The Mariachi route

Touch down in Mexico City, where an included transfer brings you to your hotel and the rest of the day is free.

Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the capital followed by a transfer to the Basilica of Guadalupe. The afternoon features a ride through Xochimilco's canals aboard a festively decorated 'trajinera' boat, and in the evening you'll be taken to the Plaza de Garibaldi for an included dinner amid the mariachis.

Journey to the charming Pueblo Mágico of El Oro de Hidalgo and on to Mina de las Dos Estrellas, where the region's mining heritage comes alive. Continue to Tlalpujahua, renowned for handcrafted Christmas decorations, before finishing in Pátzcuaro, one of the country's most beautiful colonial towns.

Head for Morelia, capital of Michoacán, then pause in Cuitzeo del Porvenir beside the second-largest lake in Mexico. Your route ends in Guadalajara, the colonial capital of Jalisco famed as the home of Mariachi and Tequila.

Tour Guadalajara, including the UNESCO World Heritage Cabañas Hospice, before venturing to the town of Tequila for a walk and lunch. A distillery entrance is included so you can see the famous spirit in the making, then return to Guadalajara for free time.

Arrive in Guanajuato, and in the afternoon take a city tour of this dazzling World Heritage university city of steep slopes, narrow streets, and historic churches. An included cable car ride carries you up to 'el Pípila' for an unforgettable view.

Travel over the mountains to Dolores Hidalgo, where Mexican independence was proclaimed, then visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco and the UNESCO gem of San Miguel de Allende. The afternoon brings you into vibrant colonial Querétaro.

Drive to Tula, the ancient capital of the Toltecs, with admission to its archaeological zone included. You'll then arrive in Puebla, a historic city prized for its colonial buildings and bustling zocalo.

Reach Oaxaca in the late morning and visit Monte Albán, the mightiest of the Zapotec cities perched above the Oaxaca Valley, with admission and a guided tour included. Afterwards, return to Oaxaca with free time to explore this enthralling city of Aztec origins.

Ride through mountain scenery and delightful villages to the Pueblo Mágico of San Pablo Villa de Mitla. Crossing the Oaxacan sierras, you'll stop for an included lunch before arriving in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, capital of Chiapas.

Board a boat and cruise the depths of the majestic Sumidero Canyon, then stretch your legs on a walk through Chiapa del Corzo. Later, visit Zinacantan and San Juan de Chamula, towns where Mayan traditions run strong. The day ends with free time in colonial San Cristobal de las Casas.

Cross the mountainous interior of Chiapas, dotted with traditional Mayan communities, stopping in Ocosingo en route. Entrance to Agua Azul National Park and lunch are included, followed by a stroll among the waterfalls at Misol Ha. Continue to Palenque, where dinner awaits.

Immerse yourself in the remarkable Mayan city of Palenque before traveling through Tabasco to the Gulf of Mexico. You'll arrive in Campeche, famous for its colonial streets and great fortifications, with dinner included.

Journey into the Yucatán to Mérida, a capital layered with colonial and Mayan history. In the evening an included transfer takes you to the Zócalo to explore and dine, and you'll have the afternoon free to discover the city on your own terms. Overnight in Mérida.

Start in the 'magical town' of Izamal before standing among the temples of Chichen Itzá, the greatest surviving monument of Mayan civilization. A typical Mayan lunch is included. Afterwards, continue to the fishing village and Biosphere Reserve of Río Lagartos.

A morning boat excursion takes you deep into mangrove channels alive with birds. You'll then visit the pleasant historic center of Valladolid, followed by the Choj Ha cenote, where jungle surrounds a dry cave concealing an interior lake within a humid cavern. Arrive in Cancun at the end of the day.

After breakfast, services conclude and your Mariachi route journey comes to an end on the Caribbean coast.