2024 Eclipse: A TASTE OF MEXICO + Extn. Treasures of Yucatan

Apr. 6 to 16, 2024- A Taste of Mexico

11 Days visiting: Mazatlan. Mexico City, Teotihuacan, Puebla, Cholula, Oaxaca, & Monte Alban.

Apr. 16 to 21, 2024 – Treasures of Yucatan Extension

6 Dyas visiting: Merida, Ek Balam, Chichen Itza, Mayapan, Uxmal, Coba, Tulum & Riviera Maya.

DAY 1- Apr.6, SAT: ARRIVAL IN MAZATLAN – BIENVENIDOS A MÉXICO!

Meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.  Note: Arrival transfer is provided to participants taking group flight or arriving around same time. Participants arriving at other times, a private transfer can be arranged at additional cost or take a taxi to the Hotel. At night, gather together for a tour briefing and welcome Dinner. HOLIDAY INN HOTEL – DINNER

DAY 2- Apr. 7, SUN: MAZATLAN – OLD TOWN AND THE BEACH

This Mazatlan City tour provides a great overview of Mazatlan and you’ll come away appreciating its beauty. You will be driven along the ocean front drive towards the high divers, who dive into water only five feet deep from 45 feet in the air. Continue to the top of the lookout hills to have the amazing view of the whole city as your guide tells you local folklore & history Next head to the historical center to see the Angela Peralta Theater, built in the 1870s. the Plazuela Machado, the Mansion of Redo, the Bank of London, Mexico Building, and the Temple of San José.. Enjoy free time at the main market to do some souvenir shopping. As you walk through town, photograph the city hall and the majestic Conception Cathedral. Construction on the cathedral began in 1875 and took 42 years to complete.

Note: You may leave tour in town and enjoy lunch at local restaurants returning back to Hotel on your own. Perhaps you would go for a stroll on the beautiful Malecon or have a coffee in Mazatlán’s lively old town. The afternoon is at leisure.

Join fellow tour members to visit our exclusive eclipse viewing site so participants can familiarize themselves and also for accompanying astronomy experts to review weather reports and any related effect/changes to our viewing plans/site. At dinner this evening, our accompanying Astronomy expert will give us pre-eclipse briefing HOLIDAY INN HOTEL– BREAKFAST & DINNER

DAY 3-Apr. 8, MON: ECLIPSE WATCHING

After Breakfast transfer to our exclusive eclipse viewing site scouted by our Eclipse experts. Arrive early with plenty of time to set up for the eclipse. From our exclusive site you can view 4 minute 15 seconds of eclipse totality According to weather predictions/ expert guidance we expect clear skies nevertheless a bus will be at our disposal to travel along the eclipse path to seek out a clear location for viewing, if needed. Buffet Lunch, water, soft drinks & Snacks, tables and chairs are provided at the viewing site. Return to hotel after the eclipse and rest of the day is free for independent activities or take an optional tour. This evening join fellow tour members for a celebratory Dinner & a report by our Eclipse experts. HOLIDAY INN HOTEL– BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

The eclipse begins at 10.51AM and ends at 3.32 PM in Mazatlan Mexico. 

TOTALITY:

DAY 4- Apr. 9, TUE: MAZATLAN – MEXICO CITY

Your driver will take you to the airport of Mazatlán where your flight is taking you to the vibrant capital of Mexico. Arriving in Mexico City you will be taken to your hotel. The afternoon is for a stroll through the historic center of Mexico City At night another highlight will await you. Indulge in the deliciousness the city has to offer and try some of the best tacos you can find during this Taco Street Food Tour. BARCELO REFORMA HOTEL – BREAKFAST & DINNER

DAY 5- Apr. 10, WED: ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM – MEXICO CITY TOUR

