Private Tour Highlights
- Savoring the enticing sights, sounds and smells of San Cristobal de las Casas and Oaxaca, both exquisite colonial towns in the south of Mexico.
- Exploring the intriguing archaeological sites of Monte Alban and Mitla near Oaxaca City, where a string of pre-Columbian civilizations flourished.
- Soaking up the historical gems of Mexico City, including colonial palaces, imposing cathedrals and atmospheric streets.
- Gazing up in wonder at the craggy rock faces of the towering Sumidero Canyon as you sail along the Grijalva River.
- Observing the traditions of the highland villages in Chiapas, including the distinctive dress, colorful markets and festivals.
- Wander along trails lacing their way through Palenque, an ancient Mayan ceremonial center in the heart of the lowland jungle.
- Riding the Chihuahua-Pacifico train through the Copper Canyon and drinking in spellbinding views of this majestic natural sight.
Tour Overview
This splendid, ultimate Mexico vacation covers a lot of ground, starting—quite naturally—in Mexico City. You will visit the ruins of Teotihuacán, Oaxaca in southern Mexico and Monte Alban. In San Cristobal de las Casas, you will explore Sumidero Canyon and the ruins of Uxmal and Kabah. Palenque, Mérida and the famous Mayan site of Chichen-Itza precede your flight to Chihuahua before a ride on the “Chepe” train through Copper Canyon. This is one of the best ways to see the variety of Mexico’s culture, history and geographical grandeur.
This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3-, 4-, 5-star and Deluxe hotels.
Inclusions
Note: Museums closed on Monday. Prices include private day tours and transfers in this itinerary. Yampu Tours believes this is the best way to experience the destination but if you are interested in group/shared tours please consult with your Yampu Tours Tour Consultant.
Package Price: From £$ 8165
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Mexico City
Upon arrival in Mexico City, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon of leisure or choose from optional excursions.
Upon arrival in Mexico City, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon of leisure or choose from optional excursions.
Mexico City Walking Tour
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In the morning, depart the city, heading to the breathtaking archeological site of Teotihuacan. By the afternoon, following a tour of the ruins, return to Mexico City to visit the first quarter—el Zocalo. Mexico City is known as the Ciudad de los Palacios (City of Palaces) for good reason. The tour continues in the main square, where one will visit some colonial palaces like the Palacio Nacional, the Metropolitan Cathedral and other beautiful architectural jewels while walking through the main streets. Continue to Paseo de la Reforma to admire its buildings and monuments, such as the famous Angel of Independence. ...read less
Frida Kahlo Museum
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The Villa of Coyoacan is located in the south part of the city. Enjoy a private tour while visiting the “blue house,” where Frida Kahlo used to live. This extraordinary painter was born and raised in this what is now a museum, where some of her artworks and personal belongings are displayed. The tour continues in Coyoacan’s main plaza—one of the first quarters built during Hernan Cortes’ government. Beautiful architecture can be seen in many colonial buildings and houses throughout this residential area. The Leon Trotsky Museum is located close to Frida Kahlo’s Museum. It is an old house, where Trotsky lived after being expelled from Russia and where he found refuge in Mexico City ...read less
Oaxaca
Transfer to the airport for a flight to one of the most traditional states in the country: Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. A transfer will be waiting to head to the hotel. There will be opportunity to explore the center of this beautiful colonial city.
Transfer to the airport for a flight to one of the most traditional states in the country: Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. A transfer will be waiting to head to the hotel. There will be opportunity to explore the center of this beautiful colonial city.
Monte Alban and Mitla
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the impressive archeological sites of Monte Alban and Mitla. Today, Mitla is a popular destination for tourists to Oaxaca. It has a small museum and hosts a large outdoor market. Many of the townspeople speak a form of the Zapotec language. One will also get to see Mexico's oldest ahuehuete tree, Tule, which stands at 40 meters Tall and is 42 meters in circumference.
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the impressive archeological sites of Monte Alban and Mitla. Today, Mitla is a popular destination for tourists to Oaxaca. It has a small museum and hosts a large outdoor market. Many of the townspeople speak a form of the Zapotec language. One will also get to see Mexico's oldest ahuehuete tree, Tule, which stands at 40 meters Tall and is 42 meters in circumference.
Oaxaca
Enjoy a half-day city tour of Oaxaca. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Enjoy a half-day city tour of Oaxaca. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
San Cristobal de las Casas
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Early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez. Upon arrival be greeted for airport reception and transfer to San Cristobal de las Casas. On the way, visit the enormous Sumidero Canyon to enjoy a boat ride. Live an unforgettable experience sailing throughout the Grijalva River all across a geological fault formed millions of years ago with dramatic cliffs of up to one-kilometer-high and the river's depth of up to 100 meters deep; the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon is located near San Cristobal de las Casas in the state of Chiapas. Wild monkeys and iguanas inhabit the area, among other different wild animals. ...read less
Local Villages
Today, enjoy a half-day tour of the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Each village has its own distinctive highland dress as well as a weekly market and numerous festivals honoring patron saints and other special religious days. Afterwards walk through the colonial streets of San Cristobal de las Casas, a jewel right in the heart of the Chiapas highlands. The indigenous soul of the town coexists harmoniously with its colonial charm, making it an enchanting place to visit.
