A comprehensive tour of Mexico, showcasing the "must sees" of the region. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Mexico City during your included city tour. Travel to San Cristobal de Las Casas where you can visit modern day Mayan villages located in the Chiapas highlands. Climb the mystic ruins in Palenque and stop at the Agua Azul Waterfalls for a refreshing swim. Visit Merida, the capital city of the Yucatan and observe colonial architecture while shopping in a series of outdoor markets. Visit the archaeological site of Chichen Itza and conclude the tour along the pristine shores of Cancun.

Mexico City - The capital of Mexico stands at an altitude of 2240m (7350ft) beneath two snow-capped volcanoes, Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl. In the center of the Centro Histórico (Historic Center) is the Plaza de la Constitución, more commonly referred to as the Zócalo – the main square. The Anthropology Museum holds an enormous and absolutely fascinating collection of Pre-Hispanic artifacts. The Frida Kahlo Museum contains examples of the artist’s work. Another location worth visiting is the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. The shrine that is built around Tepeyac hill and signifies the spot where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to the Indian Juan Diego in 1531. It is now a major pilgrimage site.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Possessing its own old world charm, the Holiday Inn Zocalo has a key spot in Mexico City's historical Main Square. The 105 guest rooms are appealing for their charming decor, while each still offers the modern necessities of home. These include an in room safe, iron and ironing board, and work desk with lamp. Dine at the hotel restaurant, Bar Balcon del Zocalo. Here, one may absorb wonderful views of the city's Main Square while sampling the powerful flavors of this country. Sip on a unique cocktail while lounging on this outdoor balcony. The hotel also offers a range of fitness and spa facilities, including a sauna.

Overnight at Holiday Inn Zocalo.

Tour of Mexico City and Anthropology Museum: Mexico City is also known as the Ciudad de los Palacios (City of Palaces). The panoramic tour begins in the main square, where we will visit some Colonial palaces like the Palacio Nacional, in addition to the Metropolitan Cathedral. We continue to the Paseo de la Reforma to admire its monuments and buildings. The National Museum of Anthropology houses the largest collection of ancient Mexican pieces in the world. There are numerous rooms that house archaeological artifacts (originals or replicas) from the numerous ancient cultures in Mexico, including Olmec, Mexica, Maya, Golfo, Aztec and others. 

Overnight at Holiday Inn Zocalo.

San Cristobal de las Casas was founded in 1528 by Diego de Mazariegos as the colonial capital of the region. At an altitude of 2195m (7200ft), the two-hour drive from Tuxlta Gutierrez involves a rapid temperature change. It is a cool, white-washed town with an almost alpine atmosphere. During the year, several festivals are held here, making it an important gathering spot for the local craftspeople. In the near vicinity are a number of indigenous villages populated by Tzeltzal, Tzotzil and Chamula people. These can be visited, but the visitor should respect local traditions and sensitivities, especially when taking photographs. San Cristobal is also known as a center for writers, musicians and poets.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

MEX-TGZ

Pick up from Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport and transfer to your hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas.

The Parador San Juan de Dios is tucked into the historical farming countryside of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Natural materials of adobe, stone and tiles were used in its construction, offering it an earthy appeal. The 12 rooms have been carefully designed with personality and detail. Antique furnishings and textiles are used to set the tone of Mexican and Chiapas traditions. Each room claims a colonial influence, while also offering all the modern assets of home. Dine at either of the hotel's two restaurants, one of which is outdoors. Both serve high cuisine and authentic regional delights. For leisure, visit the art and antiques gallery at the hotel, or request a massage. Otherwise, breathe in the fresh air of the landscape.

Overnight at Parador San Juan de dios.

San Cristobal de las Casas is a colonial jewel in the heart of the Chiapas highlands. It is a magic spot, nestled in a valley and surrounded by forests and hills, making many Mayan villages very accessible. It is the indigenous soul of the town, coexisting harmoniously with its colonial charm, what makes it such an enchanting place to visit. The region is known for its traditional markets, colorful handicrafts, legends and mystical ceremonies that are influenced by ancient Mayan traditions. We will visit the communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Each village has its own distinctive highland dress as well as a weekly market and numerous festivals honoring their patron saint and other special religious days.

Overnight at Parador San Juan de dios.

Palenque - Nestled in the foothills at the edge of the Chiapas rainforest lies Palenque. This small but important Mayan site is one of the most aesthetically appealing sites of the Mayan world, with its exquisite stucco façades. The Temple of Inscriptions (above the crypt of a Maya king), the Multileveled Palace and the Temple of the Count are other highlights. It is easily reached in a couple of hours' drive from Villahermosa or San Cristobal de las Casas.

