Mexican Day of the Dead

Arrival in Mexico City
On arrival at the airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Mexico City is quickly becoming a must-see destination in Central America with its revamped public spaces, exciting new culinary scene and buzzing downtown area. These combined with the city's historical elements make for what is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

Shrine of Guadalupe and Pyramids of Teotihuacan
Located 50 kilometers’ northeast of Mexico City are the 'must-see' archaeological ruins of Teotihuacan - the site of the massive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon which dominate the skyline of the complex. This was once the country's biggest ancient city and capital of the Aztec people, who ruled over the largest empire in the pre-Hispanic era. Guarded by mountains, this magnificent city is thought to have been founded early in the 1st century AD and reached its peak around 500 AD, when its influence extended down to Guatemala and as far north as present-day Texas. With the help of a local guide, we’ll have time to stroll down ‘The Avenue of the Dead’, uncover its many wonders, and imagine what life must have been like nearly two thousand years ago. We will also visit the Basilica de Guadalupe, Latin America’s most revered religious shrine where the Virgin of Guadalupe is said to have appeared before an Indian named Juan Diego in 1531, and an image of her was miraculously emblazoned on his cloak. We will have time to explore the New Basilica de Guadalupe (the Old Basilica, built in 1700, is slowly sinking) and to see Juan Diego’s cloak. After our exploration, we return to Mexico City in the afternoon.

Breakfast included.

Historical Center - Museum of Anthropology
Today we will explore magnificent Mexico City, built by the Spanish on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the old Aztec capital. The city's historical heart is its vast central square, or El Zocalo, and on this tour, you'll also visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is the largest church in all of Latin America. You’ll also drive along the famous boulevard Paseo de la Reforma, built during the short-lived reign of Emperor Maximilian to connect the main square and his castle in Chapultepec.

You'll also visit the National Palace, which hosts Diego Rivera’s murals depicting the history of Mexico, and is one of the oldest government seats in the world. Our last stop is the Museum of Anthropology, where we will have some time to explore the treasures of the Aztec culture at one of the finest archaeological museums in the world.

** Due to the change of residence of the President of Mexico and his family to the National Palace, visits to the National Palace, including the contemplation of Diego Rivera's murals, are not available for the time being, instead it will be possible to visit Diego Rivera's Murals at the Ministry of Public Education or another venue. **
*Please note that the Museum of Anthropology is closed on Mondays. *

Breakfast included.

Xochimilco Cooking Class, Boat Ride, Frida Kahlo & Coyoacan
This morning you will drive down into Mexico City’s southern neighbourhoods. Reach Xochimilco, a marine ecological reserve and UNESCO World Heritage site, where you will meet with locals and have your first cooking experience. Stroll through the colourful local market for some fresh ingredients and cook in the private kitchen of a local Xochimilco lady. Enjoy lunch from your own creation whilst taking a short ride in a traditional Trajinera boat through the canals of Xochimilco that once connected many settlements of the Valley of Mexico. Your driver moves the boat along by pulling a pole through the water and you can relax under the shade of your boat’s roof as you gaze at other vibrantly painted vessels carrying passengers and goods and even enjoy some local entertainment as local mariachis are available to sing to you.

This afternoon you will visit the Coyoacan colonial quarter and Frida Kahlo Museum, where not only art and surreal ambience is beautiful in the former living house of the painter together with her husband Diego Rivera, but you can also see an example of a traditional kitchen and how it is still used in many rural homes. Later in the afternoon you will return to your hotel.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Mexico City toTaxco
Today we will start with the visit to Cuernavaca, a city’ located 89 kilometers south of Mexico City, is famous for enjoying a warm temperature of approximately 23º C throughout the year, it known as known as 'The City of Eternal Spring, making a stop at Cuernavaca Cathedral, one of the oldest in America. We will continue to Xochicalco, the name of this site means "the House of Flowers" and it is believed that the time of its splendor was between 650 A. D. and 900 A. D. It was an important Mesoamerican settlement after the decline of Teotihuacan and Mayan cities. Finally, our last stop will be Taxco, the "World Capital of the Silver", place where it will be possible to enter a silver workshop and admire the beauty of the Parish of Santa Prisca.

Breakfast included.

Taxco Walking Tour
Today we enjoy a walking tour of Taxco where we explore its beautiful cobblestone streets, perfectly preserved colonial architecture and the twin belfries of its baroque masterpiece, the Templo de Santa Prisca. We also explore the local art galleries and silver market before returning to your hotel. Afternoon at your leisure.

Breakfast included.

Taxco to Puebla via Cholula
Today we head south toward Puebla, making a stop in Cholula to explore one of the largest and most fascinating archaeological sites in the Americas. The Great Pyramid of Cholula, located just outside of Puebla, is the largest pyramid in the world, surpassing even Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza in base size. This incredible structure, now crowned by a 17th-century church built by the Spanish, offers stunning panoramic views of nearby volcanoes from its summit, blending ancient history with breathtaking natural beauty.

