Itinerary

Mexico City

Tolantongo

Teotihuacan

Mexico City

Mexico City

Merida

Merida

Chichen Itza

Valladolid

Rio Lagartos

Valladolid

Tulum

Cancún

Day 1.

Arrival in Mexico City. Dinner at one of the world’s top 50 restaurants. Mariachi music.

We’ll be waiting for you at Mexico City Airport. Transfer to the hotel. A well-deserved rest after your transatlantic flight. Our Art Deco hotel in Mexico City—where you’ll stay for three nights—is a work of art in its own right. Beautiful interiors, a vast library, antiques at every turn, breakfast accompanied by birdsong, and live music in the evenings. Just imagine—Churchill himself smoked cigars in its lobby!

The welcome dinner will take place at one of Mexico’s top restaurants, which is ranked among the world’s 50 best restaurants. If not everyone arrives in time for dinner, we’ll reschedule it for the next day. We’ll end our first evening on a musical note: we’ll listen to the music of Mexican passion and emotion performed by dark-haired mariachis in sombreros and sample tequila in its homeland.

Overnight in Mexico City. Meals not included.

Day 2.

Mexico City: The Historic Center and a Taste of Mexican Cuisine.

We’re setting out to explore Mexico City. This largest metropolis in the world, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level and brimming with wild energy, is a melting pot of eras, cultures, and peoples. Mexico City is a city of contrasts, where ultra-modern skyscrapers stand side by side with ancient Aztec pyramids and colonial architecture, and poor neighborhoods sit next to magnificent palaces. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Museum of Anthropology to see its magnificent collection of rare artifacts.

It ranks among the world’s ten most visited museums and captivates even casual visitors. Just take the two-ton basalt “Aztec Sun Stone”—it’s a sight to behold! Mexican culture is just as vibrant and unique as its cuisine. Naturally, restaurants serving national and Latin American cuisine reign supreme in the capital, where we’ll try classic burritos, sizzling fajitas, corn nachos, quesadillas with various fillings, and enchiladas.

Overnight in Mexico City. Meals: breakfast.

Day 3.

Talantongo Canyon. Relax in the natural hot springs.

It’s time to relax! After a 3.5-hour drive, we’ll arrive at a relaxing paradise. But first, we’ll visit the Grand Canyon’s “twin” in the U.S.—Talantongo Canyon—and these views are just as breathtaking!

Overnight in Mexico City. Meals: breakfast.

Next on the itinerary is a full day of divine relaxation in a paradise-like Eden: hot natural springs, unique natural infinity pools nestled in the lush Cordilleras with water temperatures of 34 degrees and panoramic views, waterfalls, a mountain tunnel, and a karst cave with stalactites—mesmerizing natural saunas. Mexico in all its glory! In the evening, we return to Mexico City.

Total travel time: 7 hours.

Day 4.

Flying over the City of the Gods—Teotihuacan—in a hot air balloon.

You’ll remember this morning for the rest of your life! That’s because at dawn we’ll soar over Teotihuacan in a hot air balloon (you’ll have to wake up at 5 a.m., but it’s worth it). Then we’ll explore the ancient City of the Gods on foot. The city is at least 2,000 years old, and even today it amazes with its scale and grandeur. Walking down the Avenue of the Dead, climbing the Pyramid of the Sun or the Moon, and peering into the mouth of the fearsome serpent Quetzalcoatl—a must-do at least once in a lifetime!

Overnight in Mérida. Meals: breakfast.

In the afternoon, we’ll fly to Mérida. We’ll have dinner at a restaurant serving contemporary Mexican cuisine in a historic mansion or at a stylish Italian restaurant.

Total travel time: 2 hours by car + 1 hour and 50 minutes by plane.

We’ll have lunch at a very unusual cave restaurant and try pulque—a traditional low-alcohol drink that’s even mentioned in Mayan texts.

Day 5.

Chichen Itza—the Seventh Wonder of the World. The Ik Kil Cenote.

We’re heading to Chichen Itza, the ancient city of the Maya and Toltecs, home to the world-famous Kukulcan Pyramid—one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Toward evening, we arrive in the colonial town of Valladolid, take a stroll, and have dinner at a charming spot.

Overnight in Valladolid. Meals: breakfast.

Then we’ll take a dip in a cenote—trust me, it’s a fantastic experience you can only have in Mexico. Cenotes are natural karst caves, resembling huge wells with a clear freshwater lake at the bottom. Ik-Kil, with vines hanging down to the water’s edge, is the most picturesque. For the Maya, cenotes were sacred and served as gateways to the afterlife.

Total travel time: 2.5 hours.

Day 6.

Flamingos, a pink lake, and a cenote near Valladolid.

In the morning, we’ll head to Río Lagartos—a small fishing town on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico—where we’ll take a boat out to look for pink flamingos and crocodiles. We’ll find the most Instagram-worthy salt lake in Yucatán—it’s home to a crustacean that turns the water bright pink*.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit another natural wonder and take a dip in it. This time, it’ll be a closed-type cenote: stalactites, stalagmites, hanging roots, tiny fish, and the clearest emerald-green water. A true Mexican experience! In the evening, we’ll stroll through the colonial town and buy authentic souvenirs.

Overnight in Valladolid. Meals: breakfast.

Total travel time: 3 hours.

Day 7.

Tulum is a paradise for art lovers.

Trendy and stylish Tulum is the new Saint-Tropez or Saint-Barth. From the moment you arrive, it will energize you with its incredible vibe. A wide stretch of snow-white sand, the azure waves of the Caribbean Sea, and nearby, the wild jungle, where charming designer eco-hotels are hidden—expensive, without many amenities or pleasant luxuries. For example, at Azulik Tulum, the only electricity is for charging an iPhone. However, the aesthetics of every detail in Tulum are simply off the charts. Here, it’s trendy to get around by bike, eat organic food, and dance at parties until dawn. There’s even a beach jungle gym—a retro swing set by the ocean in the jungle for those who simply can’t go without a workout.

Today we’re checking into a luxurious, stylish villa with all the amenities and taking some time to relax. After traveling hundreds of kilometers across Mexico, we’ve earned it.

Plus, Tulum is a paradise for foodies like us: natural and trendy interiors, delicious food—each of the restaurants we’ve picked has its own unique charm and vacation concept. A culinary delight is guaranteed!

On the way to Tulum, we’ll stop by our secret spot: stunning art installations at a gallery nestled in the jungle—a whimsical structure made of vines and concrete. We’ll have dinner at the best designer restaurant serving contemporary Mexican cuisine.

Overnight stay at the villa. Meals: not included.

Total travel time: 3 hours.

Day 8.

Tulum. A day of relaxation.

Using herbs, steam, and musical instruments, the shaman helps rid you of toxic emotions, the evil eye, and foreign energy. The bathhouse resembles a clay yurt. You have to climb in through a small, low doorway—it feels like you’re Alice in Wonderland and a Discovery Channel explorer all at once. The entire ritual is performed by a genuine hereditary shaman. An extraordinary experience and unforgettable memories are guaranteed!

Today we’ll be spending the day at the villa. Those who’d like to can head to one of the dozen beach clubs or spend some time shopping. Tulum is a fashion mecca, with an endless array of stylish boutiques featuring local designers. For lunch, we’ll head to a bohemian Moroccan or seafood restaurant.
And in the evening, those seeking a unique experience can try the Mexican shamans’ bath ritual (optional). It’s called a temazcal.

Overnight stay at the villa. Meals: not included.

At dinner, we’ll feast on crab and other seafood at a top-rated restaurant in Cancún.
Those who want to can head to Coco Bongo in the evening (optional). It’s a show featuring parodies of the world’s most famous stars: The Beatles, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Spider-Man, The Mask, Pirates of the Caribbean… the list goes on and on. They play nothing but mega-hits here, and it’s impossible not to dance—the atmosphere is 1,000,000% electric! A nice bonus: free tequila is included in the price.

We’re saying goodbye to Tulum, but not to the azure Caribbean Sea. In the morning, we’re heading to Cancun. There, we’ll get our energy back right away by going swimming with whale sharks (from June to September)! Whale sharks can grow up to 20 meters long and are considered the largest fish. Don’t worry—despite their size, they are vegetarians, quite docile, slow-moving, and safe for humans. During the water safari, we’ll swim in the open sea surrounded by these giants in their natural habitat.
Or we could take a private yacht to Isla Mujeres (January). A beach paradise awaits us: one of the world’s top 10 most beautiful beaches, soft white sand, palm trees, a coral reef, and a glass of a cold cocktail. It’s even more beautiful than the postcards depicting tropical islands.

Overnight in Cancún. Meals: breakfast.

Total travel time: 2 hours.

Day 10.

Home... Let's leave our hearts in Mexico so we can come back here again!

We’re saying goodbye to Cancún and Mexico. We’re sure we’ll see you again on our future travels.

Flight home from Cancun.

Important!

We reserve the right to rearrange the order of days and any items on the itinerary without compromising the overall quality.

Some items may remain unfulfilled due to circumstances beyond our control.

Travel time may be longer than indicated due to traffic, the group’s pace, weather conditions, road conditions, and other factors.

Mexicaif — A Personal Journey Through Mexico

5000$

August 8–17, 2022 (9 nights)

Accommodation in comfortable 4–5-star hotels (double occupancy) and 2 nights at a luxurious villa in Tulum, 9 nights

Domestic flight from Mexico City to Mérida

Transfers in a private, comfortable minivan as part of the itinerary

A hot-air balloon ride over Teotihuacan

Private airport transfers (on the first and last days of the tour)

The price includes:

Hurry and reserve your spot in the group!
There are 6 spots left.

Breakfast is included at all hotels except Tulum

All admission tickets included in the program

Professional tour guide and interpreter

Swimming with whale sharks or yachting in Isla Mujeres

All program activities

Tourists do not need a visa to visit Mexico: all you need to do is apply for an electronic arrival authorization online, which is free of charge.

Always by your side—experienced traveler Natalie.

I’ll be happy to offer advice and provide any assistance you need to prepare for your trip.

Natalia Boiko, founder of WHITE GARNET and tour leader (60+ countries)

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by July 1

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