Colonial Jewels of Mexico

Meet and greet with a local representative and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, get to know one of the world's largest and most exciting cities! Enjoy a guided visit to the historical center, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. This interesting tour will include "The Zocalo", the heart of the city, where you will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest of the Americas, and (if open) the National Palace, home of the famous murals of Diego Rivera. You will also see the ruins of the Templo Mayor, one of the most important temples of the Aztecs in their ancient capital city of Tenochtitlan. Next, we drive down the beautiful Paseo de la Reforma Avenue to arrive at Chapultepec Park, to visit the Museum of Anthropology. This museum is considered to be among the world's finest of its kind. Here you will admire, among many other interesting treasures, the famous Aztec calendar stone.

After breakfast, we will discover Teotihuacán, 'the place where gods were created'. Teotihuacan is one of the most impressive archaeological sites of the country. It is assumed that the city may have counted 200,000 inhabitants during its period of prosperity. In those years, Teotihuacán was the biggest city of the American continent and one of the biggest of the world. Until its inhabitants abandoned the city around the 8th century, Teotihuacan was probably the most significant and civilized cultural center of ancient Mexico. During this guided excursion you see (and climb?) the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, walk down the Avenue of the Dead, visit the Temple of Quetzalcoatl with its unique stone sculptures of plumed serpents, the Temple of the Butterflies, and the Fortresses. Before arriving back at your hotel, we make a stop at the Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a pilgrimage place for millions of Mexicans and people from all around the world.

Today we will leave the big city. Departure to Tula. Once upon a time, after the fall of Teotihuacan, Tula was the capital of the Toltecs and one of the most powerful cities of Mesoamerica. The most famous building of this archeological site is the temple of 'Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli', an impressive pyramid with beautiful statues of Toltec warriors (Atlantes) on top of it. We will then continue to Queretaro, an attractive city which has played a crucial role in Mexican history. In Queretaro, we will enjoy an included lunch. After a short tour around the town's well preserved historic center, recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage, we will go to San Miguel de Allende, one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. Let us show you the highlights of the city, including the famous "Parish of San Miguel", the iconic church in Neo-Gothic style, with the pink, sugar-candy pointing towers. These bizarre towers were designed by an untutored Indian, Zeferino Gutierrez, in the late 19th century. In the main chapel, you will see the much-revered image of the Cristo de la Conquista, made from cornstalks and orchid bulbs by Indians in Patzcuaro in the 16th century. In the evening you will have some free time for dinner and to enjoy the night ambiance of the city. Also a great opportunity for shopping typical crafts. Included: Breakfast in Hotel, Transportation, Guided visit to the archeological site of Tula in English, Entry to archeological site of Tula, Lunch in Queretaro, Walking Tour in Queretaro in English, Overnight Hotel in San Miguel de Allende

In the morning we will go for a short drive to the town of Atotonilco. Here we will visit the Chapel built in the XVI century. You can see the fusion of the European and PreHispanic cultures in its walls and ceilings. We will continue to the town of Dolores Hidalgo, a small town where Miguel Hidalgo, father of Mexico, delivered his famous "Grito de Dolores" (Cry for Independence). This cry symbolizes the start of the Mexican independence movement in the early nineteenth century. In the evening we will arrive in Guanajuato. After check in at the hotel, we will go for a night-tour to see the illuminated center of the city.

With its history as an important mining center, Guanajuato derived great wealth from its abundant silver deposits. The city is a true jewel among Mexico's colonial cities. You will be surprised by its beauty, with its winding lanes, its plazuelas shaded by Indian laurels, its large variety of decorative styles, and its curious underground avenue. In the morning we will further explore the city. Enjoy sights such as the Hidalgo market, Juarez Theater, the University, the "Alley of the Kiss", the Alhondiga de Granaditas, and the monument of El Pipila. After this, we will travel to San Luis Potosi. Panoramic tour of the center and then continue to the beautiful city of Zacatecas, a magnificent historic monument of the vice royal era, located on a hillside of the Cerro de la Bufa. At night we will for a walk to get a first impression of this colonial jewel.

Pink quarry stone constructions and plazas, filigree ironwork on balconies, narrow streets and stone paved streets, polished by time, characterize Zacatecas. The city was founded in 1548, originally as a residence for those working in the surrounding mines. In the time it became a cultural center with a beautiful architecture. Visit the cathedral, built in 1752, which is considered a masterpiece of the baroque style. You will have a gorgeous panoramic view of the city from Cerro de la Bufa, where we take the cable car and visit the Eden mine. It will be a great experience entering the mine, as we hop on a small train with narrow wagons, similar to those used in the New Spain era to transport precious minerals. Next, travel to western Mexico, to the pottery village of Tlaquepaque. Tlaquepaque is probably Mexico's largest and most important arts and crafts center, hosting wares from all over the country. Present day Tlaquepaque is still rich in local tradition and art. It attracts many of Jalisco's most talented artists and has a reputation for the quality and diversity of its products. We then proceed to nearby Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city and home of many of Mexico's most beloved traditions.

Today we start with a visit to the town of Tequila, to the origins of Mexico's most famous liquor. On the way to Tequila, we will enjoy spectacular views of agave plantations. In the colorful town of Tequila, we will visit one of the most recognized haciendas dedicated to the production of tequila, to learn about the production process of Mexico's national drink. Of course, we will also have the opportunity to taste some tequila! Afterward, return to Guadalajara. Back in Guadalajara, we will go for a tour including the huge twin-towered cathedral surrounded by attractive plazas, the "Government Palace", Degollado Theater, and Hospicio Cabañas.

In the morning, departure to Lake Chapala, the biggest lake in Mexico, surrounded by mountains. We visit Chapala and then continue to the State of Michoacán. A short visit is planned in Tzintzuntzan, once the capital of the Purepecha people. Next stop will be Pátzcuaro, a magical town located on a large lake, famous for its colonial beauty and unique for its traditional customs. Among its attractions are the "Basilique of Our Lady of Health", the "House of the Eleven Patios", and the historic center. Don't miss the traditional "Danza de los Viejitos" (Dance of the Old Men), probably the most entertaining Purépecha tradition. After some free time, at the end of the afternoon, we proceed to Morelia. This beautiful city was founded in 1541 by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza, with the name of Valladolid. In 1828 its name was changed to Morelia, to honor Don Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, the hero of the Mexican independence movement. Morelia is known as the aristocrat among Mexico's colonial cities. Enjoy the wide variety of cafes and restaurants with typical dishes from the region.

Tour through the historic center of Morelia, listed as World Heritage. Here you can see some of the most beautiful examples of baroque architecture from the XVII and XVIII centuries. We will visit the Cathedral - with a Baroque exterior and Neoclassic interior - Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace, the Clavijero Palace, and the monumental Aqueduct. After this, we will depart towards the town of Tepotzotlan, for a short visit of this beautiful place and its impressive church (nowadays the Vice Regal Museum). Late in the afternoon we continue towards Mexico City, arriving around 06:00 pm. Possibility for dropoff at the airport, without an extra charge, or inquire about an extension in Mexico City.