DEC 7-15, 2024

Expedition Through the Olmec Heartland

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This 9-day tour will start in Villahermosa, Tabasco.

Its path will lead through the Olmec Heartland and all its major ruins. Museums, both tiny and grand, will be visited to see the artifact collections that arent featured in books. The route was specifically chosen to allow its participants to see all seventeen of the famous Olmec colossal heads.


LA VENTA, SAN LORENZO, TRES ZAPOTES, AND ALL THE MAJOR OLMEC MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Villahermosa - Saturday, Dec 7
    • Villahermosa

    • All Day: Arrivals to Villahermosa
    • Evening: Relax at hotel
    • Overnight in Villahermosa
  • Day 2: La Venta Park - Sunday, Dec 8
    • La Venta Park

    • 7-8am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-12pm: Exploring La Venta Park
    • 12-2pm: Lunch break at hotel
    • 2-4pm: Tour of the CICOM Olmec collection
    • 6-7pm: Lecture: Olmec Overview
    • Overnight in Villahermosa
  • Day 3: La Venta - Monday, Dec 9
    • La Venta

    • 7-9am: Breakfast and check out
    • 9-10am: Transport to La Venta
    • 10-12pm: Exploring La Venta ruins
    • 12-1pm: Lunch break
    • 1-3pm: Transport to Coatzacoalcos
    • 5-6pm: Lecture: Olmec Iconography
    • Overnight in Coatzacoalcos
  • Day 4: San Lorenzo - Tuesday, Dec 10
    • San Lorenzo

    • 7-8am: Breakfast and check out
    • 8-9am: Transport to San Lorenzo
    • 9-11am: "Tour" of San Lorenzo
    • 11-1pm: Transport into the Tuxtlas
    • 1-3pm: Lunch break at Lake Catemaco
    • 4-5pm: Regional Museum the Tuxtlas
    • Overnight in San Andres Tuxtla
  • Day 5: Tres Zapotes - Wednesday, Dec 11
    • Tres Zapotes

    • 7-8am: Breakfast and checkout
    • 8-9am: Transport to Tres Zapotes
    • 9-11am: Ruins and local museum
    • 11-1pm: Lunch break in Tres Zapotes
    • 1-5pm: Transport to Xalapa
    • Overnight in Xalapa
  • Day 6: Xalapa Museum - Thursday, Dec 12
    • Xalapa Museum

    • 7-9am: Breakfast and check out
    • 9-11am: Xalapa Museum Olmec collection
    • 11-1pm: Lunch break in Xalapa
    • 1-4pm: Transport to Tlaxcala
    • 4-5pm: The murals of Tlaxcala
    • Overnight in Tlaxcala
  • Day 7: Chalcatzingo - Friday, Dec 13
    • Chalcatzingo

    • 7-8am: Breakfast and check out
    • 9-11am: Transport to Chalcatzingo
    • 11-1pm: Ruins of Chalcatzingo
    • 1-2pm: Lunch break on the road
    • 2-4pm: Transport into Mexico City
    • Overnight in Mexico City
  • Day 8: National Anthropology Museum - Saturday, Dec 14
    • National Anthropology Museum

    • 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-12pm: National Anthropology Museum
    • 12-1pm: Lunch break in the museum
    • 1-3pm: Free time at the museum
    • 6-7pm: Final gathering on hotel rooftop
    • Overnight in Mexico City
  • Day 9: Departure - Sunday, Dec 15
    • Departure

    • Morning: Breakfast and airport taxis
    • End of Tour
Questions about this tour?

Lodging

Villahermosa
Hotel Cencali Fiesta Americana

A classic Villahermosa hotel in the center of the city. AC, restaurant, pool, telephone, cable TV and wifi.

Coatzacoalcos
Hotel Terranova

South of town along the Coatzacoalcos River. AC, restaurant, pool, telephone, cable TV and wifi.

San Andres Tuxtla
Hotel Piedras Altas

Located very close to Plaza AC, restaurant, telephone, cable TV and wifi.

Xalapa
Hotel Gamma Fiesta Americana

Three blocks from Xalapa Archaeology Museum. AC, restaurant, pool, telephone, cable TV and wifi.

Tlaxcala
Hotel San Francisco

Located right next to the Governor's Palace and its amazing murals. AC, restaurant, pool, telephone, cable TV and wifi.

Mexico City
Hotel Majestic

Located in the Zocalo and one of the city's most established hotels. AC, roof-top restaurant, telephone, cable TV and wifi.

Price Includes

All lodging, private ground transportation, breakfasts and lunches, archaeologist guide, local guides, evening lectures, all entry fees, bottles of cold purified water in the bus

Price Does Not Include

Airfare to/from Mexico City and one way flight to Villahermosa, taxi to the hotel from/to the airports, dinners, gratuities (maids, drivers, guides, etc..), travel insurance

MEC strongly recommends travel insurance. If you don't have a trusted company, InsureMyTrip allows you to compare compare policies from many different companies and make your best choice.

Travel Insurance by InsureMyTrip

Costs

Deposits for courses and tours are due upon registration. After 14 days before the trip, no refunds will be granted.

Shared Room

$3,800 USD

DEC 7 - 15, 2024

  • Based on double or triple occupant lodging
  • $500 deposit due upon registration
  • 50% balance due 90 days before the trip
  • Final balance due 30 days before

PRIVATE ROOM

$4,400 USD

DEC 7 - 15, 2024

  • Based on single occupant lodging
  • $500 deposit due upon registration
  • 50% balance due 90 days before the trip
  • Final balance due 30 days before