Begin the day with your guide to explore the historical center on foot and visit the huge Zocaló with its famous Cathedral and the Government Palace with its impressive murals by Diego Riviera, amongst others. To make the city tour perfect, finish it with an informative visit of the Anthropological Museum which is situated on the brink of the Chapultepec Park. In the afternoon visit the vibrant city, right in the heart of the Mariachis mecca: Plaza Garibaldi. The Plaza is known as Mexico City’s home of mariachi music. At all hours of the day and night, mariachi bands can be found playing or soliciting gigs from visitors to the Plaza. The Salón Tenampa, which became the home of mariachi music in Mexico City in the 1920s, is still in business on the north side of the plaza. Have a drink and enjoy some real Mexican music.. BARCELO REFORMA HOTEL – BREAKFAST & LUNCH

DAY 6- Apr. 11, THU: MYSTICAL TEOTIHUACAN

Visit one of the most important pyramids of Mexico while practicing a morning session with your shaman. Admire the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, originated as small markers above unusual clover leaf shaped caves – caves that emanated a special healing energy – that was utilized by the medicine people and shamans of the region many thousands of years ago. From its origins as a place of healing, it grew to become a educational/cultural center teaching healing, along with practical arts and sciences. Our journey’s interest in visiting Teotihuacan is in the original energies that everything was built on – we utilize these fields of energy in ways that grow and expand our own abilities and connectedness with our potential – the vibrant potential of Creation – our collaborating, cooperating and celebrating life with Creation, for the mutual benefit of all beings. After lunch visit Guadalupe Shrine and Three Culture Square: The Basilica of Guadalupe is an important Catholic pilgrimage site and one of the most visited churches in the world. Tlatelolco Square in Mexico City, D. F. (now Three Cultures square) holds a special place in the history of Mexico, and in the hearts and minds of her people Its name comes from the fact that the architectural ensembles located around it come from three different historical stages. BARCELO REFORMA HOTEL – BREAKFAST & LUNCH

DAY 7- Apr. 12, FRI: MEXICO CITY – PUEBLA

After breakfast you will leave the city and head south towards Puebla, 4th biggest city and capital of the state of Puebla. Rich in history Puebla fascinates with its location surrounding 4 volcanoes Puebla’s historic city center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, partly due to its impressively preserved Spanish colonial architecture. You will explore Puebla in the afternoon where you will see a little bit of everything: the cathedral, the Palafox Library, the Deacon Museum, the Serdan Museum, the Santo Domingo Church, and the Amparo Museum, alongside stops at some of the local candy shops for which Puebla is famous and to try some regional delicacies. This evening you will be taken to a local restaurant where you’ll try the chocolatey mole poblano, a regional specialty, during dinner. PUEBLA CENTRO HISTORICA HOTEL – BREAKFAST & DINNER

DAY 8- Apr. 13, SAT: CHOLULA EXCURSION

Today you will visit Cholula, a sacred colonial city laying below the famous and still active Popocatepetl. The Spaniards settled in Cholula erecting enough of their own buildings that the city is now known for having a church for every day of the year. The final touch – a symbol of their Christian conquest – is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remediosa, Beneath the tiny church, hiding under tufts of grass, trees and soil, is an ancient pyramid of truly gigantic proportions. You will enjoy a authentic lunch in Cholula before heading back to Puebla where you have the night at leisure. PUEBLA CENTRO HISTORICAHOTEL – BREAKFAST & LUNCH

DAY 9- Apr. 14, SUN: PUEBLA – OAXACA

We will leave the city of Puebla, after our breakfast, to head to our next highlight and must see city when in Mexico. Famous for its traditional but exquisite cuisine, Oaxaca invites its guests to dive right into the rich and delicious food on one of its many markets and restaurants. Some of Oaxaca’s specialties among Mezcal are chocolate and its chocolate sauce Mole but also grilled crickets. You have the chance to go on a city tour of Oaxaca where you have the chance to explore the colorful colonial city center which is as well UNESCO world heritage. You will learn about the most important and popular sights of the city. A visit to the market cannot be missed. Indulge into the different local dishes. You never want to leave again. DE LA NORTA CENTRO HISTORICO HOTEL – BREAKFAST & LUNCH

