ANCIENT CONNECTION TRIP

An immersion into the ancient culture of Mexico

ANCIENT CONNECTION TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1 .
The tour starts in the historical center of Mexico City, we visit “El Zocalo” the central square, once the capital of the Aztec empire, then know as Tenochtitlan. Here we can see the city's past is preserved at the Museo del Templo Mayor that features the remains of the main ceremonial pyramid, the most sacred site of the Aztec Empire. We visit the National Palace, to admire the famous murals of Diego Rivera, and the National Museum of Anthropology, where some of the most significant archaeological artifacts in Mexico are held, such as the Piedra del Sol (the Aztec calendar stone) and the monolithic Aztec mother goddess, Coatlicue

DAY 2 .
We begin with an exploration of the Tenayuca piramyd, consideraded the city capital of the Chichimecas, nomadic tribes that migrated and settled in the valley of Mexico. After these we visit the Acatitlan piramyd, a temple that was associated with Tenayuca the political and religious center of the time, like Tenayuca it is thought that the temple was dedicated to the worship of Huitzilopochtli, and Tlaloc, the sun god and the god of rain. We then visit the ruins of Tlatelolco, once the greatest commercial centre of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital.
DAY 3 .
Today we travel north of Mexico City to Teotihuacan, an impressively large ancient city and ceremonial center famous for its pyramids of the sun and moon, and the Quetzalcoatl temple. We have lunch and Pulque, the sacred drink of the Aztecs, made from the Maguey cactus. After this we drive to the Xihuingo Piramyd , (the temple of the owl), where we will camp next to the pyramid under the stars.

DAY 4 .
We make our way to Xochicalco one of the most exciting and richest archaeological sites in Mexico, where we spend the morning, then to nearby Tepozotlan, a magical town amongst the mountains, also known as a mystical center, where we stay in teepees at a local eco village.

DAY 5 .
After eating breakfast at the market we climb the mountain to visit the Tepozteco pyramid, considered a power and energetic centre. In the afternoon we will ease off any sore muscles with a Temazcal, a traditional herbal steam bath with healing properties and stay in teepees again under the moon light.

DAY 6 .
We eat breakfast early; we travel to the Cacahuamilpa caves in the state of Guerrero, an incredible experience and one of the largest cave systems in the world with two subterranean rivers. After exploring the caves we will camp beside the river Dos Bocas.

DAY 7 .
We continue driving to Oaxaca, the home of the prehispanic cultures of the Zapotec and Mixtec. Oaxaca is a place of many traditional cultures, where you can see traditional clothing and handcrafts, together with exuberant and warmth in daily customs. We visit the colonial capital, Oaxaca city, a living cultural center, with world famous markets where we will taste the traditional food which include mole, chocolate and grasshoppers, and of course sample the mescal. In the evening we visit the hub of the zocalo, and enjoy the mariachi serenades.

DAY 8 .
Just outside of the city, we visit the enormous Tula Tree. With the widest trunk in the world, the tree is over 2000 years old. We then drive to Teotitlan del Valle , a weaving village world renowned for the use of natural dyes, where we see the process of making the rugs. We continue on to Mitla, an important ceremonial site, and meaning place of the dead, with geometric designs that have influenced the folk art for thousands of years. On top of the mountains we will visit the petrified waterfalls at Hierbe el agua where we can swim in the stunningly beautiful mineral springs. We finish with the mescal factory to see the process and sample the different mescals.


DAY 9 .
Today we visit the hilltop ruins of Monte Alban, the greatest Zapotec city, and one of the first urban centers of Mesoamerica. A local guide will take us around and bring it alive to us. We will have lunch in Arrazola, one of the towns where Alebrijes, carved wooden fantasy animals with intricate painting, are made. In the afternoon we venture into the mountains to San Jose del Pacifico, with beautiful natural vistas it is also known for its psylocybin mushrooms Here we spend the night in cabins on the edge of the forest.

DAY 10 .
We spend the day in San Jose, after a warming hot chocolate with breakfast we have a traditional temazcal and then on to the near by town of San Mateo to have a delicious lunch at Casa de Blanca. From here we make our way to the beautiful beach at Zipolite, on the southern coast. Here we will be staying at Shambhala, with a peaceful place with a relaxed atmosphere and fantastic view of the beach.

