Puebla tour: Explore Ancient Ruins, Nature and a Majestic Volcano (Group / 5 Days)

Overview

Join our 5-day adventure tour to hike the 6th highest summit in Mexico and visit the top attractions of Puebla & Tlaxcala. Explore natural & cultural gems during the day while hanging out & having fun in the evening!

Highlights

• Visit 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites - ancient Teotihuacan pyramids and colonial centers of Mexico City & Puebla.
• Hike a stunning La Malinche Volcano - the 6x highest summit in Mexico.
• Get acquainted with a unique collection of the National Anthropology Museum.
• Try delicious local specialties of 4 Mexican states (Mexico City; States of Mexico, Puebla & Tlaxcala).
• Enjoy the quietness and peacefulness of the smallest Mexican state's capital.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mexico City

Bienvenidos a Ciudad de Mexico - the largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. Arrive at any time and start our "Mexico: Puebla, Tlaxcala & Volcano Hiking" tour meeting your group and Tour Leader in the lobby of your hotel at 6 pm. After a brief informational meeting, go for a welcome dinner and an orientation walk of the historic center with some food tastings. Optional get-together in one of the local bars afterward.

• Transportation: walking
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Meals: dinner
• Activities:
  • History & Culture Experiences: orientation walk of the Historic Center of Mexico City
  • Gastronomic Experiences: churros & coffee/chocolate stating in the oldest churreria in the city

Day 2: Mexico City - Teotihuacan - Mexico City

In the morning, go to Teotihuacan - a complex of ancient pyramids set amid what was once Mesoamerica’s greatest city. After a walking tour of the archeological zone, go to discover a compact colonial center of a nearby "Magical Town" San Martín de las Pirámides. Once there, stroll its traditional market and try some of the most iconic regional food specialties, and have a cup of refreshing pulque. Afterward, go back to Mexico City to visit the stunning National Museum of Anthropology. Free time/optional dinner & get-together with your group in the evening.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities:
  • History & Culture Experiences: guided visits to Teotihuacan Archeological Zone and the National Museum of Anthropology (Mexico City)
  • Gastronomic Experiences: Market Food Experience & pulque tasting in San Martín de las Pirámides

Day 3: Mexico City - La Malinche National Park

In the morning, after breakfast, go to La Malinche National Park with an optional snack/lunch on the way. Choose whether to stay and enjoy the nature in the basecamp (it offers various outdoor activities, a restaurant, and several short trails), or take a challenging 14-km loop trail (~6-7 h in total) with your guide towards the summit. After the hike, move to your accommodation and relax your body in a traditional temazcal. Dinner and optional get-together with your group at the fireplace in the evening.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: eco-cabins in La Malinche National Park
• Meals: breakfast, dinner (tacos and beers/non-alcoholic drinks)
• Activities:
  • Nature Experiences: guided hike in La Malinche National Park
  • Body & Mind Experiences: temazcal in La Malinche National Park

Day 4: La Malinche National Park - Tlaxcala - Cholula - Puebla

In the morning, after breakfast, go to Tlaxcala - the capital of Mexico’s smallest state with imposing churches and a handsome central plaza. Upon an orientation walk of its compact colonial downtown, we will go to a "Magical Town" of Cholula. As a matter of fact, it's officially the oldest city in America inhabited without interruption since its origins. Furthermore, it boasts the world's largest pyramid by volume topped by the Virgen de Los Remedios church.

Once there, we will have a walking tour of Cholula's historic center and taste some of the most iconic local food specialties in its municipal market. Additionally, we will visit Cholula Archeological Zone and try several varies of cider in a local cider museum (the town hosts one of the oldest cider factories in Mexico). Later, we will go to Puebla - a vibrant capital of the same-named state that retains a fantastically well-preserved historic center, a stunning cathedral, and a wealth of beautiful churches. Finally, after check-in and some rest at our accommodation, we will go out for an evening orientation walk of the historic center and an optional farewell dinner in one of the local restaurants.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Puebla
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities:
  • History & Culture Experiences: guided visits to Cholula Archeological Zone; orientation walks in Tlaxcala, Cholula & Puebla
  • Gastronomic Experiences: Market Food Experience & cider tasting (Cider Museum) in Cholula

Day 5: Puebla - Mexico City

Free time in the morning and transfer to Mexico City arriving there around 1 pm (the driver can drop you off at the airport or in the center). End of our "Mexico: Puebla, Tlaxcala & Volcano Hiking Tour".

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Meals: breakfast

Why go with us

• Small groups of up to 13 travelers: closer communication, easier coordination, more adventures & fun!
• Off-the-beaten-track tours with maximum immersion in local nature, culture, and traditions.
• The easy-going atmosphere of our tours is perfect for informal travel & making new friends among co-travelers and locals.

Logistics

• DEPARTURE & ARRIVAL: We will leave Mexico City on Day 3 morning and arrive back on Day 5 afternoon.
• AIRPORT TRANSFERS: This tour doesn't include airport transfers. Mexico City International Airport is ~30-45 min away from the center of the city and is easily accessible by both taxis and public transport.
• ACCOMMODATIONS: You will receive a list of accommodations together with trip notes 2 weeks before the tour. Most accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary). We can arrange pre- & post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when we send you final trip notes.
• ROOM TYPES:
  • Shared Twin Room: Single bed in a twin room shared with another co-traveler of the same gender. This option is specifically designed for solo travelers and applies just to group departures.
  • Double/Twin Room: Private room for 2 people. You can choose between 1 double bed or 2 single beds.
  • Triple Room: Private room for 3 people. It normally has 1 double bed for 2 people and 1 single bed for 1 person.
  • Quad Room: Private room for 4 people. It normally has 2 double beds for 2 people each.

  If none of the room types above fits you, please contact us and we will send you a personalized quote.

• TRANSPORT: The type of vehicle depends on the size of the group and may include a car, 7-seater, minivan. Inside urban areas, walking is the most common way of transportation.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for daily departures. Most of the included activities such as walking tours (>2h, normally in historic centers of bigger cities), orientation walks (<2h, normally in smaller towns & villages), guided visits & hikes focus on local nature, history, culture & gastronomy and are led by a Tour Leader. You will receive suggestions for optional activities in trip notes. Extra day tours and activities can be booked by your Tour Leader for an extra fee.

Notes

• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of walking and hiking. Therefore, travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness condition. Hiking towards the summit of La Malinche Volcano on Day 3 is challenging (~14 km long with ~1000 m elevation gain, ~6-7 h in total depending on your physical fitness) and thus is optional (there are other activities and trails around that you can do on your own).
• AGE: Due to required physical condition, the recommended age of participants in this tour is 12-69 years. However, potential participants outside of the above-mentioned age group can still participate upon request if (1) they are in a good physical condition (2) that will allow them to cope with the pace of the group tour.
• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & (hiking) shoes; swimming suit & slippers; a smaller backpack for daily tours/hiking; hat/cap, sunglasses & sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood & curiosity.
• GROUP VS. PRIVATE: Our multi-day tours offer both group and private departures (see pricing at checkout). Group tour - take a scheduled trip with other travelers. Private tour - take a trip on your own, with friends or family. Private tours are customizable (you can depart any day and we can add additional stops & activities on your request) and thus may cost more than group tours.
• PRICING: * The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers and the room/tour option you choose.