Mexico City Side Trips: Magic Towns, Nature & Culture (10 Days)

Day 1: Mexico City

Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de Mexico – the 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: welcome meeting and optional get-together in one of the local restaurants/bars.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Activities: welcome meeting

Day 2: Mexico City

Spend the first half of the day exploring Mexico City’s Historic Centre and visiting the National Anthropology Museum with your Tour Leader.  Free time in the afternoon, optional dinner, and get-together with the group in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: walk in the Historic Center of Mexico City; guided visit to the National Anthropology Museum

Day 3: Mexico City – Teotihuacan – Tepotzotlán – Arcos del Sitio – Villa del Carbon

Firstly, in the morning, head to UNESCO-listed Teotihuacan – one of the greatest pre-Hispanic cities in Mexico and the former capital of the ancient empire. Once there, take a leisurely walk around the archeological zone, visiting its impressive palaces and climbing its imposing pyramids. Afterward, continue our trip to Mexico City Side Trips tour in Tepotzotlan – a beautiful colonial town that houses famous UNESCO-listed the Temple of San Francisco Javier.

After an optional lunch of local specialties and a guided walk around the center of the town, we’ll move to another nearby architectural gem, the Arcos del Sitio. Also known as the Xalpa Aqueduct, its construction is spectacular since it has 43 arches divided into four levels, reaching a height of 61 meters and a length of 438 meters. Finally, in the late afternoon, reach Villa del Carbon – a “Magical Town” that preserves intact the splendor of the colonial era, a time when the main economic activity was the exploitation of coal. Check-in, walk around the historic center, optional dinner, and get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants/bars.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B house in Villa del Carbon
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: guided visits to Teotihuacan Archeological Zone and Arcos del Sitio; walk in Tepotzotlan and Villa del Carbon

Day 4: Villa del Carbon – Taxhimay Dam – Aculco – El Oro

Firstly, in the morning, go to Taxhimay Dam. Once there, we’ll take kayaks to see the remains of San Luis de las Paras, a village that was sunk in 1934 to make room for the water reservoir. Afterward, we’ll move to the “Magical Town” of Aculco to explore its neat historic center, try some of the numerous local cheese varieties, and visit its nearby natural wonders – Cascadas de Tixhiñú and Cascada de la Concepción. Finally, we’ll arrive at El Oro – another charming “Magical Town” that used to be one of the biggest gold mining centers in the world. Check-in, walk around the historic center, optional dinner, and get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants/bars.

• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in El Oro
• Activities: kayak/boat trip in Taxhimay Dam; visits to Cascadas de Tixhiñú and Cascada de la Concepción; cheese tasting in Aculco, walk in Aculco and El Oro

Day 5: El Oro – Centro Ceremonial Mazahua – Calixtlahuaca Archaeological Zone – Toluca – Metepec

Start your morning exploring the mining glory of El Oro by visiting its Mining Museum and Socavon De San Juan. Afterward, go to visit Centro Ceremonial Mazahua and Calixtlahuaca Archaeological Zone before reaching Toluca – a state capital surrounded by peaceful mountains, alpine forests, and ancient ruins. Once there, walk around Toluca’s compact historic center and visit the Cosmovitral – an impressive botanical garden with over 400 species of plants, trees, shrubs, and outstanding stained glasses. Afterward, move to a nearby “Magical Town” of Metepec that stands out for its landscapes and even more so for the indigenous artisan creations that are true works of art. Check-in, walk around the historic center with local liquor tasting, optional dinner, and get-together with the group in one of local restaurants/bars.

• Meals: breakfast; local liquor tasting in Metepec
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Metepec
• Activities: guided visits to Mining Museum and Socavon De San Juan (El Oro), Centro Ceremonial Mazahua, Calixtlahuaca Archaeological Zone and Cosmovitral (Toluca); walking in Toluca and Metepec

Day 6: Metepec – Nevado de Toluca – Valle de Bravo

Start your day by visiting Toluca’s Nevado – a national park around the same-named volcano that is considered the fourth highest peak in Mexico. There, hike towards its crater and two twin lakes – Laguna del Sol and Laguna de la Luna. Afterward, move to the beautiful colonial town of Valle de Bravo visiting two of its nearby waterfalls on our way. After meeting the sunset and enjoying impressive panoramic views from a local viewpoint, have a walk around the historic center of the town followed by an optional dinner and get-together in one of the local restaurants/bars.

• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Valle de Bravo
• Activities: hiking to Nevado de Toluca; visits to Velo de Novia Real and El Molino Waterfalls; walk in Valle de Bravo

Day 7: Valle de Bravo – Sierra de Nanchititla State Park

Firstly, in the morning, go water ski (you’ll be instructed if needed) after visiting Centro de Espiritualidad Carmel Maranatha. Afterward, continue Mexico City Side Trips to enjoy the views of the impressive 105-m high Cascada De Nanchititla. Optional dinner and get-together in Sierra de Nanchititla State Park.

• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: eco-cabins in Sierra de Nanchititla State Park
• Activities: waterskiing in Valle de Bravo; entrance and hiking to the waterfalls in Sierra de Nanchititla State Park

Day 8: Sierra de Nanchititla State Park – Grutas Estrella – Tecomatepec – Ixtapan de la Sal

Start your day going to Grutas Estrella – a natural wonder inside which you can admire the various natural forms of stalactites and stalagmites. After a guided walk of the caves, go to Tecomatepec – a charming village that is famous for its clay crafts and the hospitality of its inhabitants. There, we’ll visit a local 16th-century church, walk around its small center, and visit one of its clay workshops. Afterward, move to the resort town of Ixtapan de la Sal which offers all-year-round sunny weather, curing thermal waters, and lush vegetation. Check-in, walk around the historic center of the town, followed by an optional dinner and evening visit to local thermal springs.

• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Ixtapan de la Sal
• Activities: guided visit to Grutas Estrella; walking in Tecomatepec and Ixtapan de la Sal; visit of thermal springs in Ixtapan de la Sal

Day 9: Ixtapan de la Sal – Tenancingo – Malinalco

Firstly, in the morning, go to the nearby town of Tenancingo to visit an impressive 30-m-high Monumento a Cristo Rey, and the historic flower market. Afterward, continue to the “Magical Town” of Malinalco. There, we’ll visit Cuauhtinchan Archeological Zone, explore its beautiful colonial center with ancient Augustinian Ex-convent, visit local handicraft workshops, and try some of the best local food specialties. Check-in, free time, optional dinner, and get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants/bars.

• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Malinalco
• Activities: guided visits to Monumento a Cristo Rey, Tenancingo Flowers market, Museo de Malinalco, Cuauhtinchan Archeological Zone; walk in Malinalco

Day 10: Malinalco – Chalma – Lagunas de Zempoala National Park – Mexico City

Start your day by visiting the nearby community of Chalma – the second-most-important pilgrimage site in Mexico, followed by hiking in Lagunas de Zempoala National Park. Arrive in Mexico City in the early afternoon. End of our Mexico City Side Trips.

• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: orientation walk of Chalma; hiking in Lagunas de Zempoala National Park.