Magical + Lesser-known Mexico

Be driven to the impressive archaeological site of Teotihuacan, located 50km north-east of Mexico City. This site was one of the most impressive cities of the ancient world, held sacred by the Aztecs. You’ll explore its temples, palaces and pyramids, including the Quetzalpapálotl Palace Complex, the Temple of the Feathered Conches, the Pyramid of the Moon and the immense Pyramid of the Sun, ranked among the biggest in the world.

Visiting the World Heritage Site of Puebla, stopping in Tonantzintla to visit the exuberant church and its dome covered with colourful stucco saints, devils, flowers and birds. Then continue on to visit the Great Pyramid of Cholula, larger in volume than Egypt’s pyramid of Giza before returning to Puebla to explore the colonial centre, lined with churches and colonial mansions adorned with the beautiful, hand-painted Talavera tiles for which the city is famous.

In the evening, you’ll be driven to Santa Fe to join locals in a traditional wake, bringing fruits, candles or flowers as offerings. Then, visit Tzintzuntzan Cemetery before the crowds to admire its beautifully decorated altars, followed by Ihuatzio and Cucuchucho, a town that preserves ancient indigenous traditions. Your journey ends at Tzurumútaro, one of the most colourful cemeteries in the region, where the celebration of life continues under a sea of flickering candles.

Visiting these floating gardens in the south of the city, you’ll never forget the view from the canals and the Chinampa del Sol as the sun appears over the horizon and Don Francisco prepares your magical breakfast with the day’s harvest. Navigate the canals on a colourful ‘trajinera‘ boat and learn of ancient, pre-conquest life.

Explore the countryside around Oaxaca with your private driver/guide, stopping at the village of Santa Maria El Tule to admire The Tule Tree, thought to be around 1,500 years old. Continue to Mitla and the most important Zapotec archaeological site, which dates back some 10,000 years. Then stroll through the colourful handicraft market at Tlacolula before stopping at a temple in the Zapotecan village of Tlacochahuaya.

Start your Day of the Dead adventure by exploring Oaxaca’s bustling markets, filled with fresh bread, candles, incense, sugar skulls and more. Then, experience a moving moment as you are welcomed into local homes to see altars prepared for deceased loved ones, and savour pan de muerto paired with rich hot chocolate. As the evening unfolds, witness the vibrant Día de Muertos parades in Oaxaca’s northern valley, where locals don colourful skeleton costumes and dance through the streets in joyful celebration of life, before returning to your hotel.