Experience the wonders of Chiapas and Yucatán on this unforgettable seven-day journey, highlighted by a scenic ride aboard the Maya Train, an innovative new rail route through the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula. Discover a perfect blend of ancient civilizations, dramatic landscapes, and vibrant colonial heritage. Stand in awe before the towering cliffs of Sumidero Canyon, immerse yourself in indigenous traditions, and cool off with a refreshing swim beneath the stunning waterfalls of Chiapas. Wander the cobbled streets of charming San Cristóbal and timeless Mérida, each echoing with history and local color. Explore majestic Mayan ruins at Palenque, Uxmal, and Chichén Itzá, icons of a mysterious past rising from the jungle. Conclude your adventure with a comfortable and memorable journey aboard the Maya Train to Cancún Airport.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Sumidero Canyon: Marvel at the towering 1,000-metre-high cliffs and lush canyon walls as you cruise through this dramatic natural wonder carved by the Grijalva River.
Palenque: Discover one of the most atmospheric Mayan ruins, renowned for its intricate bas-reliefs, towering temples, and sophisticated architecture hidden within the Chiapas jungle.
Campeche: Stroll through this charming colonial city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with pastel-colored mansions, fortified walls, and cobbled streets steeped in pirate-era history.
Uxmal: Admire the Pyramid of the Magician at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where ornate architecture rises dramatically above the jungle.
Merida: Wander the elegant 19th-century boulevards of Yucatán’s lively capital, rich in history, culture, and colonial charm.
Chichen Itza: Step into the world of ancient Maya civilisation at this legendary archaeological site, crowned by the majestic Temple of Kukulkán.
Maya Train: Journey in comfort through the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula aboard the Maya Train, an innovative railway linking ancient Maya sites with vibrant modern destinations. Enjoy scenic views of jungles, villages, and historic landmarks as you travel in style, experiencing the region’s cultural and natural richness from a unique and sustainable perspective.
Day 1: ARRIVAL TUXTLA GUTIERREZ – SUMIDERO CANYON – SAN CRISTOBAL (80km – 2hrs)
Arrive at Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport and head towards the Sumidero Canyon, one of Mexico’s outstanding natural attractions. This spectacular gorge, carved into the earth over millions of years by the River Grijalva, is one of Mother Nature’s lesser-celebrated masterpieces. This makes visiting it even more exciting. During a two-hour boat tour along the imposing canyon bed, you will be able to appreciate just how deep this ravine gorge is. Find yourself dwarfed by the sheer scale of its high walls, covered in thick vegetation. Admire the beautiful wildlife, such as crocodiles, monkeys, and birds, as well as the diverse flora of the surrounding rainforest. After the boat ride, we continue to San Cristobal de las Casas with drop-off at your hotel.
Note: Please ensure your arrival flight into Tuxtla Gutiérrez is no later than 13:00 hrs to participate in the Sumidero Canyon boat tour. For arrivals after 13:00 hrs, only the transfer to San Cristóbal will be provided — participation in the boat tour will not be possible.
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 2: SAN CRISTOBAL – SAN JUAN CHAMULA – SAN CRISTOBAL (30km – 1.5hrs)
After breakfast, head out to visit San Juan Chamula, famed for its whitewashed cathedral with colourful ornamentation and pine-scented, candlelit interior. Here you can observe the religious rituals that the locals perform. The town is almost entirely inhabited by Tzotzil Maya, who apart from speaking their own language, also have distinctive clothing, with the men wearing tunics called 'chujes' and the women favouring blouses known as' huipils'. Chamula is renowned for the quality of its weavers, and the local shops and markets offer a great variety. Keep in mind that in San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, photographs or video are prohibited within the temples or during processions and rituals. Upon your return to San Cristobal, spend the afternoon at leisure. We recommend visiting the baroque church of Santo Domingo as well as its colourful art and food markets, where you can admire the clothes of the Maya cultures that inhabit the region.
