Wonders of Mexico

You fly to Mexico and transfer to the hotel in centrally located hotel. Dinner will be taken in the hotel tonight. Some will doubtless prefer to go straight to bed.

After breakfast in the hotel we set out to explore one of the largest cities in the world. Its turbulent history stretches back to the Spanish conquest and well beyond. The tour takes in as many sites as possible including the Public Education Ministry to see the famous murals painted by Diego Rivera and the Museo Nacional de Antropología, the most frequented museum in Mexico an often cited as one of the best in the world. We only have time for a brief introduction. 

We ascend to the 41st floor of the Torre Latinoamericana. For along time this was the highest building in Latin America which makes for stunning views across Mexico City. It is a short walk from the hotel.

Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant.

Today we walk through the southern districts of Coyoacán and St Angel. Coyoacán attracts many artists, but also serves as a goal for relaxed Sunday outings to the inhabitants of Mexico City. Visit the Iglesia de Coyoacán, the Fonoteca Nacional with its lovely garden, and, of course, the impressive fountain in the Jardín Centenario. Please note it is not possible to arrange for our groups to visit the Blue House were Freda Kahlo was raised. If you would like to visit it may be possible to arrange at short notice. Please discuss with your Ramble Worldwide tour leader. Today you should consider tasting chapulines, grilled grasshoppers that are offered by many street vendors in the area. We then stroll down quiet cobble streets to the old quarter of San Ángel. Many traces of the old wealth can still be admired. Restaurants, boutiques, galleries, fine furniture stores, music shops, and interesting bookstores invite you to stroll and stay. We continue to visit of the “Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera” – the connected twin buildings in Bauhaus style, where the artist couple Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo lived, mark the beginning of modern architecture in Mexico. 

Finally Xochimilco and its floating gardens that the Aztecs created on Lake Texcoco to supply victuals to its capital. The channels of the “Huertos Flotantes” have a total length of more than 150 km (90 miles).

You have the morning in Mexico City to finish the exploration. We visit the Mercado 77 San Juan in the historic centre of Mexico City. Our local guide will take us through the vast range of produce available and offer various chances to taste. 

Next we drive out of the city to visit of the huge pyramid complex of Teotihuacán. It was the first city in the “New World.” Built between 250 BC and 700 AD, its population, in its heyday, amounted to approximately 125,000 – 250,000 people. It is an enormous and impressive site. Depending on the confirmed flight schedules from Tapachula to Mexico City on Day 15 we may move this trip highlight to Day 15. If this happens we will include lunch in a local restaurant at Teotihuacan.

After visiting we drive on to Puebla (approx 2.5hrs) and have some time to look around the lovely colonial city before dinner. At dinner look out for 'mole', a savoury chocolate chilli sauce, a local delicacy.

First, we visit the archaeological site of Cantona (House of the Sun) is set on an area of more than 13 km² in the foot-hills of the Jalapasco volcano. It is a vast site. Our local guide will explain the finer points and there will be time to wander. Continuing to the town of Tepeyahualco we visit the beautiful Hacienda Tepetlcalli for lunch. Have a look at the exhibition of numerous archaeological pieces and modern works of art, displayed on the historical walls. 

Back in Puebla we visit the first library on the American continent the Biblioteca Palafoxiana in the House of Culture of Puebla. The historic monument, today an UNESCO World Documentary Heritage, contains more than 40,000 volumes some of which date back to the 15th century. 

There will be a light dinner in the hotel tonight.

Today we head to Oaxaca passing through the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán region famed for its large diversity of animal species and endemic plants, in particular cacti. We will visit the botanical garden in Zapotitlán Salinas and walk to the nearby salineras (salt pans). Look out for the impressive age-old elephant-foot trees. 

For lunch we stop at the Itandehui restaurant famous throughout the state of Puebla. The brave might like to try fried cu-chamá caterpillars, but there are many more mainstream items on the menu.

After lunch we continue about 3-4 hours to Oaxaca for dinner and overnight. Tonight we will have a light dinner in the hotel. For those with the energy our hotel is a gentle ten minute stroll from the centre. It is well worth walking around the city later when the streets are buzzing with people and noise.

From Oaxaca we head out to visit Monte Alban. The magnificently situated ruins on an artificially flattened hilltop are surrounded by a circle of terraces, houses, temples and tombs on the slopes of the hill. At its heyday (500-800 AD), the centre is said to have had about 50,000 residents.

Returning to the city we have a tour of the centre of Oaxaca, one of the most beautiful colonial towns of Mexico. We will stroll the old cobbled streets, and visit the magnificent church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the ever-bustling Zócalo, one of the many colourful markets and the Museo Cultural de Oaxaca, located in the former Dominican monastery of the 16th century. We will take dinner in a centrally located restaurant allowing us to sample Oaxaca’s famed cuisine.