Today, enjoy a half-day tour of the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Each village has its own distinctive highland dress as well as a weekly market and numerous festivals honoring patron saints and other special religious days. Afterwards walk through the colonial streets of San Cristobal de las Casas, a jewel right in the heart of the Chiapas highlands. The indigenous soul of the town coexists harmoniously with its colonial charm, making it an enchanting place to visit.
Agua Azul - Palenque
Get back on the road, winding along mountain lanes to the small town of Palenque. On the way, visit the Agua Azul (“Blue Water”) waterfalls.
Get back on the road, winding along mountain lanes to the small town of Palenque. On the way, visit the Agua Azul (“Blue Water”) waterfalls.
Palenque
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Enjoy a visit to the archeological site of Palenque. Walk through the same paths as the great Mayan Lords, and feel the charm and mystery of this culture. The Mayan site of Palenque is located northwest of the Mayan lowlands in Chiapas, Mexico. Surrounded by the jungle, it is considered one of the most important archeological sites of Mesoamerica, a ceremonial center and home to a number of Mayan Lords. There are religious temples, plazas, open courts and a ball court, but most 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 best-known Lords of the Mayan civilization. Continue to Villahermosa for the night. ...read less
Merida
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Merida, the “white city,” transfer to the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Merida, the “white city,” transfer to the hotel.
Uxmal and Kabah
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Enjoy today’s excursion to the wonderful archeological sites of Uxmal and Kabah. Uxmal was built around 700 A.D. The rich, green, fertile land provides a perfect setting for some of the most magnificent pyramids, buildings and temples of the ancient Mayan world. One can sense history here as you walk around and gaze at the stunning architecture and layout of this old city. The Piramide del Adivino (the Oracle’s Pyramid) stands majestically above other buildings, and a climb to its summit will reward with spectacular views of the entire half-square-mile ancient city. Kabah is located south of Uxmal, and both archaeological sites are connected by a grand 18-kilometer-long pedestrian causeway with monumental arches at each end. Kabah is the second largest ruin of the Puuc region, after Uxmal. The most famous structure at the Kabah ruins is the Palacio de las Mascaras (the Palace of the Masks), its facade decorated with hundreds of stone masks of the long-nosed rain god Chaac. The site also has a number of other palaces, low stone buildings, and step-pyramid temples one can discover and enjoy. ...read less
Chichen-Itza
After breakfast, leave Merida to head to the ancient archeological site of Chichen-Itza. The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza are more than 1,500 years old. The site is divided into three sections. The north grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as “The Old Chichen.” One will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok, full of symbolism and drama. Continue to Cancun for the night.
After breakfast, leave Merida to head to the ancient archeological site of Chichen-Itza. The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza are more than 1,500 years old. The site is divided into three sections. The north grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as “The Old Chichen.” One will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok, full of symbolism and drama. Continue to Cancun for the night.
Chihuahua
Transfer to the Cancun airport for a flight to the colonial city of Chihuahua, in the northern part of Mexico. Once there, be met and transferred to the hotel.
Transfer to the Cancun airport for a flight to the colonial city of Chihuahua, in the northern part of Mexico. Once there, be met and transferred to the hotel.
Copper Canyon - Creel
After an early call in the morning, be transferred to the railway station to begin a magnificent journey. Board the Chihuahua-Pacifico train, better known as “Chepe,” which offers beautiful landscapes to visitors from Creel on. The first destination will be Divisadero, overlooking magnificent Copper Canyon. Upon arrival at Creel train station, be met and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, there will be free time to explore the area.
After an early call in the morning, be transferred to the railway station to begin a magnificent journey. Board the Chihuahua-Pacifico train, better known as “Chepe,” which offers beautiful landscapes to visitors from Creel on. The first destination will be Divisadero, overlooking magnificent Copper Canyon. Upon arrival at Creel train station, be met and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, there will be free time to explore the area.
Choice Excursions
After breakfast at the hotel, tour some local areas such as Arareko Lake, Tarahumara Caves and San Ignacio Mission. Enjoy an afternoon free to relax or perhaps take a horseback tour (not Included)
After breakfast at the hotel, tour some local areas such as Arareko Lake, Tarahumara Caves and San Ignacio Mission. Enjoy an afternoon free to relax or perhaps take a horseback tour (not Included)
Piedra Volda- Cerocahui
This morning, take a short tour of Piedra Volada. Then transfer to the train station to ride to Bahuichivo, another station of the “Chepe.” There, be picked up to head to the hotel in the old mission community of Cerocahui.
