November 3, 2025 – November 18, 2025
World of Antiquity Tour of Mexico with Dr. David Miano (16 days)
Join renowned historian, author, educator and YouTuber, Dr. David Miano for an intellectually rich journey through the heart of ancient Mesoamerica.
Tour menu:
Tour menu:
Overview & Date
Join renowned historian, author, educator and YouTuber, Dr. David Miano for an intellectually rich journey through the heart of ancient Mesoamerica—on this immersive tour of Mexico’s most significant archaeological sites.
This isn’t your average sightseeing trip filled with tourist traps and generic photo ops. Instead, you’ll explore these ancient cities through a historian’s lens—digging deeper into their cultural complexity, architectural ingenuity, and historical context. With Dr. David Miano as your guide, you’ll gain an evidence-based perspective on the origins, timelines, and inner workings of some of the most enigmatic civilizations in the ancient world.
Through this epic 16-day adventure, you’ll trace the rise and fall of the Olmec, Maya, Zapotec, and other cultures that shaped Mesoamerican history. From the colossal heads of San Lorenzo and Tres Zapotes to the cosmic alignments of Teotihuacan, the mural-filled chambers of Bonampak, and the sacred strucures of Mitla and El Tajin, every stop is a window into the ancient mind.
You’ll not only see the ruins – you’ll understand them. Expect stimulating discussions on ancient timekeeping, historical chronology, and the shared motifs between Mesoamerican civilizations all woven together with clarity and insight by one of the one of the most respected voices in ancient history education.
Whether you’re a lifelong learner, archaeology enthusiast, or follower of the World of Antiquity YouTube channel, this is your chance to study the past where it happened– alongside the scholar whose passion and precision bring it vividly to life.
November 3, 2025 – November 18, 2025
WORLD OF ANTIQUITY TOUR MEXICO with Dr. David Miano (16 days)
Your Host
Dr. David Miano is a professional historian, author, and one of the most respected voices in the study of ancient civilizations.
With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. David Miano is renowned for his rigorous, evidence-based approach rooted in historical accuracy, primary sources, and critical scholarship. His work offers a clear-eyed alternative to speculation-driven narratives, bringing clarity and depth to the study of the ancient world.
Through his widely acclaimed World of Antiquity YouTube channel, published works, and university-level teaching, Dr. David Miano has educated and inspired thousands, bridging the gap between academia and the general public with integrity and insight.
His work demystifies primary sources, timelines, and scholarly debates—making complex historical topics accessible without sacrificing academic rigor.
On this tour, Dr. David Miano will lead daily lectures, site interpretations, and group discussions, enriching each location with thoughtful analysis and expert context. His approachable teaching style and depth of knowledge ensure that every traveler walks away not just inspired, but truly informed.
This is a rare opportunity to explore ancient Mexico with a trusted expert dedicated to educating, illuminating, and challenging misconceptions—while revealing just how fascinating the ancient world truly is.
day-by-day itinerary
DAY
1
Day 1
November 3, 2025
Arrival in Veracruz
Reception at Veracruz International Airport (airport code: VER) and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy free time to relax and prepare for the journey ahead.
Overnight: Hampton by Hilton, Veracruz
DAY
2
Day 2
November 4, 2025
Tres Zapotes – San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán
You’ll stand face-to-face with giants during our visits to Tres Zapotes and San Lorenzo, two key archaeological sites where some of the most important colossal heads were discovered. Here, we’ll encounter the awe-inspiring Olmec colossal heads—silent sentinels of an ancient elite whose influence helped shape the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization. We’ll journey back to the cradle of the Olmec world.
As we walk among massive stone monuments and enigmatic altars, you’ll learn about ancient kings, sacred rituals, and the rise of political power in Mesoamerica.
Overnight: City Express by Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
3
Day 3
November 5, 2025
Comalcalco – La Venta Museum – Transfer to Palenque
You’ll discover a Maya city that defied expectations. In a land without stone, they built with baked clay brick—and reimagined ancient architecture. Comalcalco reveals how innovation shaped survival and sacred space. We’ll unlock the mysteries of jade masks and Altar 5.
