Ancient Wonders and Living Traditions
Overview
Discover the vibrant heart of Mexico on a captivating journey through ancient civilizations, colonial heritage and living traditions. Explore remarkable archaeological treasures, colourful communities and fascinating artisan craftsmanship while experiencing the rich culture and history that have shaped the country.
Format
Trip Highlights
Destinations that include planned activities and/or overnight stays.
- Mexico
- Mexico City
- San Juan Teotihuacán
- Oaxaca de Juárez
- San Antonio Arrazola
- San Bartolo Coyotepec
- San Pablo Villa de Mitla
- Teotitlán del Valle
- San Lorenzo Albarradas
- Historic Center of Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico
- Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City, Mexico
- National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City, Mexico
- Teotihuacan Pyramids (Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon), Mexico City, Mexico
- Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico
- Xochimilco Canals, Mexico City, Mexico
- Santo Domingo Church, Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico
- Oaxaca Zócalo, Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico
- Archaeological Zone of Monte Albán, Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico
- Mitla Archaeological Site, San Pablo Villa de Mitla, Mexico
Inclusions
- Round-trip flight to Mexico City (if flight & hotel option is chosen)
- Round-trip Economy Class flight from Mexico City to Oaxaca de Juárez
- Shared airport, sightseeing and intercity transfers, unless otherwise noted
- 9 nights in Superior accommodations (5 nights in Mexico City, 4 nights in Oaxaca de Juárez)
- Daily breakfast
- Entrance fees to attractions as per itinerary
- More Moments inclusions:
- Timeless Streets and Cultural Treasures tour
- Teotihuacán and Shrine of Guadalupe tour
- Southern Neighbourhoods and Xochimilco tour
- Oaxaca City half-day guided walking tour
- Monte Albán, Alebrijes & Black Clay Traditions tour
- Mitla, Weaving Traditions, Natural Wonders & Mezcal tour
- Hotel taxes, fees and service charges
- Service of an English-speaking local guide
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Canada
Welcome to Mexico City!
Scheduled flight to Mexico City International Airport.
Upon arrival, clear customs and immigration, collect your luggage and proceed to the exit. A local representative will be waiting with an Air Canada Vacations sign bearing your name and will assist with your transfer to the hotel for check-in.
The rest of the day is at leisure. Optional experiences are available at an additional cost and can be arranged and paid for directly with your local representative.
Day 2
Mexico City
After breakfast, you’ll meet a local tour guide in the lobby of your hotel to embark on a full-day journey through the heart of the capital, where ancient Aztec foundations, colonial splendour and modern vibrancy come together.
Following the tour, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Timeless Streets and Cultural Treasures tour
Begin your exploration in the Historic Centre of Mexico City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk the grand Zócalo, framed by the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral and the ruins of the Templo Mayor, once the ceremonial centre of ancient Tenochtitlan. Continue past the elegant Palacio de Bellas Artes and the lively Alameda Central, where art and everyday life blend effortlessly.
Later, visit the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology, a cultural treasure trove that showcases Mexico’s pre-Hispanic civilizations. Admire the Aztec Sun Stone, the giant Olmec heads, and richly detailed artifacts that tell the story of Mexico’s ancestral roots.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 3
Mexico City – San Juan Teotihuacán – Mexico City
After breakfast, meet your local tour guide and embark on a full-day sightseeing experience.
Discover Mexico’s rich cultural and historical heritage, from its spiritual traditions to its awe-inspiring ancient sites.
Following the tour, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Teotihuacán and Shrine of Guadalupe tour
Your morning begins at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Latin America’s most sacred pilgrimage site. As you explore the sprawling basilica complex, you’ll feel the deep devotion that fills the air. Visit the original 16th-century chapel and the striking modern basilica that draws millions of visitors annually.
Next, step back in time at the Teotihuacán archaeological site, the legendary City of the Gods. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead, stand beneath the towering Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, and imagine life in this powerful metropolis that flourished long before the Aztecs. With insights from your expert guide, the stones come alive with stories of cosmic alignments, mighty rulers and enduring mysteries.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 4
Mexico City
After breakfast, meet your local tour guide and set out on another exciting full-day sightseeing experience. Today is all about contrasts and colours, where contemporary creativity meets timeless tradition.
Following the tour, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Southern Neighbourhoods and Xochimilco tour
Begin with a panoramic drive through La Roma and La Condesa, known for their Art Deco architecture, lush parks and vibrant café culture. Continue past the Polyforum Siqueiros before a stop outside Ciudad Universitaria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to view the Olympic Stadium and Central Library’s iconic mosaic mural.
Continue to Xochimilco, the Venice of the Americas, where you’ll board a colourful trajinera and cruise its ancient canals, surrounded by floating gardens and vibrant local life.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 5
Mexico City – Oaxaca de Juárez
After breakfast and check-out, your local representative will assist you with your transfer to Mexico City International Airport for your flight to Oaxaca de Juárez.
Upon arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall, where a local representative will greet you with an Air Canada Vacations sign bearing your name. You’ll then be assisted with your transfer to your hotel for check-in and leisure time. Optional experiences are available at an additional cost and can be arranged directly with your local representative.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 6
Oaxaca de Juárez
After breakfast, meet your local tour guide in the hotel lobby and set out on a fascinating half-day walking tour, immersing yourself in the destination’s rich heritage, distinctive character and vibrant atmosphere.
