Aztec Adventure Tour

Meet The Aztecs - Uncovering The Hidden Treasures Of Mexico

Mexico City, Puebla
Culture and Nature
8 Day / 7 Night Tour
Departures every Monday

Detailed Itinerary

Day One: Arrive Mexico City, Historic Center, Tenochtitlan, Templo Mayor National Museum of Anthropology, Overnight Mexico City (D)
You will be met at the MEX airport and transfer to your hotel. From here, you begin your explorations of the ancient Aztec capital of Mexico, Tenochtitlan. Here, you’ll visit the capital and ceremonial center of the Aztecs at Templo Mayor.  From here, you’ll visit one of the great anthropology museums of the world, to learn more about the Aztec culture, their art, life, farming, tools, trade, etc. Welcome Dinner of Regional Mexican Cuisine!

Day Two: Plaza de Las Tres Culturas, Tlaltelolco, Teotihuacan, National Museum of Anthropology, Overnight Mexico City (B, L)
Exiting the city, you make an important stop at the Plaza de las Tres Culturas to see Tlaltelolco, the ancient Aztec marketplace. Here, the “Mexica”, as they were known, traded goods and engaged in commerce and barter. It is this market that amazed Hernan Cortez when he first arrived here. Going north of the city, and back in time, you will visit the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, to learn about this early civilization, which remains much of a mystery to this day. You’ll visit the great ceremonial plazas and avenues, and pyramids of the Sun and the Moon (as designated by the Aztecs), connected by the Avenue of the Dead. Enjoy lunch of regional cuisine, while in Teotihuacan! Dinner is at leisure. 
Hot Air Balloon Ride (Includes Transportation from Mexico City)*

Day Three: Mexico City to Malinalco, Overnight El Porton Inn (B)
Today, we depart from Mexico City to make the 2 hour drive to Malinalco in the State of Mexico. The landscape is extraordinary here, as is its history in the ancient Aztec past. It was here in Malinalco, the Aztecs conquered the region in the 1470s, and established a sanctuary for their military elite, the Eagle and Jaguar warriors. Their complex was built on the Cerro de los Idolos (Hill of the Idols), over an older ceremonial site. The main attraction of this archeological site is the Cuauhcalli or House of Eagles, which is a building carved out of the side of the mountain. Climbing to the site is a wonderful 15 minute hike, also offering incredible views of the surrounding valley.

Day Four: Puebla City, City Walking Tour, Overnight Puebla (B, L)
Today you will transfer 2 hours east, to the colonial city of Puebla. Here, you’ll explore the talavera tile colonial architecture, visit early Dominican churches and chapels and visit the Museo del Amparo, among other highlights of the city. You’ll be introduced to and enjoy the unique Poblano cuisine, with dishes such as, mole poblano, pipian pumpkin seed based sauces, chiles en nogada, cemita sandwiches and more!

Day Five: Cholula and Atlixco, Overnight Puebla (B, L)
Adjacent to Puebla is the town of Cholula. Here, you will visit the largest pyramid of the Americas, and learn about the people who inhabited this region for many centuries. Built atop of the pyramid, the Spaniards placed their cathedral in a physical and symbolic manner, to squelch the indigenous beliefs to impose the Catholic religion. However, by visiting the churches of Acatepec and Tonantzintla, one realizes that the indigenous beliefs were never really snuffed out! You will visit the charming town of Atlixco, where the rich soil produces flowers, produce and plants. Lunch is in the market, a place to experience the local foods and famous “cecina” tacos!

Day Six: Cuetzalan Hike and Nature, Overnight Cuetzalan (B, L)
Leaving this central region of Puebla behind, we will travel to the Sierra Norte of Puebla. Here, you enter another world entirely, where the rainfall is prevalent in this high elevation cloud forest. Here, the Nahua people live and maintain their ancestral traditions and beliefs.  Arriving in Cuetzalan, you will settle into your hotel and enjoy a light lunch before going out on a nature hike to view the stunning landscape and waterfall scenery of this region. 
Waterfall Rappelling*

Day Seven: Cuetzalan, Sunday Market, Meet Nahua Family, Overnight Cuetzalan (B, L)
Today is Sunday, and you will experience market day in Cuetzalan, like no other market you have seen before. This is an indigenous market, bringing Nahua people from distant and neighboring villages and communities, much as they did in pre-Hispanic times, to engage in trade, barter and commerce. Here, you will find rich textiles, tobacco, coffee, honey and other items from this region. After the market, you’ll travel nearby to visit with and have lunch with a Nahua family, who are weavers, and you’ll be able to learn about their ancestral weaving, as well as practice speaking the Nahuatl language with them. Nahuatl is the ancient language of the Aztec people.

Day Eight: Transfer to MEX Airport for Flights Out (B)