Pick up from your hotel in San Cristobal and transfer to your hotel in Palenque. Along the way visit the beautiful and impressive waterfalls of Agua Azul. Situtated in among lush vegetation these waters descend through the hills, in a rapid succession of falls and end in pools of deep turquoise. A box lunch will be provided on this transfer. Full day excursion Depart 07:00 Arrive appoximately 17:00

Hotel Villa Mercedes is a new hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas that prides itself on service and hospitality. The 67 rooms are sophisticated and clean, offered as suites or deluxe rooms. These are rooms using remodeled aspects of the Ciudad Real Teatro. International and regional favorites are served at the hotel's Restaurant La Chimenea, Lounge La Pergola, and Bar Pavo Real. Take the shuttle bus into the center of town, or use the gym facilities. One may also take a walk and visit the shopping center or movie theatre.

Overnight at Villa Mercedes.

Walk through the same paths as the great Mayan Lords and feel the charm and mystery of this culture as you discover the Mayan site of Palenque which is located in the northwest of the Maya lowlands in Chiapas, Mexico. Surrounded by the jungle, Palenque is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Mesoamerica. There are religious temples, plazas, open courts and a ball court, but majority of the structures are palaces. Artifacts discovered at this site tell us about the Mayan Lords and in particular of Lord Pacal, one of the most well-known Lords of the Mayan civilization. Conclude the tour with a visit to the Agua Azul Waterfalls. Bring your bathing suit and take a refreshing swim at the base of the falls.

Overnight at Villa Mercedes.

Mérida - The capital of Yucatan State is Mérida, the ‘White City’, founded in 1542 on the site of an ancient Mayan town. It has an air of elegant, faded grandeur, a legacy of its once worldwide importance as a center of henequén (sisal used in the manufacture of rope) production. It is still reckoned to be one of the best places in Latin America to buy fine quality cotton hammocks. There is much to keep the tourist here, including a fine cathedral, the Casa de Montejo, and a Museum of Anthropology, but above all it is a good base for excursions.

Private transfer to Villahermosa airport with English-speaking professional driver.

VSA-MID

Pick up from the airport in Merida and transfer to your hotel in Merida.

Quaint, charming, and retaining a Mexican Art Deco charm, Casa del Balam sits wise and strong in the Yucatan Peninsula town of Merida. The hotel is well-maintained, with gleaming surfaces and 52 spacious rooms. Bright and airy, each room offers modern comforts such as air conditioning, TV, and radio. Feast on traditional Yucatecan specialties at the Casa del Balam restaurant, where an elegant setting adds to the romance of each dish. Later, take a short walk into the historical part of town. The plaza is just a few steps away, where one may catch sight of salsa dancing in the park.

Overnight at Casa del Balam.

City Tour-Merida is a city full of color, culture and history. Merida is known as Ciudad Blanca or White City, because of the large use of white limestone and white paint you may see all over the place. This traditional city depicts much of the splendor of the Colonial Mexico. Nowadays it is one of the most tranquil and safe cities in Mexico. Here remote Mayan roots, superb Colonial monuments and charm have made Merida a captivating mixture of cultural influences. Houses with corridors and arcades are perfect spots where you can take a break enjoying a sherbet of tropical fruits or drinking a Yucatecan beer or spirit!

Overnight at Casa del Balam.

The Isla de Cancún, made up of some of Mexico’s most expensive beachfronts occupies the northeast tip of the Yucatán. The Punta, or point of the island, is nestled between the Bahía de Mujeres (Bay of Women) and the Caribbean Sea and boasts some of the best areas for sunbathing on the Peninsula. Although the beaches of Cancún are known for their powder white sand and exquisite beauty, the waters along the east edge of the island are subject to strong undertow and should be treated with caution.

Pick up from your hotel in Merida and transfer to Chichen Itza. Private tour of the ruins. Chichen Itza was a major regional center in the northern Maya lowlands from the Late Classic through the Terminal Classic and into the early portion of the Early Postclassic period. The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, from what is called “Mexicanized” and reminiscent of styles seen in central Mexico to the Puuc style found among the Puuc Maya of the northern lowlands. The presence of central Mexican styles was once thought to have been representative of direct migration or even conquest from central Mexico, but most contemporary interpretations view the presence of these non-Maya styles more as the result of cultural diffusion. Archaeological data, such as evidence of burning at a number of important structures and architectural complexes, suggest that Chichen Itza's collapse was violent. Following the decline of Chichen Itza's hegemony, regional power in the Yucatán shifted to a new center at Mayapan.The ruins of Chichen Itza are federal property, and the site’s stewardship is maintained by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. Transfer to your hotel in Cancun.

Ambiance Villas are highly regarded as some of the best accommodations in Cancun. Calm and peaceful, yet holding a convenient location in the center of town, the hotel promises 150 units. Choose from 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites for the comfort of staying close to the family or a group of friends. Enjoy the view from private terraces and patios. Take in the beach while dining outdoors. Indoors, one may be seated in a more elegant atmosphere. Talented chefs whip up local and continental specialties throughout the day into the night. Ambiance Villas is known to have the best beach in town, for its privacy and cleanliness. Large, refreshing swimming pools are excellent for cooling off.

Overnight at Beachscape Kin-Ha Villas.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.

Depart from international airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.