Day of the Dead: Mexico All inclusive

DAY ONE: WE WELCOME YOU TO MEXICO! WE WILL BE TRACKING YOUR FLIGHT FOR ON TIME PICK UP FROM AEROPUERTO INTERNACIONAL BENITO JUÁREZ, CUIDAD DE MEXICO (MEX). WE’LL TRAVEL AS A GROUP TO OUR HOTEL FOR THE NEXT THREE NIGHTS IN MEXICO CITY’S HISTORIC CITY CENTER(HOTEL HISTORICO CENTRAL OR SIMILAR). AFTER WE SETTLE INTO OUR ROOMS, WE’LL GATHER AS A GROUP AND ENJOY A WELCOME DINNER AT ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY, LA CASA DE LOS AZULEJOS.

START YOUR DAY OFF ENJOYING A BREAKFAST BUFFET AT YOUR HOTEL BEFORE CHECKING OUT. WE START BRIGHT AND EARLY ON A GUIDED TOUR TO THE TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMIDS, A VAST ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX NORTHEAST OF MEXICO CITY BUILT BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 7TH CENTURIES A.D. AFTER OUR VISIT, WE’LL ENJOY AN AUTHENTIC TRADITIONAL LUNCH IN A BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANT IN A CAVE JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE PYRAMIDS.

AFTER LUNCH, WE’LL HEAD TO A DONKEY SANCTUARY. WE WILL HAVE FREE TIME TO EXPLORE AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PET AND FEED THESE BIG TEETH FRIENDS. INCLUDES ONE BUCKET OF CARROTS (THE DONKEYS FAVORITE SNACK)

RELAX AS WE HEAD TO OUR STOP FOR THE NIGHT IN NATIONAL PARK EL CHICO IN THE STATE OF HIDALGO. OUR HOTEL IS TUCKED IN THE FOREST ALLOWING YOU TO DISCONNECT FROM THE BUSY CITY EXPERIENCED THE PREVIOUS DAYS. AFTER WE GET SITUATED IN OUR ROOMS, WE’LL REGROUP AND HEAD INTO TOWN. WE’LL ENJOY SOME DELICIOUS FLAT BREADS AND ENJOY A LOCAL ALCOHOL DRINK TASTING. NON ALCOHOL OPTION AVAILABLE.

START YOUR DAY OFF ENJOYING BREAKFAST A LA CARTE AT YOUR HOTEL BEFORE CHECKING OUT. THIS MORNING WE SET OFF ON A BREATHTAKING HIKE IN THE FORESTS TO MIRADOR PENA DE CUERVO, THEN WE WILL BE HEAD TO THE BASALTIC PRISMS IN THE CITY OF HUASCA. WE’LL HAVE FREE TIME TO EXPLORE ON OUR OWN.

NEXT, WE’LL HEAD TO THE TOWN OF REAL DEL MONTE, A COLORFUL COLONIAL MINING TOWN. WE’LL HOP ON BOARD A SMALL SIGHTSEEING BUS AND HAVE FREE TIME TO EXPLORE ON OUR OWN AFTER. THIS IS A GREAT STOP TO SHOP FOR SOUVENIRS. BEFORE LEAVING, WE’LL HAVE A LOCAL DELICACY, PASTES, BROUGHT TO THE AREA BY BRITISH MINERS.

WE’LL HAVE TIME TO REST DURING OUR TRANSFER TO THE TOWN OF ZACATLAN, Nestled in the Sierra Norte mountain range of the state of Puebla. You’ll have free time this afternoon to explore and walk around the colorful main sqaure, admire the monumental clock adorned with flowers and THE mosaic murals AROUND THE TOWN. We will regroup in the evening to enjoy a tasty dinner in a local restaurant.

START YOUR DAY OFF ENJOYING BREAKFAST AT YOUR HOTEL BEFORE CHECKING OUT. this morning will be filled with adventure and will immerse us into beautiful lush greenery. We will explore the Tuliman waterfalls nestled in the Puebla mountain range. We’ll hike through the forests stopping along the way to admire the waterfalls. OPTIONAL ADD ON: ZIP-line (850m) our next stop is at a lookout point with a glass skybridge, giving you sweeping views of Barranca de los Jilgueros. we’ll stop for lunch on our way to puebla city, our stop for the night. Puebla de Zaragoza is the capital of Mexico's Puebla state. well-conserved Baroque-style architecture, a UNESCO-recognized historic center and iconic regional dishes, are just a few reason why Puebla's blend of modernity and rich history make the city a must-visit. Once in puebla, we’ll walk through an artisanal market where you can find Talavera pottery and traditional clothing to wax dolls, blown glass, and Amozco silverware. after, you’ll have free time to explore its city center, enter the catedral or simply sit and relax in the gardens in the town square. We will regroup for dinner to enjoy a mole tasting as well as other traditional foods at a local restaurant.

