The Mariachi route (2026)

Day 1

Welcome to Mexico! Transfer to the hotel and free time. Our guide will contact you late in the afternoon.

Day 2

Today we have a fantastic day ahead to explore MEXICO. In the morning, we’ll head to the neighborhood of Xochimilco, a wonderful place known for its canals and semi-floating gardens. Here, we’ll enjoy a ride on a trajinera — colorful, flower-decked boats.Afterwards, we’ll take a panoramic tour of the city. We’ll see the Plaza of the Three Cultures, the historic downtown featuring the Zócalo and its Metropolitan Cathedral, the Aztec Templo Mayor, Chapultepec Park, Paseo de la Reforma, and the main avenues of this impressive city.We’ll have free time for lunch at the Zócalo in Mexico City.After lunch, we’ll visit the Basilica of Guadalupe, the most visited Catholic shrine in the Americas, home to the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. There, we’ll see both the old 18th-century basilica and the modern temple.In the evening, we’ll head to Plaza Garibaldi, famous for its many cantinas, restaurants, and bars where tacos and tequila are served and Mariachi bands perform.Dinner is included at a typical Mexican restaurant

Day 3

We’ll begin our day heading toward the mountain and forest areas where the monarch butterflies spend the winter. We’ll visit La Mina de las Dos Estrellas, a mine-turned-museum that showcases the region’s rich mining history and culture.Next, we’ll explore TLALPUJAHUA, a "Pueblo Mágico" in the state of Michoacán. With its magnificent Baroque sanctuary, cobblestone streets, and charming atmosphere, this town is famous for its handcrafted Christmas ornaments. You’ll be surprised to see Santa Claus figures displayed in many of its shops. There will be free time to stroll around and enjoy lunch.We’ll then continue on to PÁTZCUARO, where we’ll take a panoramic tour of one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. With its pre-Hispanic origins, colonial architecture, craft markets, and vibrant ambiance, Pátzcuaro is truly unforgettable.

Day 4

We’ll depart for MORELIA, the capital of Michoacán — a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its magnificent pink-stone architecture and beautiful historic center. Highlights include its Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, and the University of Morelia, founded in 1540. There will be free time to stroll around and enjoy lunch.On our route, we’ll stop in TLAQUEPAQUE, a Pueblo Mágico filled with mariachi music, live performances, artisan shops, and a variety of local cuisine.We’ll then continue to GUADALAJARA, the capital of the state of Jalisco, a vibrant colonial city known as the birthplace of Mariachi and Tequila. Arrival will be in the late afternoon.

Day 5

In the morning we include a visit to Guadalajara, the modern metropolis with its colonial historic center, its cathedral, its market, its Tapatía square. We will enter the Cabañas Hospice, declared Unesco World Heritage. After the visit, we will go on to the next town of TEQUILA, we include entrance to the MUNDO CUERVO distillery and will see how this famous Mexican drink is made (entrance and tasting included). After this, time for a stroll and lunch in the picturesque town of Tequila. After lunch, we return to Guadalajara.

Day 6

We travel to the state of GUANAJUATO. Arrival at midday. In the afternoon we include a city tour of this very beautiful university city declared World Heritage, its steep slopes, its narrow streets, its churches, and we also include a cable car ride to admire the view from “el Pípila”.

Day 7

We’ll travel through the mountains to Dolores Hidalgo, the birthplace of Mexican independence. Next, we’ll visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, known as the "Sanctuary of God and Country," also declared a World Heritage Site (please note that on some occasions we may not be able to visit the interior due to ongoing retreats). Afterwards, we’ll explore San Miguel de Allende, a stunning World Heritage city with beautiful colonial architecture and charming cobbled streets. There will be time to stroll around. Later, we’ll arrive in Queretaro, known for its magnificent colonial center, its Plaza de Armas, and its lively restaurants and pedestrian streets.

Day 8

We’ll depart for TULA, where we’ll include a visit and entrance to the archaeological site, the ancient capital of the Toltecs. Its main attraction is the Atlantes, impressive four-meter-tall warrior statues. The site also features pyramids, palaces, and carved columns that reflect the sophistication of this pre-Hispanic civilization.We’ll then arrive in PUEBLA and enjoy a panoramic tour of this historic city, renowned for its culinary traditions, colonial architecture, and Talavera pottery. Highlights include its magnificent Renaissance-style cathedral and lively Zócalo (main square).Overnight in Puebla, a vibrant city full of life and activity.

