Day 1: Arrival: Home/Leon/San Miguel Allende.
Arrival and private transfer from the
Leon International Airport to the small and charming colonial city of San Miguel Allende (1:30 hrs.). Check in to your unique boutique accommodation and enjoy a well deserved rest! (Overnight Casa Quetzal) No Meals

Day 2: San Miguel Allende.
Today you will enjoy a half day privately guided tour of the city center and sites of historical interest in San Miguel Allende including the famous Parroquita de San Miguel Arcángel designed by the indigenous stonemason Zeferino
Gutierrez from a postcard depicting a Belgian Church! The history and lore of San Miguel are intertwined with the Independence movement and the energy and spirit of freedom of expression have continued on in the lively creative enclave of modern day San Miguel. The afternoon is free on your own to browse the many interesting shops, visit museums
and galleries and relax in the central square as you acclimatize to Mexico’s colonial
heartland and the dry crisp air of the high desert. (Overnight Casa Quetzal)

Day 3: San Miguel Allende/Guanajuato. Today we say goodbye to our first stop in our journey into the core of Mexico’s rich colonial heritage. We will be met at our hotel at 9:00 a.m. and privately transferred to the incredible world heritage city of Guanajuato (:45 mins.). Check in and hit the streets of the vibrant cultural center. Guanajuato’s history is as rich as its mines full of silver during the colonial era. Use the day to orient yourself to the winding streets and subterranean passages that make this city a Mexican medina! The thriving down town is full of interesting shops and the smells of delicious Mexican fare wafts through the streets inviting you in to one of the many delicious eateries. (Overnight Hotel Las Acacias: Std. Suite)

Day 4: Guanajuato/City Tour.
Today you will enjoy a privately guided tour of this incredibly interesting and historical city. You will visit the sites of most interest including: The central plaza or Zocalo as it is known in all Mexican towns and cities in the Republic, Teatro Juárez, Callejón del Beso, Alhondiga de Granaditas (site of the first rebel victory in the War of Independence), Museo y Casa de Diego Rivera, the Museo de las Mómias, the Mina and Templo de la Valencia and more depending on time and interest. (Overnight Hotel Las Acacias: Std. Suite)

Day 5: Guanajuato/Patzcuaro.
After breakfast you will be picked up and privately transferred to the highland colonial gem of Patzcuaro (3:00 hrs.). Mid-day arrival and check in to our lovely hotel located right off of the Central Plaza and Basilica followed by an escorted tour of the city center. Upon deeper exploration, the cobble stone streets and 17th C. Architecture give way to the Tarascan and Purepecha traditions of the indigenous inhabitants in a delightful blend of modern Mexico that piques your interest and imagination. (Overnight Hotel Posada La Basilica)

Day 6: Patzcuaro/Isla Janitzio/Santa Clara del Cobre/Tzintzuntzan.
After breakfast you will be picked up for a full day privately guided tour of Isla Janitzio and the fascinating crafts villages that surround Lake Patzcuaro. This picturesque lake, is accented with the now famous island of Janitzio, one of the most important and visited villages for Dia de los Muertos ritual celebration. The moderate walk (:30 mins.) to the top of the gently sloped island is great to stretch your legs and acclimatize further to the crisp mountain air. Climb the several hundred steps to the top of the 140 ft. statue of Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon up onto his wrist to view the lovely panorama or simply relax in the small park at his feet enjoying the view. We return mid-day and will continue on to Santa Clara del Cobre for a delicious locally prepared lunch of Tarascan fare. During the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead Nov. 1st – 2nd), Isla Janitzio and the villages surrounding Lake Patzcuaro are swarmed with visitors clamoring to understand the mystical and somber rituals of the locals that go to sit vigil with their deceased family members in commentaries. However, during the rest of the year, the island and surrounding villages offer a window into pre-Columbian times and the friendly Purépecha indigenous people who are glad to share a smile or invite you into their work shops to browse the rich crafts traditions. We will have ample time to visit the silver shops for which Santa Clara is famous for before continuing on to the Purepecha ruins of Tzintzuntzan for a brief, but interesting visit. Late afternoon return to our hotel. (Overnight Hotel Posada La Basilica)

Day 7: Patzcuaro/Morelia.
Today after breakfast we will have our last morning to enjoy the shops and plazas of Patzcuaro. We will be picked up at 11:00 a.m. and privately transferred to the economic center of Michohuacan, the impressive colonial city of Morelia (:40 mins.). Named after one of the most important fathers of the independence movement and battles, Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, the exquisite colonial architecture and 16th century ambience have made the historic center of Morelia a UNESCO world heritage site. Lunch is on your own at one of the many fine restaurants in the city center before returning to your lovely and well-situated hotel on the Zocalo to check in. In the afternoon, you will have free time to see the important historic sites including: The Cathedral (which took over a century to build!), the Palacio Clavijero (site of the Jesuit school of St. Francis Xavier, and the Casa de Artesanias (where you’ll find a robust array of handicrafts from all over the state of Michohuacan and beyond). (In luxury version, this time will be guided).
(Overnight Hotel Virrey de Mendoza)

Day 8: Morelia.
Today we will begin after breakfast; your expert guide will pick you up in front of the hotel for a privately guided tour of some of the outlying areas of the city including, but not limited to: el Carmen y San José, Villalongín, Callejón del Romance, Acueducto, Calzada e Iglesia de San Diego, Orquidario, Subida de La Paloma, Mirador del Asta Bandera, returning back to the historic center and your lovely hotel right on the Zocalo (Central Plaza) (2:30).. Lunch is included at one of the fine restaurants in the city center for local fare. You have the afternoon free to enjoy this magical capital city of Michohuacan. (Overnight Hotel Virrey de Mendoza)

Day 9: Morelia/Guanajuato.
Free morning to enjoy the city center and soak in the local flavor of the Plaza. It is here where the daily life of Morelianos is transacted and despite the international recognition and acclaim Morelia has received, this still remains very much a typical Mexican City. After lunch on your own, you will be picked up at 2:00 p.m.at the hotel for your private transfer back to Guanajuato (3:00 hrs.) After checking in to your hotel, dinner is on your own for your farewell fiesta and your last night in Mexico’s Colonial heartland. (Overnight Hotel Las Acacias: Std. Suite)

Day 10: Departure: Guanajuato/Leon/Home. Pick up and private transfer to the Leon
Airport (:45 mins.) for your onward flight home.

Price per Client: Luxury

2-3 Clients $3,795USD/Client
4-7 Clients $3,475 USD/Client

Single Supplement: $875 Client elected or forced.

Note: itinerary above unless noted as “optional at extra cost”; all taxes; all meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary above

Price Includes: Private expert history and archeology guide throughout available upon request; private late model car, suburban, or van throughout depending on group size; arrival and departure dinners in Guanajuato on Days 1 and 10.

Price Doesn’t Include: International and internal flights; entrance/exit airport fees; meals and/or beverages not indicated in detailed itinerary; Airport transfers not on group arrival; Alcoholic beverages, Gratuities to guides, drivers, wait-staff, maid service, porters; telephone calls and items of a personal nature.

Ask about Creating your own custom itinerary: A romantic hideaway, hand-made crafts shopping, sampling the culinary delights of Mexico’s world renowned cuisine, exploring the myriad of archeological sites, white water rafting, mountain or road biking, mountaineering… We are the Mexico travel experts; call us to start planning your own custom Mexican adventure today!