Northern Trails and Colonial Mexico (2025)

Dan 1

Welcome to Mexico! Upon arrival at Chihuahua airport, our transfer representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel.After check-in, our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a city tour, during which you’ll visit the Pancho Villa Museum, the Cathedral, Quinta Gameros Museum, the Government Palace, and historic residential neighborhoods.

Dan 2

After breakfast, we’ll set out through scenic landscapes of mountains and forests, passing through towns inhabited by Mennonite communities. Traveling 260 km, we’ll arrive in Creel, a vibrant Pueblo Mágico known as the gateway to the Copper Canyon.Here, we’ll embark on a tour that includes Lake Arareko, the historic San Ignacio Mission, Tarahumara caves still inhabited by local families, and the unique rock formations of the Valley of Mushrooms and Frogs.

Dan 3

Today, we’ll travel 130 km by road through breathtaking landscapes. Our tour includes a visit to Piedra Volada Falls, the Adventure Park, the suspension bridge, and scenic viewpoints. At the Adventure Park, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities, including the cable car, zipline, zip rider, and rentals for ATVs and bicycles, as well as guided hikes led by Tarahumara guides. These activities are not included (tickets available at the park entrance).After lunch (included), we’ll take a guided walk through the area to admire different views of the canyon and visit a traditional Tarahumara cave. We’ll then continue to the hotel, with dinner included.

Dan 4

Today, we’ll board the Chepe Express through the Copper Canyon, one of the world’s most spectacular tourist trains (tourist class). The train winds deep into the mountains, navigating rugged terrain, passing steep cliffs, and crossing 86 impressive tunnels and 37 remarkable bridges that span powerful rivers. Along the way, you’ll take in the most stunning views of the region, including the highest bridge on the route and the “El Descanso” Tunnel, the longest tunnel of the journey.We’ll arrive in Los Mochis, where a transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel. You’ll have free time to explore this city, founded in 1893 by American engineer Albert K. Owen as part of his utopian socialist project, "The Topolobampo Colony." Situated in a region rich in agricultural production, especially sugarcane, Los Mochis played a vital role in the area’s economic growth and development.

Dan 5

Free time in Los Mochis until your transfer to the airport. We’ll include a flight to Guadalajara, followed by a transfer to your hotel and leisure time to explore. You’ll then be in the capital of Jalisco, a colonial city known as the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila.

Dan 6

In the morning we include a visit to Guadalajara, the modern metropolis with its colonial historic center, its cathedral, its market, its Tapatía square. We will enter the Cabañas Hospice, declared Unesco World Heritage. After the visit, we will go on to the next town of TEQUILA, we include entrance to the MUNDO CUERVO distillery and will see how this famous Mexican drink is made (entrance and tasting included). After this, time for a stroll and lunch in the picturesque town of Tequila. After lunch, we return to Guadalajara.

Dan 7

We travel to the state of GUANAJUATO. Arrival at midday. In the afternoon we include a city tour of this very beautiful university city declared World Heritage, its steep slopes, its narrow streets, its churches, and we also include a cable car ride to admire the view from “el Pípila”.

Dan 8

Amidst the mountains, we will travel to DOLORES HIDALGO, the city that is the cradle of Mexican independence. Afterwards we head to SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, a beautiful city with vice regal architecture and cobbled streets declared World Heritage. Time for a stroll. In the afternoon, we visit the ATOTONILCO Sanctuary, known as the “Century of God and the Patria”, World Heritage site (sometimes it will not be possible to visit inside due to the retreats that take place there). We then go to QUERETARO, with its very beautiful colonial center, its main square, its busy restaurants and pedestrian streets.

Dan 9

We’ll depart for Tula, the ancient capital of the Toltecs. Admission to its archaeological site is included. The Atlantean figures, imposing four-meter-tall warrior statues, are the site’s main attraction. You’ll also see pyramids, palaces, and carved columns, showcasing the sophistication of this pre-Hispanic civilization. We’ll then arrive in Puebla, a historic city renowned for its culinary traditions, colonial architecture, and ceramics. Highlights include its impressive Renaissance cathedral and its lively main square. Next, we’ll head to Val’Quirico, where the European-inspired architecture, particularly reminiscent of Italy’s Tuscany, and its medieval style will transport you to another era. Arrival in Mexico City is expected around 08:30 p.m.

Dan 10

Today, we’ll explore Mexico City and the remarkable site of Teotihuacan, located just 40 km from the capital. After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey at the Plaza of the Three Cultures, where past and present merge seamlessly. From there, we’ll continue to the impressive archaeological site of Teotihuacan, where we’ll visit the monumental Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl, the Citadel, and the Avenue of the Dead. We’ll also stop by a local artisan center. On our way back to the city, we’ll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Latin America. After returning to the hotel, the rest of the day will be free.

Dan 11

Breakfast. End of our services. Transfer from the hotel to the airport not included.