9 Day UNESCO Sites Mexico: Colonial Heritage and Charming Towns Tour
Mexico City, Mexico
Colonial Tour around Mexico
In the Unesco Sites Mexico, you’ll visit this amazing country’s natural, cultural, and historical highlights. You’ll meet 12 objects inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Therefore, you’ll experience a full immersion in Mexican history, culture, and traditions. For instance, the magnificent colonial centers of Guanajuato and beautiful San Miguel de Allende, Teotihuacan ruins and pyramids, and thermal springs in Los Azufres Michoacan. In short, a Mexico UNESCO Heritage Sites Tour has never been better than this one!
Highlights
- Discover diverse Mexico City
- Wander the stunning colonial centers of Queretaro, Puebla, Guanajuato, Morelia, and more
- Local expert guides
- English / Spanish bilingual private guide
- Transportation and private vehicle
- 8 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- 8 nights in conveniently located and locally-owned hotels / B&Bs
8 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Spanish
Group size: 4-15 participants
Accommodation
Selected Hotels / B&Bs
You will receive a list of accommodations together with trip notes 2 weeks before the tour. Most accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary).
They can arrange pre and post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when they send you final trip notes.
Rooms
1 Twin Room
Private room for 2 people with 2 individual beds (twin-size or similar).
2. Double Room
Private room for 2 people with 1 double bed (queen-size or similar).
3. Triple Room
Private room for 3 people with 1 double (queen-size or similar) and 1 individual (twin-size or similar) bed.
4. Quadruple Room
- Private room for 4 people with 2 double beds (queen-size or similar).
- If none of the room types above fits you, please contact them and they will send you a personalized quote.
Program
Activities
- Walking tours and orientation walks: historic centers of Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Tepoztlan, Tlayacapan, Oaxtepec, Puebla, Cholula, Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Patzcuaro, Morelia
- Guided visits: Luis Barragan House and Studio (Mexico City); Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone; Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System; 3x Archeological Zones – Teotihuacan, El Tepozteco and Xochicalco; Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Nov-Feb only)
- Boat rides in Xochimilco (Mexico City) and Isla de Janitzio (Patzcuaro); cable car to Monumento al Pipila (Guanajuato)
Physical Condition
This tour involves a decent amount of walking and hiking. Therefore, travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness conditions.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Mexico City
Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de Mexico – the 2nd 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.
Day 2: Mexico City
Join your group to visit and explore the UNESCO Sites of Mexico: First, walk around the Historic Centre of Mexico City, then a guided visit to Luis Barragan House and Studio, after that, you will visit the Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, and later take a boat around Xochimilco. Optionally take dinner and get-together with the group in the evening.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel / B&B in Mexico City
- Activities Included: A guided exploration of the Historic Centre of Mexico City and Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; a guided visit to Luis Barragan House and Studio; exploration around Xochimilco on folk puntboats.
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (4x): the Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco; Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Luis Barragan House and Studio.
Day 3: Mexico City – Xochicalco – Cuernavaca – Tepoztlan
First, go to Xochicalco – ruins of the ancient Mesoamerican city whose apogee came after the fall of Teotihuacan. 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 you come back from the historic center, take an optional lunch, and get prepared to visit another UNESCO Site, Cuernavaca Cathedral and a nearby 40-meter-high San Anton Waterfall, then, head to Tepotztlan.
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. Arrive at your accommodation and then join the group to get a walk in the historic center.
- Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel / B&B in Tepotztlan
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Activities Included: guided visit to Xochicalco; guided explorations in Cuernavaca and Tepotztlan.
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x): Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco; Cuernavaca Cathedral; Convento de la Natividad o de la Anunciación in Tepoztlan.
Day 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 an exploration of the historic center of the town, you will move to the nearby town of Oaxtepec to see the UNESCO-listed Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman. Finally, you will finish your 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. In the evening, you go around the historic center.
- Accommodation: conveniently located, locally owned hotel / B&B in Puebla
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Activities Included: a guided hike to El Tepozteco Archaeological Zone; orientation walks in Tlayacapan, Oaxtepec, and Puebla.
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x): Ex-Convent of San Juan Bautista in Tlayacapan; Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman in Oaxtepec; Historic Centre of Puebla.
Day 5: Puebla – Cholula – Teotihuacan – Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque – Queretaro
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 a guided walk in the historic center of the town, 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’ll go to visit an impressive Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque built by the Jesuits in the 16th century.
Finally, in the evening we’ll 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 their accommodation, you will go out for an evening walk around the historic center and an optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.
