SELF DRIVE THE COLOURS OF MEXICO - 14 DAYS/13 NIGHTS

SELF DRIVE THE COLOURS OF MEXICO - 14 DAYS/13 NIGHTS

ARRIVAL MEXICO

Welcome at airport MEX and private transfer to your overnight hotel in Mexico City’s Historical Center. Your transfer assistant also delivers and explains the travel docuemtns to you. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Mexico City

Zocalo Central 4*            2 Nights / Std-room

HIST. ZENTRUM & TEOTIHUACAN & BASILIKA VON GUADALUPE                       (B)

Breakfast at hotel.       

Seat-in-Basis Service (approx. 6h duration from/to hotel): Morning pick up at your hotel for a sightseeing tour in Mexico City, to see the Historical Center (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage

- UWCH) and National Museum of Anthropology. In the city center, see Zocalo main square, National Palace with mural paintings of Diego Rivera, Metropolitan Cathedral, view from outside on former Aztec Main Temple, and others. Drive along elegant Reforma Boulevard to have a photo stop at Independence Monument, and enter Chapultepec Park area for a panoramic drive. Visit 3-Cultures Square with prehispanic ruins of Tlatelolco, colonial St. Jacob-church and modern urban living buildings in the background. Drive afterwards to see Basilica of Guadalupe (old & new), Chapels of the Indians and the Well, as well as seeing the original piece of cloth of Shepherd boy Juan Diego with Virgin Mary's image. Afternoon visit to the prehispanic site of Teotihuacán (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) with Citadel, Quetzalcóatl-Temple, Road of the Death, Pyramids of Sun & Moon & Quetzalpapalotl-Palaceto visit the National Museum of Anthropology with its interesting exhibition halls about prehispanic cultures like Toltec, Aztec, Zapotec, Maya and others. Late afternoon/early evening return to your hotel and rest of day at leisure.

FREE TIME - CAR PICK UP – SELF DRIVE:  MEXIKO CITY–PUEBLA                    (B)

(approx. 130km / 2h // City exit and highway)

Breakfast at hotel.

First part of today is free at leisure. For the morning we recommend already the room check-out latest by noon. Your luggage can be stored by the concierge service in the time between check-out and departure from hotel.

Optional possibilities / not included as service part in package price: Perhaps you still might like to explore parts of the city you have in mind, e.g. going to Coyoacán colonial quarter and visit there Museum Frida Kahlo.

In the (early) afternoon, it is recommended to have your moment for rental car pick up (in case of Pick Up not being at hotel, eventually necessary taxi transfer not incl. in package price).

Self Drive: Car Pick Up at approx. 13-15:00h (please, count with approx. 30-40min for the pick up procedure until moment of real departure). Afterwards, drive out of Mexico City via an easily drivable route. The urban development seems to be endless, but finally, after approx. 30km, finally reach the countryside. Cross the mountains over to neighbor valley of Puebla, city which you will then soon reach still in the afternoon. Your hotel is located right in the historical center – it is mostly recommended to enjoy a charming evening town walk!

Colonial 3*       1 Nt / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: PUEBLA – CACTUS - OAXACA                                                        (B)

(approx. 350km / 4h // Highway 4 and 2 lanes through highlands and mountains)

Breakfast at hotel.Self Drive: For the morning, we recommend to have a nice sightseeing walk in the histiorical center of Puebla (UWCH), so called “City of Angels”, with its unique mélange of baroque and colonial architecture. Very typical here are the façades covered with tiles and lots of stucco. From your hotel, you can start for example with the Cathedral, see the local main square, look into Sto-Domingo church to discover all golden Rosary Chapel, try the tasty, all natural sweets of El Parian market, and stroll through the lanes of Los Sapos arts and artisans quarter. If you stay for lunch, then do not miss to try from puebla style Mole sauce – it is made during long process of mixing chilis, cocoa and many other ingredients – its recipe is supposed to be from a nun’s monastery near Puebla. Afterwards, you can continue directly via the highway next to Puebla towards Oaxaca. On half way, near Tehuacán, there is a fascinating landscape of high mountains, covered with millions of cacti. Here to visit botanical garden of Zapotitlán Salinas is really amazing. Cacti like so called Seat-of-Mother-in-Law, Elephant Foot and more form the impressive ensemble of different species. From the rural road, you can also have an interesting view on the old salt mine terraces on the slopes of the mountains. Over the resting afternoon, then you drive through to Oaxaca and your hotel located directly in its historical center (UWCH). Amaze your senses with a relaxing evening town walk, also over the all green main square and nice restaurants under its arch ways around.

