A World Heritage Site is a location deemed to have cultural and historical significance by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Mexico is home to a variety of UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites, many of which you will get to visit on this educational 8-day tour.
On this trip, you will tour around Central Mexico to visit 12 different cultural locations included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Fully immerse yourself in Mexican culture, traditions and cuisine as you visit Mexico's cities, towns, national parks, museums and more. Explore the natural and cultural gems of this diverse country during the day while hanging out with your tour group and enjoying Mexico's vibrant nightlife in the evening!
Discover Mexico City, the oldest city in Latin America, visit impressive colonial cities of Queretero, Puebla, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, and get charmed by beautiful Janitzio, the main island of Lake Pátzcuaro known for the butterfly fishermen that can also be located on the 50 pesos Mexican banknote. Other highlights include a walk through a 45-km long Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System constructed in the 16th century and the chance to visit the breathtaking pyramids of Teotihuacan & Xochicalco.
Day 1: Mexico City
Mexico City is the largest city in Latin America and a wonder to behold. Arrive at any time before meeting your group and tour leader in the evening. Then, it's time for a welcome meeting and optional welcome dinner and get-together with the rest of the group in one of the local restaurants/bars.
- Accommodation:
- Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
- Activities Included:
Day 2: Mexico City
Join your group to explore UNESCO-listed architectural gems of Mexico City. You will explore the Historic Centre of Mexico City on a walking tour, the Luis Barragán House and Studio on a guided visit, the Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México on guided tour and Xochimilco by boat. After that, it's time for an optional dinner and get-together with the group in the evening.
- Accommodation:
- Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
- Activities Included:
- Walking tour in the Historic Centre of Mexico City & Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Guided visit to Luis Barragán House and Studio
- Boat tour in Xochimilco
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x):
- The Historic Centre of Mexico City & Xochimilco
- Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Luis Barragán House and Studio
Day 3: Mexico City - Xochicalco - Cuernavaca - Tepoztlan
In the morning, go to Xochicalco - ruins of the ancient Mesoamerican city whose apogee came after the fall of Teotihuacan and that, allegedly, may have played a part in the fall of the Teotihuacan empire. After exploring the archeological zone, we will 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 around the historic center and an optional lunch, you will visit UNESCO-listed Cuernavaca Cathedral and the nearby 40-meter high San Anton Waterfall before heading to Tepotztlán. Located at the foot of Tepozteco Mountain, this "Magic 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 at your hotel, take a walking tour around the historic center, and enjoy an optional dinner and get-together with the group in one of local restaurants/bars.
- Transportation:
- Private vehicle/mini-couch
- Accommodation:
- Conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Tepotztlán
- Activities Included:
- Guided visit to Archaeological Monuments Zone of 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.
Day 4: Tepoztlan - Tlayacapan - Oaxtepec - Puebla
After a visit to Tepozteco Mountain with an impressive Prehispanic temple, we will go to a "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 a nearby town of Oaxtepec to visit local UNESCO protected Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. 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 walking tour around the historic center and optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.
- Transportation:
- Private vehicle/mini-couch
- Accommodation:
- Conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Puebla
- Activities Included:
- Guided visit to El Tepozteco archaeological site (entrance & explanation)
- Walking tours 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
Day 5: Puebla - Cholula - Teotihuacan - Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque - Queretaro
In the morning we will visit Cholula - the oldest city in America inhabited without interruption since its origins. There we will see The Great Pyramid of Cholula, the world's largest pyramid topped by the Virgen de Los Remedios church. After a walking tour around the historic center of the town, we will go to Teotihuacan - 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 Hydraulic System built by the Jesuits in the 18th century and surrounded by beautiful landscapes. In the evening we will arrive in Querétaro- 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/mini-couch
- Accommodation:
- Conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Querétaro
- 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
Day 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 around the historic center and optional lunch, we will go to Guanajuato, passing by UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco - a church complex built in the 18th century that features mural work of Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre that is often dubbed the "Sistine Chapel of Mexico." Arrive to Guanajuato in the evening. It is 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, 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/mini-couch
- Accommodation:
- Conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Guanajuato
- 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
Day 7: Guanajuato - Isla de Janitzio- Patzcuaro - Morelia
In the morning, go to Isla de Janitzio - the main island of Lake Pátzcuaro whose town is known for the butterfly fishermen that can also be located on the back of the 50 peso Mexican banknote. Later we will be back to Pátzcuaro - a picturesque colonial town founded in the 1320s as the capital of the Tarascan state and later its ceremonial center. After a walking tour around the historic center of a town and an optional lunch, we will go to the last destination of our trip - Morelia. Known as the "City of the Pink Stone", it is home to numerous Baroque and Neoclassical monuments. After check-in and some rest at our accommodation, we will go out for an evening walking tour around the historic center of the city and optional farewell dinner in one of the local restaurants.
- Transportation:
- Private vehicle/mini-couch
- Accommodation:
- Conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Morelia
- Activities Included:
- Walking tours in Morelia & Pátzcuaro
- Boat tour to Isla de Janitzio
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x):
- Historic Centre of Morelia
Day 8: Morelia - Mexico City
In the morning, head back to Mexico City. In winter, on our way to we will also visit the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve - a breathtaking over-wintering site of the eastern population of the monarch butterfly. If you decide to extend your vacations, we can always book you extra nights, or even take you on our next adventure.
- Transportation:
- Private vehicle/mini-couch
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x):
- Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (in winter only)