- Accommodation: conveniently located, locally owned hotel / B&B in Queretaro
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Activities Included: guided visit to the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan and Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System; a guided walk to Cholula and Queretaro.
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x): Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan; Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System; Historic Monuments Zone of Queretaro
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.
Then, have an optional lunch, and go to Guanajuato, passing by the UNESCO Site of Sanctuary of Jesus Nazareno de Atotonilco on the way. This church complex built in the 18th century features the mural work of Antonio Martinez de Pocasangre which 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 resting at their accommodation, go out for an evening orientation walk around the historic center and an optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.
- Accommodation: conveniently located, locally owned hotel / B&B in Guanajuato
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Activities Included: sightseeing excursion in San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato; a guided visit to the Sanctuary of Jesus 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 Jesus Nazareno de Atotonilco; Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines
Day 7: Guanajuato – Isla de Janitzio- Patzcuaro – Morelia
In the morning, visit Janitzio – the main island of Lake Patzcuaro that is famous for the butterfly fishermen that you can see on the 50-peso banknote. Afterward, continue the trip to Patzcuaro – a picturesque colonial town founded in the 1320s as the capital of the Tarascan state.
Finally, we’ll go to Morelia. Known as the “City of the Pink Stone”, it’s home to numerous Baroque and Neoclassical monuments. First, you discover the historic center and get together in one of the local restaurants in the evening.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: conveniently located, locally owned hotel / B&B in Morelia
- Activities Included: A guided exploration in Morelia and Patzcuaro; a water transfer to Isla de Janitzio.
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x): Historic Centre of Morelia
Day 8: Morelia – Los Azufres
In the morning, take your time to explore the city independently or join your Tour Leader for a continuation of the tour around 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.
- Accommodation: conveniently located, locally owned hotel / B&B in Morelia
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Activities Included: guide in Morelia and Patzcuaro; boat ride 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
Day 9: Los Azufres – Mexico City
Morning departure to Mexico City. In winter, on the way, we’ll 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’ll go to Angangueo – a small town with rich mining traditions located in high rugged forested mountains.
This is one of the greatest places to end the visit to UNESCO Sites in Mexico.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Activities Included: orientation walk of Angangueo (March to October) or guided hike in Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (November to February).
- Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x): Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (November to February only).
Note
Participation in all activities is optional – just be sure to be on time for daily departures. Almost all activities such as walking tours (>2h, normally in historic centers of bigger cities), orientation walks (<2h, normally in smaller towns and villages), guided visits, and hikes focus on local nature, history, culture, and gastronomy and are led by a Tour Leader. You will receive suggestions for optional activities in trip notes.
Extra-day tours and activities can be booked by your Tour Leader for an extra fee.
Location
These are the locations that you will be going to during the program:
- Mexico City (Arrival)
- Xochicalco, Municipality of Miacatlán, State of Morelos, Mexico
- Cuernavaca, State of Morelos
- Tepoztlán, State of Morelos
- Tlayacapan, State of Morelos
- Oaxtepec, Municipality of Yautepec / Cuautla, State of Morelos
- Puebla, State of Puebla
- Cholula, State of Puebla
- Teotihuacan, State of Mexico
- Querétaro, State of Querétaro
- San Miguel de Allende, State of Guanajuato
- Guanajuato, State of Guanajuato
- Janitzio, State of Michoacán
- Pátzcuaro, State of Michoacán
- Morelia, State of Michoacán
- Los Azufres, State of Michoacán
Food
Meals and Gastronomic Experiences included in this tour can normally meet most of the common dietary restrictions.
However, due to the active program of the tour and different menus in each place, satisfying a special diet or food preferences of a particular traveler will depend on circumstances and cannot be fully guaranteed.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
Things to do (optional)
Group vs. Private
The multi-day tours offer both group and private departures (see pricing at checkout). Group tour – take a scheduled trip with other travelers.
Private tour – take a trip on your own, with friends or family. Private tours are customizable (you can depart any day and you can add additional stops and activities on your request) and thus may cost more than group tours.
What's included
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Local expert guides
- English / Spanish bilingual private guide
- Transportation
- Private vehicle
- 8 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- 8 nights in conveniently located and locally-owned hotels / B&Bs
What's not included
- Flights
- Transfers to and from the airport (can be arranged at an extra cost)
- Personal expenses
- Insurance
- Tips
How to get there
Recommended Airports
MEX
Mexico City International Airport
6 km
Transfer not provided
NLU
Santa Lucía Air Force Base Num 1
38 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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