10-Day Flavors and Colors of Mexico

Day 1: Arrival Mexico City

Arrive at Mexico City International Airport (AICM). Meet and greet by a local representative and take a shared transfer to the selected hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or start exploring the city. Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 2: Mexico City – Teotihuacan – Mexico City

After breakfast, depart for the Plaza de las Tres Culturas for a panoramic view of pre-Hispanic Tlatelolco. Continue to the Basilica of Guadalupe, Mexico’s most important religious sanctuary dedicated to the Virgen de Guadalupe. Then head to Teotihuacan, the “place where the gods are made”, to visit the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl, the Feathered Snails, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Citadel and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, concluding at the impressive Pyramid of the Sun. On the way back to Mexico City, stop at a typical restaurant for lunch (not included). Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 3: Mexico City: City Tour & Anthropological Museum

Breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00, depart for a guided visit of Mexico City’s historic centre, including the Zócalo (main square), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace with murals by Diego Rivera (closed on Mondays). Continue to the National Museum of Anthropology (also closed on Mondays), the most emblematic museum safeguarding Mexico’s pre-Hispanic heritage. At around 14:00, return to the hotel with the guide or remain at the museum and return on your own.  Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 4: Mexico City: Xochimilco Boat Ride, Coyoacán & Frida Kahlo Museum

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full-day excursion through some of the most enchanting areas of Mexico City. Travel along Insurgentes Avenue, seeing landmarks such as the bullring, the University of Mexico and the 1968 Olympic Stadium. At Xochimilco, board a traditional trajinera to cruise the canals among floating gardens, with the option to hire mariachis and purchase food and drinks from other boats. Afterwards, visit Coyoacán, with its sixteenth-century mansions and the Church of San Bautista, and finish at the Frida Kahlo Museum, “La Casa Azul”.  Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 5: Mexico City – Puebla City & Cholula (150 Km – 4 Hrs)

After breakfast, depart towards Puebla, enjoying views of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes en route to Cholula, designated a “Pueblo Mágico”. Visit the Great Pyramid (Tlachihualtepetl) and the Sanctuary of the Virgen de los Remedios, and learn about the fusion of pre-Hispanic and Catholic traditions. Continue to Santa María Tonantzintla to admire its exuberant indigenous baroque church. Proceed to Puebla for lunch at a local restaurant (not included) and a walking tour of the historic centre, including the Cathedral, Rosario Chapel and the Parian handicrafts market, with a possible visit to a Talavera pottery workshop.  Overnight in Puebla City.

Day 6: Puebla City: Magical Towns Chipilo & Atlixco (65 Km – 2 Hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, depart from 70 Calle Florencia on the corner of Liverpool towards Chipilo. Discover this town’s Italian heritage, where a northern Italian dialect is still spoken and customs from the original immigrants remain. Continue to Atlixco, renowned for its gastronomy, landscapes, architecture and flower production. Enjoy free time for lunch and to explore the historic centre, with suggested visits including the Municipal Palace, the Parish of Atlixco, the Third Order Chapel and the former convent of San Francisco.  Overnight in Puebla City.

Day 7: Puebla City – Monte Albán – Coyotepec – Oaxaca City (528 Km – 7.5 Hrs)

After breakfast, depart Puebla and travel towards Oaxaca, stopping first at the archaeological site of Monte Albán, the great Zapotec urban centre and World Heritage Site characterized by its large central plaza and surrounding pyramids. Continue to San Antonio Arrazola to learn about the creation of colourful alebrijes carved from copal wood, then visit San Bartolo Coyotepec to discover the process behind the famous black clay ceramics. Arrive in Oaxaca City.  Overnight in Oaxaca City.

Day 8: Oaxaca City: Cooking Class

Breakfast at the hotel. Join an interactive Oaxacan cooking class, beginning with a visit to local markets accompanied by the chef to select ingredients. Prepare a complete traditional meal including a mole, a soup and two additional dishes such as tamales, as well as typical drinks like chilacayota and mezcal margaritas, and handmade tortillas. Enjoy the dishes together at the end of the class.  Overnight in Oaxaca City.

Day 9: Oaxaca City: Hierve El Agua & Teotitlán Del Valle

After breakfast, depart for Hierve el Agua, a sacred Zapotec site famous for its petrified waterfalls and natural pools formed by mineral-rich springs on the cliffs of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Enjoy time to swim and take in the views. Continue through agave fields to a mezcal distillery to learn about the production process and taste different varieties of this emblematic Oaxacan spirit. Finish the day in Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec weaving village renowned for its wool rugs and textiles dyed with natural colours. Observe artisans at work and learn about their traditional techniques.  Overnight in Oaxaca City.

Day 10: Oaxaca City Departure

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel, then check out and transfer to Oaxaca International Airport for your departure flight.