DETAILS
Discover an evocative blend of traditions and modern spirit in the ancient heart of Mexico. In Oaxaca, go behind the scenes of archaeological treasures and masterpieces of Baroque architecture. In Mexico City, delve into the National Museum of Anthropology’s vast collection of ancient artifacts and explore the intimate spaces of Frida Kahlo’s home. The adventure extends to Puebla, where the Museo Amparo offers a panorama of Mexico’s artistic evolution and the Cholula Pyramid emerges as a monumental link to the country’s pre-Hispanic past.
- Pricing from
- $8,999
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Land & Rail Voyages
- Departure Dates
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Jan 12, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1
DEPARTURE / OAXACA DE JUÁREZ, MEXICO
Depart by air for Oaxaca de Juárez, the capital of Oaxaca in south Mexico. This sunny region sits where three valleys meet, a majestic landscape you’ll view as your flight lands. Upon arrival, transfer from the airport to your hotel for check-in. This evening, join Rika Burnham and fellow guests for an orientation and a festive welcome reception. Dinner is at leisure.
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day 2
OAXACA
In Oaxaca de Juárez, the capital, you’ll find Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the city’s most splendid church, constructed from 1575 to 1731. The temple has been a church, military barracks, and a national monument. Its New Spanish Baroque style features intricate carvings, saint statues, and façades of local green volcanic stone. The church is part of a large Dominican monastery. The stone cloister leads to the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca. Inside, take a guided tour of its Oaxacan archaeological treasures like those from Monte Albán’s Tomb 7, highlighting Mixtec culture. After lunch, walk down Calle Macedonio Alcalá, a pedestrian boulevard, to see remarkable colonial buildings and shops. You’ll also visit a local artist’s private studio for an exclusive view of the city’s art scene. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner together.
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day 3
OAXACA
Enjoy a guided look at one of Mexico’s most impressive ancient sites, Monte Albán, which sits on a flat hilltop a few miles west of Oaxaca de Juárez. Founded around 500 B.C., Monte Albán was the Zapotec civilization’s capital and was inhabited by Olmecs, Zapotecs, and Mixtecs over a 1,500-year period. Take an awe-inspiring inside look at the city’s grand plazas, truncated pyramids, ball court, underground passageways, and over 170 tombs, making it one of the Americas’ most elaborate burial sites. Pay special attention to the famous Danzantes stones, intricate bas-reliefs depicting human figures initially thought to be “dancers” but now believed to be captured war prisoners. Discover how Monte Albán’s hilltop location provided defensive advantages and savor the commanding view of the surrounding valley. This evening, explore Oaxaca on your own and enjoy dinner at your leisure.
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day 4
OAXACA / MEXICO CITY
Transfer to the Oaxaca airport with the group for a morning flight to Mexico City, with lunch upon arrival. Then join an expert guide to visit one of the world’s most extraordinary museums, the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology). This museum holds the world’s largest collection of ancient Mexican art and ethnographic exhibits on Mexico’s Indigenous groups. Peruse its exceptional pre-Columbian artifacts, including the Stone of the Sun (often called the Aztec calendar stone), giant Olmec heads, and Maya civilization treasures, all beautifully displayed in 23 rooms. After the museum visit, transfer to the hotel to check in and enjoy some free time. Later, attend a special cocktail reception at a private home and enjoy Mexico City’s internationally acclaimed culinary scene with dinner at leisure.
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day 5
MEXICO CITY
Revel in a morning visit to an ancient archaeological site (to be determined pending schedules) with a local expert specializing in ancient ruins. Later, enjoy lunch and a visit to the Frida Kahlo House, located in the Coyoacán district of Mexico City. Go behind the scenes at this cobalt-blue house known as Casa Azul, Kahlo’s birthplace, childhood home, and creative sanctuary. Frida Kahlo’s father, Guillermo Kahlo, built the house in 1904. It’s where Frida was born and lived much of her life until her death in 1954. In 1958, shortly after Diego Rivera, Kahlo’s husband, donated the house to the Mexican government, it became a museum. It displays a wide collection of Kahlo’s work, including personal items, paintings, and memorabilia, giving a deep, personal look into her life and artistic journey. Your final evening in Mexico City is at leisure.
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day 6
PUEBLA
Drive two hours south to Puebla this morning. After arriving, have lunch, then visit the Museo Amparo, whose permanent collection follows Mexico’s development throughout its history. Inside, join an expert guide to discover one of Mexico’s most important collections of pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern art, with pieces dating from 2,500 B.C. to today, spanning the pre-Classic period to the Spanish Conquest. The collection includes artifacts from the Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Huastec, Totonac, Maya, Olmec, Chichimec, Mixtec, and Aztec civilizations. The Museo Amparo is in two beautifully restored colonial-era buildings, one from the 16th century. After the museum, check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening on your own.
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day 7
PUEBLA
Explore the beautiful UNESCO-listed city of Puebla on a walking and driving tour this morning. This afternoon, join an expert guide at the Great Pyramid of Cholula, also known as Tlachihualtepetl, the largest pyramid in the world by volume and the largest archaeological site of a pyramid in terms of dimension. Historically, Cholula was an important religious center dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl. The pyramid’s construction started around 300 B.C. and it’s thought to have been built by people influenced by the nearby Teotihuacán culture, as similar architectural styles can be seen at both sites. However, you might miss it if you didn’t know it’s made of dirt and grass and topped with a Catholic church built by the Spanish Conquistadors. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, the pyramid was mostly abandoned and eventually became overgrown, leading the Spaniards to mistake it for a natural hill and build the Church of Our Lady of Remedies on top. Afterwards, enjoy some free time before a festive farewell dinner with the group.
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day 8
PUEBLA / MEXICO CITY / RETURN
After departing the hotel early this morning, join the group transfer to the Mexico City airport for flights home.
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