Mexico City

Mexico City is located 2’240 meters above the sea level with a population of ca. 24 Million. This makes it to one of the biggest Cities in the World. One moment Mexico City is music, color and life; the next its drabness, overcrowding and bad smells. This is a city of colonial palaces, world-renowned cultural treasures –and sprawling slums; of ear- splitting traffic and quiet, peaceful plazas; of surprising wealth and miserable poverty; of green parks and brown air.

Teothiuac Pyramids

50 km north east of the city center in a mountain – ringed offshoot of the Valley of Mexico. Site on of the huge pyramids of the Sun and Moon, Teothiuacan was Mexico’s biggest ancient city, and the capital of probably Mexico’s biggest pre-Hispanic empire.  

Oaxaca City

The state’s capital is 1’550 meters above the sea level, with a population of 220’000. The city is a Spanish-built place of narrow, straight streets liberally sprinkled with lovely colonial buildings. What are special are its atmosphere – at once relaxed and energetic, remote and cosmopolitan. The dry mountain heal, the city’s manageable scale, its old buildings, plazas and cafes help slow the pace of life. 

Monte Alban (White Mountain) Pyramids

The ancient Zapotec capital Monte Alban stands on a flattened hilltop 400 meters above the valley floor, 9 km west of Oaxaca. Monte Alban’s hilltop position, with views over the hills and valleys for many km around, makes it spectacular even if old stones bore you. 

El Tule

10km from Oaxaca we can find the vast “ahuehuete” tree (a type of cypresses) in the churchyard at El Tule. It is fames for his biggest girth of any tree in the Americas. Its 42 meters but its age as much as its size what makes it important to local people: it’s officially reckoned to be 2000 years old but may be 3’000. 

Chiapas

Chiapas is frontier territory where the traditions of the Mexican Highlands meet those of Central America. It’s a place full of knowledge and secret culture and landscape. A landscape full of contrasts, crammed with mountains, canyons, forest, plains, volcanoes, fertile valleys, it has the most varied geography in Mexico. Chiapas also boast a magnificent pre-Hispanic and colonial legacy, manifest in ancient temples, pyramids, places and churches. Furthermore, the people of Chiapas welcome visitors with their own brand of warm hospitality.  

San Cristóbal de las Casas

Is located 2’120 meters above the sea level, known as Ciudad Real in the Colonial period, is capital of los Altos. Located in Central Chiapas, Los Altos is an area of mountains and pine forest, rich in indigenous culture. It is peaceful cobblestone streets are flanked by grand houses, with red tiled roofs and patios full of flowers. 

San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

10km from San Cristobal you can visit two Indian villages, famous for its traditions and festivities.   San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan is recommended to visit with a Guide who gives you an idea of the mix religion of Mayan culture, Kat holism and shamanism. Our Guide from Zapata Tours will give you the feeling of being a part of the culture for some hours. You will not just hear histories you will even see it. We visit the Church and also families to give you the opportunity to be near the local people. 

Cańon del Sumidero

This natural wonder is actually a massive geological fault, which has been formed 36 million years ago. One of the most spectacular in Mexico is the Cańon del Sumidero. The cliffs tower over 900 meters high and are dotted with caves and waterfalls with names such as cueva de colores (cave of colors) and Arbol de Navidad (Christmas Tree waterfall). Birds abound, and moneys and crocodiles can be spotted. 

Lagos de Montebello

This is one of the first Nations parks in Chiapas, with hectares of pine and oak forest and stands of jungle rich in wildlife. The Lakes are actually chains of sinkholes formed by the erosion of the limestone over millions of years. The lakes are famous for their spectacular colors, in shades of blue and green. 

Palenque, Agua Azul, Misol-Ha

From San Cristóbal d.l.C. to Palenque we visit Agua Azul (waterfalls) scores of dazzling white waterfalls thunder into turquoise pools surrounded by jungle. Further one we visit Misol-Ha a waterfall drops nearly 35 meters into a beautiful, wide pool that’s safe for swimming.

Palenque (archeological zone) began life as an agricultural village around the year 100 B.C. during the late Classic period it was the capital of a vast region. The city is noteworthy for its beautiful sculptures, the Palace complex and the Temple of scripts. They are still in such a good condition, so you get the feeling of being directly in their city. 

Jungle trip (Bonampak, Yaxchilan and Lacanja)

From Palenque near to the Border of Guatemala we visit Bonampak, this archaeological zone of Bonampak was an important Mayan city, which reached its peak in during the Late Classic Period. The site is famous for its mural paintings, which have still their original colors. To reach Yaxchilan we have to take a boats trip in the river Usumacinta. An impressive site located on the left bank of the Usumacinta, it is the epitome of the “lost city in the jungle”. In Yaxchilan we can sea a lot of Birds like the famous colorful Guacamayas and two different kinds of monkeys. Lacanja is a Mayan village, where we take a Lacandon guide to make our Jungle walking tour, like a local guide he knows the way thru the jungle to a beautiful lake where we make a little canoe trip.  

Guatemala (Flores –Tikal)

With a Boat in the River Usumacinta we reach the Border of Guatemala (Bethel), taking a road to drive than directly to Flores. Flores is a beautiful little City surrounded by a lake, nice to relax and enjoy the peace full nights.

Tikal is a place for wondering, not only at the engineering accomplishments of the Maya, but also at the jungle splendors of the Peten. The site of Tikal is a national park, where the native flora and fauna still flourish relatively undisturbed. In addition to it’s numerous well structured temples and pyramids, Tikal presents an excellent opportunity for animal and bird watching. Along gray foxes and red coatis are visible to the visitor. 

Tulum

The ruins of Tulum, though well preserved, would hardly merit rave notices if it weren’t for their setting. And what a setting the gray – black buildings of the past sit on a palm-fringed beach, lapped by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. 

Playa de Carmen 

For decades, Playa was just a simple fishing village on the coast. With the construction of Cancun, however, the number of travelers roaming this part of Yucatan Peninsula in creased exponentially. Now Playa is the preferred resort town in the area. Playa’s beaches are better and the nightlife is groovier. And the reef snorkeling or diving is just a fantasy, which gives you the Caribbean side. 

Chichen Itza

The most famous and best restored of the Yucatan Peninsula’s Mayan’s sites, Chichen Itza, will have even the most jaded of visitors. Many mysteries of the Mayan astronomical calendar are made clear when one understands the design of the “time temples” here.  

Merida 

The capital of the State of Yucatan is a proud charming city of narrow streets, colonial buildings and shady parks. It has been the center of Mayan culture in Yucatan since before the conquistadors arrived; today it is the peninsula’s center of commerce as well. 

Uxmal

Set in the Puuc Hills, which lent their name to the architectural patterns in this region Uxmal was an important city during the Late Classic period (600 – 900 AD) in a region, which encompassed the satellite towns. Although Uxmal means “thrice build” in Maya, it was actually reconstructed five times. That a sizeable population flourished at all in this area is a mystery, as there is precious little water in the region. The Mayan cisterns (chultunes) must have been adequate.