North & Central Mexico: Chihuahua to Mexico City - 13 Days

Highlights

• Get an adrenaline rush at Copper Canyon Adventure Park
• Indulge yummy eats on a culinary tour of Mexico City
• Visit the impressive Aztec pyramids in Teotihuacan
• Sip a glass or three on a wine-tasting outing in San Miguel de Allende

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Chihuahua, Free Afternoon

Welcome to Mexico. Arrive at Chihuahua's dynamic and modern city, which offers colonial architecture and exquisite cuisine. A driver will take you to your hotel so you can rest before heading out to explore on your own. 

On your free afternoon, visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, considered the best example of Baroque architecture in northern Mexico. Stop by its Museum of Sacred Art, a beautiful room housing a rich sample of colonial paintings and religious objects. Then, walk through the Plaza de Armas and the nearby Municipal Palace.

Day 2: Free Day in Chihuahua

Make the most of a free day in Chihuahua by continuing to explore this underrated city. Besides the Plaza de Armas and the Metropolitan Cathedral, make sure to visit the Historical Museum of the Mexican Revolution. Its well-curated and interactive exhibits teach visitors about the 1910 revolt that reshaped the country's society.

You can also visit the impressive Art Deco mansion Quinta Gameros, one of the prettiest buildings in the city. For something even more astonishing, take a half-day trip to the Nombre de Dios Caves. Formed over eight million years ago, this underground wonder is a fun way to escape the heat of the desert. At night, indulge in regional cuisine, which is heavy in dried, spiced meats.

Day 3: Transfer to Creel, Mennonite Farm Visit

Have breakfast at your accommodation before meeting your private driver and driving to Creel. Stop to learn about the Mennonite subculture in Mexico by visiting a museum about the immigrants who brought the religion into the country. 

In the afternoon, have lunch at the home of a Mennonite family. Share a meal and enjoy the region's typical dishes made with ingredients that mostly come from the farm itself. And as you talk with your hosts, take in the expansive views of the farm's fields. Continue to the town of Creel, where you will spend the night.

Day 4: Discover the Tarahumaras Valleys of Creel

Get ready for a full-day excursion in the breathtaking Tarahumaras Valleys. Your first activity will be paddling a small boat on Arareko Lake. Then, see the uniquely shaped rock formations of Mushroom Valley and Frog Valley. Both are part of a reserve for the Rarámuris people. Visit a Rarámuri community to learn about their history, culture, and way of life.

Afterward, continue to the Valley of the Monks. The Rarámuris believe that the peculiar rocks were carved by the valley's original inhabitants 20 million years ago. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Cusararé Waterfall. Surrounded by forest, this natural wonder stands over 98 feet (30 meters) high!

Day 5: Extreme Sports Adventure in Barrancas del Cobre

Start the day by hopping on the Chepe Express Train to Barrancas del Cobre, known for its staggering canyon. On the way, gaze out your window to appreciate the landscape that whizzes by. But the ride is only part of the adventure, as you will enjoy a full day at the exciting Copper Canyon Adventure Park.

With adrenaline-heavy activities like zip lining, canyon hiking, and rope walks, you can spend the day testing your bravery. If extreme sports aren't for you, there's also a scenic cable car. Make sure to have lunch at the park's Barranco Restaurant, whose glass bottom floor induces vertigo but also offers stunning views of the canyon below. Stay the night in Barrancas del Cobre.

Day 6: Transfer to Mexico City, Free Day 

This morning, a private driver will transfer you back to Chihuahua. Take a flight to Mexico City, where you'll have the day free to rest or explore on your own. If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, stroll through neighborhoods like Roma, where you'll find art deco architecture and excellent restaurants, or San Ángel, with its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and sidewalk cafés.

If you're looking for green spaces to relax in, visit Chapultepec Park, a large urban park and a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. Within the park, you'll find a castle that houses the National History Museum. Leave time to visit the National Museum of Anthropology, considered one of the best of its kind in the world. 

Day 7: Mexican Gastronomy Tour

Enter the heart of the historic center and discover the gastronomic roots of the Aztec capital with a visit to San Juan Market. Famous chefs and local shoppers come here for the best quality produce, meats, and specialty foods—from scorpions to lion's meat. Join your guide for a walk through the market's aisles, delighting your senses with the riot of colors and aromas.

Taste exotic fruits, cheeses, jams, coffee, and other delicacies while learning about Mexican cuisine and the market's history. The tour continues around San Juan, following in the footsteps of a local's daily life as you sample traditional treats like pulque (a fermented agave drink), tacos, and seafood tostadas.

Day 8: Boat Ride in Xochimilco & Culinary Workshop 

This morning's tour takes you through the canals of Xochimilco or Place of Flowers. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, board a colorful, flat-bottomed boat known as a trajinera. Visit the Tlilac and Tezhuilo Lagoons, home to herons, pelicans, and hawks. Stop at a chinampa (floating garden) to learn about traditional cultivation techniques that provide healthy ecosystems to native species.

Afterward, head to the trendy neighborhood of Coyoacán, where you'll duck into a small coffee bar for a remarkable gastronomic experience. Learn about Mexico's many coffee varieties and extraction processes. Then, help prepare and sample some gourmet creations infused with the finest coffee flavors. 

Day 9: Day Trip to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan

Today, go on an excursion to one of the most important sites in all of Mexico: the Pyramids of Teotihuacan. Once known as the "City of the Gods," this ancient archaeological site was the epicenter of Aztec culture. Start with a walk along the Calzada de Los Muertos (Avenue of the Dead), then climb the grandiose Pyramid of the Sun, highly coveted by visitors for its imposing size and structural beauty.

Continue to the Pyramid of the Moon, where you can get a splendid view of the entire center of Teotihuacan. This is one of the best spots to take photos. Afterward, visit the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, made in honor of the feathered serpent god and known for being the best-preserved part of the site.

Day 10: Transfer to San Miguel de Allende, Free afternoon

Take a bus from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende. This city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 due to its importance in Mexican history and culture. It's also one of Mexico's "Pueblos Mágicos" or Magical Towns.

The beautiful colonial city has great options for a free afternoon. Visit La Cañada de la Virgen archaeological site, get cultured at Casa Allende History Museum, or see artisans at work at La Aurora Factory. You can also spend the afternoon walking around the town, admiring its colorful houses, and relaxing at rooftop restaurants with scenic views.

Day 11: Guided Walking Tour of San Miguel de Allende

Get intimately acquainted with San Miguel de Allende on a guided walking tour. Appreciate the colonial city's well-preserved 17th and 18th-century structures, cobblestone streets, and lush Spanish-style courtyard, learning why it's considered the prettiest town in Mexico.

The tour will pass through Allende Garden, in the middle of the town's main square. Street vendors, musicians, and pedestrians enjoy the shade at the foot of the pink-hued San Miguel Arcángel Parish, the town's most iconic landmark. Stop to people-watch, enjoy street food, or shop in the boutiques that surround the square.

Day 12: Wine Tasting at a Sustainable Winery

See a different side of Mexico on a winery tour. While the country is best known for tequila and mezcal, wine is produced in certain regions, including those surrounding San Miguel de Allende. On this visit, you'll do much more than taste wine, as you'll learn about traditional winemaking techniques.

After grasping the theory of how slower, more sustainable techniques are beneficial, put it to the test by tasting different varieties of wine. While you enjoy the libations, appreciate the beauty of the winery and the surrounding area.

Day 13: Return to Mexico City, Depart

Early in the morning, take a bus back from San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City. Once you arrive, head to the airport to prepare for your flight back home.

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