8 Day Central Mexico with Oaxaca
HIGHLIGHTS
Escorted Package Includes:
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Flights Miami-Mexico City, Oaxaca-Miami
Other departure cities are available. Contact me for options and prices. -
Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
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7 nights accommodations
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2 nights Mexico City
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2 nights Puebla
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3 nights Oaxaca
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Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
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Hotel porterage
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All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
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14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
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Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
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Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
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Services of English-speaking local guides
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Entrance fees per itinerary
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Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
Special Features:
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Tour the world-famous National Museum of Anthropology, the largest museum in Mexico.
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Explore Mexico City’s historic center including the National Palace and Palacio de Bellas Artes.
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Visit Cuernavaca, the capital of the state of Morelos, known as the “City of Eternal Spring”.
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A walking tour of Oaxaca, reveals lavish colonial mansions and historic buildings.
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Admire the intricate stone mosaics that adorn many of the walls of the Mitla ruins.
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Observe a weaving demonstration at Teotitlan del Valle, renowned for its weaving wares.
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During the tour of a Mezcal distillery, learn about the process of producing it and enjoy a tasting.
†Transfers are available for purchase for land-only or on alternative flight dates
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*All sightseeing and itinerary inclusions are subject to favorable weather conditions and seasonality. In those instances, and until the roads are available for travel, often unpredictable until the last moment, roads, routes, and sites will be amended. National Parks route and program may vary according to weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues, and wildlife migration patterns.
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DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Mexico
Welcome to Mexico City, a thriving metropolis and the nation’s capital, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure with time to rest, relax and acquaint yourself with Mexico’s vibrant capital, first built by the Aztecs in the 1300s.
Overnight: Mexico City
DAY 2, Thursday - Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City’s Historic Center
The day begins with a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology, the largest and most visited museum in all of Mexico. Learn from the vast collection of archaeological treasures from pre-Hispanic civilizations. After lunch, take a tour of Mexico City’s Centro Historico. Stop at the Zocalo (Central Square), the second largest plaza in the world; view the National Palace* known for Diego Rivera’s dramatic murals depicting thousands of years of Mexican history. Travel past the city’s iconic buildings including the art nouveau Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest in the Americas. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with you Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by a Welcome Dinner
*The visit to Diego Rivera’s murals is subject to unexpected closures that occur for political activities, renovations and routine maintenance.
Overnight: Mexico City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3, Friday - Historic Cuernavaca, Atlixco, Drive to Puebla
Leaving the city, travel to Cuernavaca, the capital of the state of Morelos. Embark on a walking tour of its historic center. View Plaza de Armas, admire the magnificent architecture, a blend of Gothic and Moorish style of the Palacio de Cortes and the 16th century Cathedral de la Asuncion. After lunch, travel to Atlixco, boasting the best climate in the country, located along the slopes of Popocatepetl volcano. Take an orientation walk of the charming downtown before continuing to Puebla. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. The evening is free to explore the city's charm and exquisite regional cuisine on your own.
Overnight: Puebla
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4, Saturday - Colonial Puebla
This morning, tour the picturesque Centro Historico de Puebla. Admire gorgeous views of the stunning cathedral, a wealth of beautiful churches, and colonial buildings adorned with Talavera ceramic tiles for which the city is famous. Balance of the day is at leisure, or join the optional Half Day Cholula with lunch. A short drive from Puebla transports you to the city of Cholula with its more than 3,000 years of history. After lunch, begin the exploration of the city and marvel at the Mexican Baroque style churches. Continue to the Great Pyramid, the largest pyramid in the world. Spend time wandering through its tunnels, visit the church of los Remedios at the top and admire panoramic views of the area . Return to Puebla for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Puebla
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Sunday - Travel to Oaxaca
Depart Puebla and travel to Oaxaca, a bastion of indigenous culture and colonial history. The drive will take you through craggy mountains, remote villages, valleys, and volcanoes looming on the horizon. Stop for lunch along the way and later continue your drive to Oaxaca. Arrive at the hotel in the afternoon. After time to settle in, take an orientation walk with your Tour Manager, followed by dinner together.
Optional: Half Day Cholula with lunch (PM)
Overnight: Oaxaca
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Friday - Monday - Explore Cultural Oaxaca
Spend a leisurely morning in Oaxaca today, or join the optional to Monte Albán archaeological site, an ancient center of Zapotec and Mixtec culture. After a short drive, arrive at the impressive pre-Columbian ruins, located on a mountaintop with stunning views of the Oaxaca Valley. Tour the complex, filled with temples, pyramids, magnificent tombs and learn about the Zapotec culture. Afterward, return back to the hotel. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Oaxaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you stroll along the picturesque streets of the city’s historic center, view lavish colonial mansions, Santo Domingo Church, Museum of Cultures, Centro Cultural Santo Domingo, Government House and the Zocalo (Main Square). Conclude the tour at the colorful local market with stalls brimming with textiles, jewelry, fresh produce and much more.
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Optional: Half Day Monte Albán (AM)
Overnight: Oaxaca
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Tuesday - Mitla, Teotitlan del Valle, Mezcal Distillery
Begin the day with a drive to the archaeological site of Mitla, which means “place of the dead”, known for its unique architecture. Admire the intricate stone mosaics that adorn many of the walls of the ruins. Proceed to the Zapotec village of Teotitlan del Valle and observe a weaving demonstration. Marvel at the beautiful wool weavings before sharing lunch at the artisan’s home. Later, visit a Mezcal distillery. Tour the facility and learn about the process of producing this alcoholic drink from any type of agave. Conclude your visit with a tasting, before departing for Oaxaca. En route, stop to visit Santa Maria del Tule, known for its giant 2,000-year-old cypress tree. Tonight, bid adios to your newfound friends and Tour Manager at the Farewell Dinner.
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Overnight: Oaxaca
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Wednesday - Depart Meixco
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
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Meals: Breakfast
DATES - STARTING PRICES
2022 Dates
Aug 10, 2022 - Aug 17 2022
OR
Nov 16, 2022 - Nov 23, 2022
Booked by Dec 16th - $2039
HOTEL OPTIONS
Barcelo Mexico Reforma, Mexico City
Quinta Real Puebla, Puebla City
Hostal de la Noria, Oaxaca



This active program covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect up to four hours walking on some touring days. The pace is fast, where you will encounter some uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. A few early wake-ups, as well as one long drive to Oaxaca, are necessary to cover the territory. The altitude throughout the program varies and may be a consideration for those who have heart conditions or are otherwise affected by height. Hotels may provide limited amenities.
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Passports and Visas
It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required. Please check the information at www.gate1travel.com/visas.aspx for the specific country/region you are visiting for more details. IMPORTANT: Passengers who are not U.S. citizens must check with the respective consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal identification is required. Passengers who enter, leave, and then re-enter the same country on their itinerary should check if they require a double-entry visa. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. Passengers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has blank pages.
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