Oaxaca Real 3*                 2 Nts / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: OAXACA & SURROUNDINGS                                                            (B)

(approx. 80km / 3h // city and rural roads around Oaxaca)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: A morning drive out, up to Monte Albán is quite a must for the time being in Oaxaca. The archaeological site of Monte Albán (UWCH) was built by the prehispanic Zapotec Culture which dominated over long time in the central valleys of Oaxaca – the strategic position on a artificially truncated plateau hill gave a highly strategic position in the region. Interesting remains of the ceremonial center are the main pyramidal temples, the always important observatory, court of ceremonial pelota ball game, as well as the reliefs of the Dancers and the sites where former kings had been buried. For time of lunch, we recommend to drive back to Oaxaca, to enjoy the full resting afternoon for a relaxed town walk. The ensemble of colonial architecture in squares, churches and houses along the charming lanes and streets if unique – all built with the slightly green shimmering blocks limestone from the regional quarries. Here you can also visit the local Museum of Anthropology, where the precious findings of Monte Albán’s King tumbs are exhibited. Finally, do not miss to seek for the traditional cocoa bean mills – a wonderful aroma of chocolate will guide you through the streets to find them!

SELF DRIVE: OAXACA – TEOTITLÁN DEL VALLE – MITLA – TEHUANTEPEC      (B)

(approx. 270km / 6h // rural road and highway, from flat-straight to mountainous with curves)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: After breakfast you can already depart for Tehuantepec. Soon after Oaxaca you already reach the region of interesting artisans towns around Oaxaca, as it can be Teotitlán del Valle, a weaver town. The expressiveness in colours and patterns in all types of cloth remains back to very old traditions. Another archaeological site can still be visited in the afternoon: Mitla (UWCH) – this place is very different to Monte Albán. Remaining from the neighbor prehispanic Mixtec culture, Mitla has other characteristics: on the main temple you can observe amazing stone-relieff-mosaics in a great variety of meandering patterns. Over the resting day, we recommend to enjoy the approx. 4 hour driving through the mountains to reach Tehuantepec and your overnight hotel for a technical overnight. Hotel offers a nice garden and pool for some moments of relaxation.

Calli 3-4*                                                             1 Nt / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: TEHUANTEPEC–SUMIDERO–SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS      (B)

(approx. 650km / 7h // rural roads and highways, changing between flat and mountainous)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: It is recommended to start early today right after breakfast, to cover the 550km the fastest possible, in order to get to river Grijalva and colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo where you can step on a boat to have an approx. 2-3 hour trip through the impressive Sumidero Canyon, where the high and steep rocky walls rise up to over 1000mts on both sides of the water. Also local flora and fauna, from orchids to crocodiles is very nice to see. After this trip, Chiapa de Corzo town invites still to walk over its main square and along the archways, there is an interesting construction on the square, as well as a nice Museum of lacquered wooden work. The evening drive finally goes up over another approx. 1 hour to reach San Cristóbal de las Casas Maya highland colonial town. Here you could be very keen on having an evening walk through town, also to search for a nice dinner place.

Casa Vieja 3-4*                         2 Nts / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS & SURROUNDINGS                     (B)

(approx. 20km / 1h // rural highland roads)

Breakfast at hotel.                   

Self Drive: In and around San Cristóbal de las Casas there is a lot to see and to experience, about people’s all day life, indian market, as well as historical ensembles of architecture like Cathedral, Sto-Domingo church, lanes along colourful houses. Around San Cristóbal de las Casas are located the Tzotzil-Maya towns of San Juan Chamula and San Lorenzo Zinacantán. Here the traditional Maya dresses are still worn in all day life, and depending on town, patterns and colours are different. At San Juan Chamula you can also enter the local church for a small entry fee payable at Town Hall, to observe the bizar riths celebrated to warship their gods and express their prayers and wishes. Here in the church you must not use your camera – Maya people beleive their soul to be stolen by the camera. In the afternoon back in San Cristóbal de las Casas, you maybe might like still to visit the Museum of Maya Medcin or Museum of Ambar – town also offers many options for a tasty local dinner.

SELBSTFAHRER: SAN CRISTÓBAL  - AGUA AZUL & MISOL-HA – PALENQUE     (B)

(approx. 200km / 5h // Landstraße durch Berge)

Breakfast at hotel.

Selbstfahrerteil: Morning start to drive towards Palenque, and on the way have a relaxing stop at waterfalls of Agua Azul. Over countless steps of river Tulijá the water falls over a traject of approx. 7km of the river, forming natural bassins. In some of them you can even take a refreshing swim. The blue colour of water is predominent during dry season NOV-APR, when the minerals of limestone give this tone. Also next falls of Misol-Há are very charming, as it is a single fall in romantic ambience, and the small pond invites to have refreshing jump into it! Afternoon arrival then in Palenque at your hotel in a tropical garden. Here you can also fully relax during the rest of the day.

