(version 2023_11_03)

Let Tiny World Tours guide a group of like-minded adventurers on a unique and rich cultural eleven-night tour of Mexico City and Interior Mexico. Our tour will begin and end in Mexico’s vibrant and beautiful capital, Mexico City. In addition to Mexico City, we will explore interior colonial cities (Queretaro, and San Miguel de Allende), charming towns, villages, markets, and Spanish missions rich in history, culture, art, and nature with many UNESCO-recognized sites (and sites worthy of UNESCO recognition). You will experience a stunning diversity of contrasting landscapes including bustling cities, deserts, savannas, highlands, mountains, jungles, lakes, streams, and waterfalls.

After exploring Mexico city for four nights, we will drive to Queretaro and spend the night in a delightful and atmosphere 18th century palace (now a unique hotel). The next day, our group will enjoy a fantastic drive from the high desert plain all the way to the Sierra Madre rainforest. En route, participants will adventure through amazing granite mountains, missions, markets, and archeological sitesl before arriving in small village of Xilitla the following day.

Among the highlights of this tour is Las Pozas, a surrealist garden in the rain forest of the Sierra Madres, Mexico. It is the creation of Edward James (1907-1984), a British aristocrat, poet, and visionary. In the late 1940s, he moved to the village of Xilitla, Mexico, in the state of San Luis Potosí, where, in collaboration with local craftsmen and friends he fabricated elaborate symbolic shapes and organic designs that relate to a private cosmology predicated on surrealistic influences, and echo nature. Most of the structures are “follies” for amusement and surprise, never to be used for practical purposes. It's a delightful destination especially for cultural travelers, artists, and photographers. Experienced guides will lead our group through the 80 acre Las Pozas site, creating many wonderful memories in the process.

In Xilitla, our group will have exclusive use of the Surrealist bed and breakfast, El Castillo, an easy walk to Las Pozas or to the charming town square of Xilitla. Las Pozas has recently been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are recent positive changes to the garden's unique towers, sculptures and other oddities. Swimming, hiking, relaxing, good times, and conversation will all be part of this experience.

The group will spend two night exploring the celebrated UNESCO designated town of San Miguel de Allende filled with beautiful cathedrals, architecture and rich Mexican history. Our last tour night will be at a hotel adjacent to the Mexico City International Airport to enable a convenient next day departure.

DRAFT ITINERARY

We will also be delighted to advise you regarding a pre- or post-tour add ons

27 JANUARY 2025 (MONDAY): Night #1

  • Arrive in Mexico City

  • Private pre-arranged airport-to-hotel transportation

  • Check into a vibrant & luxury boutique hotel in an interesting neighborhood

  • Lunch and Dinner on your own (recommendations & reservations help provided)

28 JANUARY 2025 (TUESDAY): Night #2

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Walking Tour

  • Private group Mezcal & Culinary evening experience (included)

29 JANUARY 2025 (WEDNESDAY): Night #3

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Mexico City Highlights & Art Tour

  • Group lunch included

  • Lunch and Dinner on your own (recommendations & reservations help provided)

30 JANUARY 2025 (THURSDAY): Night #4

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Mexico City Highlights & Art Tour (continued)

  • Group lunch included

  • Afternoon and evening free to explore Mexico City (with recommendations & reservation help provided)

31 JANUARY 2025 (FRIDAY): Night #5

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Check out of Mexico City hotel

  • Private transportation to Queretaro (approximately 3 hours)

  • Check into historic hotel (former opulent residence) in UNESCO-recognized city center

  • Queretaro City Center Orientation Walking Tour

  • Group dinner (included)

01 FEBRUARY 2025 (SATURDAY): Night #6

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Private transportation to Bernal (approximately 1 hour)

  • Bernal (Pueblo Magico) Orientation Walking Tour

  • Private transportation to Jalpan (approximately 2.5 hours)

  • En route to Jalpan, stop for lunch and a tour of the Casita Ecological Sierra Gorda (included)

  • Check in to Jalpan Mision Hotel (adjacent to the old Spanish Mission)

  • Dinner on your own (recommendations & reservations help provided)

02 FEBRUARY 2025 (SUNDAY): Night #7

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Walk from hotel to visit Jalpan Mission and Sunday Street Market

  • Private transportation to Xilitla with brief stop at Landa de Matamoros (approximately 2 hours)

  • Check in at El Castillo and orientation tour of the unique property (our group will have exclusive use of this property!)

