Bus Trip Tours

Day 1
Mexico City to Morelia
Meet up with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager in Mexico’s sprawling capital, before we hit the road and travel to Spanish flavored Morelia.
This gorgeous town is all about colonial heritage. Packed with 16th and 17th century buildings, archways and cute little plazas, Morelia’s picturesque center comes with plenty of character and charm. Learn about its background as one of Mexico’s first Spanish cities on a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed centre.
You’ll also see the birthplace of the Mexican revolutionary, Morelos, after whom the town is named. We check out Morelia’s sweets and handicraft market, where there’s a chance to pick up some of its famous candy as a tasty souvenir. Tonight, we’ll see the stunning cathedral lit up under night lights and watch the pretty fireworks display. Your Tour Manager will give you the background on the building’s mix of styles and intricate decorations.
Later, get to know the group and your Tour Manager over dinner in a local restaurant that overlooks the central plaza. Try out the tasty specialties of this region, like the famous fruit gazpacho (a cold soup made up of fruits like pineapple, mango and watermelon, topped off with lime juice).
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals: Dinner (1) day

Day 2
Morelia to Ixtapa via Zihuatanejo
Head out West to the Mexican Riviera, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. We stop for lunch on one of Mexico’s most stunning beaches, Playa la Ropa. It’s dotted with palm trees and is a perfect spot for water sports like parasailing and jet-skiing.
Walk off your lunch in low-key Zihuatanejo and explore this cute little fishing village where local restaurants, artisan studios and interesting boutiques line the cobblestone streets.
This evening, there’s a fun ATV (all-terrain vehicle) optional, where you can cruise along the beach, through palm groves and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Tonight, we stay in the modern resort town of Ixtapa.
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast (1) day

Day 3
Ixtapa
A free day in Ixtapa means time to relax. Kick back at the hotel and make the most of its fantastic pool and pool bar. Otherwise, head to the beach and soak up some sun or snorkel in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Your Tour Manager can even help you sort out a boat for hire if you want to get out on the water and do a bit of fishing.
Turn the energy levels up with an optional horse rde along the beach or explore the coastline in our optional kayaking excursion. Go for a late night stroll through the luxurious hotel district and get a taste of the high life. Dance the night away at one of the nightclubs or grab a quiet drink at a local bar.
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day

Day 4
Ixtapa to Acapulco
Today, we head to the popular resort and Mexico’s original party town, Acapulco. With its gorgeous bay and stunning villas, you’ll soon understand why this is a traditional stomping ground for the rich and famous and why people like Sinatra, Elvis and JFK used to come here.
After the sun goes down, watch the famous daredevil cliff divers. They’ll jump a heart-stopping 25 or 35 meters from the sheer cliffs surrounding the bay into a tiny cove.
Tonight, honor Acapulco’s reputation and dive into the nightlife action. With salsa clubs, meringue bars, discos and nightclubs, there’s something for everybody here.
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast (1) day

Day 5
Acapulco
With a free day, soak up more of Acapulco’s vibes, its 50s glamor and its beach life. Hit the calm waters of Hornos or Papagayo beaches or else watch surfers take to the waves at Playa Revolcadero For a slice of the local lifestyle, head to the open-air market and shaded zocalo (central square). With little, traditional eateries this is a great place to people-watch and to taste different dishes. Try out some pork tacos, chicken mole (chocolate and chilli sauce), garlic shrimp or even some Pacific lobster.
For a bit of local history, check out the 17th century fort, Fuerte de San Diego, that was once used to watch over Spanish galleons and protect trades routes. It offers sweeping views over Acapulco. Otherwise, head into the old town and check out the blue-domed church, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad.
Later this evening, choose our optional sunset boat cruise, hang out with the group and get another angle on Acapulco from the water.
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day

Day 6
Acapulco to Taxco
Travel through the Sierra Madre Mountains this morning to the pretty, hill-side town of Taxco. With its dramatic backdrop of cliffs and mountains, and its pretty stucco buildings with terracotta roofs, this is the perfect place to wander about in.
Get lost in the winding cobblestone streets and uncover cute little plazas and flower-filled courtyards. Keep an eye open for VW Beetle taxis and check out the stunning Santa Prisca Cathedral on the central square. Pull up a table at an outside café, where you can sit back with a beer and take in the colonial architecture. Maybe try some pozole (pork and vegetable stew).
With a tradition in silver going back to before the Spanish Conquest, Taxco is the perfect place to pick up some jewellery. Your Tour Manager will organize a silver demonstration and give you tips on the best places to buy. Then rummage through the many platerias (silver shops) and find some great presents for back home.
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast (1) day