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 3: SAN CRISTOBAL – WATERFALLS – PALENQUE (230km – 5.5hrs)
We will collect you from the hotel early in the morning, ready to begin your trip to Palenque. Enjoy your breakfast en route as we begin travelling north-east towards the beautiful waterfalls in Chiapas, perhaps some of the most impressive waterfalls in the world! Don't forget your swimsuit today, as you will have the opportunity to take a dip in one of the natural pools with bright blue water. This fascinating area of natural beauty is a wonderful place to relax and refresh yourself. After spending some time admiring the waterfalls and swimming, we will continue our journey to the city of Palenque, where we will arrive in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight in Palenque.
Day 4: PALENQUE – CAMPECHE (360km – 4.5hrs)
Today’s breakfast will be followed by a visit to the Temples of Palenque. This archaeological site boasts some of the finest examples of Mayan architecture, including sculptures, roof combs and bas-relief carvings. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the premises, admiring its beauty and learning interesting information. The impressive Temple of Inscriptions, which reaches a height of almost 23 metres, is where the tomb of the Maya ruler was found and excavated in the early 1950s. In its heyday, Palenque was a sprawling city-state that spanned almost 60 square kilometres. However, archaeologists estimate that they have excavated only 5-10% of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. So far, over 200 structures have been unearthed, with the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace, the Temple of the Count and the Temple of the Cross being the most prominent. At the end of the tour, continue to Campeche and check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Campeche.
Day 5: CAMPECHE – UXMAL – MERIDA (250km – 3.5hrs)
Today, after breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a panoramic tour of this historic coastal city, driving through the heart of the picturesque old town with its colonial houses, arcades and churches. Alight and explore further on foot, visiting sights such as the old city walls and St Francis’ Cathedral. Leave Campeche and continue to the impressive archaeological site of Uxmal. Enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, which rises into view above the canopy of the jungle as you approach. Unlike other Maya cities, Uxmal was engulfed by the rainforest after the Spanish arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-metre Pyramid of the Magician, which towers over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle. Across the central plaza, just beyond the ballgame court, is the Governor’s Palace with its elaborately decorated roof. At the southern end of the main complex is the Great Pyramid, of which only one side has been excavated. Then, visit the beautiful white colonial city of Merida, where we will take a panoramic tour of its most prominent sites, including the residential area, the monument to the homeland and Montejo Avenue.
Overnight in Merida.
Day 6: MERIDA – CHICHEN ITZA (125km – 1.5hrs)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then head deep into the rainforests of the Yucatan peninsula in search of the legendary Maya city of Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Learn about the Maya and their civilisation as you admire the scale and beauty of this ancient city. Behold the geometric perfection of the 25-metre Temple of Kukulkan, popularly known as El Castillo (‘the Castle’). This temple was built both as a representation of the mystical Maya calendar and to reflect the optical illusion of a serpent snaking its way up or down the pyramid during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Admire the Great Ball Court, the largest of 13 discovered at the site; see the haunting Skull Platform, where the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled; and the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped. Enjoy lunch at a typical restaurant. Continue to your hotel at Chichen Itza (Pisté).
Overnight in Chichen Itza.
Day 7: CHICHEN ITZA – CANCUN BY MAYAN TRAIN (200 km – 2.15 hrs)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Then, transfer from the hotel to the Chichen Itza train station to board “the Tren Maya”. Travel in comfort aboard this modern, air-conditioned train as you head toward Cancún Airport. The route offers scenic views of the Yucatán Peninsula, including dense jungles, cenotes, and traditional villages. This efficient and relaxing journey provides a comfortable and stress-free way to conclude your trip, while experiencing one of the region’s newest and most innovative transportation projects.
Note: The exact arrival time is subject to confirmation, as it depends on Maya Train availability. We recommend scheduling your departure flight for the following day.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mexico. However, the climate in Chiapas can be wet and cold, especially in winter, therefore we recommend to bring warm clothes, a raincoat and umbrella. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
