Discovery Tour of Mexico: Historic Cities, Cultural Excursions & Traditional Cuisine - 15 Days

Highlights

• Sample savory tacos al pastor in Mexico City's Narvarte district
• Taste regional wines at a vineyard in San Miguel de Allende
• Hike among cacti forests in the Tehuacán-Cuicuitlan reserve
• Bike around Oaxaca City to see the work of talented street artists

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City, Taco & Mezcal Tour in Narvarte

Welcome to Mexico! Upon arrival at the airport in Mexico City, you'll be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel. Founded in the 16th century under Spanish rule, Mexico City is now the largest metropolis in Latin America and has become a popular destination known for its art, food, and rich cultural history. After you've taken some time to relax and regroup, you'll head out for a private dining experience in the Narvarte neighborhood.

Alongside your expert guide, visit this bustling district, known for its delicious tacos! Start at a neighborhood taqueria specializing in "volcanoes," a crispy tortilla cooked over a charcoal flame, topped with cheese and poblano peppers. Then, sample savory tacos al pastor (grilled pork) and tacos suadero (confited or fried beef or pork). Visit a lively cantina, where you'll learn more about Mexico City's cantina culture as you sip a cold beer or other beverage, ending the night with a private, small-batch mezcal tasting at a cozy neighborhood restaurant.

Day 2: Historic City Tour with Street Food, Visit the Canals of Xochimilco

Dive into Mexico City's rich history with a guided city tour. Start in Centro Histórico, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to some of the city's most important sites. See the Metropolitan Cathedral, the oldest and largest in Latin America, whose architecture is an interesting blend of Gothic, Baroque, Churrigueresque, and neoclassical styles. Then, visit the Palace of Fine Arts, a prominent cultural center where performances such as the national symphony and ballet can be seen. Built in the early 1900s the palace displays Art Nouveau architecture on the outside and Art Deco on the inside. 

See the Postal Palace and its wild mix of Plateresque, Spanish Rococo, Gothic, and assorted other architectural styles, then finish the tour with a visit to some local food stalls and restaurants for traditional Mexican snacks and desserts. Your guide will share insight into the significance of various dishes, and you can chat with the vendors to learn more about the preparation and ingredients.

Later, visit the canals of Xochimilco (Place of Flowers), a historic neighborhood and World Heritage Site. Board a colorful, flat-bottomed boat, or trajineras, as your guide shares the secrets of this bicultural waterway. Cruise through the Tlilac and Tezhuilo lagoons, where you might glimpse herons, pelicans, or a circling hawk, and see a demonstration at a chinampa (floating garden) to better understand their agricultural system. You'll learn how these cultivation techniques and natural biofilters improve water quality and promote healthy ecosystems.

Day 3: Traditional Mexican Cooking Class

Today's tour takes you to Casa Malinche Coffee Bar for a traditional Mexican cooking class. Under the guidance of professional chefs, you'll have the opportunity to prepare traditional local dishes such as tortilla soup, mole, and even hand-crafted tortillas! During your visit, you'll also learn about the many varieties of Mexican coffee and how it's cultivated, tasting some creations inspired and infused with delicious coffee flavor. 

Day 4: Walking & Biking Tour of Teotihuacán, Transfer to Queretaro

On a guided biking and walking tour, visit one of Mexico's most impressive archaeological sites. You'll first be picked up at your hotel and head to the outskirts of the city, where you'll hop on a bike and travel along the Valley of Teotihuacán, passing through the route of the Murals and entering Teotihuacán, or the "City of the Gods."

Walk the Calzada de Los Muertos (Causeway of the Dead) and view ancient buildings such as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent and the massive 230-foot (70 m) high Pyramid of the Sun, as well as the smaller but still impressive Pyramid of the Moon. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the on-site museums, the Teotihuacán Culture Museum and the Museum of Teotihuacán Murals, where you'll find numerous artifacts, including tools, recovered burial sites, and ceramics. Afterward, your driver will transfer you to Queretaro, a colonial city approximately three hours from the site, where you'll overnight. 