Day 7
Taxco to Mexico City
This morning we return to the chaotic capital, Mexico City. This megapolis fuses the festive, the ancient and the quirky. First up: a visit to Xochimilco canals and markets. Board our own brightly colored long boat and cruise along the canals, past gardens and floating mariachi bands. Vendors jump from boat to boat with souvenirs, so you can kick back and shop while you ride along the canals.
Then we head to the historic heart of the city, where ancient civilization, political power and religion combine around the enormous Zocalo (central square). Get inspired as our expert Local Guide uncovers the nation’s core spots and shows off this living time line. Step inside the largest cathedral in Latin America and learn why the tilting Catedral Metropolitana is a spiritual hub for Mexicans. Get up close to Mexico’s Aztec past as you explore the bare ruins around Templo Mayor. Our Local Guide will peel back the layers and explain how a new temple was built here every 52 years, one on top of the other.
If you’re keen, you can go into the Temple Mayor for a closer look. See the sinking Palacio Nacional (National Palace), home to the Mexican government. Enjoy a crash course in this country’s history by checking-out Diego Rivera’s famous murals that decorate the palace walls. These colorful paintings tell the story of Mexico in a nutshell, from the nation’s mythical beginnings to the early 20th century.
Tonight, choose our optional dinner and feast on Mexican specialties with the group, while listening to Mariachi (traditional group of Mexican musicians) music. Later, you could wash it all down with some tequila, Mexico’s national drink.
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast (1) day

Day 8
Mexico City
We turn back the clock this morning with a trip to Teotihuacan, the largest archaeological city ever to exist on the American continents. Climb the impressive pyramids and imagine how this was once central America’s greatest city.
Our Local Guide will fill you in on the Teotihuacanos beliefs and rites as you walk around the site and see the Sun and Moon Temples. This afternoon, discover another side of vibrant Mexico City with a visit to the easy-going, old barrio (neighborhood) of Coyoacan. Take in the old colonial mansions, fountains and quiet squares of this cultural quarter. See the paired studios of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and maybe visit Frida Kahlo’s famous Blue House, which is filled with colorful art, pre-Hispanic artifacts and a beautiful garden.
In your free time, live a slice of the local lifestyle and head to the Coyoacan Markets – the buzzing food stalls are perfect for trying authentic Mexican food, like a torta (Mexican sandwich), enchiladas and tacos. Shopping-wise, this town has it all, from big brands to bargains. Get some tips from your Tour Manager before you splurge. Rummage through the colorful La Merced, the largest market in the city. See piles of dried chillies, tropical fruits and other vibrant food displays as well as local crafts.
Otherwise, walk the streets and get a feel for the city’s bustling street life, where cafes spill out onto the pavements, pushcart kitchens cook up fantastic food and sidewalk vendors sell anything from t-shirts to jewelery. Take a break and taste Mexican coffee in a traditional coffeehouse or sip on some tropical juice at a jugeria (juice bar). If you’re hungry, try a rosticeria for some crispy roast chicken Mexican style or a hole-in-the-wall taqueria for a burrito. For something different, find out if there is lucha libre (Mexican masked wrestling) on while you’re in town and go check out a match.
For a dose of culture, walk through Mexican history with a visit to the famous Museo Nacional de Antropologia (Museum of Anthropology). It has an incredible collection of artifacts, starting from pre-historic times. The museum grounds are also great for taking a break from the buzzing down town area, so hang out in the gardens, read beside the lake or check out the zoo.
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day

Day 9
Depart Mexico City
Your tour ends after breakfast and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends.
Accommodations:
Meals: Breakfast (1) day

Morelia
Walking tour of the colonial city of Morelia
Visit the Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías (Sweets & Handicrafts Market)
See the spectacular light, music & fireworks show over the Morelia Cathedral
Ixtapa
Soak up the sun on Playa de Ropa
Laze in the sand & surf
Acapulco
See the death-defying cliff divers
Only Contiki: Sit back with a cocktail in hand on an Acapulco catamaran cruise
Taxco
Watch a silver demonstration
Mexico City
City sightseeing tour of Centro Historico, including the National Palace, Metroplitan Cathedral & Templo Mayor
Visit Coyoacán, birthplace of Frida Kahlo
Only Contiki: Cruise on a colorful 'trajinera' & discover Xochimilco from a different angle
Shop the colorful markets of Xochimilco
Guided tour of the ancient Aztec city of Teotihuacan

