Mexico Travel Experiences: Get The Most Off-The-Beaten-Path Tour (Small-Group / 10 Days)

Mexico Travel Experiences: Get The Most Off-The-Beaten-Path Tour (Small-Group / 10 Days)
From USD $1,121.00
  • Duration: 10 Days (approx.)
  • Product code: PFNBRC

Overview

Join our 10-day “Mexico: Off the Beaten Path in Oaxaca” tour to get acquainted with the rich cultural & natural heritage of this huge Mexican state. With the size of Hungary or Kentucky, it indeed has a lot to offer. Multiple archaeological sites, wide sand beaches, great surfing waves, picturesque colonial towns, indigenous traditions, and much more. Start from Mexico City and visit 2 other states, Morelos & Puebla, before taking a secret mountainous highway that would take you directly to the Pacific.

Highlights

  • Visit unique pre-Hispanic Tepozteco and Chalcatzingo archeological zones.
  • Surf and enjoy the golden beaches of Puerto Escondido and Lagunas de Chacahua National Park.
  • Relax in natural thermal springs and visit striking caves.
  • Get to know the house and hometown of a world-known revolutionary Emiliano Zapata.
  • Try famous Oaxacan cuisine - one of the most famous and diverse in Mexico.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mexico City

Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de Mexico – the largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. Arrive at any time before meeting your group & Tour Leader in the evening at 6 pm: welcome meeting & dinner in one of the local restaurants. Start of our “Mexico: Off the Beaten Path in Oaxaca” tour.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
  • Food & Drinks Included: welcome dinner
  • Activities Included: welcome meeting

Day 2: Mexico City

Spend the 1st half of the day exploring Mexico City’s Historic Centre & visiting the National Anthropology Museum with your Tour Leader.  Free time in the afternoon, optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

  • Transportation: public transport
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
  • Food & Drinks Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: walking tour of the Historic Centre of Mexico City; guided visit to the National Anthropology Museum

Day 3: Mexico City - Cuernavaca - Tepoztlán

Firstly, in the morning,  head to the colonial city of Cuernavaca visiting El Salto de San Antón waterfall & Teopanzolco Archeological Zone on your way. Once there, have a walking tour of the historic center of the city & visit its main attractions. Afterward, following an optional lunch, go to a “Magical Town” of Tepoztlan. There, we will hike to Tepozteco. This unique archeological zone on top of the hill is famous for its temple of Tepoztēcatl, the Aztec god of pulque. Later, we will explore the historic center of the town, try some of the most typical regional dishes in a municipal market & famous local ice-cream. Check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B house in Tepoztlan
  • Food & Drinks Included: breakfast; Market Food Experience and ice-cream tasting in Tepoztlan
  • Activities Included: guided visits to El Salto de San Antón waterfall, Teopanzolco & Tepozteco Archeological Zones; walking tours in Cuernavaca & Tepoztlan

Day 4: Tepoztlán - Cuautla - Zacualpan de Amilpas - Atotonilco

In the morning, go to explore the history and nowadays of Ex-Hacienda de Apanquetzalco. Afterward, move to Cuautla – a regional center famous for its rich war history and revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata who was born here. After a walking tour of the historic center of Cuautla, visits of a local railways museum & nearby house-museum of Zapata, we will transfer to Zacualpan. This little town is famous for its coffee & aguardiente (alcoholic beverage from sugar cane similar to rum) traditions –  we will see both of them. Finally, we will arrive at our accommodation in Atotonilco – a small village famous for its numerous hot springs. Check-in, relaxation in thermal springs in our accommodation, optional dinner & get-together in one of the local restaurants.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel with hot springs in Atotonilco
  • Food & Drinks Included: breakfast; berries picking & tasting in an organic strawberry farm; Market Food Experience in Cuautla; aguardiente distillery tour & coffee workshop in Zacualpan
  • Activities Included: guided visits of Ex-Hacienda de Apanquetzalco, Museo Casa Zapata, Ex-Hacienda de Coahuixtla

