Come to Mexico to explore the variety of cultures within the country during an exciting 12 day tour. Your trip will start in Mexico City and gradually wind its way back with stops in cities such as Queretaro, Zacateces, and Morelia! Enjoy learning about the history behind each town you stop in, as well as indulging in traditional handicrafts, clothing, and cuisine! This is a country with many faces and you'll be glad to experience them all on your journey!
Day 1: Mexico City, Mexico - Tour Begins
You'll be flying overnight to Mexico City. Upon landing, check into your hotel, and then join your fellow travelers for a delicious welcome dinner.
Day 2: Mexico City, Mexico
Today features a guided tour of Mexico City. Your starting point will be the Centro Historico, home to Plaza de la Constitucion, the second largest square in the world. Enjoy visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral which offers views of the ruins of Templo Mayor, housing shrines to the gods of war and rain. Visit the world famous shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe before going to a demonstration of how the cactus plant can be used and the art of jewelry making and stone crafting. Stop in the ancient first city of the Americas, Teotihuacan, where you can view Mexico's tallest pyramid. End the day at a folklore ballet show, featuring many traditional Mexican dances, music, and costumes.
Day 3: Mexico City - Queretaro - Guanajuato
Take a drive through the valleys and hill of central Mexico en route to Queretaro. After arriving, you'll have free time for lunch and exploring the city on your own. View colonial buildings sporting Baroque architecture while walking boulevards lined with trees. Your next stop for the day will be in Guanajuato, full of streets winding into open plazas and cozy squares.
Day 4: Guanajuato - San Miguel de Allende - Guanajuato
Following breakfast, you'll be traveling to the mountain city of San Miguel de Allende. Spend the day walking the cobblestone streets, viewing gorgeous colonial mansions, and browsing the shops in the town square.
Day 5: Guanajuato - Zacatecas
Meet up with a local guide for a tour of Guanajuato, including the Alhondiga de Granaditos Museum where you'll learn why this city is a cornerstone for the independence movement in Mexico. Union Garden and Mercado Hidalgo, a building designed by Gustave Eiffel, are also sites you'll see. In the afternoon, you'll be taking a drive through vineyards and valleys on your way to the culturally rich colonial town of Zacatecas.
Day 6: Zacatecas
"The City of Light and Color," Zacatecas is home to the richest silver veins in the world and was converted into a mining town in the 1700s. A tour of the city includes the Cathedral of Zacatecas, the Plaza de Armas, and the Rafael Coronel Museum, home to more than 4,000 hand-crafted Mexican masks. You'll also be taken on a tour of the El Eden Silver Mine and enjoy a view of the city from atop Bufa Hill.
Day 7: Zacatecas - Tlaquepaque - Guadalajara
Enjoy browsing shops, buying hand-made stone and ceramic crafts, and sampling regional cuisine in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco today. Marvel at well-preserved colonial houses while listening to mariachi bands play. End the day with a visit to Hospicio Cabana in Guadalajara. This chapel was built in the early 20th century and is now covered in murals, some of which are by the artist José Clemente Orozco.
Day 8: Guadalajara - Tequila - Guadalajara
Visit an agave field today to experience the technique of cultivating a blue agave plant, an important part of Mexico's national spirit, Tequila. The Mundo Cuervo Brewery and Museum will allow you insight into the process of how agave is converted into different grades of tequila. Enjoy the rest of the day sipping fine tequila or exploring the town square and its many shops and restaurants.
Day 9: Guadalajara - Patzcuaro - Morelia
Take a ride to the town of Patzcuaro, the "Pueblo of Magic," in Michoacan. Home to the Purepechas Indians, this region is rich in culture as is evident in the traditional attire and costumes the Indians wear. You'll have free time to interact with the locals and tour Vasco de Quiroga Square. Next, you'll be arriving in Morelia, a colonial and aristocratic city where Tarascan Indian traditions still lives on and can be seen in the garments of the locals as well as the crafts they produce.
Day 10: Morelia
Today you'll be touring Morelia, where sights of the city center, the aqueduct, the baroque cathedral, and the National Palace will thrill you. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Morelia on your own and tasting popular Purepecha dishes.
Day 11: Morelia - Mexico City
You'll be returning to Mexico City today for a tour of the famous National Museum of Anthropology, designed by Pedro Ramirez Vasquez. A number of exhibits within will introduce you to important history in the regions of Mexico such as the Aztec calendar, artifacts from Chuchen Itza, and stone Olmec heads recovered from the jungles of Veracruz and Tabasco. Follow a guide as they take you through the museum and teach you about different Mexican cultures such as the Aztec, the Teotihuacan, and the Mayas. Your farewell dinner will be in the evening.
Day 12: Mexico City - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to an end in Mexico City today. Admire the souvenirs you've picked up during your stay. It's a tangible part of Mexico that you can take with you along with the many wonderful experiences you've had.
*Airfare not included in total price
