years of providing travel services to clientèle

Product Types

Escorted Tours - Group Tours

Small Group Tours

European River Cruises

Escorted Bus Tour/Sea Cruise Combinations

Independent City Stays

Independent Fly & Drive Packages

Multi-Destination Rail Packages

Customized Vacations (Vacation Builder)

Custom Groups and Individuals

Group Air

 

Target Consumer Market

Gate 1 Travel's target market is a traveler seeking high quality, affordable travel ranging from a superior tourist class to moderate deluxe class level of accommodations with the highest level of service.

Financial Security

Gate 1 Travel is backed by the largest, most well-respected financial institutions and insurance providers, guaranteeing the greatest level of financial security to every passenger. Gate 1 welcomes your inquiries of any of those independent offices.

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).

Additionally , Gate 1 is required to participate in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, requiring them to post $1 million in security, held by USTOA, in the unlikely event of bankruptcy or insolvency.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Not Included: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
gate1-DSCV-MX-13DMXMAI-PKG-24

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