Colonial Tour: Travel La Ruta de la Plata Around Picturesque Towns (Small Group / 9 Days)

Overview

Itinerary

Day 3: Mexico City - Queretaro - San Miguel de Allende

In the morning, we will head to the next stop of our heritage tour - Querétaro, one of the most representative colonial cities in Mexico. Its beautiful UNESCO-listed historical center with buildings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries will show what life was like in those times. Afterward, go to San Miguel de Allende - another UNESCO-listed city with a huge cultural heritage and a cosmopolitan population that preserves its true colonial feeling. Walking tour, check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in San Miguel de Allende.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in San Miguel de Allende
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: walking tours of the historic centers of Queretaro & San Miguel de Allende

Day 4: San Miguel de Allende - Dolores Hidalgo - Guanajuato

Firstly, go to Dolores Hidalgo - the starting point of the fight for Mexican independence from the Spanish empire in 1810. After a walking tour and optional lunch in the center of this "Magical Town", continue to Guanajuato. This colonial city, located among gold and silver mines, had its greatest peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its opulent  UNESCO-listed historic center is an explicit proof of its former glory. Walking tour, check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Guanajuato
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: walking tours of the historic centers of Dolores Hidalgo & Guanajuato

Day 5: Guanajuato - San Luis Potosí - Zacatecas

In the morning, after breakfast & check-out from our accommodation in Guanajuato, go to San Luis Potosí. With numerous baroque constructions, colonial mansions, and Novo-Hispanic churches this UNESCO-listed city used to be the most important in northern Mexico. After a walking tour of its historic center and an optional lunch, continue to another UNESCO-listed colonial city - Zacatecas. Check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Zacatecas.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Zacatecas
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: walking tour of the historic center of San Luis Potosí

Day 6: Zacatecas

This day we will explore Zacatecas - the northernmost pearl of our trip. First, we will tour its historic center with its narrow streets, idyllic balconies, and hallways to fully enjoy its romantic atmosphere. Then, we will take a cable car to La Bufa. This mountain with a very distinctive shape is the city's most recognizable landmark. Afterward, we will visit Mina El Eden, the only mine in the country that still allows visitors to enter. Check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Zacatecas.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Zacatecas
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: walking tour of the historic center of Zacatecas, cable car to La Bufa, guided visit of Mina El Eden

Day 7: Zacatecas - La Quemada - Aguascalientes

In the morning, we will continue our heritage tour going to La Quemada. Those are the only big pre-Columbian ruins in this part of Mexico that used to be home to a flourishing city. After a guided visit of the archeological zone, go to Aguascalientes. This prosperous industrial city, whose name in Spanish literally means "hot waters", is known for its handsome colonial center, numerous museums & thermal springs. Check-in, visit of 200-years-old thermal springs, walking tour of the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Aguascalientes.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Aguascalientes
• Activities Included: guided visit to La Quemada Archeological Zone; visit of thermal springs & a walking tour of the historic center of Aguascalientes

Day 8: Aguascalientes - San Juan de Los Lagos - Cuitzeo - Morelia

In the morning, after breakfast & check-out from our accommodation in Aguascalientes, go to San Juan de Los Lagos. Founded in 1542, it's currently the second most visited religious place in Mexico. The town is especially famous for its Nuestra Señora de Los Lagos Cathedral with six paintings that were allegedly created by Rubens.

After an orientation walk of the historic center, continue to Cutzeo, a charming "Magical Town" on the shore of a same-named lake. There, we will have an orientation walk of its lovely colonial center and visit the 16th-century Ex Convent of Santa María Magdalena (also hosts Museum of the Print). Finally, after an optional lunch, we will go to the last destination of our trip - Morelia. Known as the "City of the Pink Stone", this UNESCO-listed city is home to numerous Baroque and Neoclassical monuments.  Accommodation, walking tour, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Morelia.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Morelia
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: walking tours/orientation walks of the historic centers of San Juan de Los Lagos, Cutzeo & Morelia; guided visit of Ex Convent of Santa María Magdalena (Museum of the Print)

Day 9: Morelia - Mexico City

Last day of our "Mexico: Colonial Heritage" tour. Opt to return to Mexico City with the rest of the group in the morning, stay longer to explore Morelia, or join some of our next tours.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Meals Included: 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

• ACCOMMODATIONS: An exact list of accommodations is sent 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.

• TRANSPORT: The type of vehicle depends on the size of the group and may include a car, 7-seater, minivan.
• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of walking. Therefore, travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness condition.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities of this Mexico adventure tour is optional - just be sure to be in time for daily departures.

Notes

• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & shoes; swimming suit & slippers; a smaller backpack for daily tours; 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 & room option you choose.