Day 1, Cairo
Friday. Welcome to Egypt, arrival and transfer to hotel. Spend the remains of the day at leisure.
No meals included.
Day 2, Pyramids of Giza
This morning visit the three great pyramids and Sphinx at the Giza Plateau. Sole survivors of the ancient Greek-listed seven wonders of the world, the pyramids at Giza Plateau are the planet's oldest tourist attraction. Explore this area on foot and then on camel back! In front of the pyramids sits the immense Sphinx, a statue with the face of a man and the body of a lion, carved out of the surrounding limestone bedrock.

Located just a stone's throw from Giza, is tomb-strewn Saqqara. Partially covered tombs, drifting sands and pyramids dotted across the horizon give way to the centre piece - that of King Zhoser's step pyramid. Enjoy a guided tour of the site before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 3, The Egyptian Museum
See the treasures of King Tutankhamen, mummies and more at the Egyptian Museum this morning. The museum is home to the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world. Arguably the most famous exhibit is the stunning solid gold funerary mask of the boy-King Tutankhamen.

Continue your touring, visiting the Citadel, built by Salah-El-Din in the 12th century and the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar in the afternoon, where you can pick up some souvenirs.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 4, Dahabaya Cruising
Monday. Cairo - Luxor. This morning take a short flight to the ancient city of Luxor. Short transfer to Esna and board the Dahabeya, your home for the next five nights, as you cruise the Nile in style. Meet your Captain, the crew and your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and introductory meeting with your Egyptologist guide.

After lunch enjoy an afternoon tour to the East Bank. Sightseeing begins with a visit to Karnak Temple. Built over 4,000 years ago, Karnak’s immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains a phenomenal 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. Continue on to the magnificent Luxor Temple, a sumptuous monument, built over 4000 years ago for the worship of the God Amun.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 5, Luxor & the Valley of the Kings
This morning there is the option of rising at dawn to take a hot air balloon flight over Luxor before starting your days touring. Today explore Luxor’s West Bank and the atmospheric Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of the once mighty pharaohs lie amongst the desert landscapes of the Nile Valley. The often highly decorated tombs, were constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the pharaohs awaiting their passage into the after-life. Some of the best known tombs are those of Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep II and of course, the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Also visit the Valley of the Queens and the magnificent mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, passing the imposing Colossi of Memnon en route. In the afternoon sail in direction of El Hagz Island and enjoy your dinner on board.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 6, The Temple of Horus
At sunrise start sailing to Edfu where your private horse drawn carriage will take you from the boat to visit the legendary Temple of Horus, which is the largest and most completely preserved pharaonic, albeit Greek-built, temple in Egypt and one of the last monumental temples built on a large scale. the best preserved and second largest temple in Egypt. Return to the dahabeya and continue sailing to Farris Island.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 7, Kom Ombo
This morning visit Kom Ombo - a masterpiece of Greco – Roman art in Egypt. This twin temple is dedicated to two distinct divinities, the falcon God and Sobek the crocodile God. Each of the two gods has their own entrance, court, chambers colonnade and sanctuary in this unusual double temple with its perfect symmetry. After your visit continue sailing toward Aswan. Relax on board and take in the sights along the Nile.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 8, Optional Abu Simbel & Aswan
Early morning there is an opportunity to visit the spectacular temples of Abu Simbel by air – optional tour. Built by Ramses II, the setting of this magnificent structure, besides the shores of Lake Nasser makes it one of the most spectacular of Egypt’s ancient sites. This great Sun Temple was created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple (built between 1290 and 1224 BC) hewn into the side of a mountain are four famous colossal statues of the pharaoh himself. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion.

Have lunch on the Dahabeya before visiting the High Dam - a modern feat in engineering, creating the world's largest artificial lake - Lake Nasser. Take a leisurely boat ride out to Agilika island for a guided tour of the the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 9, Fly from Aswan to Cairo
Aswan - Cairo. Today bid farewell to your fellow travellers and the crew and disembark the dahabeya after breakfast. Take an afternoon flight from Aswan back to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel and spend the remains of the day at leisure.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 10, Cairo
Sunday. After breakfast transfer to Cairo airport for your ownward flight home.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.