Mexico: Maya, Aztecs & Conquistadors Day of the Dead Festival (Oaxaca)

The adventure begins in Mexico City, one of the most exciting capital cities in the world. Take time to settle into the hotel before our welcome briefing this evening. Stay: Hotel Century Reforma or Hotel Royal Reforma (or similar)

Starting the day in Mexico City, we visit the historic centre on a walking tour based around the Zócalo (main square) and the Catedral Metropolitana. Our exploration starts in the Zócalo, which was an important gathering place for the Aztecs, and remains so in modern Mexico, often hosting book fairs and concerts. On the north side of the Zócalo is the Catedral Metropolitana, the largest cathedral in the Americas. It was constructed over El Templo Mayor, an Aztec temple, as a sign the Spanish were now in power.

Next, we visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Construction of this massive neoclassical building began in 1904, on the remains of the Santa Isabel convent. It has an art nouveau style and its impressive facade is made of Carrara marble. Finally, we enjoy a relaxing ride on a pre-Hispanic boat along the Xochimilco canals. These scenic waterways would have been used by the Aztecs and today see us enjoying a relaxing journey past floating gardens and little floating kitchens selling local food. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon. Stay: Hotel Century Reforma or Hotel Royal Reforma (or similar) (B).

We begin our day with a visit to the Museum of Anthropology and History with its fascinating collection of artefacts from the many civilisations of Mexico.

Next we explore the quaint neighbourhood of Coyoacán, which has pebbled streets, colonial churches, bustling little markets and quiet squares. This area was inhabited before the arrival of the Spanish and it is said conquistador Hernan Cortes made this the first capital of New Spain. To end the day we visit a house hidden behind cobalt blue walls known as Casa Azul (visit subject to availability).

This is where artist Frida Kahlo was born, grew up and, eventually, lived with her muralist husband, Diego Rivera, until she died in 1954. Now a museum, the colonial house, set around a luxuriant garden, showcases the collections and personal effects of the two great artists and provides a window into the life of affluent Mexican bohemians in the first half of the 20th century. Stay: Hotel Century Reforma or Hotel Royal Reforma (or similar) (B).

The ancient city of Teotihuacan reached its zenith around 1,000 CE when it was the sixth biggest city in the world with a population of about 125,000. Among the avenues and structures here are the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, the third and fourth largest pyramids in the world. We explore this impressive archaeological zone with an expert local guide to unearth some of the site's secrets. Then, starting our journey east, we head to the Great Pyramid of Cholula, also known as Tlachihualtepetl (approximately a two-hour drive).

Considered to be the largest pyramid in the world, the structure has a fascinating history dating back to the 3rd century BCE. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Puebla de los Angeles, the City of Angels, so called because of a legend that claims angels came down from heaven to place the cathedral bells in the towers when builders were unable to do so. The colonial city is known for its traditions, especially its handicrafts, including blue-and-white pottery, and its cuisine is considered among the best in Mexico. Stay: Hotel Colonial Puebla (or similar) (B).

We spend this morning exploring Puebla, which has been named a Unesco World Heritage site for its colonial architecture. We visit the Patio de los Azulejos and the ex-Convent of Santa Rosa, both of which provide classic examples of how talavera tiles were incorporated into buildings, inside and out. Early settlers who came from Talavera de la Reina in Spain introduced these tiles and associated ceramics. Today, the glazed pottery is synonymous with Puebla.

After our city tour, we drive (about five hours) to Oaxaca, another Unesco-badged city. With a colonial centre of shaded pedestrian streets, indigenous traditions and a creative atmosphere, Oaxaca has attracted and inspired many artists and artisans alike. The city has such sights as the beautiful Zócalo (main square), the cathedral and the vast Convento de Santo Domingo, along with museums, fascinating markets and charming inns. Stay: Hotel Oaxaca Real or Hotel Victoria (or similar) (B).

We spend today uncovering the beliefs and history of the Day of the Dead. It starts with a typical breakfast in the Ocotlán de Morelos market, where we learn about traditional Oaxacan dishes and experience the market on this special occasion, when altars are set up for the festivities. From here, we head to San Antonio Arrazola, which is renowned for its imaginative wood carvings.

It was in 1936 that Pedro Linares, inspired by a dream, started producing colourful animal figures made of papier-mâché, which he called alebrijes. This folk art is now known throughout the world. Next, we visit San Bartolo Coyotepec, where a unique style of black pottery developed in the 1950s. We will see a potter at work and learn about the process to create amphorae, amongst other items.

This afternoon, we join a family in their home for lunch, where we eat traditional mole and other regional dishes. The family will also invite us to see their Day of the Dead shrine and introduce us to the Zapotec language. We take part in a Day of the Dead parade in the local town before visiting a graveyard at night, listening to brass bands and watching the entire town fill the cemetery to decorate the graves of their loved ones. Stay: Hotel Oaxaca Real or Hotel Victoria (or similar) (B).

Our next exploration of Mexican history takes us to the Zapotecan site of Monte Albán. While the name dates to a 16th-century Spanish landowner, previous names come from the Mixtec word Sahandevul, meaning at the foot of the sky, or from the Zapotecan Danibaan, meaning sacred mountain.