Day 9

We’ll travel toward the state of Oaxaca, passing through mountainous regions with beautiful scenery along the way. We’ll arrive in Oaxaca by late morning and enjoy an included visit to this UNESCO World Heritage city, originally founded by the Aztecs and renowned for its impressive historical heritage. We’ll then head up to Monte Albán, set atop a mountain rising 400 meters above the Oaxaca Valley. This ancient site—tickets and guided tour included—is the most magnificent of the Zapotec cities. We’ll return to Oaxaca, where you’ll have free time to continue exploring the city at your own pace.

Day 10

We’ll depart early in the morning, making a brief stop in SAN PABLO VILLA DE MITLA, a charming Pueblo Mágico. You’ll have time for a stroll near the 16th-century Church of San Pablo and along its picturesque rustic streets. We’ll then continue our journey through the mountains of Oaxaca toward the Isthmus. Lunch will be included en route. By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ, the capital of the state of Chiapas.

Day 11

We see the CAÑON DEL SUMIDERO, on a boat we sail up this impressive canyon almost 1 km deep and 14 km long. Then we take a stroll in CHIAPA DEL CORZO, a colonial site of tradition and culture. After this, we go further into the Mayan culture and visit beautiful villages inhabited by the Tzotziles Indians. In ZINACANTAN we can admire the dresses of the women and the beautiful shops and weaving workshops. In SAN JUAN CHAMULA we will be surprised by its church which mixes Christianity with pre-columbine traditions in its rites. Continuation to SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS. Afternoon free in this very beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.

Day 12

A stage of beautiful mountain landscapes in the heart of CHIAPAS, passing through areas inhabited by communities that have preserved their Mayan language and traditions. After crossing the Ocosingo region, we’ll continue to Agua Azul (entrance to the National Park included).Lunch included and free time to walk or swim among more than 50 waterfalls, ranging from 3 to 30 meters in height.We’ll then continue to MISOL HA, an impressive waterfall where you can walk along the path behind the cascade.Our journey continues to PALENQUE, where dinner and accommodation are included.Note: In the Ocosingo region, occasional road closures may occur due to local social tensions.

Day 13

We’ll visit the impressive archaeological site of PALENQUE, an ancient Mayan city surrounded by jungle. Entrance and guided tour included to explore its temples, pyramids, and ball court.After the visit, we’ll travel toward the GULF OF MEXICO through the state of TABASCO.We’ll arrive in CAMPECHE, a Mexican port city known for its colonial architecture and 17th-century fortifications built to defend against pirate attacks. Dinner included.

Day 14

We’ll head toward the state of Yucatán, and after just over two hours, we’ll arrive in Mérida. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this vibrant capital, rich in both colonial and Maya heritage. Highlights include the fortified Cathedral of Mérida, the limestone Church of the Third Order, and the House of Montejo—a 16th-century mansion and a symbol of Plateresque colonial architecture. You’ll have the afternoon free; we suggest visiting the Museum of the Maya World on your own. In the evening, a transfer to the Zócalo will be included, where you can enjoy dinner and soak up the local atmosphere.

Day 15

Today we enjoy a beautiful stage to see the Yucatán state. IZAMAL, one of the prettiest cities in Mexico, declared a "Magic town". In CHICHEN ITZAN, we include admission and a visit to the most important and renowned vestige of the Mayan civilization, a World Heritage Site where we see the mythical pyramid of Kukulcán and the warriors´ temple. After the visit we include a Mayan cuisine lunch. We continue to RIO LAGARTOS, a small fishing village in the middle of a Biosphere Reserve.

Day 16

Today we enjoyed an exciting day where nature is featured. In the morning we include a boat ride of over two hours. We enter the biosphere reserve, where we can see crocodiles among its mangroves, lots of birds including pelicans and pink flamingos. You can also "live the mud experience" by smearing mud with high concentrations of sulfur, minerals and salts that act as exfoliants for the skin, leaving a feeling of softness throughout the body. After that, we travel to VALLADOLID, the third largest city of the Yucatan with a very nice historic city center. We recommend you to have lunch in one of the restaurants of the main square. In the afternoon we visit the CENOTE CHOJ HA, managed by the local Mayan community, where we will walk along a short path in the jungle to explore its dry cave and where you can swim in the wonderful lake inside the wet cave. Continuation to CANCUN. Arrival at the end of the afternoon.

Day 17

Our services end after breakfast. We suggest that any travellers who wish to extend their stay for a few days can do so resting by the beautiful beaches of Cancun or the Riviera Maya.