Oaxaca and Chiapas

Welcome to Mexico! You have finally arrived. You will take possession of your vehicle and leave to sleep near the site of Teotihuacan. Be careful on the road!

Free day in Puebla. You will start with a visit to the Zocalo or Plaza de Armas, its cathedral and its neoclassical Municipal Palace. Not far from the Zocalo is the incredible Palafoxiana Library, the first public library in America. Next, you will reach the Callejon de los Sapos, the stronghold of antique dealers and the talavera, the typical pottery of the region. This street leads to a square surrounded by incredible houses from the Viceroyalty period, where you will find a second-hand market every Saturday and Sunday. In the same square, you won't have any trouble locating the emblematic La Pasita bar, serving the drink of the same name, made from grape liqueur and eaten with a piece of cheese. To continue with the local specialties, you will go to the street of the confectioners (Avenida 6 Oriente) to taste the camotes, tortitas, alegrias, rompope, alfeñique... At the end of the day, stroll through the artists' quarter where there is a quiet, bohemian atmosphere. For a different experience, take a ride on the cable car. Then walk through the park of the historical area of the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe and relive the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, when the French troops sent by Napoleon III were defeated by the Mexicans.

This morning you will leave Puebla and travel to the magical town of Cholula, considered one of the oldest cities in America. You will walk through the colourful streets of this student town and see the Great Pyramid in the distance, which you will reach. At the top of the pyramid is the church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, built by the Spanish. An incredible view of the city and the Popocatepetl, Iztaccihuatl, Citlaltepetl and Malinche volcanoes. On the way back down, you can visit the archaeological site. At the end of the day, you will reach Puebla, where you can enjoy the lively and warm atmosphere of San Pedro Cholula in the evening.

Driving directions: Puebla - Cholula 20km (40min)

This morning, you take the road to Oaxaca, a city rooted in tradition and spared from the aggressions of industrial modernism. On the way, you will make a stop in the middle of the countless cactus fields. Afternoon free to visit the historic centre of the city, including the Santo Domingo convent, which houses one of the most beautiful churches in Mexico. You can make a diversion to the house of Benito Juarez, the country's first and most emblematic mestizo president, nicknamed "America's Worthy". You will finish by visiting the local market, one of the most lively and colourful in Mexico City, with its intoxicating scents of unknown spices and the shimmering colours of silky fabrics. You can taste grilled grasshoppers, the famous "chapulines", accompanied by a glass of mezcal.

Drive: Puebla - Oaxaca 340km (4h15)

This morning you will head to San Bartolo Coyotepec where many families make their living from black clay pottery or "barro negro". You will continue to the village of San Martin Tilcajete to discover the local crafts. Indeed, this township of the great valley of Oaxaca is famous for its manufacture of alebrijes, wooden figurines carved in copal and painted with multiple colours.

Driving directions: Oaxaca - San Bartolo Coyotepec 20km (35min) / San Bartolo Coyotepec - San Martin Tilcajete 15km (20min) / San Martin Tilcajete - Oaxaca 35km (1h)

Departure for the archaeological site of Monte Alban (the white mountain), the most fascinating in the state of Oaxaca. This great Zapotec ceremonial centre stands on a vast esplanade at an altitude of 2000m. You will be amazed by these grandiose ruins that dominate the valley. Return to Oaxaca to discover one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. Stroll through the historic centre of the city and don't miss the typical market and the Santo Domingo convent, which houses one of the most beautiful churches in Mexico. Enjoy one of the many culinary specialities with a glass of mezcal. If you want to learn more about this typical drink, visit the Mezcaloteca, dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of traditional mezcals.

Driving directions: Oaxaca - Monte Alban 10km (25min)

Today you will go to the Sierra Norte, to discover the "mancomunados" villages where you will be welcomed by the inhabitants and will share privileged and unique moments with them. To get there, you must go through one of the ecotourism centres located in San Miguel Amatlan, Latuvi, La Neveria, Benito Juarez, Cuajimoloyas or Llano Grande. Hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking are available to explore the Sierra, depending on your level.

Driving directions: Oaxaca - San Miguel Amatlan 70km (1h40) / Oaxaca - Latuvi 55km (1h30) / Oaxaca - La Neveria 55km (1h50) / Oaxaca - Benito Juarez 60km (1h30) / Oaxaca - Cuajimoloyas 60km (1h30) / Oaxaca - Llano Grande 70km (1h45)

Today you will visit the archaeological site of Mitla. After the fall of Monte Albán in 750 AD, Mitla served as the new political and religious centre of the Zapotecs, which they called "Lyobaan" meaning "place of rest". The latter built palaces and monuments before the Mixtecs moved in, renaming the site "Mictlán", the place of the dead. Continue to Hierve el Agua, one of the most visited natural thermal baths in Mexico. Characterized by turquoise pools and petrified waterfalls on the edge of the ravine, it is the ideal place to take unforgettable photos. In the early afternoon, you will leave for the Isthmus of Tehuantepec where you will spend the night.

