Cultural Wonders of Mexico
National Geographic Journeys
Treat your senses to a delightful journey on this Cultural Wonders of Mexico tour. Exciting highlights abound on this journey through Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca. Ancient ruins, delicious local cuisine, wonderful music, hands-on experiences, UNESCO sites and more are among the discoveries you'll make.
Begin in cosmopolitan Mexico City and visit lovely Zócalo square along with el Templo Mayor ruins, Metropolitan Cathedral and grand Bellas Artes. Visit an active archaeological site, dating back to 100AD, at ruins of Teotihuacán. Here you'll see Avenue of the Dead, Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Cruise along Xochimilco's canals in a vibrant colored gondola boat past vendors, floating gardens and local artisans. Tour the lifelong home of celebrated artist Frida Kahlo getting a glimpse into her life and passions. Witness the complete process of creating gorgeous Talavera pottery from inception to to use, even the colors have meaning. See the delightful and intricate alebrijes in an artists community in Oaxaca. Embark on a delicious and fragrant culinary tour including chocolate, tortillas and mezcal. Marvel at the spectacular Hierve el Agua—petrified waterfalls and explore the ruins of Mitla in search of ancient cut-stone mosaics and carvings. Enjoy free time to taste, see and make more memories.
9 Days • fr. $2,829
Tour Highlights & Offers
Tour Includes
- JOURNEYS HIGHLIGHT MOMENT: Talavera Pottery Experience, Puebla
- JOURNEYS HIGHLIGHT MOMENT: Oaxaca Culinary Experience, Oaxaca
- FOODIE MOMENT: Mexico City Walking and Food Tour
- FOODIE MOMENT: Mezcal Factory Tour and tasting, Oaxaca
- GUIDED GTOUR Teotihuacán
- SUNRISE TOUR Xochimilco with Mariachi
- EXPLORE Museum of Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)
- TOUR Alebrijes Artisan Community
- VISIT Valley of Mitla Ruins
- SEE Hierve el Agua Petrified Waterfall
- SAIL Aztec canals on a punt boat
- TOUR UNESCO World Heritage sites
- FREE TIME Mexico City
- ENJOY traditional breakfast on a farm
- VISIT small museum of contemporary ceramic art
- LEARN about chocolate production and flip your own tortillas
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private vehicle, boat, plane, walking
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- Age requirement: 12+ All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Not Included
- Tips for personal services and to tour directors and drivers are not included in tour cost and left to your discretion.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
- 8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ: Allow USD$325-$425 for meals not included
Hotel Details
- Hotel Kali Ciudadela in Mexico City (4 nights)
- Hotel Palacio San Leonardoin Puebla (2 nights)
- Hotel Parador del Dominico in Oaxaca (2 nights)
Day 1
MEXICO CITY Location Information Description
Mexico City, Mexico
Arrive at any time; your arrival transfer is included. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure. The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour.
Hotel Kali Ciudadela
Day 2
MEXICO CITY Location Information Description
MEXICO CITY, Mexico
Set out to discover the vibrant Mexican capital on foot. Visit the Zócalo, a massive, historic square that dates back to the city’s Aztec origins. Then immerse yourself in local cuisine on a walk through a bustling food market.
Location Information Description
Mexico City, Mexico
The afternoon is yours to explore: opt to visit one of the city’s stellar museums, such as the National Museum of Anthropology or the Palace of Fine Arts; or tour the murals of Diego Rivera, the renowned Mexican painter who spearheaded the Latin American fresco movement in the early half of the 20th century. In the evening, choose to enjoy a traditional dance performance at the Ballet Folklórico de México.
Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel Kali Ciudadela
Day 3
MEXICO CITY Location Information Description
Mexico City, Mexico
Head to Teotihuacán for a guided tour of this ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage site. Little is known regarding when Teotihuacán, the “city of the gods,” was constructed or by whom, but by the fifth century A.D. it had grown to become of the one the most important cities in Central America. Explore these impressive pre-Aztec ruins and learn about the site’s iconic temples, the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.
Return to Mexico City for a free evening: opt to head to the top of the Torre Latinoamericana skyscraper for a bird’s-eye view of the metropolis, or catch an entertaining match of lucha libre, freestyle Mexican wrestling.
Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel Kali Ciudadela
Day 4
MEXICO CITY/PUEBLA Location Information Description
Mexico City, Mexico
Rise early for a sunrise tour of Mexico City’s Xochimilco, a system of canals built by the ancient Aztecs. Navigate through colorful floating gardens on a punt—a brightly painted flat-bottomed boat—and stop at a local farm for a traditional breakfast.
Afterwards, head to the vibrant Coyoacán district, home to the Frida Kahlo Museum. Tour the Casa Azul or “blue house,” where the famed Mexican artist was born and spent her final years.
Location Information Description
Puebla, Mexico
Continue to Puebla and take a guided walk of the stunning city, backed by a soaring volcano and renowned for its Spanish colonial architecture and culinary traditions. Mole poblano is said to have originated here!
Breakfast
Hotel Palacio San Leonardo
Day 5
PUEBLA Location Information Description
Puebla, Mexico
Enjoy a Talavera pottery demonstration with a local artist and learn about the historical and cultural significance of this Mexican ceramic tradition, brought to the New World by the Spanish in the 16th century.
The rest of the day is yours to explore: choose to visit one of Puebla’s colorful markets; set out on a local food tour; or discover the Great Pyramid of Cholula, the largest pyramid in the world.
Breakfast
Hotel Palacio San Leonardo
Day 6
PUEBLA/OAXACA Location Information Description
Oaxaca, Mexico
Depart for Oaxaca, an eclectic Mexican city where Indigenous culture holds strong. Stop en route at an artisan community to learn about alebrijes, fantastical folk figurines carved from copal wood and then brightly painted. In Oaxaca, take a guided stroll around the main square, then set out to explore the culinary delights of the city with a local host.
Learn how chocolate is produced at a grinding mill, and flip your own tortillas at a tortilla-making workshop. Continue to a local family's kitchen to taste an array of delicious Oaxacan dishes and chat with your hosts about traditional cooking methods and food culture.
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Parador del Dominico
Day 7
OAXACA Location Information Description
Oaxaca, Mexico
Head to the nearby ruins of Mitla for a guided tour. One of Mexico’s best known archaeological sites, it is believed that Mitla was founded as a Zapotec burial ground. Visit Hierve el Agua—petrified waterfalls created by mineral deposits in the water dripping from a cliff.
On the way back, stop at a mezcal factory to sample this unique local beverage made from the agave plant; and enjoy a free evening in Oaxaca to relax or head out for a night on the town.
Breakfast
Hotel Parador del Dominico
Day 8
OAXACA/MEXICO CITY Location Information Description
Oaxaca, Mexico
Spend the morning at leisure, or wander among the plazas and pyramids of the Monte Albán ruins, dating to the eighth century B.C.. You can also opt to visit the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures, housed in a beautiful monastery; learn how to make the flavorsome mole sauce; or relax in a café in Oaxaca’s main square.
Location Information Description
Mexico City, Mexico
Catch an afternoon flight back to Mexico City and choose to join the group for a final night out in the capital.
Breakfast
Hotel Kali Ciudadela
Day 9
MEXICO CITY Location Information Description
Mexico City, Mexico
Depart at any time.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT IN-TOUR FLIGHTS AND BAGGAGE All domestic flights within the tour are included in the cost. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN MEXICO: Maximum one piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 25 kilograms (55 pounds), with maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 centimetres).
- It is your responsibility to obtain information and to have in your possession all the required documentation and identification required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region. This includes a valid passport and all travel documents required by the relevant governmental authorities including all visas, permits and certificates (including but not limited to vaccination or medical certificates) and insurance policies. You must have a passport that is valid 6 months after the last date of travel with the Tour Operator as set out on your itinerary. You accept full responsibility for obtaining all such documents, visas and permits prior to the start of the Tour, and you are solely responsible for the full amount of costs incurred as a result of missing or defective documentation. You agree that you are responsible for the full amount of any loss or expense incurred by the Tour Operator that is a direct result of your failure to secure or be in possession of proper travel documentation.
- You agree that you are responsible for the full amount of any loss or expense incurred by the Tour Operator that is a direct result of your failure to secure or be in possession of proper travel documentation. The Tour Operator does not provide advice on travel documents and makes no representations or warrantees as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided on visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, or special equipment and you agree that the Tour Operator is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this information.