As we explore the the La Venta Museum, you’ll learn how each artifact reveals the brilliance, spirituality, and sculptural mastery of the Olmecs—Mesoamerica’s earliest visionaries.
Overnight: Chanka Resort, Palenque
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
4
Day 4
November 6, 2025
Palenque – Archaeological Site & Museum
Once we pass the howler monkeys, you’ll descend into the sacred underworld. At the tomb of Pakal the Great, we’ll uncover a world where gods, kings, and cosmic visions intertwine in stone—telling a story of death, rebirth, and divine rule.
Overnight: Chanka Resort, Palenque
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
5
Day 5
November 7, 2025
Yaxchilán – Bonampak
Venture deep into the remote Lacandon jungle by boat along the Usumacinta River to reach Yaxchilán, one of the most atmospheric and archaeologically significant Maya sites. Once a powerful kingdom, its monumental architecture—featuring intricate lintels, towering temples, and hieroglyphic stairways—emerges dramatically from the dense tropical forest. The site offers a rare and immersive experience, transporting you into the heart of Classic Period Maya civilization.
Explore Bonampak, a smaller site that holds outsized significance for Mesoamerican scholarship. Within the Temple of the Murals, vivid frescoes depict scenes of royal ceremonies, warfare, and ritual bloodletting with a level of detail unmatched in the Maya world. These murals have reshaped our understanding of ancient Maya politics, social order, and artistic expression—making Bonampak a must-see for those interested in the deeper narrative of Maya civilization.
Overnight: Chanka Resort, Palenque
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY
6
Day 6
November 8, 2025
Toniná
Rising from Chiapas highlands Toniná’s, 70-meter acropolis soars above the valley like a stone mountain of the Maya. Climb it’s seven terraces past temples, palacesm and fierce warrior carvings, then stand at the summit where the clouds meet the ruins and history whisphers on the wind.
Overnight: City Express by Marriott, Comitan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
7
Day 7
November 9, 2025
Chinkultik – Tenam Puente
You’ll explore Chinkultik, an ancient Maya site built around sacred cenotes, where ritual and landscape merge in a dramatic fusion of architecture and natural springs. The site’s ballcourt, stelae, and ceremonial structures reflect a lesser-known yet spiritually rich center of Maya life.
We’ll continue to Tenam Puente, a hilltop fortress city strategically positioned with sweeping views of the Chiapas highlands. Its terraced layout and defensive design offer insight into the region’s shifting power dynamics during the Late Classic period—all set against a breathtaking backdrop of mountains and sky.
Overnight: City Express by Marriott, Comitan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
8
Day 8
November 10, 2025
Travel Day – Tuxtla Gutiérrez to Oaxaca
Enjoy a scenic travel day with a lunch stop in Tuxtla Gutiérrez at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Express, Ixtepec
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
9
Day 9
November 11, 2025
Mitla
You’ll witness divine geometry carved in stone. We’ll walk among Mitla’s sacred mosaic walls—more than decoration, they’re portals into the Zapotec soul and its cosmic worldview.
Overnight: Hotel Victoria, Oaxaca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
10
Day 10
November 12, 2025
Monte Albán – Atzompa
We’ll rise to a mountaintop capital. From Monte Albán to its satellite city Atzompa, you’ll experience the architectural might and ritual majesty of a civilization that reigned from above.
Overnight: Hotel Cinco DeMayo, Puebla
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
11
Day 11
November 13, 2025
Cholula
You’ll walk above secrets. Explore the ancient city of Cholula, home to the largest pyramid by volume in the world. Known as Tlachihualtepetl (“man-made mountain”), this awe-inspiring structure was built over centuries and now supports a colonial-era church at its summit, blending Indigenous and Spanish heritage. Wander through underground tunnels carved into the pyramid, visit the site museum, and take in sweeping views of the surrounding volcanoes. Cholula’s vibrant streets and rich history make it a captivating highlight of our journey.
Overnight: Exhacienda Santa Cecilia, Xochitepec
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
12
Day 12
November 14, 2025
Xochicalco – National Museum of Anthropology
We’ll step into a city of convergence. At Xochicalco, you’ll witness mural-covered temples that blend Maya, Teotihuacán, and beyond—evidence of ancient globalization carved in stone.
