UNESCO Sites Mexico: Discover the Amazing Heritage and Nature (9 Days Tour)

Itinerary

1. 1

   Mexico City

   Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de México - the largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. Arrive at any time before meeting your group and Tour Leader in the evening: informational meeting, welcome dinner, and optional get-together with the rest of the group in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Transportation : walking • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City • Meals Included : dinner • Activities : welcome meeting

2. 2

   Mexico City

   Join your group to visit and explore the UNESCO-listed gems of Mexico City: Chapultepec Castle (walking tour), Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo (guided visit), Central Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (walking tour), Xochimilco (boat tour). Optional dinner and get-together with the group in the evening. ­ • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City • Meals Included : breakfast • Activities Included : walking tours in the Chapultepec Castle & Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; guided visit toMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo; boat tour in Xochimilco • Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x) : Xochimilco; Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

3. 3

   Mexico City - Xochicalco - Cuernavaca - Tepoztlan

   Firstly, go to Xochicalco - ruins of the ancient Mesoamerican city whose apogee came after the fall of Teotihuacán. After exploring the archeological zone, continue to Cuernavaca. Known as "the City of Eternal Spring", this capital of the state is flanked by imposing hills and is festive all year round. After a walking tour of the Historic Center, optional lunch, visit to the UNESCO-listed Cuernavaca Cathedral and a nearby 40-meter-high San Anton Waterfall, head to Tepoztlán. Located at the foot of Tepozteco Mountain, this "Magical Town" is the result of the combination of the unique ancient traditions and wisdom that enrich its many cultural expressions, such as esotericism, pre-Hispanic and vice-regal treasures, the counterculture, ecotourism or the simplicity of its everyday life. Check-in, orientation walk of the Historic Center, optional dinner, and get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Tepotztlán • Meals Included : breakfast • Activities Included : guided visit to Xochicalco; walking tours in Cuernavaca & Tepotztlán • Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x) : Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco; Cuernavaca Cathedral; Convento de la Natividad o de la Anunciación in Tepoztlán

4. 4

   Tepoztlan - Tlayacapan - Oaxtepec - Puebla

   After a guided hike to El Tepozteco Archaeological Zone, go to the "Magic Town" of Tlayacapan. Being there is like stopping time and enjoying a break in your life while observing the majesty of perfectly carved murals in the UNESCO-listed Former Convent of San Juan Bautista, with walls that seem to form a celestial vault to guard the recently discovered mummies. After a walking tour around the Historic Center of the town, we will move to the nearby town of Oaxtepec to see the UNESCO-listed Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Finally, we will finish our day in Puebla - a vibrant capital of the same-named state that retains a fantastically well-preserved center, a stunning cathedral, and a wealth of beautiful churches. After check-in and some rest at our accommodation, we will go out for an evening orientation walk of the Historic Center and optional dinner in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Puebla • Meals Included : breakfast • Activities Included : guided hike to El Tepozteco Archaeological Zone; orientation walks in Tlayacapan, Oaxtepec & Puebla. • Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x) : Ex-Convent of San Juan Bautista in Tlayacapan; Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxtepec; Historic Centre of Puebla

5. 5

   Puebla - Cholula - Teotihuacan - Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque - Queretaro

   Start your day in Cholula - the oldest city in the Americas inhabited without interruption since its origins. There, see the Great Pyramid of Cholula, the world's largest pyramid topped by the Virgen de Los Remedios church. After an orientation walk of the Historic Center of the town, go to Teotihuacán - a complex of awesome pyramids, set amid what was once Mesoamerica’s greatest city. After a guided visit to the archeological zone, we will go to visit an impressive Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque built by the Jesuits in the 16th century. Finally, in the evening we will arrive at Queretaro - one of the most representative examples of Spanish Colonial cities with buildings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. After check-in and some rest at our accommodation, we will go out for an evening walking tour around the Historic Center and optional dinner in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Querétaro • Meals Included : breakfast • Activities Included : guided visit to Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán & Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System; walking tours in Cholula & Querétaro • Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x) : Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán; Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System; Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro

6. 6

   Queretaro - San Miguel de Allende - Guanajuato

   In the morning, go to San Miguel de Allende - a small city with a huge cultural heritage and a cosmopolitan population that preserves its true colonial feeling. After a walking tour of its Historic Center and optional lunch, go to Guanajuato, passing by the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco on the way. This church complex built in the 18th century features the mural work of Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre that is often dubbed the "Sistine Chapel of Mexico." Evening arrival to Guanajuato - an opulent colonial city, located among gold and silver deposits, with its greatest peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. After check-in and some rest at our accommodation, go out for an evening orientation walk around the Historic Center and optional dinner in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Guanajuato • Meals Included : breakfast • Activities Included : walking tours in San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato; guided visit to the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco; cable car to Monumento Al Pipila in Guanajuato • Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (2x) : Protective town of San Miguel de Allende and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco; Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines

7. 7

   Guanajuato - Isla de Janitzio- Patzcuaro - Morelia

   In the morning, visit Janitzio - the main island of Lago de Pátzcuaro, famous for the butterfly fishermen that you can see on the 50-peso banknote. Afterward, continue our tour in Pátzcuaro - a picturesque colonial town founded in the 1320s as the capital of the Tarascan state. Finally, after a walking tour of Pátzcuaro and an optional lunch, we will go to Morelia. Known as the "City of the Pink Stone", it's home to numerous Baroque and Neoclassical monuments. Check-in, walking tour of the Historic Center, optional dinner, and get-together in one of the local restaurants in the evening. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle • Meals Included : breakfast • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Morelia • Activities Included : walking tours in Morelia and Pátzcuaro; boat tour to Isla de Janitzio • Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x) : Historic Centre of Morelia

8. 8

   Morelia - Los Azufres

   In the morning, take your time to explore the city independently or join your Tour Leader for a continuation of a walking tour of Morelia. In the afternoon, head to Los Azufres - a rustic spa resort situated in the middle of the mountains with several hot springs and a sulfur mud lake. Once there, relax your body and mind in thermal springs and vapor rooms, or get an optional massage. Optional farewell dinner and get-together in the local restaurant in the evening. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Morelia • Meals Included : breakfast • Activities Included : walking tours in Morelia & Pátzcuaro; boat tour to Isla de Janitzio; access to spa facilities in Los Azufres (thermal springs with sulfur mud, vapor rooms) • Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x) : Historic Centre of Morelia

9. 9

   Los Azufres - Mexico City

   Morning departure to Mexico City. In winter, on the way, we will visit the nearby Monarch Butterfly UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - a breathtaking over-wintering site of the eastern population of the monarch butterfly. In summer, instead, we will go to Angangueo - a small town with rich mining traditions located in high rugged forested mountains. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle • Meals Included : breakfast • Activities Included : orientation walk of Angangueo (Mar-Oct) or guided hike in Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Nov-Feb) • Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x) : Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Nov-Feb only)

Important information

Meeting point

• Your accommodation in Mexico City (exact location to be provided in trip notes before the tour).
  Zócalo, Ciudad de México
  View on Google Maps

Cancellation policy

100% charge if you cancel less than 360 hours in advance. 50% charge if you cancel less than 720 hours in advance. No charge if you cancel more than 60 days in advance.