Driving directions: Oaxaca - Mitla 45km (1h) / Mitla - Hierve el Agua 20km (50min) / Hierve el Agua - Tehuantepec 235km (4h10)

You leave in the early morning for Chiapas and the magical village of Chiapa de Corzo. You descend to the river and embark on a tour of the famous Sumidero Canyon. An impressive geological fault over 30 million years old, the Sumidero Canyon is a true natural beauty today. This place is emblematic for the inhabitants of Chiapas as it was the scene of the battle between the Spanish and Chiapanecos. Legend has it that the Indians preferred to jump into the depths of the Sumidero rather than be subjected to the invaders. Today, the walls are 1000 metres high. Arrival at the end of the day in San Cristobal de las Casas. Situated at an altitude of over 2000m, it is a city of undeniable charm and cultural and natural diversity, which has earned it the title of "pueblo magico". San Cristobal was one of the first cities built in the region. For many years it had different names and since 1848 it has been called San Cristobal de las Casas: "San Cristobal" in honour of the patron saint of travellers and "las Casas" for Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, the first bishop of the city who fought to abolish Indian slavery. Between ancient churches, indigenous markets, misty mountains, national parks and waterfalls, this region has a bewitching charm.

Driving directions: Tehuantepec - Chiapa de Corzo 320km (4h25) / Chiapa de Corzo - San Cristobal de las Casas 55km (1h)

This morning, you will drive to San Juan Chamula and then to Zinacantan. You will get to know these two emblematic Tzotzil villages of Chiapas, with magnificent churches and customs that are still strongly marked. You will discover their tumultuous history, their resistance, their beliefs, their traditional clothing and their crafts. Beware of taking pictures, often refused by the villagers, especially in the churches where it is forbidden. Free afternoon to stroll through the streets of the "magic village" of San Cristobal de las Casas. Among the most popular tourist sites: the baroque cathedral built in 1528, the temple of San Nicolas, one of the first to be dedicated exclusively to the natives, built at the end of the 17th century, and the famous Plaza Mayor, known by its inhabitants as "the park".

Driving directions: San Cristobal de las Casas - San Juan Chamula 10km (30min) / San Juan Chamula - Zinacantan 10km (15min) / Zinacantan - San Cristobal de las Casas 15km (30min)

This morning you will drive early to the Montebello Lagoons National Park where you will discover about 50 small lakes with multicoloured waters. At the entrance to the park, the road splits in two. On the left, you head towards the "lagunas de colores". Along the road, five lakes, whose colours range from turquoise to emerald green, follow one another: Agua Tinta, Esmeralda, Encantada, Ensueño and Agua Azul. As a bonus, you can visit the San José cave. On the right, you will discover the laguna of Montebello (allowing you to reach a viewpoint), Cinco Lagunas (La Cañada), laguna Pojoj (the only lake where swimming is possible) and Tziscao. We continue to El Chiflón, a series of waterfalls in the middle of the forest. You will be able to bathe once again in the turquoise waters of the Chiapas torrents and enjoy the setting worthy of a child's tale. A change of scenery guaranteed!

Driving directions: San Cristobal de las Casas - Lagunas de Montebello 150km (3h) / Lagunas de Montebello - El Chiflon 90km (1h40) / El Chiflon - San Cristobal de las Casas 130km (2h30)

San Cristobal de las Casas is an obligatory stop on a trip to Chiapas. The baroque and neoclassical style of the city is breathtaking. Among the most popular sights are the baroque cathedral built in 1528, the temple of San Nicolas, one of the first to be dedicated exclusively to the indigenous people, built at the end of the 17th century, and the famous Plaza Mayor, known by its inhabitants as "the park". This square is the centre of the city's activities and was the place where water was supplied at the time. Today, it has a beautiful kiosk where you can enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate on a cool winter night, while listening to the music in the street. In San Cristobal there is also the Jade Museum. A space dedicated to exalting the beauty and history of this precious stone through sculpted pieces. The museum exhibits objects and jewellery related to the 8 main cultures present in the Mesoamerican region: Mocaye, Olmec, Teotihuacaine, Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya, Toltec and Aztec.

Drive to Tuxtla airport where you will return your vehicle. Have a good trip back!