Day 5: Transfer to Guanajuato, Free Afternoon

Your next destination is Guanajuato, a former mining town and industrial hub that is now a popular destination for travelers worldwide. Known for its colorful colonial architecture, quaint squares, and winding alleys, the city offers something to see on nearly every corner! Take a private transfer from Queretaro in the morning, enjoying the scenic two-hour drive. Arrive and check in at your accommodations, then the rest of your day is free to see some of the city on your own. 

If museums are of interest, consider a visit to the Museo de las Momias (Mummies Museum) a rather macabre but fascinating look at mummified remains unearthed by the city in the 1800s. There's also Diego Rivera's House, a small museum located in his former home that is dedicated to the works of the artist. Of course, the colorful homes and historic architecture of the city are works of art on their own, and you can opt to stroll through town, immersing yourself in the buildings constructed during Guanajuato's 18th-century mining bonanza.

Day 6: Walking Tour in Guanajuato's City Center

Meet your guide for an informative walking tour of the city, where you'll see the historic center and learn more about the region's mining history and cultural and economic importance. Visit the University of Guanajuato, one of Mexico's most prestigious institutions, and climb the main building's giant staircase for expansive city views, then head to the Basilica of Guanajuato, a 17th-century cathedral painted in striking shades of yellow. Step inside to see an image of the Virgin Mary, presented to the city as a gift from the King of Spain, and the intricate Baroque architecture. 

Pass by the Templo de la Compañía, another excellent example of the Baroque style so prevalent here, and walk along the narrow alleys and cobblestone streets as your guide shares legends and local lore about various sites. End your tour with a visit to Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss), named in part for the close balconies that allow those in love to reach across and kiss. Superstition says that visiting couples must kiss on the alley's third step to guarantee a happy relationship.

Day 7: Transfer to San Miguel de Allende, Wine Tasting

Meet your driver and depart Guanajuato for the UNESCO-listed city of San Miguel de Allende, a drive of about 1.5 hours. Located in the central highlands, the city is known for its vibrant culture and thriving arts scene. This region is also known for its wine production, and there are several local wineries nearby—one of which you'll tour after hotel check-in.

Your guide will take you to the outskirts of town to visit the San Lucas Vineyards. Surrounded by fragrant lavender fields, shady olive trees, and acres of vineyards, you'll take a guided excursion around the property, learning about cultivating the different varietals grown here. Visit the processing and bottling rooms to learn about the winery's specific blends, and go to the cellar to learn about the process of resting the wine and the notes that the barrels bring as it ages. Finish with a tasting of three different wines, then return to town for the evening.

Day 8: Walking Tour in San Miguel de Allende

Enjoy a fascinating walking tour of the charming city of San Miguel de Allende. With your expert guide, learn about the city's rich history and culture as you visit the main points of interest. See the Parroquia Jardin Archangel Church, a glorious pink-hued structure built in the 17th century as the vision of architect Zeferino Gutiérrez, and the nearby Jardin Allende, home to a beautiful walkable space with plenty of greenery.

Stop by Parque Benito Juárez for more green space and check out Fabrica la Aurora, an old textile factory converted into a gallery space for local artists. During the tour, your guide will tell you more about the colonial architecture you'll see, the influence of the viceregal era, and the role that San Miguel de Allende has played in Mexico's history. Enjoy an authentic and enriching experience as you immerse yourself in the city's essence.

Day 9: Transfer to Puebla, Free Afternoon

Today, you're off to Puebla, located southeast of Mexico City. This city is known for its colonial architecture, pottery, and beautifully painted Talavera tiles adorning various buildings. Meet your private driver for the five-hour drive in the morning, arriving at your hotel in the afternoon. Once you've checked into your accommodations, set out on a self-guided tour to see more of the city.

Walk to the city's UNESCO-listed historic center, starting at Puebla Cathedral, built between the 16th and 17th centuries in the Spanish Herrerian style. Stroll through its many chapels, including the Chapel of the Rosary, and see some of the paintings housed here, then continue to the Palafoxiana Library. Recognized as the first and oldest public library in the Americas, the library has more than 40,000 books and manuscripts, some of which date back to the 15th century.

