Food Tour Puebla: Taste Irresistible Flavors of Cholula and Atlixco (Small-Group / 3 Days)

Food Tour Puebla: Taste Irresistible Flavors of Cholula and Atlixco (Small-Group / 3 Days)
USD $823.00
  • Duration: 3 Days

Overview

Join our 3-day food adventure tour to get acquainted with aromas & flavors of the State of Puebla in Mexico. The history & culture of this state is one of the world's treasures and its capital is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This designation also applies to the state's exquisite cuisine which combines indigenous, Spanish, and Arab influences. Puebla is nationwide-famous for its diverse regional dishes and is also one of the main gastronomic regions of the country. Market food experience, guided visits to local mezcal, cider, beer or pulque producers, walking tours & visits to local museums - all this and even more is waiting for you on our tour.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the beauty of the UNESCO-listed Historic Center of Puebla.
  • Feel appealing smells & flavors of Pueblas's food markets.
  • Try some of the best regional specialties - mole poblano, chiles en nogada, chalupas, molotes, and others.
  • Learn about the history, ingredients & production techniques of 4 regional drinks - mezcal, pulque, cider & artisanal beer.
  • Get under the charm of 2 "Magical Towns" - Cholula & Atlixco.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mexico City - Cholula - Puebla

Bienvenidos a 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 at 9 am. Following a short welcome meeting, go to discover a "Magical Town" of Cholula. Situated near Puebla City, this place is best known for its Great Pyramid, with the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios sanctuary on top. Once there, we will visit a local archeological zone and have a walking tour of the historic center. Then, we will have a look at a local cider museum & explore the tastes of regional specialties in the municipal market.

Afterward, we will go to the state's capital Puebla. There we will visit the monastery that is considered the birthplace of the most famous regional dish - mole poblano. Also, we will get acquainted with another emblematic tradition of the state - talavera. This pottery technique represents a local type of majolica and is considered one of the most distinguished artisan traditions in the country.

In the evening, after check-in and some rest, opt to join your group & Tour Leader for an optional dinner & get-together in one of the local restaurants/bars.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Puebla
  • Activities:
    • walking tours in Puebla and Cholula;
    • guided visits to Zona Arqueológica de Cholula (Cholula), Museo de la Sidra Copa de Oro (Cholula), Museo de Arte Religioso de Santa Mónica (Puebla), Museo Casa de Alfeñique (Puebla);
    • market food tour in Cholula.

Day 2: Puebla - Atlixco

In the morning, after breakfast, continue exploring Puebla getting lost in its colorful streets & lanes. Afterward, visit its famous food market to learn the history & try some of the best local specialties. Later, we will go south to visit a family palenque whose owner has been producing mezcal for over 70 years. After walking around its agave fields, learning about the main difference between mezcal & tequila, and trying some of the best local varieties of this smoky drink, we will to Atlixco. In this "Magical Town" situated almost at the bottom of the Popocatepetl volcano, we will first go to a  local artisanal beer company. There we will have a tour of the brewery and try some of the best local varieties of artisanal beers.  We will finish the afternoon on the hill enjoying beautiful sunset and views of Popacateptl volcano.

In the evening, after check-in and some rest, join your group & Tour Leader for an orientation walk of the historic center of Atlixco. Then,  opt for an optional dinner & get-together in one of the local restaurants/bars.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Atlixco
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Activities:
    • walking tours in Puebla and Atlixco;
    • market food tour in Puebla; brewery tour in Atlixco.

Day 3: Atlixco - Mexico City

First, have a breakfast food experience in the local market followed by a visit to some of the most famous artisanal ice cream shops in the town. Afterward, go north to a local farm to see the production of pulque - ancient fermented beverage from the sap of agave. There we will join a tlachiquero to see him (and try ourselves if you want)  extracting the sap of agave ("aguamiel") that would later become pulque. Thereafter, for lunch, we will try some regional specialties with the larva of chinicuil ("maguey worm"). All this will be accompanied by fresh pulque and followed by pan de pulque ("pulque bread") for dessert. Finally, once ready with our meal, we will go to Mexico City. End of tour.

  • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Meals: breakfast (market food experience in Atlixco), lunch (local specialties in pulque farm)
  • Activities:
    • walking tour in Atlixco;
    • pulque tour.

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 depart from our meeting point in Mexico City (as per trip notes) at 9 am on Day 1.
  • ARRIVAL: We will be back in Mexico City on Day 3 afternoon around 5 pm.
  • ACCOMMODATIONS: An exact list of accommodations is sent together with trip notes 2 weeks before the departure date. Most of the 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. However, this time is normally enough to arrange it with normal pricing & enough availability.
  • 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 private vehicle for inter-city transfers depends on the size of the group and may include 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 departures. Both walking tours (>2h, normally in historic centers of bigger cities) and orientation walks (<2h, normally in smaller towns & villages) focus on local history, culture & gastronomy and are led by a Tour Leader.
  • FOOD: Food & drinks included in the tour (be it breakfasts at our accommodations, Market Food Experiences, lunches, or dinners) can normally meet most of the common dietary restrictions. However, due to the active program of the tour and different menus in each place, satisfying a special diet or food preferences of a particular traveler will depend on circumstances and cannot be fully guaranteed.
  • PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of hiking & walking. Therefore, travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness condition.
  • WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & (preferably hiking) shoes; swimming suit & slippers; a smaller 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.