  • Orientation walk of Xilitla – visit Xilitla Sunday market

  • Lunch on your own (with recommendations provided)

  • Optional visit to Xilitla’s Sunday Market

  • Optional visit to Leonora Carrington Museum (surrealist art) – closes 4:30 PM

  • Sunday Traditional Dancing in Xilitla’s Zocalo (Public Town Square)

  • Welcome Dinner at El Castillo (included)

03 FEBRUARY 2025 (MONDAY): Night #8

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Private Transportation and WalkingTour of Las Pozas Surrealist Garden

  • Return Transportation from Las Pozas to El Castillo (or walk approximately 30 minutes)

  • Lunch on your own (with recommendations provided)

  • Free time (with recommendations)

  • Final night in Xilitla dinner (Possible local cuisine private cooking class, dinner, and concert)

04 FEBRUARY 2025 (TUESDAY): Night #9

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Private group transportation from hotel to San Miguel de Allende (about 6 hours total, not including a stop for lunch and shopping at Bernal)

  • Check in to San Miguel Luxury Hotel

  • Orientation walk/tour of San Miguel highlights

  • Evening on your own (recommendations & reservation help provided)

05 FEBRUARY 2025 (WEDNESDAY): Night #10

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • San Miguel Highlights Tour & Lunch (included)

  • Free Time (with recommendations)

  • Evening on your own (recommendations & reservation help provided)

06 FEBRUARY 2025 (THURSDAY): Night #11

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Check out of hotel and leave luggage with front desk

  • Morning San Miguel Tour (menu of various options TBD)

  • Lunch on your own

  • Afternoon Private transportation from San Miguel to Mexico City (about 4.5 hours)

  • Check into hotel near Mexico City airport

  • Informal Finale Dinner at hotel (included)

07 FEBRUARY 2025 (FRIDAY): Forward Travel / Return Home

  • Breakfast at hotel (included)

  • Check out of hotel and depart via pre-arranged private airport transportation

Please inquire for suggestions / assistance arranging optional pre- or post-tour extensions.

The cost is $6,850 per person, double occupancy, airfare is not included.

This trip begins and ends in Mexico City (Airport code: MEX) which is conveniently served by many airlines.

The single supplement is $1,000 (for single travelers requiring their own room).

An optional trip insurance policy may reimburse for unforeseen cancellations or itinerary changes.

Tour Maximum: 14

INCLUDED:

  • 11 nights accommodations

  • Breakfast daily, other meals and beverages per itinerary

  • Licensed, bonded professionally driven transportation throughout with onboard refreshments

  • Certified bilingual local guides as required

  • Entrance fees and camera permits, except commercial equipment

  • Gratuities for services and guides

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Personal expenses (phone, laundry, internet, etc.)

  • Meals, beverages, and activities not indicated

  • Additional Gratuities for drivers, guides, baggage handlers at discretion

  • Travel Insurance


PAYMENT SCHEDULE

  • full payment balance due 100 days before tour start

  • Insurance reimburses in case of cancellation for covered reasons

    Tour Design: Tiny World Tours (Mark & Dana) with Joel Peláez Cruz

    Tour Leaders: Joel Peláez Cruz with Mark & Dana

Please Note:

The itinerary is a sample and is subject to change. The final schedule will be determined approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special opportunities which may arise.  In the event that a requested visit is not available, a similar visit will be substituted.  A finalized itinerary and Travelers’ Notes document will be sent to all participants about two weeks prior to tour departure.