Colonial Mexico Explorer

DAY 01 –  MEXICO CITY

Welcome to Mexico. Transfer to hotel and free time. Our guide will contact you late in the afternoon.

DAY 02 –  MEXICO CITY

Today we have a fantastic day to acquaint ourselves with Mexico. We include a sightseeing tour of the city. We will visit the Plaza of Three Cultures, the historic center in which the Zócalo (main square) and its Metropolitan Cathedral stand out, the main Aztec temple, Chapultepec Park, the “Paseo de la Reforma” Avenue, and the other main avenues of this impressive city. At the end of the visit, we travel to the BASILICA OF GUADALUPE, the most visited Catholic temple in the Americas where the Virgin of Guadalupe is found. There we will be able to explore the old basilica dating back to the 18th Century and also the modern temple. In the afternoon we travel to the neighborhood of XOCHIMILCO, a wonderful place with its canals and semi-floating gardens. Here we include a ride in a “trajinera”, one of the boats festooned with flowers. In the evening, we include a transfer to the Plaza de GARIBALDI, with its many bars, restaurants, and bars where tacos and tequila are served and the Mariachis sing. Dinner is included in a traditional restaurant.

Day 03 – MEXICO CITY ➔ MORELIA ➔ PATZCUARO

We leave México DF, and amidst green countryside we enter the state of Michoacán. We travel to MORELIA, the splendid Michoacán capital whose center, with its magnificent cathedral, was declared UNESCO World Heritage. Time for lunch and a stroll in the center. After this, we see PATZCUARO, a pretty colonial village with its outstanding Basilica of Our Lady of Health and the house of the eleven courtyards which today is a craft center. Night in this “magical village”.

Day 04 – PATZCUARO ➔ TZINTZUNTZAN ➔ CHAPALA ➔ TLAQUEPAQUE ➔ GUADALAJARA

We set out for the state of Jalisco. We stop in TZINTZUNTZAN to know this town next to Lake Patzcuaro, which was the most important city of the Purepecha empire. We will visit the Franciscan Convent of Santa Ana, with its olive trees almost five hundred years old. In front of it are the Yácatas, ancient Purepecha Pyramids. We´ll see Lake Chapala, the largest natural lake in Mexico, surrounded by mountains. CHAPALA, time for a stroll and lunch in this small touristic city by the lake. We stop in the TLAQUEPAQUE district with its picturesque streets full of shops and craftsmen. Arrival in GUADALAJARA, capital of Jalisco and the birthplace of Mariachi and Tequila.

Day 05 – GUADALAJARA

In the morning we include a visit to Guadalajara, the modern metropolis with its colonial historic center, its cathedral, its market, its Tapatía square. We will enter the Cabañas Hospice, declared Unesco World Heritage. After the visit, we will go on to the next town of TEQUILA, we will include an entrance to the MUNDO CUERVO distillery and will see how this famous Mexican drink is made (entrance and tasting included). After this, it is time for a stroll and lunch in the picturesque town of Tequila. After lunch, we return to Guadalajara.

Day 06 – GUADALAJARA ➔ GUANAJUATO

We travel to the state of GUANAJUATO. Arrival at midday. In the afternoon we include a city tour of this very beautiful university city declared World Heritage, its steep slopes, its narrow streets, its churches, and we also include a cable car ride to admire the view from “el Pípila”.

Day 07 – GUANAJUATO ➔ DOLORES HIDALGO ➔ SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE ➔ QUERETARO

Amidst the mountains, we will travel to DOLORES HIDALGO, the city that is the cradle of Mexican independence. Afterwards we head to SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, a beautiful city with vice regal architecture and cobbled streets declared World Heritage. Time for a stroll. In the afternoon, we visit the ATOTONILCO Sanctuary, known as the “Century of God and the Patria”, World Heritage site (sometimes it will not be possible to visit inside due to the retreats that take place there). We then go to QUERETARO, with its very beautiful colonial center, its main square, its busy restaurants and pedestrian streets.

Day 08 – QUERETARO ➔ TEOTIHUACAN ➔ MEXICO CITY

We travel to TEOTIHUACAN, in Náhuatl “the place where men become gods”, one of the most impressive cities in the ancient world. Here we admire the pyramids of the sun and the moon, entrance and tour. Continuation to MEXICO CITY, arrival at lunchtime.

Day 09 – MEXICO CITY

Breakfast. End of our services. Transfer from the hotel to the airport is not included.