Chiapas Explorer
Chiapas Explorer
$1386
Chiapas Explorer
6 Days Starting in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico and ending in Villahermosa, Mexico
Visiting: Tuxtla Gutierrez, Sumidero Canyon, San Cristobal de las Casas, San Juan Chamula, Zinacantan, Amatenango de Valle, Montebello Lakes, Chiflón Waterfall, Agua Azul, Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilan, La Venta Museum, Villahermosa
Tour operator:
Tour code:
354229
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
10-99
Tour operated in:
English , SpanishInterests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, Ruins-Archaeology, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Chiapas Explorer tour and discover the natural and cultural wonders of Mexico. This journey begins in San Cristobal de las Casas, where you'll explore the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon by boat, marveling at its towering cliffs and diverse wildlife. Visit the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan to experience the unique Tzotzil Maya culture. Delight in the vibrant hues of Montebello Lakes and the refreshing Chiflón Waterfall. In Palenque, uncover the mysteries of ancient Mayan ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy the serene beauty of Agua Azul waterfalls. Continue your adventure with a visit to the archaeological sites of Bonampak and Yaxchilan, and conclude your trip at the La Venta Museum in Villahermosa. With comfortable accommodations and guided tours, this experience promises an unforgettable exploration of Chiapas' rich heritage and stunning landscapes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : ARRIVAL TUXTLA GUTIERREZ – SUMIDERO CANYON – SAN CRISTOBAL (80 km – 1.5 hrs)
Location: Tuxtla Gutierrez, Sumidero Canyon, San Cristobal de las Casas
Accommodation Name: Mansión de los Angeles or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Upon your arrival at Tuxtla Gutierrez International Airport, meet and greet is followed by the transfer to Sumidero Canyon, one of Mexico’s outstanding natural phenomena (In order to participate on Sumidero Canyon boat tour, please make sure your arrival arrangements are not later than 01:00 pm). Once in Sumidero Canyon we embark on the boat to experience 2-hours boat trip along the imposing canyon bed. Find yourself dwarfed by the sheer scale of its high walls, covered in thick vegetation. Admire the beautiful wildlife, such as crocodiles, monkeys, and birds and the great variety of flora of the surrounding rainforest. After the boat ride, we continue to San Cristobal de las Casas with drop-off at your hotel.
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 2 : SAN CRISTOBAL – SAN JUAN CHAMULA AND ZINACANTAN – SAN CRISTOBAL (30 km – 1 hr)
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas, San Juan Chamula, Zinacantan
Accommodation Name: Mansión de los Angeles or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up early to your breakfast, meet your guide and get ready for the visit of the indigenous villages San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Your guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to see the whitewashed cathedral with colorful ornamentation and pine-scented is a real marvel and the candlelight in the interior evocates the spiritual atmosphere. The towns are almost entirely inhabited by Tzotzil Maya, a tribe with their unique language and specific way of clothing. Try regional drink in Zinacantan and learn the loom waste weaving techniques which are dating back to pre-Columbian times. Taste traditional hand-made tortilla and once back in San Cristobal de las Casas, learn about the historical sites during the city tour where you can admire marvels of the colonial architecture. After this half-day tour transfer back to San Cristobal and the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 3 : SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS - MONTEBELLO LAKES & CHIFLON´S WATERFALL – SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS (230 km – 5.5 hrs)
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas, Amatenango de Valle, Montebello Lakes, Chiflón Waterfall
Accommodation Name: Mansión de los Angeles or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine early in the morning and enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Approx. at 8:00 am departure towards Montebello lakes. En route you will visit a small community in Amatenango de Valle, “The Toen of Potters” and you will learn the traditional way of mud crafting. Further on continue to Montebello Lakes and Chiflón´s waterfall, stunning natural phenomena, refreshing bath under the waterfall wake up your senses and leave memorable experience. Return to San Cristóbal around 7:30 pm and the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 4 : SAN CRISTOBAL – PALENQUE (230 km – 5.5 hrs)
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas, Agua Azul, Palenque
Accommodation Name: Tulija Express or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will be departing from San Cristobal de las Casas early in the morning at around 4:00 am and you will be heading towards Palenque, one of the most beautiful areas conserving Mayan heritage. En route, you can take a refreshing bath in Agua Azul waterfalls surrounded by rainforest and feel the energy of the natural wonder. Upon your arrival at Palenque, visit the temples of Palenque. This archaeological site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it boasts some of the finest Mayan architecture, sculpture, roof comb, and bas-relief carvings. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the premises, admiring its beauty and gathering interesting information. You will check in to your hotel at approx. 6:00 pm and the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Palenque.
Day 5 : PALENQUE - BONAMPACK AND YACHILAN - PALENQUE (328 km – 6 hrs)
Location: Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilan
Accommodation Name: Tulija Express or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine early in the morning and at around 6:00 am you will be departing towards the archaeological site of Bonampak, to continue with your Mayan heritage discovery. Afterward departure for the jaguar shield where you embark to navigate one hour along the Usumacinta River and visit the Archaeological site of Yaxchilan. You will be back in Palenque in the late afternoon and the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Palenque.
