Highlights
- Taste some of Mexico City's best street food as you tour the historic center
- See the capital's Aztec roots at the Museo del Templo Mayor
- Savor regional delicacies in a cave near the ancient city of Teotihuacán
- Explore the iconic Great Pyramid of Cholula, one of the largest in the world
- Learn to make the famous mole poblano at an authentic cooking class near Cholula
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Mexico City, Dinner at Los Danzantes | Mexico City |
| Day 2 | Centro Histórico Tour with Street Food Tasting, Visit Museo del Templo Mayor | Mexico City |
| Day 3 | Cruise Through Xochimilco, Visit Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum | Mexico City |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Teotihuacán, Cave Ritual & Culinary Delights, Dinner at La Gruta | Teotihuacán |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Cholula, Explore the Pueblo Mágico | Cholula |
| Day 6 | Markets, Churches, Pyramids & Corn in Cholula | Cholula |
| Day 7 | Mole Poblano Cooking Class in Cautlancingo | Cholula |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Mexico City, Food Tour of Mercado de San Juan | Mexico City |
| Day 9 | Explore the Basilica of Santa Virgin of Guadalupe | Mexico City |
| Day 10 | Depart Mexico City |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City, Dinner at Los Danzantes
¡Bienvenidos a México! Your driver will be waiting at the Mexico City International Airport gate to transfer you to your hotel in Mexico City. One of the largest urban centers in the world, Mexico's capital traces its roots back to the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which the Spanish built upon in the 16th century. Today, the sprawling metropolis overflows with lively neighborhoods, historical sites, and culinary delights.
After you settle in, you'll have time to explore the city independently. Immerse yourself in the local culture in neighborhoods like Roma, where you'll find Art Deco architecture and excellent restaurants, or San Ángel, with its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and sidewalk cafés. Relax in the green spaces of Chapultepec Park or Alameda Central before digging into the city's famous gastronomy.
Tonight, you'll enjoy a traditional dinner in the charming Coyoacán neighborhood at the restaurant Los Danzantes. Since 1995, this special spot has combined ancient Mexican culinary traditions with contemporary flavors in every bite, featuring specialties from the country's diverse regions, such as Oaxacan mole sauce.
Day 2: Centro Histórico Tour with Street Food Tasting, Visit Museo del Templo Mayor
Meet up with your local guide this morning for a four-hour tour of Mexico City's UNESCO-listed Centro Histórico (Historic Center). Learn about the capital's beginnings at Aztec ruins, and visit one of the largest cathedrals in South America, the Metropolitan Cathedral, as well as the gorgeous Palacio de Belles Artes and the Palacio Postal (the very fancy post office!).
Stop at local food stalls and restaurants to taste traditional Mexican food, including tacos al pastor, esquites (spiced street corn), and churros. It will only take a few bites for you to understand why Mexican gastronomy is considered an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO.
After your tour, head to the Museo del Templo Mayor, formerly the main temple of the Aztec city, Tenochtitlan, and now dedicated to exhibiting the area's archaeological findings. The collection shows the political, military, and aesthetic relevance of the city that dominated Mesoamerica before the Spaniards arrived. Explore the ruins and the on-site museum, both constantly updated with new findings as the site excavation continues to this day.
Day 3: Cruise Through Xochimilco, Visit Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum
Discover the remnants of the Aztec Empire's vast water transport system as you explore the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Spend several hours traversing the beautiful, festive canals aboard a traditional trajinera (typical canal boat) with an expert guide. Learn all about the history and culture of the canals as the colorful gondola-esque boats take you past floating food vendors, artisans selling their crafts, and mariachi bands.
Your tour along the canals will also take you to several different chinampas, small islands built into the canal that make up an agricultural system, known as the most efficient and sustainable in the world. Visit the local ecotourism center to learn about the production of vegetables on the islands, and visit the wildlife refuge dedicated to preserving the famous Mexican salamander, the axolotl, endemic to the area.
Later in the day, immerse yourself in the world of one of Mexico's most celebrated artists, Diego Rivera. The Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli (which translates to "surrounded by water" in the local Nahuatl language) is a temple to the arts designed by the muralist himself. The museum serves as a work of architecture, a studio, and a shrine, which showcases Rivera's own collection of pre-Hispanic art and exhibits dedicated to contemporary Mexican artists.
Day 4: Transfer to Teotihuacán, Cave Ritual & Culinary Delights, Dinner at La Gruta
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Wake up early for your transfer outside Mexico City to the archaeological site of Teotihuacán. The UNESCO-listed ruins of this ancient Mesoamerican city date back to 100 BCE. Walk along the Calzada de los Muertos (Causeway of the Dead) and visit buildings such as the Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl, famous for its murals (don't miss the Mural de Puma), as well as the famous Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun) and Pirámide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).
