Overview
Give your students an inside look at Mexico’s ancient civilizations on this exciting educational tour to Mexico City and Oaxaca. Explore the open-air archeological site of Templo Mayor in the heart of Mexico City’s Centro Histórico. In Oaxaca, climb the pyramids of Monte Alban, surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains, and learn about ancient Zapotec religious rites at Mitla. Plus, view treasures at anthropological museums and tour the colonial gem of Oaxaca.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Mexico City
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 2
Mexico City Guided Sightseeing Tour
Crowds, cars, and cantinas fill Mexico City, a metropolis of 20 million built atop the Aztec capital. With a local guide, visit the vast Zócalo square, the Cathedral with its evolving architecture, and the Palacio Nacional, home to Diego Rivera’s vivid murals. Nearby, explore the excavated ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor.
National Museum of Anthropology visit
Explore one of the top anthropology museums in the world. Arranged in over 100,000 square feet of display space are such artifacts as massive Olmec stone heads, the tomb and skeletal remains of an 8th-century Mayan ruler, a carved jaguar with a hollow back for the hearts of human sacrifices, and the famous Aztec Calendar Stone. At the museum entrance, the rain god Tlaloc stands guard over all these treasures. City residents claim that when this statue was moved here from its original home, severe rainstorms raged and ended a citywide drought.
LEAP In Step with the Aztecs
Dance like a native in Teotihuacan! Traditional Aztec dancers and musicians in costume introduce you to the dance and its living legacy.
Ballet Folklórico (optional)
Experience a lively performance by the famous Ballet Folklorico. Discover the rich traditions of Mexican culture as you witness colorfully costumed dancers combine ballet dance with music reflective of the regions and folk music genres of Mexico.
Day 3
LEAP Tortilla Bake and Taste
Cook authentic tortillas with Mexican chefs. Discover the tortilla's historic role in the local diet and its links to the Aztecs.
Travel to Puebla via Cholula
Cholula archaeological site visit
Puebla Tour-Director led sightseeing tour
Day 4
Monte Alban archaeological site visit
Lunch
LEAP Alebrijes art workshop
Learn about the history of alebrijes, colorful spirit guides and mystical creatures that are part of the Aztec folklore. Under the guidance of local artisans, create and paint your own version.
Dinner on your own
Day 5
El Tule, Mitla & Hierve el Agua excursion
Arbol del Tule Visit, Mitla archaeological site visit, Hierve el Agua Visit
Day 6
Regional Museum of Archaeology visit
Santo Domingo Church and Cultural Center visit
Travel to Mexico City
Day 7
End tour
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
Scenes from Mexico
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.