Grand Impressions of Mexico

Fly to Mexico City, the sprawling capital of Mexico. On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to relax and refresh before joining the group for a welcome dinner overlooking Zócalo, the city’s vast main square.

Return to Zócalo, the heart of the city. Visit the soaring Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, where you’ll view Diego Rivera’s vast mural. Pause for lunch at a cantina before heading into the Templo Mayor Museum to learn about 'Tenochtitlan'. Later, in the leafy suburb of Coyoacán, enjoy the wonderful Frida Kahlo Museum at Casa Azul. Soak up the atmosphere of Plaza Hildalgo before returning to the city centre for dinner in a neighbourhood eatery.

Spend the morning exploring Teotihuacan, a UNESCO-listed city that was one of the most influential in the ancient world. Walk the Avenue of the Dead, climb the 66 metre Pyramid of the Sun and marvel at the rich decorated Temple of Quetzalpapálotl. Visit a family cooperative to learn about the ancient uses of obsidian, maguey fibre and pulque before returning to the capital to admire the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the most important Catholic pilgrimage site in the Americas.

Travel northwest across the central Mexican plateau to reach the fascinating San Miguel de Allende. A UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its magnificent colonial-era architecture, the city is considered the birthplace of the Mexican Revolution. Fuelled by a lunch of fresh corn tortillas, salsas and local cheeses, enjoy a relaxed orientation walk through the city centre, admiring pink spires, charming cobbled streets and leafy courtyards as you learn about the city’s history. Dinner tonight will pair Guanajuato cuisine with regional wines.

Enter the airy studio of local artist Guadalupe Trejo and family to discover the art of papier-mâché crafting. You’ll be guided through the process of creating your own traditional alebrije, catrina, winged heart, nicho, or mask as Guadalupe shares the legends and symbolism behind each piece. After a lunch of regional specialities, the afternoon is free to explore or relax before dinner at one of San Miguel’s rooftop bistros.

Pass into the hills of Sierra de Guanajuato to reach another UNESCO-listed city, Guanajuato. Made rich by the silver and gold deposits in the area, prepare to be impressed by magnificent architecture and brightly coloured houses crammed onto the slopes of a narrow ravine. Embark on a walking tour of its opulent centre. Then, at twilight, gather at the steps of Templo San Diego for a private ‘callejoneada’, parading the old streets with costumed musicians and storytellers.

Travel west to Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city. Take an afternoon walk through the vibrant plazas of its historic centre. As dusk falls, enjoy a festive evening with live mariachi and a lively dance show.

Travel into the blue-agave lowlands to the town of Tequila. Naturally, your explorations begin with a visit to a tequila distillery where you'll learn all about the production process, from roasting the piñas to the resting cellars. In the private tasting room, you’ll be guided through the flavours by an expert maestro tequilero. Then, stroll the town’s cobbled streets to find the perfect spot for a local lunch.

Hop on a flight to Oaxaca, a city that is home to rich indigenous culture, beautiful architecture and a vibrant arts scene. Enjoy lunch before setting off on an orientation walk along Alcalá Street to see the sights.

This morning, explore the major archaeological site of Monte Alban, the capital of the pre-Columbian Zapotec civilisation. This afternoon, explore Oaxaca's cultural heart, tasting local delicacies and admiring architecture as you go.

Arrive at Central de Abastos where, guided by a local chef, you’ll browse and taste the produce. Head to a countryside cooking school to prepare a mouthwatering Oaxacan dish before spending the afternoon at leisure.

Travel into the Sierra Norte Mountains, arriving in the Zapotec village of Benito Juárez. Visit a family at their farmstead for insight into their rural way of life, before continuing to Tehuantepec, close to Salina Cruz on the Pacific Coast.

Spend the morning on a boat heading deep into the Sumidero Canyon National Park, spotting spider monkeys and basking crocodiles as you cruise between sheer limestone walls. Continue to San Cristobal de las Casas.

Explore some of the indigenous villages of the region. First, stop at the Tzotzil Maya community of San Juan Chamula to witness a fascinating, pre-Columbian ritual, and then Zinacantan, where you’ll visit a family workshop to watch women spin, dye and brocade huipiles. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch and enjoy stories from your host as you eat.

Embark on a guided walking tour of the city, exploring narrow lanes little changed since the 16th century. Visits include the golden-yellow cathedral, the Arco del Carmen and the pastel-hued houses of the pine covered San Cristobalito hill. This afternoon is free to explore as you wish before regrouping for dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Descend for the cool heights of the mountains to the lowlands to reach the Cascadas de Agua Azul, a waterfall ensconced in rainforest, where you can wander jungle footpaths and paddle in the blue waters. Continue north into the Maya lowlands, pulling into Palenque town in the late afternoon.

Rise early to enter the forested Palenque National Park. Led by a specialist guide, and with a soundtrack provided by howler monkeys, embark on an adventure through these spectacular Mayan ruins of a city that flourished between 600 and 900 AD. Spend the afternoon splashing around in the Roberto Barrios waterfalls.

Leave the emerald canopy of the rainforest behind, cross the savannah of Tabasco to reach the Gulf coast and Campeche. A UNESCO-listed harbour city, San Francisco de Campeche boasts pastel-coloured mansions, coral-stone ramparts and plentiful tales of merchants and pirate raids – discover more as you explore the storied streets.

Start the day with a guided walk of Campeche’s perfectly preserved walled city. Leave the Caribbean coast and travel to another UNESCO-listed site, the magical Mayan ruins of Uxmal. Learn all about the astronomy and acoustics of the Pyramid of the Magician and admire the Nunnery Quadrangle and Governor’s Palace. Continue to Mérida.

Visit lively markets filled with local flavours and colourful crafts, then wander through the historic heart of the city, strolling along elegant avenues of 19th-century mansions before enjoying a delicious traditional lunch.

This morning is dedicated to Mexico’s most iconic archaeological site Chichén Itzá, with a guided tour of its wonders. Continue to a Maya village where you'll be welcomed into the home of a local family for a traditional lunch and stories of local life. Travel on to reach the beachside resort of Playa del Carmen.

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Playa del Carmen, before an afternoon at Cenote Azul. Here you can relax in the sun or swim in the turquoise waters. Back in Playa del Carmen enjoy a laidback farewell dinner.

Transfer to Cancun airport for your flight to Australia. Arrive home in 2 days due to crossing the International Date Line.