Day 1: Mexico City
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. When you arrive at Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure then begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. One of the world's largest urban centres, Mexico City offers a great variety of impressive museums, galleries and architecture, along with exciting nightlife and delicious street food. If you arrive early, head to the Zocalo – the city's huge central square – to see Aztec ruins and the 16th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, or relax in one of the many parks, plazas or gardens. After your meeting, why not head out and see the city in full swing – street tacos, anyone? Keep an eye out for any Day of the Dead decorations you can spot around town.
Day 2: Mexico City
After breakfast, visit Coyoacan. There are five centuries worth of Mexican architecture and culture to uncover in this district’s plazas and narrow cobbled streets. Start your day at the lively Jardin Centenario Park, which is surrounded by inviting cafes and townhouses. Then, set off to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, dedicated to the life and works of the Mexican artist. Located in her former home, the museum contains a collection of her work, as well as artefacts, photographs and personal items.
Day 3: Mexico City
Enjoy a free morning to keep exploring on your own before regrouping at 1.30 pm. You’ll wave goodbye to Mexico City this morning and head to San Pedro Tlahuac, where Nahuatl descendants preserve traditions from pre-Columbian times, including chinampa farming, fiestas and ceremonies. Visit a local family, get acquainted with their traditional customs and join them to create an altar. Making an altar (or ofrenda as it's called in Spanish) during the Day of the Dead festivities can be a way to remember your ancestors or honour the life of someone who was important. You can get as creative as you like when building the altar, using fresh flowers, candles, incense, bread and calaveritas (decorative skulls made from sugar or chocolate) to create your own display. As part of the Day of the Dead, people organise ceremonies at the cemetery for those not physically with them any longer and commemorate the lives of people who have passed on. You’ll visit the local cemetery and see how the families decorate the graves of their ancestors with the belief that when they return from the dead, their spirits will go to the cemetery first. Some even elaborately decorate paths to their homes with flower petals to lead the spirits back. It’s an eye-opening, beautiful experience that you won’t soon forget. After, have a traditional Mexican dinner before returning to your hotel in Mexico City late in the evening.
Day 4: Mexico City
Set out on a walking tour of Mexico City’s historic centre with your leader, walking past the Zocalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor and Palacio de Bellas Artes. After your walking tour, you’ll also swing by Mercado San Juan, where you might want to buy yourself some lunch. The afternoon is then free for you to explore on your own.
Day 5: Mexico City
Your immersion in Mexico's Day of the Dead ends after breakfast. That doesn’t mean your Mexican adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Mexico City, and it’s recommended that you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to book additional accommodation.
