Southern Mexico "Dia de Muertos" Expedition
Mexico
Friday 30 Oct 2026 – Friday 6 Nov 2026
8 days · 7 nights
Mexico
Wander Expeditions
5+ years group traveling
Step into the soul of Mexico on this once-a-year cultural odyssey — a journey that begins amid the glowing candles and marigold altars of Oaxaca’s Día de Muertos, then winds through misty Chiapas highlands, sacred Maya temples in Palenque, the pastel streets of Campeche, and finally to the turquoise coast of Cancún. Travel by road across five UNESCO World Heritage sites, tasting mezcal in mountain villages, floating through Sumidero Canyon, and standing before Chichén Itzá at golden hour. Intimate, fast-paced, and deeply immersive, this 8-day expedition reveals Southern Mexico’s living traditions — where ancient ritual, jungle wilderness, and colonial elegance converge in one unforgettable celebration of life and death.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Friday, October 30 | Arrival in Oaxaca & Welcome Dinner
Arrival at Oaxaca International Airport (OAX).
Afternoon at leisure to rest or stroll the Zócalo and Santo Domingo Church.
Evening welcome dinner: Oaxacan moles, handmade tortillas, and mezcal tasting in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Oaxaca City.
Day 2 – Saturday, October 31 | Monte Albán & Día de Muertos Eve
Morning: visit Monte Albán (UNESCO) — the Zapotec capital overlooking the Oaxaca Valley (just 25 min from the city).
Afternoon: wander through markets filled with cempasúchil flowers, pan de muerto, and altar displays.
Evening: join Día de Muertos Eve celebrations, including comparsas (parades) and Xoxocotlán Cemetery, illuminated by candles and music.
Overnight: Oaxaca City.
Day 3 – Sunday, November 1 | Día de Muertos in Oaxaca & Overnight Bus to Chiapas
Morning: join a local cultural experience — bread baking or altar-making workshop with local artisans.
Afternoon: visit nearby San Agustín Etla or Mitla to see traditional processions and bands.
Evening: final Muertos festivities in the Zócalo
Overnight: On the road, sleeper VIP bus between Oaxaca → Tuxtla.
Day 4 – Monday, November 2 | Sumidero Canyon & San Cristóbal de las Casas (Pueblo Mágico)
Early arrival in Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Morning: embark on a boat ride through Sumidero Canyon, spotting crocodiles, herons, and towering cliffs.
Afternoon: drive up to San Cristóbal de las Casas (Pueblo Mágico).
Evening: explore the colonial center, artisan markets, and cafés.
Overnight: San Cristóbal.
Day 5 – Tuesday, November 3 | Highland Villages → Palenque
Morning: visit San Juan Chamula & Zinacantán, indigenous villages known for unique syncretic rituals and weaving.
Afternoon: drive toward Palenque, stopping at Agua Azul and Misol-Ha waterfalls for photos or a swim.
Evening: arrive in Palenque town.
Overnight: Palenque.
Day 6 – Wednesday, November 4 | Palenque (UNESCO) → Palizada (Pueblo Mágico) → Campeche
Morning: guided visit of Palenque ruins (UNESCO) — the crown jewel of the Maya Classic period.
Midday: scenic drive west with a stop in Palizada (Pueblo Mágico), known for colorful colonial houses and riverside charm.
Evening: arrive in Campeche’s walled old town (UNESCO); enjoy a sunset walk along the Malecón.
Overnight: Campeche.
Day 7 – Thursday, November 5 | Mérida → Chichén Itzá → Cancún
Checkout and light breakfast in Campeche and we head North, to Merida.
Exploring Merida's Paseo Montejo, Plaza Grande, and local markets and Yucatecan lunch with the mouthwatering cochinita pibil. Merida is listed by UNESCO for its gastronomy.
Arrive and enter Chichén Itzá (UNESCO) before last entry at 16:00. Explore El Castillo, Ball Court, Temple of Warriors, Observatory.
Arrive Cancún. Check-in and farewell dinner by the Caribbean.
Overnight: Cancún.
Day 8 – Friday, November 6 | Cancún (Departure or Cuba Extension)
Morning: Breakfast
Private transfer to Cancún International Airport (CUN).
End of Expedition.
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