Cancellation Policy
- Once a booking is cancelled the cancellation fees, if any, will be determined with reference to the date on which notice of cancellation is received by the Tour Operator and are expressed as a percentage of the total price paid for the cancelled Tour, product or service (excluding any insurance products).
- Cancellation received 60 days or more before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator in respect of the cancelled product will be refunded.
- Cancellation received 30-59 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, an amount equal to 50% of the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator in respect of the cancelled Tour will be refunded.
- Cancellation less than 30 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, and no further refund will be payable.
- EXPEDITION TOURS: Cancellation 90 days or more before first departure on relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms and the remainder of the payments to the Tour Operator for the cancelled Tour will be refunded.
- Cancellation 60-89 days before first departure on relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms and an amount equal to 50% of the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operation for the cancelled Tour will be refunded.
- Cancellation less than 60 days before first departure on relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms and no further refund will be payable.
- TAILOR MADE TOURS: Cancellation 90 days or more before first departure on relevant booking: 30% deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms and the remainder of the payments to the Tour Operator for the cancelled Tour will be refunded.
- Cancellation 60-89 days before first departure on relevant booking: An amount equal to 50% of the Tour price of the cancelled Tour will be refunded.
- Cancellation less than 60 days before first departure on relevant booking: No refund will be payable.
- CANCELLATION OF PRE AND POST CRUISE ACCOMMODATIONS, ADD-ON PACKAGES, KAYAKING AND THEME PARKS: Cancellation 60 days or more before first departure on relevant booking: All payments made to the Tour Operator will be refunded. Cancellation less than 60 days before first departure on relevant booking: no refund is payable.
- AIRFARE: Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
- In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
- If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
- ADDITIONAL SERVICES: Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour.
- ALL CANCELLATIONS must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- TRIP INSURANCE: The purchase of trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- FAMILY TOURS: In order to book a Tour designated as a “Family Tour” by the Tour Operator, you must be travelling as part of a “Family Unit”. A “Family Unit” is a group of two or more persons travelling and booking together, where at least one person is a minor in the care of at least one of the accompanying adults. One minor may accompany one or more adults for the purposes of being considered a Family Unit. The Tour Operator reserves the right to cancel the booking of anyone travelling or planning to travel on a Family Tour who, in the Tour Operator’s sole discretion, do not properly constitute a Family Unit in accordance with this section or otherwise does not meet the Tour Operator’s requirements for participation in a Family Tour.
- 18-to-THIRTYSOMETHINGS TOURS: To travel on a “18-to-Thirtysomethings” Tour, you must be at least 18 years of age as of the date of first travel and comply with any other age restrictions as may be promulgated from time to time by G Adventures.
- EXPEDITION TOURS: Medical Form for Expedition Tours: The Tour Operator’s Medical Form is mandatory for all Expedition Tours. You must return your Medical Form signed by a licensed and practicing physician to the Tour Operator prior to or at the time of final payment for the applicable booking.
- The Vessel used in Expedition Tours carries onboard service providers, which may include medical staff, spa personnel, or entertainers who operate as independent contractors. Their services and products are charged as Optional Extras and they contract directly with you to provide any products and services you request. Neither the Tour Operator nor the Carrier is responsible for these Optional Extras and will not be liable for the acts or omissions of these service providers.
- Shore excursions on Expedition Tours (“Shore Excursions”) are subject to their own set of terms and conditions, separate and apart from these Terms, and may be reserved after an Expedition Tour has been booked and confirmed. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit to participate in Shore Excursions.
- NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC JOURNEYS WITH G ADVENTURES AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FAMILY JOURNEYS: National Geographic Partners, LLC (for purposes of these Terms, collectively “NGP”) will provide educational enrichment as outlined in its catalog and on its website (nationalgeographicjourneys.com) and has licensed G Adventures to organize and administer National Geographic Journeys tours. The Tour Operator is solely responsible for arranging and providing all the services and accommodations offered to you in connection with the Tour.
- By booking or traveling on a Tour, you certify that you do not have any mental, physical, or other condition that would create a hazard for yourself or other participants. NGP and the Tour Operator reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline or remove any person on a Tour. NGP and the Tour Operator reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, they deem it necessary for your comfort, convenience, or safety and in accordance with these Terms.
