Welcome to Mexico City ! Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Punto Mx

After breakfast, meet in the hotel lobby at 9am. Depart for a city tour on foot, starting with the Zocalo, one of the largest squares in the world. There stands the largest Cathedral in the Americas, built on the site of the former grand Aztec temple 'Teocalli'. Its three naves shelter many chapels and altars adorned with gold, including the beautiful ‘Altar of Forgiveness’. The Palacio Nacional (National Palace) was built on top of the Palace of Moctezuma and features frescos painted by famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. Nowadays, it houses the President’s offices. The Templo Mayor (only outside) is a relic of the ancient Aztec capital Tenochtitlan... a pre-Columbian temple in the middle of urban jungle: simply amazing! This afternoon, head to the west of Mexico City, towards the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods. The Art-Deco style of some of the buildings represents the legacy of the early 20th century, when this area of the city experienced a period of opulence. In the evening, these neighborhoods are very lively with numerous trendy bars and restaurants where you can taste some authentic Mexican cuisine. Take some time to wander through the pathways of the Parque México and browse the avenue Obregón to enjoy its old and modern façades. We suggest that you enjoy a drink on a terrace or dance to the rhythm of the music. Return to the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Punto Mx

Experience the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Meet in the hotel lobby and depart for a visit of the surroundings of Mexico City. North of the city, visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in the 17th century. It is the most important religious site of Latin America and a major pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics coming from all over the world. You can also see the Old Basilica that is slowly sinking into the ground. The Old Basilica shelters a reproduction of the Black Madonna, which can be seen behind the choir inside the modern basilica. Magnificent Teotihuacan Today, head to the archeological site of Teotihuacan with the pyramids of the Moon and the Sun, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcóatl), the Temple of the Feathered Snails and the Palace of the Jaguars. The 'City of the Gods' was built in the seventh century and was probably, with its 200,000 inhabitants, the most populated city in the world at that time. Afterwards, visit a carved obsidian workshop. Obsidian is volcanic glass-stone produced when felsic lava cools so fast that it practically doesn’t crystallize and it was once one of the most important materials distributed in Mesoamerica. Your host gives will also give you flavors of tequila to taste. Then, head back to Mexico City for the evening.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Punto Mx

Journey to Queretaro Today, travel the colonial city of Queretaro. On the way stop in the Magic Town of Tepotzotlan. Admire its impressive religious architecture, particularly the Church of San Francisco Javier, one of the most magnificent in Mexico and stroll through the handicrafts market. After, visit the archeological site of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltec civilization. Visit the archeological site with its impressive statues 'Los Atlantes'. These are massive columns each carved in the likeness of Toltec warriors. In the evening, arrive in Queretaro, a remarkable town built in classic architecture, and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Visit the town, walk through numerous stately houses, fountains, churches and convents and relax in the shady plazas. The Santa Clara Church is particularly interesting: the simplicity of its façade makes a strong contrast with its exuberant interior decoration.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: La Casa Del Naranjo

The Monolith of Peña de Bernal Today, travel west through the state of Queretaro to visit Peña de Bernal. This gigantic rock formation is approximately 300m high is the 3rd largest monolith in the world. The Seat of the Sierra Gorda Late morning, travel up through the mountains and enter the incredible landscape of the Sierra Gorda Nature Reserve. Arrive in Pinal de Amoles, nestled on the top of the mountains. This is a charming village with beautiful balconies, narrow alleys and a small square in which stands out a monument dedicated to the miners and in honor of the vocation that gave birth to this beautiful village in 1606. Spend the night in your cabin before starting your Sierra Gorda adventure in the morning.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Mesón de Barreteros

Breathtaking Views at Cuatro Palos After a delicious breakfast, go to Cuatro Palos. From there you can walk to the impressive viewpoint at the top of Cerro de la Media Luna. After appreciating the incredible panorama, you will be ready to have a traditional lunch in one of the fondas of the Ruta del Sabor. After lunch visit the waterfall El Chuvejé, a drop of almost 30 meters high that flows through pools of crystal clear water - ideal to cool off on a hot day. Then, travel deeper into the Sierra Gorda to Jalpan, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of one of the region’s five World Heritage-listed Franciscan Missions. Explore the town before dining in one of the Jalpan’s traditional restaurants.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Cabañas Sierra Gorda

A Day Exploring the Sierra Gorda Start the morning with a traditional breakfast at the Ruta del Sabor. From there, you’ll travel to the charming pueblito of Landa de Matamoros, where you can explore Landa's Franciscan Mission, the regional Community Museum and a handicraft store. After lunch, it will be time to put your creative and crafting skills to the test by taking part in a ceramic workshop. After washing the clay off your hands, travel to the tiny mountain town of San Juan de los Durán. Here you will spend the night in these remote cabins. Enjoy a traditional dinner and take in the incredible landscape of the Sierra Gorda.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Rincon de Ojo de Agua de San Juan de los Durán

The Cave of Swallows A quick coffee and pastry will help fuel your early start to the morning, setting out towards the “Cave of Swallows” (Sótano de las Golondrinas), a spectacular vertical cave, featuring a more than 300 metre drop. After a short but challenging hike, you’ll arrive in time not only to marvel at the Mexico's flagship cave whose sheer walls are home to thousands of birds – including the white-collared swifts and green parakeets – leaving their cave nests and spiralling out into the sky as the sun rises. The Secrets of Xilitla Late morning, visit Xilitla one of the most magical places in Mexico. This incredible architectural maze of columns and buildings structured around a wataerfall was created by Edward James. His surrealist garden, also known as Las Pozas, is a unique space hidden deep in the forests of the Sierra Gorda. The sculptor and poet created sculptures that blend with the exuberant vegetation and waterfalls over 70 meters high and spent years adding quirks and details to create columns that look like giant flowers, gothic archways and dramatic gates which give it a feeling of decaying grandeur and spiral staircases that end abruptly in mid-air. Spend your morning getting lost here in James' imagination. Return to Jalpan in the afternoon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Cabañas Sierra Gorda

Today say goodbye to the incredible landscapes of the Sierra Gorda and head down towards Mexico City. Arrive in the afternoon and settle into your hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Punto Mx

Depart from the hotel for Mexico City Airport in private transportation 4 hours before your flight is due to take-off.

Meals: Breakfast