Coastal and Cultural Adventure

Welcome to Mexico! An arrival transfer brings you to your hotel, and the remainder of the day is free to acclimate and explore.

The day opens at the Plaza of the Three Cultures and continues to the imposing pyramids of Teotihuacan, with site admission included. You'll stop at a local artisan center, then visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the way back into the city. After returning to the hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Set out for Tepoztlán, dramatically positioned beneath a great green hill crowned by a small pyramid, with time to look around. In Cuernavaca your guide introduces the Palace of Hernán Cortés and the cathedral, and you'll have free time for lunch. The day continues to silver-town Taxco for a city visit and overnight stay.

Wind through the mountains to Chilpancingo de los Bravos, where a guide leads you through the Regional Museum. Continuing to Acapulco, you'll have beach time to swim and grab lunch at the resort's famous shoreline. In the afternoon an included admission and tour reveal La Fortaleza (the San Diego Fortress), after which you'll transfer to the hotel with free time.

Follow the Pacific coastline to the charming resort town of Zihuatanejo. An included boat ride carries you to Playa Las Gatas, where you can swim, unwind on the sand, and enjoy lunch. You'll return by boat, check into your accommodation, and enjoy free time.

Leaving the coast, cross arid stretches before entering Michoacán's lush green mountains. At Lake Pátzcuaro you'll board a boat to Janitzio Island, homeland of the Purépecha people, with time for lunch, a wander through its traditional streets, and a climb to the towering statue of José María Morelos. The boat returns you to shore and the day ends in Pátzcuaro.

Depart for Morelia, the elegant capital of Michoacán, then continue to Cuitzeo del Porvenir, set beside Mexico's second-largest lake. The route carries on to Guadalajara, the colonial capital of Jalisco famed as the cradle of Mariachi music and Tequila.

An included tour of Guadalajara features entry to the Cabañas Hospice, a UNESCO World Heritage landmark. You'll then travel to the picturesque town of Tequila, with time for a stroll and lunch, plus included entrance to a distillery to see how Mexico's iconic spirit is crafted. The day ends back in Guadalajara with free time.

Travel to Guanajuato, where the afternoon brings an included city tour of this World Heritage university town — a maze of steep hillsides, narrow lanes, and historic churches. A cable-car ride up to the El Pípila monument rewards you with a sweeping panorama over the colorful city.

Cross the mountains to Dolores Hidalgo, the town where Mexican independence was born. Visits follow to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco and the gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage city of San Miguel de Allende. By afternoon you'll arrive in the lively colonial city of Querétaro.

Begin with Tula, the ancient Toltec capital, where admission to the archaeological site is included. You'll then reach Puebla, a historic city admired for its colonial architecture and buzzing zócalo, before stopping at Val'Quirico, a village styled after the European countryside. Arrival in Mexico City comes by evening.

After breakfast the tour concludes. Note that the transfer from the hotel to the airport is not included.