Day 5: Atotonilco - Chalcatzingo - Izúcar de Matamoros - Huajuapan de Leon

Start your morning exploring Chalcatzingo Archaeological Zone – see its impressive 2000-years-old structures and unique carvings. Then, transfer to ancient 400-years-old Ex-Convento De Santo Domingo De Guzman in Izucar de Matamoros. After a guided visit to the convent, an orientation walk of the town & Market Food Experience, head to Destileria Ayutla. Once there, have a factory tour learning about the process & tasting some of its main products – whiskey, gin, vodka & beers. Afterward, move to a final destination of the day – colonial town Huajuapan de Leon. Check-in, walking tour of the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Huajuapan de Leon
  • Food & Drinks Included: breakfast; Market Food Experience in Izucar de Matamoros; distillery tour with tastings in Ayutla
  • Activities Included: guided visits to Chalcatzingo Archaeological Zone; walking tours of Izucar de Matamoros & Huajuapan de Leon

Day 6: Huajuapan de León - Reserva Natural El Boqueron - Grutas de San Miguel Cuevas - Putla Villa de Guerrero

Start your day with a Market Food Experience in Huajuapan de León. Then, continue your Oaxaca tour by hiking off the beaten path Reserva Natural El Boqueron with a photo stop at Presa de San Francisco Yosocuta. In El Boqueron, have a spectacular hike along the steep walls of the canyon, followed by an optional swim in a crystal-clear mountainous river. Afterward, following an optional lunch, go for a swim in a spectacular Laguna Encantada & walkthrough hidden San Miguel Caves. Finally, by the evening, arrive at Putla Villa de Guerrero – the center of the municipality that serves as a commercial center for the Mixtecs, Amuzgos, Chatinos, and other indigenous people that live in the area. Check-in, an orientation walk of the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Putla Villa de Guerrero
  • Food & Drinks Included: Market Food Experience in Izucar de Matamoros (breakfast)
  • Activities Included: hiking to Reserva Natural El Boqueron; guided visits to Laguna Encantada & San Miguel Caves; orientation walk of Putla Villa de Guerrero

Day 7: Putla Villa de Guerrero - Atotonilco - Pinotepa Nacional - Lagunas de Chacahua National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a local river beach near Putla Villa de Guerrero and natural hot springs in Atotonilco village. Afterward, continue to Pinotepa Nacional – the center of one of a few Afro-Mexican areas of the country: Market Food Experience & orientation walk of the center. Thereafter, move to Lagunas de Chacahua National Park. There, visit a local beach where hundreds of turtles come every year to lay eggs, enjoy the view from an abandoned lighthouse, and see the sunset from one of the huge rocks. Check-in,  optional dinner & night bioluminescence boat tour to one of the local lagoons.

  • Accommodation: cabins in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park
  • Food & Drinks Included: breakfast; Market Food Experience in Pinotepa Nacional
  • Activities Included: visits to the river beach near Putla Villa de Guerrero & natural hot springs in Atotonilco village; orientation walk of Pinotepa Nacional; night bioluminescence boat tour in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park

Day 8: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park

Enjoy a free day in this natural paradise choosing among a variety of activities: surfing; sunbath, swim & snorkel;
fishing in the morning with locals; exploring the beach and searching for the traces of turtles; have a relaxing temazcal & massage.

  • Accommodation: cabins in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park
  • Food & Drinks Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: free time

Day 9: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park - Puerto Escondido

Enjoy the beach in the morning, check out at midday & visit the local crocodile protection center. Afterward, continue our “Mexico: Off the Beaten Path to Oaxaca” tour going to the center of Puerto Escondido – a port town and resort that’s known for its many beaches and buzzing nightlife: optional lunch & orientation walk. Thereafter, go to see the sunset & liberate little turtles on the local beach. After sunset, transfer to our accommodation in Zicatela Beach, check-in, optional farewell dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local bars.

  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Puerto Escondido
  • Food & Drinks Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: guided visits to crocodile & turtles protection centers; orientation walk of the center of Puerto Escondido

Day 10: Puerto Escondido

Last day of “Mexico: Off the Beaten Path to Oaxaca” tour: depart at any time or extend your vacations and stay longer.

  • Food & Drinks Included: breakfast