Today you start the hiking section of the holiday. Over three days the hike winds between between villages in the Sierra Norte mountains with villages guides. The trail takes us to the Zapotec Community of Benito Juárez and leads over the fields of the Zapotecs. We can enjoy spectacular views of the mountains.

Your baggage will be transported to the accommodation for tonight. You only need to carry a day sack. As well as your tour leader we will have local guides from the villages with us. These guides will speak Spanish but little English. They will be delighted to engage so even the most basic knowledge of Spanish will be a great asset.

On arrival into Benito Juarez we can drive up to a viewpoint above town. This offers stunning views all the way back to Oaxaca. Anyone who choses can cross the suspension bridge pictured in the photo gallery. There is no need to if you prefer not. The walk then meanders gently down crossing agricultural land and forest glades to a river valley where we can take a short stop. From here we climb up a good path to our accommodation in La Neveria. Hopefully we will have time for a stroll around the village before dinner. If the night is cold the housekeeper will be delighted to light a log fire in your room whilst you have dinner so the room is warm on your return.

During our time walking in the Sierra Norte we will reach an altitude of around 3200m (10,500ft). This will be the highest altitude we reach on this holiday.

Walks

Distance: 6.3 miles

Time: 4 hours

Ascent: 500

Descent: 700

Today we walk on Latuvi. We will walk high-altitude pine forests with the oak forests of lower, warmer altitudes. A picnic lunch is included today. Your luggage will be transported again today. We head out through the village on a cart track descending gently and arriving at a river crossing. From here we climb gently but continually up to Latuvi on the crest of a mountain ridge. Today you will pass various reminders of the mining heritage of these hills.

Walks

Distance: 7 miles

Time: 4 hours

Ascent: 300

Descent: 600

Today we walk to the small mountain village of Lachatao. On arrival we will take some time to look around the Museo Comunitario and the large church of Santa Catarina, a plain, fortified-looking building from the 17th century. You should not fail to visit its interior and admire the altarpiece, a fairly elaborate work for a village as small as Lachatao. Finally we continue a short distance to Amatlan were we overnight. Lunch is included today. Your luggage will be transported again today. 

Although the longest this is probably the best of the three days walking. From Latuvi we descend down to the river and follow sections of the 'Camino Real' path cut by prehispanic peoples long before the arrival of the conquistadores. The flora is of particular interest today. Look out for bromeliads, cacti, mosses and lichens all of which grow in spectacular quantities. On all days you will see many gardens plants in the UK growing wild, agapanthus, red hot pokers and crocosmia to name but three. From the river valley we have an ascent up to the village of Latachao. We plan a late lunch here and to tale some time to look around the church and museum. Both are fascinating. From here it is about another 10 minutes to our accommodation in Amatlán village down the hill from Lachatao.

Walks

Distance: 7 miles

Time: 5 hours

Ascent: 450

Descent: 850

Today we drive down to the Pacific coast (approx. 4hrs). We stop at the small village of Santiago Matatlán to visit a mezcal distillery. The famous Mexican liquor is made from the flesh of the agave. You can learn something of the procedure and taste the produce. Finally we continue another hour to Tehuantepec where we overnight.

Driving on from Tehuantepec to Puerto Arista and Manuel Ávila Camacho (approx 3hrs). Here we board a boat for an exploration of the El Madresal lagoon. Red, white and black mangroves line the shores, and the biosphere presents an infinite diversity of fauna and flora. More than 100 species of migrating birds stop by in the fertile coastal area each year, and several hundred species are resident. Depending on the season, you can watch snail kites, black-necked stilts, snowy egrets, great blue herons, tricolored herons, mangrove black hawks, ospreys, etc. Apart from birds, the place is also home to lizards, crocodiles, and sea turtles. After the cruise we return to our hotel in Tonala.

Today we continue down the Pacific coast to Tapachula (approx. 4hrs) and then inland to the coffee hacienda at Finca Argovia. You are close to the border with Guatemala here. On arrival we will take a walk around the grounds of the Finca and and enjoy some of the varied bird and plant life.

Today we hike through the mountains and coffee fields of Soconusco, you learn all about growing, harvesting, processing and preparing coffee – from the plant to the brewed drink. The Finca was founded in 1888 by German immigrant Arthur Erich Edelmann. On the estate there is a small museum with photos and objects related to the fascinating history of the Finca. 

You will find a colourful abundance of flowers in the greenhouses of the Finca Argovia. A great variety of tropical plants such as anthurium, strelitzias, heliconia, palms, and various bamboo species are cultivated here. The cut flowers of the Finca are delivered inside Mexico, but also to the USA and even Europe.

Today we drive back to Tapachula to catch our flight to Mexico City and connect through to the UK. If flight connections are not favourable we will take the early morning flight from Tapachula and take the excursion to Teotihuacan with an included lunch before returning to the airport for the flight to the UK. The flight schedules will probably only be confirmed 30 days before departure.

You arrive back in the UK.