This morning, take a short tour of Piedra Volada. Then transfer to the train station to ride to Bahuichivo, another station of the “Chepe.” There, be picked up to head to the hotel in the old mission community of Cerocahui.
El Fuerte
During the morning there will be an ample amount of free time to take one of the optional excursions around the area, such as the Urique Canyon excursion, overlooking the deepest point of the Canyon (1,879 meters deep). Then, back at the train station, continue the ride to El Fuerte, an important mining center in the 19th century and now turned into a preferred region for boutique hotels.
During the morning there will be an ample amount of free time to take one of the optional excursions around the area, such as the Urique Canyon excursion, overlooking the deepest point of the Canyon (1,879 meters deep). Then, back at the train station, continue the ride to El Fuerte, an important mining center in the 19th century and now turned into a preferred region for boutique hotels.
Flight Home
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the Los Mochis airport for flight to Mexico City and connect with flight home.
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the Los Mochis airport for flight to Mexico City and connect with flight home.
Mexico City, Mexico
Oaxaca, Mexico
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico
Palenque, Mexico
Villahermosa, Mexico
Merida, Mexico
Cancún, Mexico
Chihuahua, Mexico
Copper Canyon, Zona Centro, Chihuahua, Mexico
Places You'll See
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Copper Canyon
Larger and deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in the United States is the Mexican Copper Canyon. Formed by six different rivers, these canyons have a brilliant copper green color from which its name was earned. Here one can see the highest waterfall in Mexico, the Piedra Volada Falls, as well as buy goods from the traditional Native American Raramuri people.
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Chihuahua
Take in this marvelous City’s history with a visit to some of the many museums here in Chihuahua. Walk amongst the remaining colonial buildings while observing local artwork before stopping by the glorious temple of San Francisco, a national hero that had fought Spain for Mexico’s independence. One can also visit a local cave system nearby that is suitable for all types of mobility.
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Cancun
From historical relics of Mayan civilization, to sandy beaches, Cancun has it all. Visit El Meco, a substantial archeological site on the mainland, or The Interactive Aquarium of Cancun where you can get acquainted with all sorts of aquatic life, and even swim with dolphins. If an aquarium isn’t exciting enough, dive into the sea with some of Cancun’s best scuba diving instructors.
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Merida
Take in the Colonial architecture while visiting the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan. Merida is a bustling city overflowing with culture and history. Explore the art scene with some stops at local museums including the MACAY Gallery. Find souvenirs and other fun things at the bustling and colorful Lucas de Galvez market, and learn about ancient Maya culture at The Great Museum of the Maya World.
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Villahermosa
Villahermosa is an important business center for Mexican oil companies, rich in farming and agriculture, and the capital city of the Mexican state of Tabasco. Visit La Venta, an archeological site consisting of pieces from the Olmec civilization, the first major civilization in Mexico.
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Palenque
Containing some of the finest architecture, Palenque was once a Maya city state that had been abandoned to be swallowed by the Mexican jungle. Now partially excavated, eight temples and other structures stand today. It is believed that this is only ten percent of the entire Maya City that is still mostly consumed by nature. Enjoy a guided tour and learn what there is of this ancient city.
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Oaxaca
Capital of the Mexican state Oaxaca, Oaxaca city is a bustling area with impressive colonial structures and important archaeological sites including Monte Alban. This Zapotec site was created by leveling the mountains and constructing terraces. Keep in mind this was all before the massive power tools of today. One can explore the markets and take cooking classes along with Spanish lessons.
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Mexico City
From the bustling nightlife, to the massive collection of museums, Mexico City appeals to all. Bring the family to Six Flags Mexico, or the Chapultepec Park and Zoo. Sports fans can enjoy the Estadio Azteca, the biggest soccer stadium in the world, or the Arena Mexico to watch the famous Lucha Libre. Or simply stroll the streets and visit different restaurants and shops.
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Testimonials
Debbie
Traveled December, 2011
The ancient Mayan sites is fantastic
We had a wonderful trip in Mexico. The ancient Mayan sites is fantastic. The travel guide is very good. The hotels were good except Cancun. I don’t care for this hotel facility, but it is not too bad let our kids have this kind of hotel experience.
Traveled To
Domit from Australia
Traveled May, 2010
The trip was fantastic
I hope this email finds you happy and well. I am so sorry, I have been meaning to call you for so long to give you feedback on the trip to Central and south-america late last year, but as John Lennon once said Life’s what happens while you’re busy making other plans. My heartfelt apologies. Overall, due to your wonderful expertise, the trip was fantastic. Thanks for your troubles, and needless to say, we’ll be in touch when we’re ready to hit Latin America again.
Traveled To
Zoe, UK client
Traveled September, 2009
The itinerary was perfect
We had a fantastic time! The itinerary was perfect. I’d thoroughly recommend Yagul. Although it’s less well known, and less visited (apart from the archeologists we were the only people there), it’s on the way to Mitla and is very picturesque and has the second largest ball court in Mesoamerica!
Traveled To