Day 6 : PALENQUE – LA VENTA – DEPARTURE VILLAHERMOSA (407 km – 5.5 hrs)
Location: Palenque, La Venta Museum, Villahermosa
Enjoy your last morning breakfast at the hotel in Palenque, after which you will be departing towards Villahermosa, located on the riverbank of Grijalva and Carrizal. En route, you will visit the La Venta Museum, where you can admire the Olmec culture, with its exhibition of 36 outdoor monoliths, among which the Head of Jaguar, the Monkey Looking at Heaven, the Humanized Jaguar, and many other. At a convenient time we will make the transfer to Villahermosa airport. (Estimated arrival at Villahermosa airport is at 5:00 pm, please arrange your flight accordingly)
What's Included
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Tour Guide
Operated with Spanish and English-speaking local guides in each destination on a shared basis during the activities.
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Transport
Arrival and departure shared transfers in an air-conditioned bus from Tuxtla Gutierrez airport and to Villahermosa Airport, as well as shared transportation in an air-conditioned bus throughout the tour.
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Entrance Fees & Activities
All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, including Sumidero Canyon boat tour, San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan sightseeing tour, San Cristobal de las Casas city tour, Montebello Lakes and Chiflon’s waterfall sightseeing tour, Amatenango del Valle visit, Agua Azul waterfalls, Palenque ruins, Bonampak and Yaxchilan Sightseeing tour, and La Venta Museum.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Domestic and international flights are not included.
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Drinks
Drinks during meals are not included unless specified otherwise.
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City Tax
City tax is not included and is payable on the spot.
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Unmentioned Visits
Any visit not mentioned in the program is not included.
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Porterage and Gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
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Personal Expenditures
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program are not included.
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Additional Fees
Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any) are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc., is not included.
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mexico. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.Please Note
- Day 1: In order to participate on Sumidero Canyon boat tour, please make sure your arrival arrangements are not later than 01:00 pm.
- Day 2: Taking photos in temples in San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, is prohibited.
- Due to the general maintenance works of La Venta Park, we will visit the Carlos Pellicer Cámara Regional Museum of Anthropology instead.
- Day 6: Estimated arrival at Villahermosa airport is at 05:00 pm. Please arrange your departure flights accordingly.
- We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons.
- Guests may be mixed with other guests of other nationalities, but the guide in the vehicle will speak English and Spanish.
- There is no guarantee that you will be part of the same group during the tour.
- The assigned guide and group size may change during the itinerary.
- Late check-out, early check-in, connecting or adjoining rooms at the hotel are all subject to availability and not guaranteed.
- In many hotels in Mexico, the triple rooms are a double room with an additional bed or sofa bed.
Accommodation options
Day 1, 2, 3 San Cristobal de las Casas
- Standard Hotel Category = Mansión de los Angeles or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Casa Mexicana or similar 4*
- Standard Hotel Category = Tulija Express or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Chan Kah or similar 4*
Pre-night in Tuxtla Gutierrez:
- Deluxe Hotel Category: Marriot Tuxtla Gutierrez or similar 5*; bed and breakfast basis and shared transfer from TGZ Airport to the hotel with Spanish-speaking assistance
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with shared air-conditioned bus transfers from Tuxtla Gutierrez airport to Villahermosa Airport, and throughout the tour. Enjoy seamless transportation as you explore the stunning landscapes and cultural sites of Chiapas.Accommodation
Enjoy 5 nights of comfortable hotel accommodation with options in San Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque. Choose between standard 3-star hotels like Mansión de los Angeles and Tulija Express, or superior 4-star hotels such as Casa Mexicana and Chan Kah.Accommodation options
Day 1, 2, 3 San Cristobal de las Casas
- Standard Hotel Category = Mansión de los Angeles or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Casa Mexicana or similar 4*
- Standard Hotel Category = Tulija Express or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Chan Kah or similar 4*
Check out our Q&As
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What languages are the tour guides fluent in during the Chiapas Explorer tour?
The tour guides are fluent in both Spanish and English during the activities on the Chiapas Explorer tour.
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What type of transportation is provided during the Chiapas Explorer tour?
The tour provides shared transportation in an air-conditioned bus throughout the tour, including arrival and departure transfers from Tuxtla Gutierrez airport and to Villahermosa Airport.
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Are meals included in the Chiapas Explorer tour?
The tour includes 5 breakfasts as part of the package.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the Chiapas Explorer tour?
The tour includes 5 nights of hotel accommodation with options for standard or superior hotel categories in San Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque.
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What activities are included in the Chiapas Explorer tour itinerary?
The tour includes a Sumidero Canyon boat tour, visits to San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, a city tour of San Cristobal de las Casas, sightseeing at Montebello Lakes and Chiflon's waterfall, a visit to Agua Azul waterfalls and Palenque ruins, and a sightseeing tour of Bonampak and Yaxchilan, as well as a visit to La Venta Museum.
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Are there any specific clothing recommendations for the Chiapas Explorer tour?
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for traveling in Mexico. Visitors should avoid wearing sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious, or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent are also advised.
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Is there a restriction on photography during the tour?
Yes, taking photos in temples in San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán is prohibited.
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Terms and Conditions