Nututun 3-4*                                             2 Nts / Std-room

SELBSTFAHRER: PALENQUE                                                                              (B)

(approx. 10km / 30min // town and rural streets)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: For the visit of Palenque arch. site (UWCH) you should reserve the morning. It is one of the best conserved prehispanic Maya cities in Mexico and counts among the most beautiful ones. In the great Temple of Inscription was found Maya King Pakal’s tomb, which in a nice replica you can see also in the local museum of Palenque (Mondays closed), but also to walk around and to explore buildings like Observatory and Governor’s Palace are is very interesting. In the afternoon, you still might like to visit a place where natural rubber is produced from trees, and where the local people can give interesting info about the process. Palenque town also has a small central area, where some unpretencious by interesting local evening and night life goes on.

SELF DRIVE: PALENQUE – ISLA AGUADA - CAMPECHE                          (B)

(approx.455km / 6h30min // rural roads and highways)

Breakfast at hotel.                   

Self Drive: From Palenque you drive to the coast of Gulf of Mexico today. After approx. 4 hours you reach the small fisher town of Isla Aguada, located on a stretch of sandy land between the see and giant Lagoon of Terminos. Also here you can make a ncie boat ride on the lagoon, here to seek for shoals of Dolphins, and with some luck to find also a Manati – the tour makes also stop on a sandy lost island right in the nowhere of the immense lagoon – a bizar atmosphere! – here you can have a refreshing jump into the water! In the afternoon, you reach Campeche port city with its beautiful historical center (UWCH), surrounded partially by an ancient city wall and defense towers. These constructions remain from 17th and 18th century, when Campeche had to defend itself against often pirat attacks.

Plaza Campeche 4*                 1 Nt / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: CAMPECHE – KABAH & UXMAL – MERIDA                                     (B)

(approx.245km / 3h30min // rural road and highway)

Breakfast at hotel.                   

Self Drive: Maybe in the morning, you still might like to have another town walk in Campeche. From there, reach soon the so called Puuc region (Mayan word for “hilly” side). In Puuc region, two sites out of the many there are worth to see: Kabah and Uxmal, both Unesco World Cultural heritage. In Kabah, walk on an orignal Sac Beh (“White Path”) of the Maya, which leads you to Codz Pop main temple with incredibly beautiful stone masks of Chac, the Maya rain god. Then in Uxmal it is worth to “test” the accustics in the courtyard of so called Nun’s Quadrangle and observe the great Pyramid of the Dwarf and preciously décorated Governor’s Palace. Last afternoon traject then is short, to reach Mérida. so called “White City” and capital of state of Yucatán. Stepping out of your hotel door there, you are right in the historical center of Mérida with its charming ensemble of colonial & neoclassical architecture – also elegant Paseo de Montejo with its wealthy former living palaces is unique. Here you could also try to make a relaxing horse coach ride.

Del Gobernador 3*        1 Nt / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: MERIDA – IZAMAL - CHICHÉN ITZÁ                                                (B)

(approx. 160km / 2h // rural roads and highway)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: Enjoy simply not to depart this morning, but to remain for longer time in Mérida for an extense city walk! Take also advantage of opportunities like market visit, maybe also to local Grand Museum of Maya Culture and similar, and simply enjoy free time. In the afternoon, you can proceed to reach Chichén Itzá and your overnight hotel approx. 2 hours drive awaay from Mérida. If you like, you can add an intermediate stop at Izamal Magic town: like a fairy tale of all golden yellow painted colonial town with an amazing exconvent. At Chichén Itzá in the evening, reserve yourselves a moment of relax with the assisting of local Light and Sound show over the ancient temples!

Villas Arqueológicas 3*                             1 Nt / Std-Room

SELF DRIVE: CHICHÉN ITZÁ & IKKIL – MEXICAN CARIBBEAN COAST                 (B)

(approx. 200km / 2h30min // rural road and highway)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: This morning, you are right next to the archaeological site. It is only about 2 minutes to walk to get to the entrance. In the earlier hours of the morning, the big rush of buses has not arrived, yet, as well as the birds are activ with the fresher morning climate, and would disappear then with the rising of the sun. With the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá (UWCH) you will see one of the most emblematic prehispanic Maya cities of Mesoamerica, with its majestic buildings like Kukulkán Pyramid, giant Pelota Ball Game court, Temple of Warriors and Complex of 1000 Columns, as well as the interesting Observatory, among others. For a fantastic opportunity to refresh yourself after Chichén Itzá, we recommend the visit of Cenote Ikkil, a natural water sinkhole in the porous limestone underground of peninsula of Yucatán. Here you can also try from a tasty yucatecan buffet! Afterwards, min. approx. 2 hours are left to drive to Cancún, and some 1h approx. more to reach many of the hotels south of Cancún. In case of having a beach hotel on the Caribbean coast, there are several places to return the car (ongoing taxi transfers to hotels not incl. in price), or when you go directly for your homebound flight from Cancún airport, you can also leave the car finally there.