In 500 BCE, the Zapotecans moved into the Oaxaca region and began the monumental task of levelling the top of a 5,250ft (1,600m) high mountain that intersects and divides three valleys. Here they built the city of Monte Albán with a maze of subterranean passageways, rooms, drainage and water-storage systems. We later return to Oaxaca to explore the cobbled streets, vibrant squares and many churches of this historic town. Stay: Hotel Oaxaca Real or Hotel Victoria (or similar) (B).

Oaxaca is arguably the most famed region in Mexico for its cuisine and we get more acquainted with it as we head for a cooking class, learning dishes that can easily be recreated at home. After visiting the market in Teotitlán del Valle to collect ingredients, we don our aprons and get cooking! The exact menu can change but we generally learn how to make two types of tortilla, three salsas, guacamole, mole, a starter, soup, dessert and drink. The afternoon is free to enjoy Oaxaca at leisure. Stay: Hotel Oaxaca Real or Hotel Victoria (or similar) (B/L).

We return today to the village of Teotitlán del Valle, known for its colourful, handwoven rugs. Freshly dyed wool threads adorn the houses as they dry in the sun and await the next stage of the production process. From here, we continue to a distillery in the small village of Santiago Matatlán to taste the agave-derived spirit, mezcal. Produced from the agave plant after it has blossomed the first time, the liquor always contains more than 40% alcohol and is not for the faint-hearted! After the tasting, we drive to Tehuantepec, where we spend the night (total drive time: about five hours plus stops). Stay: Hotel Calli (or similar) (B).

Today we drive to San Cristóbal (about six hours plus stops), one of the most popular cities in Mexico for visitors. It is filled with cobbled alleyways of whitewashed buildings with red-tiled roofs that lead to plazas and picturesque arcades. Arriving in San Cristóbal in the afternoon, we have a short orientation tour of the historic city before checking into our hotel. Stay: Hotel Casa Mexicana or Hotel Diego de Mazariegos (or similar) (B).

Today is a free day to explore San Cristóbal at your own pace. Wander the colonial streets, take in the lively cafes, or buy handicrafts produced by the local Tzotzil indigenous groups. It's also possible to do an optional boat trip through the Sumidero Canyon and/or visit one of the traditional Maya communities who live in the villages surrounding the city (see money section for prices). Stay: Hotel Casa Mexicana or Hotel Diego de Mazariegos (or similar) (B).

We depart San Cristóbal de las Casas early and spend much of today on the road as we head to Palenque. We break the journey (6-7 hours) at Roberto Barrios Waterfalls, hidden in the sub-tropical jungle of Chiapas state. Here, water cascades along several hundred metres of beautiful flora and there's time for lunch and a dip in the turquoise-blue plunge pools and rock basins. After our stop, it's a further 1hr 10min to Palenque, a town named after the impressive ruins nearby. Stay: Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic (or similar) (B).

Emerging from the jungles of Chiapas is one of the most impressive ruins in Mexico: the Maya site of Palenque. The temples, sanctuaries and pyramids, with sculptured walls and ceilings, are some of the best-preserved and finest examples of Maya buildings despite the city-state having peaked in the seventh century.

We explore this magnificent site before continuing on the road towards the Yucatán Peninsula and the Caribbean town of Campeche (about six hours plus stops). Yet another Unesco World Heritage site, the colonial town has impressive city walls built to protect it from constant attacks by English and Dutch buccaneers and pirates during the 16th and 17th centuries. Stay: Hotel Lopez or Hotel Castelmar (or similar) (B).

From Campeche, we visit our second Maya site: Uxmal. Quite open, it contrasts to the jungle ruins of Palenque we visited yesterday. This site, which dates to the Late Classic era (500 CE to 800 CE), features the Pyramid of the Magician; the Nunnery Quadrangle, which has long, elaborately carved facades; and a ball court, where a traditional ball game was played, sometimes ending in human sacrifice. Having worked up an appetite, we have lunch at a Maya family restaurant.

Here we can eat pollo pibil and cochinita pibil (slowly cooked pork and chicken). The meat is roasted for about five hours with achiote paste and wrapped in banana leaves. After lunch, it's about a 1hr 30min drive to Mérida, where several colonial buildings, including the cathedral, were built using stones from nearby Maya ruins. Stay: Hotel Caribe (or similar) (B/L).

In the morning, we embark on a walking tour of Mérida, before heading out of the city to the traditional Maya village of Tixkokob, where local families practise the age-old craft of hammock weaving. We then continue to Izamal, a one-time Maya settlement now marked as a Pueblo Magico (magic town) by the Mexican government.

The town is covered in yellow-and-white buildings and is known for the 16th-century Franciscan monastery built on top of a huge Maya pyramid. From here, we transfer to Chichén Itzá, possibly the best known and most impressive of all Maya sites (total drive time of about four hours plus stops). Stay: Hotel Ikal Chichén or Hotel Puerta Chichén (or similar) (B).

Our final day starts with a visit to the most famous Maya temple city: Chichén Itzá. Having spent the night near the site, we can get in nice and early before the day-trippers arriving from the beach resorts. Chichen Itza served as the political and economic centre of the Maya civilisation and thrived from around 600 CE to 1200 CE. The pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars and the Playing Field of the Prisoners can still be seen today and demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to architecture, space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and possibly greatest, of all Maya pyramids.

This afternoon, we drive about 3hr 30min to Cancún airport, where the trip ends and we begin our return journeys home (B).