Afterwards, we’ll continue to Puebla, fondly known as “The City of Angels.” Here, you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour through Puebla’s beautiful historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts architectural gems from the 16th to 18th centuries. As we stroll, you'll discover notable sites like the iconic Plaza de Armas and the impressive Puebla Cathedral, one of the most significant in Mexico. We’ll also visit the magnificent Church of Santo Domingo, a baroque masterpiece adorned with intricate details and the stunning Chapel of the Rosary.

The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure, and we highly recommend sampling Puebla’s renowned cuisine. Some must-try local dishes include chiles en nogada (stuffed poblano chiles topped with walnut sauce and pomegranate), molotes (crispy, savory turnovers often filled with spicy sausage), and tinga (a flavorful shredded pork or chicken dish served with tortillas).

- Please note: The archaeological site of Cholula is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Breakfast included.

Puebla to Oaxaca via Cactus Garden & Monte Alban
Today our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to your hotel in Oaxaca approximately 4.5 hours away.

On our drive towards Oaxaca we will make a stop at the Natural reserve of Tehuacán to visit the botanical cactus reserve in Zapotitlán Cuicatlán. This reserve is cared for by the local communities and houses plenty of different cactus species native to the country and is well worth a visit. Afterwards we will continue to Monte Albán, one of Mexico's most spectacular archaeological sites, spectacularly situated on a mountain 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley. We will explore the Gran Plaza, the Ball Court, the Observatory, the Palace, and other beautiful structures before arriving at your hotel in Oaxaca.

Oaxaca, located in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur, was once the centre of the Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations, and despite distinctively Spanish architecture, the city remains basically Indian at heart. Oaxaca is also a great area for trying out new tastes at its array of restaurants and markets. It's the perfect place to try Mexico's most traditional drink, Mezcal.

Breakfast included.

Walking Tour & Markets
After breakfast, begin your walking tour in the center of Oaxaca and visit the San Francisco Church, the Zocalo, the Cathedral and the colourful markets where you can try the mezcal, tlayudas and typical food of Oaxaca. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Breakfast included.

El Tule, Mitla, Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery
Today you will visit the majestic Tule Tree who's diameter has earned it the title of the widest cyress in the world. Continuing on you will visit the fascinating buildings of the Zapotec city of Mitla. This archaeological zone in Oaxaca stands out not only for its beauty but also for incorporating geometric grecas in its architecture unlike any other ruins in Mexico. Your next stop will be to Teotitlan del Valle, ideal for the purchase of wool garments before heading towards the unique landscape offered by the petrified waterfalls of Hierve El Agua. The last visit on this tour will be to a mezcal distillery where you will observe the manufacturing process of this rich drink while you delight the palate while tasting it.

Breakfast included.

Etla Market, Arts Centre & Paper Factory
The Etla Market is a relatively small market which is held near the city centre. The Villa de Etla, of course, is famous for cheese, 'Quesillo' and dairy products in general and there will be plenty of them in the market. Etla's market day is Wednesdays when the streets are filled with vendors in an authentic 'Tianguis' style. You will then visit the Centro de las Artes de San Agustin, the first ecological arts centre in Latin America which is committed to training, creating and artistic experimentation. You will finally visit a paper factory where you will learn about the paper making process.

Breakfast included.

Zaachila Market, Altars & XoXo Cemetery
The Zaachila Market is the most traditional of all Tianguis as it is completely open-air - today you will still find vendors who sit on the floor with extended tablecloths to display their merchandise. Zaachila was historically the Zapotec capital of Oaxaca after Monte Alban fell under the control of the Mixtec’s, thus becoming a focal point for trade within the Oaxaca Valley. Today the Zaachila market is practically the same, sellers and consumers from the surrounding villages come to the Zaachila market to do business with all the things necessary for everyday life. The market sells a wide variety of flowers, fruits, vegetables, tools, seeds, dry food and much more - there is even a thriving cattle market. In the Zaachila market you will find a wide variety of flowers, fruits, vegetables, tools, seeds, dry food and much more; there is even a thriving cattle market. Year after year, in the municipal esplanade, next to the main clock, they place altars with arches of flowers and cane; in the seven floors of the offering, chocolate, mole, mezcal and coffee are always present as well as several sugar skulls of all sizes, yolk bread, seasonal fruit and cigars. In the center there are photographs of the honored ones and one or another Christian image.

Tonight we will visit the XoXo Cemetery. Night time is when the towns people tend to take care of their dead all night, decorating the tombs in a special way, accompanied by music, mezcal and food.

Breakfast included.

Departure
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast included.