START YOUR DAY OFF ENJOYING BREAKFAST AT YOUR HOTEL BEFORE CHECKING OUT. TODAY WE WILL BE JUMPING AROUND VISITING TWO OF THE MOST QUAINT TOWNS IN THIS REGION BEFORE RETURNING TO MEXICO CITY WE’LL START OFF WITH A GUIDED TOUR OF THE TOWN OF CHOLULA VISITING: The Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios, an iconic and eye-catching church built on top of the great pyramid of Cholula. Archaeological Zone of Cholula: the largest pyramid in the world by volume. ZOCALO AND PLAZA DE LA CONCORDIO: MAIN SQAURES CHOLULA MARKET CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO ACATEPEC: ONE OF THE FIRST CHURCHES FOUNDING IN THIS REGION, FEATURING AN EYE CATCHING FACADE OF RED BRICK ADORNED WITH TALAVERA TILE. CORN WORKSHOP AND LUNCH: LEARN ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS OF TURNING CORN INTO FLOUR. LEARN HOW USE A NIXTAMAL, LEARN A FEW NATIVE WORDS IN NAHUATL AND HELP MAKE TORTILLAS FOR LUNCH.

OUR NEXT STOP WILL BE AT THE TOWN OF VAL’QUIRICO, a captivating destination that seamlessly blends the rich culture of Mexico with the timeless charm of the Italian countryside. WE WILL HAVE TIME TO Stroll through the streets DECORATED WITH ALTARS HONORING LOVED ONES AND ENJOY TIME IN THE MAIN SQUARE. WE WILL HAVE TIME TO REST as we make our way back to Mexico city. we will check into our hotel for the next three nights. after settling in, we’ll ENJOY SOME OF MEXICO’S BEST TACOS AND DESERT FOR DINNER.

DAY 6: START YOUR DAY OFF ENJOYING A BREAKFAST BUFFET AT YOUR HOTEL. OUR DAY BEGINS VISITING THE FRIDA KAHLO MUSUEM, DEDICATED TO THE LIFE AND WORK OF THIS MEXICAN ARTIST. AFTER, WE’LL CRUISE ALONG THE AZTEC-ERA XOCHIMILCO CANALS, ON A MEXICAN GONDOLA. LISTEN TO LIVE MARIACHI MUSIC AND ENJOY A 2 HOUR CRUISE WITH A STOP AT THE SPOOKY DOLL ISLAND. FRUIT, SNACKS AND NON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS WILL BE PROVIDED. (ALCOHOL BEVERAGES AND ADDITIONAL FOOD CAN BE PURCHASED THERE AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE) WE’LL END OUR DAY CELEBRATING THE Alumbrada Vigil, IN MIXQUIC, A SMALL COMMUNITY IN MEXICO CITY, recognized as an intangible World Heritage by UNESCO. WE’LL WALK IN THE CEMETARY WHILE RESPECTFULLY ADMIRING THE DECORATED TOMBS adorned with FLOWERS, COLORFUL SAWDUST DESIGNS, skulls and photos, to honor departed family. You’ll learn about the process of preparing these small shrines, as each one has its own unique ritual AS WELL AS THE customary practices that take place in cemeteries to honor the memory of the departed. WE WILL HAVE DINNER NEAR HERE BEFORE MAKING OUR WAY BACK TO OUR HOTEL. DAY 7: START YOUR DAY OFF ENJOYING A BREAKFAST BUFFET AT YOUR HOTEL. OUR GUIDED TOUR BEGINS AT THE CASTILLO DE CHAPULTEPEC, A HISTORIC HILLTOP CASTLE ONCE USED FOR ROYALTY AND NOW SERVES AS THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY. WE WILL HEAD TO A GREAT SPOT TO VIEW THE ICONIC DAY OF THE DAY PARADE. (THIS ACTIVITY IS SUBJECT TO SCHEDULE ALLOWANCE. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MOVE AROUND OUR ITINERARY TO ALLOW US TO BE PRESENT DURING THE PARADE, OFFICIAL DATE IS TBA) WE’LL VISIT EL MERCADO DE SAN JUAN, ONE OF MEXICO CITY’S MOST EXOTIC MARKETS. THOSE OF YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO TRY A CREEPY CRAWLER (AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE) THIS WILL BE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. WE’LL SIT AND ENJOY A MEAT AND/OR CHEESE BOARD ALONG WITH A GLASS OF WINE(NON ALCOHOLIC OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE) AFTER A QUICK BITE, WE’LL EXPLORE THE HISTORIC CITY CENTER OF MEXICO CITY. SOME OF OUR STOPS INCLUDE: THE ZOCALO AND LA CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA TORRE LATINOAMERICANA WITH PANORAMIC VIEW ACCESS ALAMEDA CENTRAL PALACIO DE CORREOS PALACIO DE BELLAS ARTES HEAD BACK TO YOUR HOTEL TO FRESHEN UP BEFORE WE SET OUT TO SPEND OUR LAST EVENING TOGETHER WITH A BANG! WE’LL BE ATTENDING A LUCHA LIBRE EVENT ( MEXICAN WRESTLING) AND WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET A REAL WRESTLER AND ENJOY VIP PERKS LIKE UNLIMITED DRINKS (ALCOHOLIC AND NON) AS WELL AS A BUFFET AND SNACKS. DAY 8: ENJOY A LA CARTE BREAKFAST BEFORE CHECKING OUT AND TAKING THE HOTEL SHUTTLE TO THE AIRPORT. While it’s the end of the trip, it’s just the beginning of, hopefully, what will become life-long friendships, solidified through the incredible adventures you’ve shared in colorful and vibrant Mexico. if you’re missing your new friends on the journey home, why not get planning that next life-affirming WAKE UP AND VUELA adventure!