DAY 10- Apr. 15, MON: MONTE ALBAN, COYTEPEC & TILCAJETE EXCURSION

Today visit Monte Alban, the most important archaeological site in this area. Tiny streets lead up to a steep mountain in one of the most beautiful cities of the Zapoteks, which already fascinated American writer Aldous Huxley years ago. Arriving on top of it, the panorama view over the surrounding areas and the city justifies the climb up.  After visiting Monte Alban, we have time to meet with the indigenous people of Zapotec origin whare manual production of black clay and multicolored fabricas is preserved. Those interested can participate in the manufacturing process. DE LA NORTA CENTRO HISTORICOHOTEL – BREAKFAST & LUNCH

DAY 11 – Apr. 16, TUE: DEPART OAXACA AND RETURN HOME:

Breakfast at Hotel & transfer to airport for your flight. Breakfast

TREASURES OF YUCATAN EXTENSION:

DAY 11 – Apr. 16, TUE: OAXACA – MERIDA

Your transfer service will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport in Oaxaca where you will board for your next adventure in Merida. After arrival in Merida transfer to your hotel. Later visit the Botanical Garden where you will be briefed about plants used as medicine, food and in textiles as well as traditional offerings & construction of furniture. GAMMA EL CASTELLANO HOTEL – BREAKFAST 

DAY 12- Apr. 17, WED: EK BALAM & CHICHEN ITZA EXCURSION

Before sunrise we will attend a Mayan ritual with the assistance of a shaman who will put us in tune with the ancient city and the importance of that astronomical moment. Afterwards we will move to the most important Mayan ruin of the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichen Itza, known also as “One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World”. Absolutely the most visited archaeological site in the peninsula of Yucatan, due to its extraordinary architecture beauty and its geographical location, Chichen Itza was one of the greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatán peninsula. The fusion of Mayan centers construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan – Toltec civilization in Yucatan. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors’ Temple “El Castillo” and the circular observatory known as “El Caracol”. Afterword we will be visiting one of the famous Cenotes in the area and later we will return back to Merida. Prepare yourself to visit one of the least explored archaeological sites: Ek Balam, which the legend is the Black Jaguar, the Maya God that protected the city. GAMMA EL CASTELLANOHOTEL – BREAKFAST 

DAY 13- Apr. 18, THU: MAYAPAN & UXMAL AND BECAL LOCAL HAT PRODUCTION

After Breakfast, we will travel to Mayapan, the last great city before the Spaniards arrived the Peninsula. Before the fall it was the urban center of Yucatan and its political and cultural force. Around noon we head to Becal, center of the Yucatan Panama hat trade where we will have lunch and visit a local Mayan hat production. The afternoon is saved for the archeological site of Uxmal, the most important of “Ruta Puuc”, to discover its most famous temple “La Casa del Adivino” and learn about another Mayan era, their culture and traditions and the way they used to live. At the end of the visit, we will be returning to Merida, where you have the night at leisure. GAMMA EL CASTELLANOHOTEL – BREAKFAST & LUNCH

DAY 14- Apr. 19, FRI: MERIDA – COBA & TULUM – RIVIERA MAYA

From Merida you take off to the Caribbean side of Mexico. Make a stop at Coba and Tulum archeological sites. The first one is located in the heart of Mayan Jungle and has the highest pyramid of the area; the second one is located on the Mayan Riviera coast, just in front of the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea In the evening you will arrive at your beach hotel at beautiful Riviera Maya. MAHEKAL HOTEL – BREAKFAST 

DAY 15- Apr. 20, SAT: DAY AT LEISURE

Full Day of leisure to relax by beach, spa activities etc.  MAHEKALHOTEL – BREAKFAST 

DAY 16- Apr. 21, SUN: BYE BYE MEXICO

The day has come to say “adios” to beautiful Mexico and its colors and friendly people. Your transfer will take you to the airport where your flight back home awaits you. Breakfast

TOUR PRICES: Coming soon.

WE ARE ACCEPTING  `BOOKINGS WITHOUT DEPOSIT’ ON ALL ASTRONOMY TOURS- Once the tour prices are finalized, you will be contacted with deposit requirements. You will have 15 days to accept, Change or cancel your booking.

FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION- CONTACT: 888-605-TOURS (8687) or 310-373-1001. Email: [email protected]