After the tour, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. An optional activity is available at an additional cost, payable directly to your local representative.
More Moments Activities Included
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Oaxaca City Half-day Guided Walking tour
Begin your day with a guided walk through the historic heart of Oaxaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its colourful streets, rich traditions and centuries of history.
Visit the magnificent Santo Domingo Church, one of Mexico’s finest examples of Baroque architecture, before strolling along the vibrant Andador Turístico, lined with artisan boutiques, galleries and charming cafés. Continue to the lively Zócalo, the city’s main square and cultural hub, where daily life unfolds amidst beautiful colonial surroundings.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 7
Oaxaca de Juárez – San Antonio Arrazola – San Bartolo Coyotepec – Oaxaca de Juárez
After breakfast, meet your local tour guide in the lobby and embark on a full-day journey through the region’s rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions. Discover ancient civilizations, renowned craftsmanship and vibrant traditions that continue to shape the region’s identity.
Afterward, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Monte Albán, Alebrijes & Black Clay Traditions tour
Begin at Monte Albán, the mountaintop ceremonial city that was once the cultural and political centre of the Zapotec world. Walk among temples, pyramids, ball courts and ancient tombs as your expert guide brings this breathtaking archaeological site to life with stories of cosmic alignments, sacred rituals and daily life from over 2,000 years ago.
Continue to San Antonio Arrazola, the birthplace of alebrijes, fantastical wooden creatures that are hand-carved and painted in vivid colours. Meet local artisans and witness the creative process that blends imagination with ancestral tradition.
Finish the day in San Bartolo Coyotepec, famed for its black clay pottery. Visit a family-run workshop to see how this ancient craft is shaped, burnished and fired, entirely by hand, into gleaming works of art.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 8
Oaxaca de Juárez –Mitla– Teotitlán del Valle – Oaxaca de Juárez
After breakfast, meet your local guide for a full-day tour showcasing the rich heritage, traditions and natural beauty that define this remarkable region.
Afterward, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel to enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Mitla, Weaving Traditions, Natural Wonders & Mezcal tour
Begin with a visit to Mitla, an important Mixtec-Zapotec archaeological site renowned for its striking geometric stone mosaics and sacred history.
Continue to Teotitlán del Valle, where local artisans preserve ancestral weaving traditions using natural dyes and handcrafting techniques. Witness the process from spinning and dyeing to weaving, and meet the families keeping this heritage alive.
Next, travel to Hierve el Agua, a spectacular mineral formation resembling cascading waterfalls, where you can admire panoramic views or enjoy its natural infinity pools.
End the day at a traditional mezcal distillery, learning about the production of this iconic Oaxacan spirit from agave to glass, with tastings included.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 9
Oaxaca de Juárez – Mexico City
After breakfast and check-out, meet a local representative in the lobby of the hotel. They will assist you with your transfer to Oaxaca International Airport for your flight back to Mexico City.
Upon arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall, where a local representative will greet you with an Air Canada Vacations sign bearing your name. You’ll then be assisted with your transfer to the hotel for check-in.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 10
Mexico City – Canada
After breakfast, meet a local representative in the lobby of your hotel. They will assist you with your transfer to Mexico City International Airport for your flight back to Canada.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodations
Where you'll stay
Superior Accommodation
Location
Hotel
Room details
Type of bed(s): King, queen or twin beds
Room occupancy: Max. 3 guests, any combination
Unless otherwise specified, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Ideal for
Guided tours
Let us show you around. Tour packages include (varies by tour):
- Round-trip flight with Air Canada
- Private airport transfers
- Hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Train transportation
- Motorcoach transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel luggage service
- Experienced guide throughout
- Aeroplan® points
Earn more with Aeroplan
In addition to accumulating points on the flight portion of your trip, you’ll earn up to 4,000 extra Aeroplan points on select tour packages.
- Members ages 2 to 12 will receive extra points equivalent to 50% of the points granted to members ages 13 and up.
- Travel completion by December 31, 2026.
Important Information
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Dates of operation: Jan. 1, 2027 - Dec. 31, 2027
Frequency: Daily
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Not included:
- Gratuities
- Airport taxes (where applicable)
- Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks during meals
- Additional hotel services (laundry, minibar, room service, etc.)
- Transfers for optional activities, or any additional transfers outside those listed in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to attractions not listed in the itinerary
- Optional activities and excursions
- Visa fees (where applicable)
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- The National Museum of Anthropology is closed on Mondays.
- The tour duration indicated in your itinerary may vary depending on local conditions and operational constraints.
- Driving times indicated in your itinerary are approximate and may vary due to traffic and road conditions.
- Some drives on this itinerary may involve winding roads. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, we recommend planning accordingly.
- The sequence of the itinerary may be altered for reasons beyond the supplier’s control, such as accommodation availability, weather, national events, strikes, etc.
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- Van/car for all airport-hotel-airport, sightseeing and intercity transfers
- Plane between Mexico City and Oaxaca de Juárez