We’ll journey through time in one of the world’s greatest museums – the National Museum of Anthropology. You’ll come face-to-face with jade masks, royal stelae, and sacred symbols that preserve Mesoamerica’s eternal voice.
Overnight: Emporiom Reforma, Mexico City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
13
Day 13
November 15, 2025
Teotihuacan
At Teotihuacan, the City of the Gods, you’ll walk the Avenue of the Dead through a ghost city of gods. Together, we’ll explore pyramids and palaces left behind by a mysterious people whose blueprints shaped entire civilizations.
Overnight: Hotel Florencia, Posa Rica
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
14
Day 14
November 16, 2025
El Tajín – Xalapa Museum of Anthropology
We’ll uncover cosmic codes in stone. With 365 niches and a sacred pyramid, El Tajín pulses with astronomical knowledge and ritual purpose—revealing a calendar encoded in architecture.
At the Xalapa museum you’ll encounter the soul of the Olmecs. We’ll wander through a sweeping collection of art, power, and sacred tradition—from colossal heads to spiritual icons that still speak today.
Overnight: City Express by Marriott, Xalapa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
15
Day 15
November 17, 2025
Catemaco
Today is all about slowing down and savoring Veracruz. We’ll head to Catemaco, a lakeside town wrapped in misty hills and famous for its serene beauty, local traditions, and mystical charm.
Afterward, we’ll return to Veracruz City to enjoy the Zócalo, where music, cafés, and the rhythms of daily life create the perfect backdrop for an evening stroll.
Overnight: Hampton by Hilton, Veracruz
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
16
Day 16
November 18, 2025
Final Depatures from veracruz
Transfer from your hotel to Veracruz Airport for your return flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pricing
Price: $7,145 USD per person (based on double occupancy). Initial deposit is $1,500 USD due at time of booking (non-refundable; see payment schedule below).
If you travel solo, we can endeavor to pair you with another tour participant. However, if you would like to stay in a single room for the duration of the tour then the supplement is $1,200 USD.
An Important Note Regarding Pricing: Tour prices may increase as we get closer to the departure date. However, once you submit your deposit, your price is locked in and guaranteed not to change, even if rates go up later.
If you add a travel companion after your deposit has been made, they will be charged the current price at the time of their registration, which may be higher. Prices are subject to change without notice until your deposit is received.
Payment Schedule:
– $1,500 USD deposit – during initial booking.
– 50% of the total tour price (not including the deposit) – due by June 30, 2025.
– Remaining balance (minus your deposit) – due by July 31, 2025.
Refund Policy Regarding Deposits and Payments:
- More than 91 days prior to the initial tour date: Loss of the initial non-refundable deposit payment
- 90–75 days prior to the initial tour date: 50% of the total tour price per person
- 74–60 days prior to the initial tour date: 75% of the total tour price per person
- 59–0 days prior to the initial tour date or nonappearance: 100% of the total tour price per person
Included: Dr. David Miano as your tour host throughout the trip; accommodations; meals – breakfast daily (except for arrival day), lunch daily (except for arrival and departures days); ground transportation; all sightseeing tours and entrances listed in the itinerary; English-speaking guide; English-speaking tour leader; reception at the airport in La Venta; airport arrival & departure transfers; government taxes; taxes.
Not Included: International flights to Veracruz (General Heriberto Jara International Airport – code: VER), personal tips made to staff or drivers, etc. Health and Travel Insurance (highly recommended).
Booking
Main Tour Options:
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Mexico Tour with Dr. David Miano – Deposit Only
$1,500.00Add to cartSecure your spot with a deposit. Final balance due by July 31, 2025.
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Mexico Tour with Dr. David Miano – Full Payment
$7,145.00Add to cartSecure your spot with full payment and save with the Early Bird Discount when you book before June 15, 2025. Lock in your price and enjoy a seamless reservation for this 14-day guided tour of ancient Mesoamerica with Dr. David Miano.
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Single Room Supplement – Mexico Tour
$1,200.00Add to cartPrefer your own space? Select this if you would like your own private room during the tour. Ideal for solo travelers or those who value personal downtime after daily excursions.
Any questions?
We are happy to answer any questions that you have may have about this Adept Expedition. Please use the form below or
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