After you've hit the highlights of the ruins, your guide will take you to a local cave to partake in a sacred ceremony. As part of this experience, you'll receive special gifts to enhance the significance of the ceremony, allowing you to connect deeply with the spiritual essence of Teotihuacán. Follow the delicious meal with samplings of locally made pulque (fermented agave juice) and mezcal, traditional beverages deeply rooted in Mexican culture.
At the end of the day, visit yet another cave, just a few steps away from the pyramids, for the famous La Gruta Restaurant. As you enjoy traditional Mexican folk dance shows, savor local flavors such as pre-Hispanic specialties sopa Azteca (tortilla soup), fried corn cakes, roasted prickly pear cactus, escamoles (sautéed ant larvae), chinicuiles (caterpillars), or pipián (pumpkin seed sauce).
Day 5: Transfer to Cholula, Explore the Pueblo Mágico
Today, you'll be transferred to Cholula, approximately two hours away, considered one of Mexico's most historically significant towns. According to the legend, Cholula has more than 365 churches, one for each day of the year. This Pueblo Mágico (a designation bestowed on towns of great cultural importance) is also characterized by archaeological ruins (pyramids), colonial architecture, and a rich artisan tradition, mainly Talavera pottery.
After you settle in, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore. Visit the Regional Museum of Cholula for an in-depth overview of the local history and culture. While you're there, make sure to see the Lienzo de Quauhquechollan (Quauhquechollan Cloth), a 16th-century pictorial painted on cloth depicting the history of the local Nahua people. For more on Cholula's famous pottery, visit the Talavera Pottery Museum to learn about this renowned technique and even purchase some yourself.
Day 6: Markets, Churches, Pyramids & Corn in Cholula
Your local guide will pick you up at your hotel this morning for an immersive tour of Cholula's most famous sites. Begin at El Mercado de San Pedro to sample some regional specialties. A local favorite is the cemita, a sandwich made from deep-fried chicken, quesillo, onions, avocado, and salsa. You can also try fresh pico de gallo, deep-fried chicharrones, or quecas de huitlacoche con flor de calabaza (zucchini flower quesadillas).
From here, walk the picturesque streets that lead to the famous church: Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, built on top of the iconic Great Pyramid of Cholula, one of the largest pyramids in the world. Climb up for an impressive view of the city and, on a clear day, the majestic volcanoes of the Valley of Mexico. The Great Pyramid hasn't been fully excavated, but some parts are open to visitors, including the underground network of tunnels and the Patio of the Altars, which owes its name to three mysterious altars placed symmetrically.Day 7: Mole Poblano Cooking Class in Cautlancingo
Today, you'll head to the nearby village of Cautlancingo for a culinary lesson on one of Mexico's most traditional dishes: the famous mole poblano. This is the traditional sauce from this area of Mexico (the state of Puebla) and is usually served with chicken. The thick, red or brown sauce is made from poblano chilies, seeds, nuts, and Mexican chocolate.
This 2.5-hour cooking class will begin with a tasting of Mexican coffee made from local beans. Under the guidance of an expert chef, you'll use locally sourced ingredients from the region and small local producers for each step of the process. Along the way, the chef will explain the history behind each ingredient. This will be done in clay pots, adding an authentic touch to the culinary experience. At the end of the class, sample your creation alongside a glass of refreshing aguas frescas.
Day 8: Transfer to Mexico City, Food Tour of Mercado de San Juan
Meet your driver this morning for your transfer back to Mexico City. After you settle in, you'll join an expert guide in the heart of the city to discover the gastronomic roots of the Aztec capital with a visit to the Mercado de San Juan. Famous chefs and local shoppers flock to the city's famous food market in search of the best produce, meats, fish, and other gourmet specialties, with everything from imported European cheese to alligator meat to entire goat heads.
Over the next three hours, your guide will lead you to some of the best foods in the two different buildings that make up the market (one dedicated to fresh produce and meat, the other to food stalls), while giving you some background on Mexican history and culture through a culinary lens. Delight your senses with samples of local fruit like dragonfruit, famous Oaxacan cheese, Mexican coffee, pulque, and other delicacies. Head to the food stalls for more traditional plates such as birria (meat stew), flautas (rolled tacos), and seafood tostadas.
Day 9: Explore the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Today, you'll discover one of the most visited and sacred places in Mexico City, the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Millions of pilgrims visit the basilica each year, with over half visiting on the days around December 12, the Virgin of Guadalupe's Feast Day. Known as the patron saint of the Americas and Mexico in particular, she came in a vision to an Aztec convert, Juan Diego, on top of a nearby hill, requesting a church be built on the very spot.
The Basilica of Guadalupe was built in the 1970s and is the new home of the Virgin of Guadalupe, originally kept in the old temple. On the grounds surrounding this church are the remaining buildings of the ex-convent of the Capuchin nuns, as well as a museum about the basilica and various other small chapels. You can still climb the hill where Juan Diego reportedly had his vision for views over the basilica and the city.
Day 10: Depart Mexico City
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