- In order to book a National Geographic Family Journeys Tour, you must be travelling as part of a “Family Unit”. A “Family Unit” is a group of two or more persons travelling and booking together, where at least one person is a minor in the care of at least one of the accompanying adults. One minor may accompany one or more adults for the purposes of being considered a Family Unit. The Tour Operator reserves the right to cancel the booking of anyone travelling or planning to travel on a National Geographic Family Journeys Tour who, in the Tour Operator’s sole discretion, do not properly constitute a Family Unit in accordance with this section or otherwise does not meet the Tour Operator’s requirements for participation in a National Geographic Family Journeys Tour.
- TAILORMADE TOURS: Price Validity: Upon receipt of your TailorMade booking request the Tour Operator will provide you with a quote for the chosen Tour. Prices quoted for all TailorMade Tours are valid until the date indicated on the quote, after which time the Tour Operator reserves the right to provide you with a revised quote. Any modifications to a TailorMade itinerary, including dates or number of people travelling, will be subject to a revised quote.
- ALL TOURS: Tour prices do not include international or other airfare unless expressly mentioned in the Tour’s descriptions. The Tour Operator will quote the best price available for the travel dates requested at the time the quote is prepared. Quotes provide an estimate only and are not a firm price commitment by the Tour Operator or the applicable air carrier(s).
- The Tour Operator acts only as a sales agent for the applicable air carrier and the air carrier terms and conditions apply to the purchase and use of the air travel ticket. Please consult the air carrier’s applicable terms and conditions and conditions of carriage for complete information including applicable cancellation terms. The Tour Operator is not responsible for changes in air itineraries or flight times and does not provide advice or alerts regarding air travel tickets, flight status or delays.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- You acknowledge that the nature of adventure travel requires flexibility and acknowledge that you will permit reasonable alterations to products, services or itineraries by the Tour Operator. The route, schedules, accommodations, activities, amenities and mode of transportation are subject to change without notice due to unforeseeable circumstances or events outside the control of the Tour Operator (including but not limited to Force Majeure, illness, mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, strikes, political events and entry or border difficulties). No reimbursements, discounts or refunds will be issued for services that are missed or unused after departure due to no fault of the Tour Operator, including your removal from a Tour because of your negligence or breach of these Terms.
- The Tour Operator may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion. If the Tour Operator makes a change affecting at least one in three full days of the itinerary or which materially affects the character of a product or service in its entirety (a “Material Change”), the Tour Operator will provide notice to you as soon as reasonably possible, provided that there is sufficient time to do so before departure. If a Material Change is made more than 14 days before departure, you may choose to do the following:
- i) accept the Material Change and proceed with the amended product or service; ii) book another product or service of equal or greater value, if available (you will be responsible for paying any difference in price); or iii) book another product or service of lesser value, if available (with a refund payable to you for the difference in price); or iv) cancel the amended product or service and receive a full refund for the land-only portion of the applicable product or service (a refund is not available for other products or services booked which are not subject to a Material Change). You must notify the Tour Operator of your choice within 7 days of receiving notice or you will be deemed to accept the amended itinerary.
- Once a Tour has departed, itinerary changes may be necessary as a result of unforeseen circumstances, operational concerns, or concerns for your health, safety, enjoyment or comfort. Any changes are at the discretion of the Tour Operator. You acknowledge that you must have reasonable financial resources to cover incidental expenses during all travel with the Tour Operator, whether or not such expenses arise from a change of itinerary, and the Tour Operator is not liable for your failure to prepare adequately for travel and unforeseen circumstances which may arise during travel. The Tour Operator will not be liable for any indirect and or consequential losses associated with any changes to a booking or itinerary.
- Changes made by you: You are responsible for ensuring that information provided to the Tour Operator is accurate and up-to-date. Any changes to your name on any booking are subject to the Tour Operator’s approval. Any changes to a booking depend on availability and are subject to the Tour Operator’s approval and these Terms. Any extra costs incurred for making the change will be charged to you along with an administrative fee. Cancellation of any Tour, product or service included in a booking will not be considered a change for purposes of this section and will be governed by the applicable cancellation terms. No changes are permitted to any booking within 10 days of departure of the first product or service on the applicable booking.
- For complete terms and conditions please visit the G Adventures Terms & Conditions for more information.