Educational tours, student tours, adult and student trips, travel to Yucatan Mexico

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1. Fly to Mexico Board your flight to Mexico City. You’ll be met by your Tour Director after you clear customs; then transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to begin settling in and orienting yourself to one of the world’s largest capitals.

Day 2. Mexico City
A local guide shows you the historic and cultural highlights of Mexico City. Begin your tour at the Zócalo, Mexico’s City’s main square and former heart of the Aztec empire. Enter the patio of the National Palace to see Diego Rivera’s murals, which chart Mexico’s history. Upon exiting, look for the Bell of Dolores, once rung to inspire the Mexican people to fight for their independence. Also step inside the Metropolitan Cathedral for a view of the Altar of the Kings. You’ll also visit the acclaimed Museum of Anthropology, where you can view the amazingly accurate Aztec calendar stone and Moctezuma’s headdress.

Day 3. Teotihuacan
Journey today to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose construction was spurred by a miraculous vision in the 16th century. Then, visit the awe-inspiring Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan. On a guided sightseeing tour, traverse the Avenue of the Dead and climb the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, architectural feats complemented by the surrounding mountains. Travel back to Mexico City. This evening, you might opt to attend the Ballet Folklórico, a dazzling performance of music and dance.

Day 4. Puebla
Today’s destination is Puebla, Mexico's most charismatic colonial city, and famous for being the site where the Mexicans won the momentous Battle of Puebla on May 5th 1862, against the French. After hotel check-in, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Puebla. Pass the 17th- century Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which is Mexico’s tallest cathedral. You’ll also see the French Renaissance-style Municipal Palace (City Hall), the gold-leafed Chapel of the Rosary, and the House of Dolls, a colorful example of Talavera craftsmanship, with tiles in combinations of blue and yellow and yellow and green. Seek out handmade crafts at the El Parian market and browse the works of local artists in the Barrio del Artista (Artist’s Quarter). Then see the Main Theater—originally built in 1756 and restored in the 1930s, it is one of the oldest theaters on the continent. Finally, you’ll visit the Bello Museum, where you can see crafts ranging from folk art ceramic to antique musical instruments.

Day 5. Oaxaca
Journey through the Mexican countryside to Oaxaca, a well preserved, charming and vibrant colonial city, situated in a highland valley surrounded by the towering summits of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Oaxaca is a city that retains a Spanish colonial feel, but which also reflects its indigenous heritage; they blend together wonderfully which is all part of this city’s charm. After hotel check-in, enjoy a guided walking tour of Oaxaca’s historic center. You’ll view the 18th-century baroque Cathedral, the old Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) and the ornate Church of Santo Domingo, one of Oaxaca's most impressive looking churches. Then embrace the distinctive aromas wafting from Oaxaca’s world-famous chocolate factories. At the end of your tour, you’ll have time to browse the stalls at the bustling Benito Juarez Market, where vendors sell traditional products from all over the region. Black Clay Pottery and Textiles are famous here: both crafts are a local practice - and Oaxacan pottery especially, is known and revered throughout Mexico.

Day 6. Monte Alban
Begin your explorations of Oaxaca’s ancient civilizations on today’s excursion to neighboring Monte Alban, a major religious center built by the Zapotecs around 600 B.C. At its height around A.D. 300, Monte Alban supported 40,000 inhabitants. The city was taken over in the 10th century by the Mixtecs, who were in turn conquered by the Aztecs, and fell into ruin around the time of the Spanish Conquest. On your guided tour of the archaeological site, walk through the Great Plaza and stop on the ball court—note that the slanted walls on each side were used in the game, not as spectator seating. Continue on to the observatory and the ceremonial tombs—in total there have been 170 tombs excavated at Monte Alban. Finish your tour at the Building of The Dancers, where you can study the mysteriously strange poses of the famous carved figurines. Then enjoy a free afternoon to make your own explorations in Oaxaca.

Day 7. Mitla – Tule Tree Mitla
A smaller and more modest site than the neighboring Monte Alban, welcomes you back into Mexico’s ancient past. Mitla was home to both Mixtec and Zapotec cultures—it was founded by the Zapotecs but taken over by the Mixtecs, and the architectural style of elaborate cut stonework reflects the latter group. On today’s guided tour, you will explore the five main areas of construction, including quadrangles and palaces, and visit a museum whose exhibits include valuable regional artifacts. On your way back to Oaxaca, stop at the village of Santa Maria del Tule - home to one of the World's oldest living trees. This colossal specimen of a Mexican cypress, is believed to be at least 2,000 years old. The tree stands in the local churchyard and measures more that 150 feet both in height and around its base.

Day 8. Return home
You’ll be escorted to the airport for your flight home.

EXTEND YOUR STAY
Acapulco
Add 2 nights

Day 8.
Depart from Oaxaca to fly to the warm Pacific beaches of Acapulco where mountains meet the sea, creating the breathtaking setting which has made this resort legendary. After checking in to your hotel, you’ll have a free afternoon to relax by the sea or explore the surroundings.

Day 9. Free day in Acapulco
Set your own pace as you relax in the warm Acapulco sun and explore its renowned Pacific beaches. Optional activities include parasailing, fishing, boating, water skiing, or shopping at the open-air markets. This evening, you’ll watch daredevil divers plunge 130 feet into the surf from the heights of the famous cliffs of La Quebrada.

Day 10. Departure
You’ll be escorted to the airport for your flight home.

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