Mexico City Outskirts: Tour a Magic Town, Snowy Volcano and Towns (Small-Group / 10 Days)

Overview

Join our 10-day off-the-beaten-track "Heart of Mexico Adventure Tour" to get acquainted with the rich cultural & natural diversity of the State of Mexico that offers a wide variety of attractions, including numerous archaeological sites, picturesque towns, indigenous traditions, and beautiful natural surroundings.

Highlights

• Tour around the State of Mexico - one of the most beautiful & diverse states in Mexico.
• Stroll impressive UNESCO-listed colonial center of Mexico City.
• See imposing 105-m tall Cascada De Nanchititla - the 6th tallest waterfall in Mexico.
• Hike Nevado de Toluca Volcano & admire its unique crystal-clear twin crater lakes.
• Visit Teotihuacan - one of the greatest pre-Hispanic cities in Mexico and the former capital of the ancient empire.

Itinerary

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 & Tour Leader in the evening: welcome meeting & 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 1st half of the day exploring Mexico City's Historic Centre & visiting the National Anthropology Museum with your Tour Leader.  Free time in the afternoon, optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: walking tour of the Historic Centre 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 & climbing its imposing pyramids. Afterward, continue our "Heart of Mexico Adventure 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 & walking tour around the center of the town, we will 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 where the main economic activity was the exploitation of coal. Check-in, walking tour around the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of local restaurants/bars.

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

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

Firstly, in the morning, go to Taxhimay Dam. Once there, we will 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 will move to a "Magical Town" of Aculco to explore its neat historic center, try some of the numerous local cheese varieties & visit its nearby natural wonders - Cascadas de Tixhiñú & Cascada de la Concepción. Finally, we will arrive at El Oro - another charming "Magical Town" that used to be one of the biggest gold mining centers in the world. Check-in, walking tour around the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of local restaurants/bars.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in El Oro
• Activities: kayak/boat tour in Taxhimay Dam; visits to Cascadas de Tixhiñú & Cascada de la Concepción; cheese tasting in Aculco, walking tours in Aculco & 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 & Socavon De San Juan. Afterward, go to visit Centro Ceremonial Mazahua & Calixtlahuaca Archaeological Zone before reaching Toluca - a state capital surrounded by peaceful mountains, alpine forests, and ancient ruins. Once there, walk tour around Toluca's compact historic center & visit Cosmovitral - an impressive botanical garden with over 400 species of plants, trees, and 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, walking tour around the historic center with local liquor tasting, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of local restaurants/bars.

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

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

Start your day by visiting Nevado de Toluca - a national park around the same-named volcano that is considered the fourth highest peak in Mexico. There, hike towards its crater & 2 twin lakes - Laguna del Sol & Laguna de la Luna. Afterward, move to the beautiful colonial town of Valle de Bravo visiting 2 of its nearby waterfalls on our way. After meeting sunset & enjoying impressive panoramic views from a local viewpoint, have a walking tour around the historic center of the town followed by an optional dinner & get-together in one of the local restaurants/bars.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• 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 & El Molino Waterfalls; walking tour of Valle de Bravo

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

Firstly, in the morning, go to water ski (you will be instructed if needed) after visiting Centro de Espiritualidad Carmel Maranatha. Afterward, continue our "Heart of Mexico Adventure Tour" going to enjoy the views of impressive 105-m high Cascada De Nanchititla. Optional dinner & get-together in Sierra de Nanchititla State Park.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: eco-cabins in Sierra de Nanchititla State Park
• Activities: waterskiing in Valle de Bravo; entrance & 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 & stalagmites. After a guided tour of the caves, go to Tecomatepec - a charming village that is famous for its clay crafts & hospitality of its inhabitants. There, we will visit a local 16th-century church, walk around its small center & visit one of its clay workshops. Afterward, move to a resort town of Ixtapan de la Sal that offers all-year-round sunny weather, curing thermal waters, and lush vegetation. Check-in, walking tour around the historic center of the town, followed by an optional dinner & evening visit of local thermal springs.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Ixtapan de la Sal
• Activities: guided visit to Grutas Estrella; walking tours of Tecomatepec & 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 a nearby town of Tenancingo to visit an impressive 30-m high Monumento a Cristo Rey & historic flowers market. Afterward, continue to a "Magical Town" of Malinalco. There, we will visit Cuauhtinchan Archeological Zone, explore its beautiful colonial center with ancient Augustinian Ex-convent, visit local handcrafts workshops & try some of the best local food specialties. Check-in, free time, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants/bars.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• 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; walking tour of Malinalco

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

Start your day by visiting a nearby community of Chalma - the second-most-important pilgrimage site in Mexico, followed by hiking in Lagunas de Zempoala National Park. Arrival to Mexico City in the early afternoon. End of our " Heart of Mexico Adventure Tour".

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Meals: breakfast
• Activities: walking tour of Chalma; hiking in Lagunas de Zempoala National Park

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: We will leave our accommodation in Mexico City on Day 3 morning.
• ARRIVAL: We will be back in Mexico City on Day 10 early afternoon.
• ACCOMMODATIONS: We will send you an exact list of accommodations together with trip notes 2 weeks before the departure date. All accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room. 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.

• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of walking. Therefore, travelers should have moderate physical fitness condition.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for daily departures.
• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & shoes; a small backpack for daily tours; hat/cap, sunglasses & sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood & curiosity.
• PRICING: The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers & room option you choose. 
• GROUP VS. PRIVATE TOUR: Group Tour: take a trip with other travelers. Private Tour: take a trip on your own, with friends, couple, or family. While offering more privacy and exclusivity such tours may cost more than group ones. If you wanna take a private tour with a group that is bigger than 4, please contact us and we will send you a personalized offer. For private tours, the dates of departure (and in some cases the itinerary & activities) can be customized to your request.