DAY 11 .
Today we will have time to relax in a hammock, go for a dip in the beautiful blue water, and maybe catch a few waves, and take in the spectacular view, with islands dotting the coastline. Feel free to wander about the town, there are many great places to eat and fresh coconuts and mangos are in abundance. Late in the afternoon we will say goodbye to the ocean and drive for 5 hours and stay at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a region unlike any other in Mexico with unique traditional dress worn. Tehuantepec is located in Mexico’s most narrow point between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, and from the moment you arrive, your senses tell you that this place is different.
DAY 12 .
After breakfast we spend the day exploring Tehuantepec, we see the beautiful handcrafts, medieval market and the option to visit a nearby pyramid and ball court with a 1 hour hike to get to it. Late in the afternoon we continue our journey south with a 5 hour drive to San Cristobel del Las Casas located in the state of Chiapas. A beautiful traditional town with strong indigenous presence and beautiful handcrafts, San Cristobel has a romantic atmosphere, which many foreigners have found irresistible, with a concentration of little cafes, bookshops, and art cinemas, there is an abundance of things to do here.

DAY 13 .
This morning we wander around San Cristobel where we enjoy the architecture and the colorful market, in the afternoon we take a short day trip to the impressive Sumidero Canyon. Here we travel by boat up and down the River to experience the awe-inspiring canyon whose dramatic cliffs of up to one-kilometer high dwarf anything in its presence. Wild monkeys and iguana and crocodile inhabit the area, as well as beautiful rock formations and giant Ceiba trees lining the top. We return to San Cristobel to spend a free evening.

DAY 14 .
We Visit the Chiflon waterfalls, one of the greatest waterfalls in Chiapas. After a nice swim we visit Chincultik, an ancient Mayan city. We continue to the peaceful blue waters of the Monte Bello lagoons where we take a leisurely horse ride and have lunch, we visit nearby La Encantada, so named for its enchanting colours and Cinco Lagos lagoon with an spectacular view and a chance to take a guided raft through an underground cave. After relaxing and exploring the lagoons, we will drive to an eco village on the edge of the jungle located in an ecological reserve on the banks of the LaCanja River where we spend the night camping.

DAY 15 .
This morning we drive to the Lacandon Jungle an area where indigenous life is still strong, to take a motor boat in the Usumacinta river to Yaxchilan, a Mayan city immerse in the jungle with monumental temples full of iconography that depict a splendorous past. After this adventure we visit Bonampak , another significant Mayan site well know for its interior murals, a master-piece of the Mayan art, that gives insight into their way of life. We spend the night in bungalows in the Lacandon Jungle

DAY 16 .
We drive in the Morning to Palenque archaeological zone, the greatest Mayan city, admire the superb architecture and art from the main culture in Meso-America in the complex you will find structures such as the Temple of the Inscriptions, and the Palace where Pacal Votan’s tomb is, once the greatest king of Palenque. Here there is a special opportunity we can take. In Palenque archaeologists have registered more than 200 Temples still covered by the jungle, A local guide will take us around to explore the remains of those temples. After this we spend the night in bungalows in the jungle, Where we can relax in a nice environment.


DAY 17 .
We continue to Mishol-ha waterfalls and then to the stunning Agua Azul waterfalls, where we can swim and explore the layers of blue water. We then drive to Ocosingo to visit the ruins of Tonina, a site of monumental architecture with vestiges of stucco-modeled art, bas-reliefs, sculptures and a site museUM.


We comeback to san cristobal de las casas , thats the end of the journey where we will have a meal together.


If you have any questions or special requests including private group tours please feel free to email us, and we will be sure to be in touch as soon as possible.

CONTACT.
Email: Fifthsunjourneys@gmail.com
website.http://www.fifthsunjourneys.com/
Phone Number: 0115215521905656 (FERNANDO)
SKYPE . Fernando visiones
Facebook. aztecorum visiones
MSN. enteodelicamex@yahoo.com