ANCESTRAL MEXICO: DAY OF THE DEAD & COCO EXPERIENCE

Arrive at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá at least 3 hours before departure to board your Avianca flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is available from 3:00 p.m.

In the evening, head to the vibrant Plaza Garibaldi, a landmark of Mexican culture and home of the traditional mariachis. Enjoy a typical dinner at Guadalajara de Noche restaurant while experiencing the lively atmosphere. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will begin the day with a tour of Mexico City’s Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the visit, we will explore some of its most iconic landmarks, including the National Palace, the Zócalo, the Templo Mayor, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Postal Palace. We will then head to Xochimilco to enjoy a traditional boat ride aboard a trajinera along its canals, a legacy of pre-Hispanic times. This area is known for its famous chinampas, ancient agricultural systems built on the water that once made Mexico-Tenochtitlán a floating city. Our journey continues to the charming neighborhood of Coyoacán, where you will have free time for lunch (not included). Stroll through its main square, cobblestone streets, and colonial atmosphere. We will visit the iconic Blue House, former home of renowned artist Frida Kahlo, now a museum (entrance included), preserving the essence of her life and work. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will begin the day with a visit to the Plaza of the Three Cultures, a symbolic site where pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern Mexico come together. We will then continue to the Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Catholic world, dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Afterwards, we will head to the impressive archaeological site of Teotihuacán, whose name in Nahuatl means “City of the Gods.” During the visit, we will admire the majestic Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, as well as the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, known for its distinctive serpent-shaped carvings. We will walk along the iconic Avenue of the Dead and visit the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl, where ancient murals can still be seen. Enjoy a buffet lunch featuring traditional Mexican cuisine (included), followed by a visit to a local artisan center to learn about obsidian stone carving, one of the region’s most representative crafts. You will also have the opportunity to taste pulque, a traditional beverage made from maguey. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by road to Pátzcuaro. Upon arrival, enjoy free time for lunch (not included), where you can explore a variety of local and international dining options; we recommend trying the traditional “pasta” ice cream, one of the region’s most iconic flavors.

Afterwards, we will take a guided tour of the historic center and the traditional sweets market, especially vibrant during the Day of the Dead celebrations. Pátzcuaro, whose name in Purépecha means “the gateway to heaven,” is renowned for its colonial charm and the authenticity of its traditions. During the visit, we will explore key landmarks such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Health, the House of the Eleven Patios, the Temple of San Francisco, the Museum of Popular Arts (entrance included), the Convent of San Agustín, and the Don Vasco de Quiroga Square, surrounded by artisan shops. Throughout the day, we will witness the preparations for the Day of the Dead, one of Mexico’s most important celebrations, when families honor their loved ones with altars decorated with flowers, candles, traditional “pan de muerto,” and sugar skulls known as “calaveritas.” In the town center, you will have the option to get themed Day of the Dead face painting (not included), as well as free time to visit the artisan market, enjoy dinner (not included), and experience the local cuisine. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dance performance by the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro, featuring the famous “Dance of the Old Men,” followed by a demonstration of traditional fishing techniques by local fishermen using butterfly-shaped nets from their canoes. (This activity is subject to the local tourism schedule and may be modified or canceled.) Continue to Morelia. Arrival, hotel check-in, and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, we will depart towards the pottery town of Capula, birthplace of the famous clay “Catrina,” where artisans create unique and beautifully crafted figures every day. We will then continue to Santa Fe de la Laguna, a Purépecha community deeply rooted in Day of the Dead traditions. Here, you will have the opportunity to enter local homes and witness how families prepare to welcome their departed loved ones, showcasing their altars and offerings. You will experience the meaningful candle-lighting ceremony for the Day of the Dead and visit the town cemetery, where graves are beautifully decorated. In some cases, locals organize contests to choose the most elaborate altar. You may also witness the preparation of altars dedicated to those who passed away during the year, often accompanied by music and traditional dances in their honor. If time permits, we will continue to the archaeological site of Tzintzuntzan to attend the Festival of the Dead, where you will have the opportunity to see a representation of the traditional pre-Hispanic ball game. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we will enjoy a guided tour of Morelia’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its stunning colonial architecture built in pink stone. During the tour, we will visit the Cathedral, the Government Palace, Clavijero Palace, the Convent of the Roses and its church, as well as the Main Square. We will also explore the traditional sweets market, the aqueduct, the Tarascas Fountain, the Alley of Romance, and the Calzada, a charming pedestrian walkway leading to the Sanctuary of Guadalupe, famous for its impressive interior decoration. Afterwards, we will head to Lake Pátzcuaro to board a boat to Janitzio Island. There, we will visit its cemetery, where families beautifully decorate the graves with flowers and candles to honor their loved ones, creating a truly moving atmosphere. Free time for lunch (not included) and the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Optionally, you may visit the Handicrafts Museum or the Sweet Museum, where you can learn about the traditional candy-making process of the region. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, departure by road to Mexico City International Airport, with an estimated arrival around 15:00 hrs. Free time at the airport until departure for your Avianca flight to Bogotá. Overnight on board.