Mexico City & Teotihuacan

Day 1

Arrive into Mexico City where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and brought to your hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight in hotel. Meal plan: N/A

When humans arrived in the Mexico valley in 30,000 BC, the valley floor was a chain of lakes. The water has been receding ever since and agriculture became an important way of life. The Aztecs arrived from northwest Mexico and settled in the Chapultepec region. The tribe were forced to flee however and in 1325 arrived on an island on the western shore and built their city there – Tenochtitlán. This was to rule over most of Mexico in the 15th and early 16th centuries before the Spanish conquest in 1519. Tenochtitlán was destroyed before being rebuilt on Spanish orders as the capital of Nueva España (New Spain), later becoming Mexico City.

Day 2

Visit the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Mexico City including the Plaza de la Constitución (El Zócalo), Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace and the Templo Mayor. Optional visits to the anthropological Museum and the Frida Kahlo Museum. Overnight in hotel. Meal plan: B

Day 3

Visit the famous archaeological site of Teotihuacan (a.k.a. "The City of the Gods"). According to legend this is where the gods gathered to plan the creation of man. Teotihuacan was the largest Pre-Columbian city in the Americas, reaching a total population of 150,000 at its height and is the site of some of the largest ancient pyramids in the world, such as the Temple of the Sun. Drive back to the City. Afternoon free in the city. Why not visit the famous Basilica de Guadaloupe or the canals and gardens of Xochimilco? Meal plan: B

This fabulous archaeological zone of Teotihuacan lies in a mountain-ringed offshoot of the Valle de México. For centuries Teotihuacán was the capital of largest pre-Hispanic empire in Mexico. However, unable to sustain its burgeoning population, it fell in the 8th century. The earliest Mexican murals are found at Teotihuacán and depict what awaited those who were killed by Tláloc, the water god. The Teotihuacán buildings were simple but grand in scale. Teotihuacán is known for its two pyramids – the sun and moon pyramids. The Sun Pyramid was completed by 150AD and the rest of the city between 250 and 600 AD. The Sun Pyramid (Pirámide del Sol) is the world’s third-largest pyramid whose base is 222m on each side and is 70m in height. The Moon Pyramid (Pirámide de la Luna), completed in 300 AD, is smaller but built on slightly higher ground.

Basilica de Guadaloupe is a Roman Catholic church, built near where ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ appeared to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in 1531. It is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics and some approach the church on their knees. It is said that Juan Diego beheld the Virgin Mary on Tepeyac Hill and from then on, she received credit for any miracles that occurred and in 1737 became patron of Mexico and later of Latin America. The Basilica was not completed until 1709. Due to a bomb in the Old Basilica and the fact that it was weak ground was causing it to sink, a new Basilica was built. Repairs have now been completed on the old one and it is open once more.

Xochimilco is best known for its canals, which are left from what was an extensive lake and canal system which connected most of the settlements of the Valley of Mexico. These canals, along with artificial islands called chinampas attract tourists and other city residents to ride on colorful gondola like boats called “trajineras” around the 170 km of canals. This canal and chinampa system, as a vestige of the area’s pre-Hispanic past, has made Xochimilco a World Heritage Site; however, environmental degradation of both the canals and the chinampas is severe and ongoing, putting that status in question for the future.

Day 4

Drive south to the "Pueblo Mágico" of Tepoztlan. Visit this pretty town famous for its spas, meditation, alternative medicine and its traditional city centre. Hike about one hour to the small archaeological site of El Tepozteco, a monument to the Aztec God of pulque, an ancient alcoholic drink made from agave and still consumed today. Stop for a traditional lunch at a local fonda (restaurant) before driving back to Mexico City. Rest of the afternoon free. Meal plan: B, L

Largely undiscovered by foreign tourists, Tepoztlan occupies the floor of a broad, lush valley. The bizarrely shaped mountains creating the valley are visible from almost everywhere in town. It is believed that Tepoztlan was the birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec serpent god who was widely worshipped in ancient Mexico. Many locals swear that the valley possesses mystical curative powers. The nearby El Tepozteco Pyramid was built in the Aztec era between 1100 and 1350 AD and is dedicated to Ometochtlli-Tepoztécatl – god of pulque (an alcoholic drink made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant). Indeed, after hiking up to the pyramid, you can taste some pulque which is native to Mexico. occupies the floor of a broad, lush valley. The bizarrely shaped mountains creating the valley are visible from almost everywhere in town. It is believed that Tepoztlan was the birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec serpent god who was widely worshipped in ancient Mexico. Many locals swear that the valley possesses mystical curative powers. The nearby El Tepozteco Pyramid was built in the Aztec era between 1100 and 1350 AD and is dedicated to Ometochtlli-Tepoztécatl – god of pulque (an alcoholic drink made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant). Indeed, after hiking up to the pyramid, you can taste some pulque which is native to Mexico.

Day 5

After breakfast you will be dropped to the airport or bus station as required. Meal plan: B

-- END OF SERVICES --