Stop for delicious treats at Calle de Los Dulces, a street that serves as a hub for local candy makers, and the famed Barrio del Artista, where artists work and sell their wares. Stroll through the lively streets of the Barrio de Los Sapos, then end at the El Parián market for souvenir shopping.

Day 10: Walking & Market Tour in Puebla, Mole Cooking Class

This morning, walk through some of Puebla's oldest neighborhoods as you and your guide make your way to a nearby market. Enjoy the colors, sounds, and fragrant aromas of the produce stands. Meet a local chef and help them shop for ingredients to make one of the city's signature dishes: Mole Poblano.

Using ingredients such as chocolate, almonds, sesame seeds, and a variety of dried chilies, you'll work alongside your instructor as they share traditional cooking secrets and allow you to chop, stir, and simmer! Sit down for a legendary meal, great conversation, and a newfound appreciation for Mexico's gastronomy.

Day 11: Hiking in the Tehuacán-Cuicuitlan Reserve, Transfer to Oaxaca

Visit the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Reserve, a protected area 2.5 hours from Puebla recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will collect you from your hotel after checkout and take you to the reserve entrance. You'll have time to wander through what appear to be endless forests of columnar cacti, endemic to this area, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife. During your hike, your guide will explain the peculiarities of the cacti and share information on the other plants and animals that characterize this ecosystem.

Afterward, you'll make the 2.5-hour transfer to Oaxaca City, the capital of Oaxaca state. Known for its culture, cuisine, and history, this colonial city is home to incredible architecture, world-renowned restaurants, and museums that showcase the region's past and present. Check into your hotel, then spend your evening relaxing or doing some sightseeing on your own.

Day 12: Explore the Mitla Archaeological Site, Visit a Mezcal Distillery

Start the day with a guided visit to the massive cypress tree called Árbol del Tule (Tule Tree). With a circumference of over 148 feet (45 m) and an age of at least 2,000 years, it remains one of the largest and oldest trees in the world. Oaxaca's Zapotec people believed that humans originated from trees, and the tree was the site of celebrations and rituals, such as their Mixtec dance of the cypress. 

Continue to a local mezcal distillery and learn how this traditional Oaxacan spirit is made. Try a tasting of different mezcal beverages, then head to the archaeological site of Mitla. Located in the Tlacolula Valley, approximately 27 miles (44 km) from the city, this ancient site was built as a gateway between the world of the living and the dead. Walk through the courtyards, see the ceremonial centers, and visit the main temple, where priests once performed sacrifices and other rituals.

The tour concludes in Teotitlán del Valle, a village famous for its wool-dying techniques and intricate rugs and tapestries. Visit a wool weaver's shop and see their process as your guide explains the meaning behind the different textiles and colors. Return to Oaxaca in time for an evening stroll and dinner out. 

Day 13: Flavors of Oaxaca: Rural Cooking Class

Discover the traditions of Oaxacan cuisine today during a rural cooking workshop. Meet your guide and, depending on the time frame and availability, visit the villages of Teotitlán del Valle or Santa Ana del Valle, which are part of the Zapotec community in the Oaxaca Valley. Meet the comideras (cooks recognized for their extensive culinary skills) and visit a local market to shop for ingredients.

Then, go to their home, where, under their expert instruction, you'll prepare a traditional Oaxacan meal. Learn to make dishes such as pumpkin leaf or chickpea soup, green mole with pumpkin seed, and a dessert of tenocytes (small apples) in a sweet, chocolate tamale. Sit down with your hosts and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your own hands! 

Day 14: Biking Tour with Oaxaca Street Art

Make the most of your last day in Mexico with a biking tour around Oaxaca. This 3-mile (5 km) guided ride takes you through different neighborhoods, stopping to visit local art galleries, graphic workshops, and some of the city's most impactful street art. See large murals and stencils, even posters along the way, making you feel like you've stumbled into an open-air museum. Your guide will discuss the history of the different districts, and you'll stop for a snack and drinks before returning to your hotel. 

Day 15: Depart Oaxaca

Your time in Mexico ends today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a private transfer to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels!