Heart of Mexico

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta where you’ll meet your group and local leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm to get an overview of the journey ahead. In the evening, you’re free to head out and explore the city’s dining scene at your own pace – why not head with your group and get to know each other over some delicious regional cuisine.

Start the morning with an orientation walk through downtown Puerto Vallarta. Wander along the Malecon and explore the cobblestone streets of the Zona Romantica while your leader shares local insights. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option for a boat tour to Los Arcos de Mismaloya. There, you can cruise around the dramatic rock formations and enjoy time swimming or snorkelling. Or spend the afternoon at the beach, sticking around long enough to catch the cinematic sunset over the ocean.

Today you’ll travel inland to Guadalajara, stopping along the way in the town of Tequila for a half-day visit. Learn from a local guide about the production of Mexico’s most famous spirit, give it a taste and explore the surrounding agave landscapes before continuing to Guadalajara. Once you arrive, check into your hotel, then step out for an orientation walk with your trip leader. Spend the evening as you wish, perhaps getting your first taste of savory birria (slow-cooked stew with goat meat, served in a taco or a bowl). End the night with a sweet treat of jericalla (a traditional custard dessert similar to flan).

Enjoy a free day to explore Guadalajara at your own pace. Maybe start at the Plaza de Armas to get your bearings and do a little people-watching in this buzzing part of the city. While you’re there, maybe visit the Cathedral de Guadalajara – practically as old as the city itself and recognisable by its neo-Gothic towers. If you’re an art lover, maybe head to the Instituto Cultural Cabanas – a UNESCO World Heritage site – to see Jose Clemente Orozco’s modernist murals. If you like, visit Tlaquepaque – one of Mexico’s Magic Towns – for its shops and galleries full of folkloric art, local treats and souvenirs. Or venture to Teuchitlan to explore the circular Guachimontones pyramids. Later, maybe grab your fellow travellers for dinner and mariachi music in Plaza de los Mariachis.

Today, you’ll continue to the vibrant city of Guanajuato – a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its colourful hillside homes and maze-like alleyways. When you arrive, join your local leader for an orientation walk through the historic centre before lunch at Mercado Hidalgo, where you’ll sample local specialties such as carnitas, enchiladas mineras (named for the hearty lunch dish wives used to make their silver-mining husbands) and guacamayas (a crusty roll filled with crunchy pork rinds). The rest of the day is yours to shape. Maybe visit the famous Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss) and learn its romantic legend. Or stroll through Jardin de la Union and find a cute cafe, listening to street performers as you soak up local life. Maybe stop at Teatro Juarez, one of the country’s most beautiful historic theatres.

Enjoy a free morning and afternoon to further explore Guanajuato as you wish. Maybe explore the Museo de las Momias to see more than 100 naturally mummified bodies and learn the legends of the practice. Or head to the Diego Riviera House Museum – the birthplace of the renowned artist where you can see some of his lesser-known works and how his family lived. In the evening, regroup for a callejoneada – a traditional festive walking street parade through the city’s narrow alleyways, boasting local music, storytelling and traditions.

Travel to San Miguel de Allende today – a beautifully preserved town known for its art scene and Baroque architecture. When you get there, take an orientation walk through the historic centre. Visit the main plaza and key landmarks like the iconic pink Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, while learning about the city’s cultural and artistic heritage. You’ll also stop at a local artisan market, where you can browse crafts and get a glimpse into the region’s vibrant handmade traditions. Later, enjoy some free time, maybe to stroll in Jardin Allende or through Parque Benito Juarez to enjoy the local atmosphere and street life. Tonight, maybe pick a fun rooftop bar for a cocktail and sunset view with your travel pals.

Today, you’ll journey into the heart of the Sierra Gorda. Stop along the way in Toliman for a cultural visit to several Otomi family chapels, led by a local guide. These small oratories, built since the 16th century, play an important role in the spiritual life and traditions of the indigenous Otomi-Chichimeca communities. After, enjoy a traditional Otomi meal, where you’ll learn more about local ingredients and culinary traditions. Then, continue to Jalpan de Serra.

Start the day with a visit to El Cedral – an ecological park and natural sanctuary dedicated to protecting the endangered Sierra salamander (ajolote in Spanish, usually referred to as axolotl in English). Enjoy a guided hike along the forest trails, where you may have the opportunity to observe these unique amphibians in their natural habitat while learning about local conservation efforts in the Sierra Gorda. The park plays an important role in safeguarding its habitat and the fees from these hikes directly contribute to ongoing conservation efforts, supporting both the protection of the species and the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem. Then, head the Sierra Gorda town of Pinal de Amoles. Wander its quiet streets, perhaps visit the historic Mision de Santiago Apostol and take some time to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this charming mountain town. On the way back to Jalpan, stop at Cascada Chuveje, one of the region's most scenic waterfalls. Follow a forest trail through a lush canyon to reach the waterfall, where clear water cascades into a pool surrounded by moss-covered rocks and dense vegetation.

Today is yours to do as you wish in Jalpan de Serra and nearby. Early risers might enjoy a guided hike to a sunrise viewpoint atop Mirador Cuatro Palos – when the conditions are right, you can see the ‘sea of clouds’ over the valley – followed by a visit to Puente de Dios, a natural river canyon. Or, maybe explore the ruins of an ancient Huastec city at the Tancama archaeological site, visit UNESCO-listed Franciscan mission churches or discover surreal sculptures by artist Edward James at Las Pozas.

Move on to Mexico City today. Today is a bit of a travel day, so have your favourite podcasts or books at the ready. In the evening, come together with your group for an optional farewell dinner to celebrate the journey and share some final memories.

Today, you’ll have a free day to spend as you wish in Mexico City. Maybe take a walk through Bosque de Chapultepec or explore one of the city’s many museums and galleries. Tonight, you’ll have your second welcome meeting with your group and new trip leader at 6 pm. After, maybe head out to dinner to get to know the new travellers joining you.

Today, your leader will show you around the historic city centre. Visit Zocalo Square – a prominent central meeting place since Aztec times – and soak up the sound of rapid-fire Spanish and booming drums that fill the centre. Pass by the dome-topped Palacio de Bellas Artes, then stop to see some murals painted by the famed Diego Rivera. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Mexico City as you like. Maybe sit down for lunch at a fonda (a home that a family has opened to the local community as a restaurant) or take a boat ride down the Xochimilco Canals.

After breakfast, learn the local lingo with an informal Spanish lesson as you travel to Puebla. Along the way, you’ll stop at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Teotihuacan – an archaeological site built by the Teotihuacano people more than 1000 years before the Aztecs arrived in the area! Then join a local family for lunch before continuing on to Puebla – known for its culinary history, architecture, pottery and the painted Talavera tiles that adorn buildings there. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk to get your bearings. Tonight, join your leader for a drink at La Pasita Bar – pasita is a sweet liqueur made of raisins, served in a caballito (tequila glass) and decorated with a cube of fresh goat cheese and a raisin on a toothpick.

Today is free for you to explore at your own pace. Puebla is Mexico’s culinary capital, so why not head out to indulge in some street food. If the season’s right, maybe try some chiles en nogada (meat-stuffed chillis covered in creamy walnut sauce) or visit the nearby Pueblo Mágico of Cholula – home to the UNESCO-listed Cholula pyramid. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Get cosy with the locals as you travel by local bus to Oaxaca – this is a great time to read a book or take a nap. Oaxaca is an old town full of arcades and markets, perfect for a stroll when you arrive. After your walk, you’ll tour the 20 de Noviembre Market, where you'’ll do as the locals do and head to the Pasillo de las Carnes Asadas (the grilled meats aisle). Follow your nose (and your leader) to find it – smoke and the smell of grilled meat thick in the air. Maybe grab some guacamole, salsa and fresh tortillas on the way and then find a spot at one of the long tables where you’ll sit down for a classic Oaxacan lunch. From here, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace.

This morning, you’ll visit the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Monte Alban with a local guide. Walk through the architectural site that was inhabited for over 1500 years by the Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs. Then, head to a local barro negro (black pottery studio). See a demonstration of how the famed black pottery (or pottery of the night) is made and learn about the history of this art form – legend says the clay is blessed! Then, join a women-run alebrijes workshop where you’ll paint your own alebrije – a brightly coloured sculpture that often combines elements from different animals to create mythical creatures. This workshop was founded by local woman Rosario – her family has been dedicated to the craft for three generations. The artisans will walk you through the history of the art and how the crafting process works. You’ll hear the story of how this community became a local symbol of resilience and female leadership.

Today is a free day. Maybe try your hand at whipping up the local cuisine with a cooking class, wander through the Jalatlaco neighbourhood or venture out on an optional day trip around town. Begin the adventure at the millenary Tule tree – one of the oldest trees on Earth, with an impressive trunk size of over 40 m (131 ft) – and hear some of the local stories it’s inspired. Then, hike through the Oaxacan mountains to reach the petrified waterfall, Hierve el Agua. You may even be able to stop for a swim along the way. After lunch, continue to the village of Teotitlan del Valle where you’ll meet an indigenous family of weavers – experts in traditional Mexican colours and textiles. Finish the day’s excursion with a trip to a mezcal distillery and an agave field and maybe sample the varieties made here on a tour of all things mezcal culture and cultivation. Tonight, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate the last night of your trip.

Your adventure comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time in Oaxaca, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.