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The journey
Follow Mexico’s historic Ruta de la Plata on a 9-day journey through colonial cities, UNESCO-listed centers, archaeological sites, and important religious landmarks. From the energy of Mexico City to the elegant streets of Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, and Morelia, this itinerary brings together some of central Mexico’s most character-filled destinations.
Along the way, enjoy guided walking tours, heritage-rich town centers, the National Museum of Anthropology, La Quemada Archaeological Zone, Mina El Eden, La Bufa, and thermal springs in Aguascalientes. With private transport, included accommodation, and a bilingual Tour Leader, this multi-day experience offers a well-rounded introduction to Mexico’s history, architecture, and cultural traditions.
At a glance
Day by day
Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de Mexico - the largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. Arrive at any time before meeting your group and Tour Leader in the evening: welcome dinner & get-together with the rest of the group.
In the morning, join your Tour Leader for a walking tour around the historic center of Mexico City and visit the National Museum of Anthropology. Then, choose by yourself what to do next - your Tour Leader will be happy to give suggestions. Optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.
Transportation: walking
Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
Meals Included: breakfast
Activities Included: walking tour in Mexico City; guided visit to the National Museum of Anthropology
In the morning, we will head to the next stop of our heritage tour - Querétaro, one of the most representative colonial cities in Mexico. Its beautiful UNESCO-listed historical center with buildings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries will show what life was like in those times. Afterward, go to San Miguel de Allende - another UNESCO-listed city with a huge cultural heritage and a cosmopolitan population that preserves its true colonial feeling. Walking tour, check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in San Miguel de Allende.
Firstly, go to Dolores Hidalgo - the starting point of the fight for Mexican independence from the Spanish empire in 1810. After a walking tour and optional lunch in the center of this "Magical Town", continue to Guanajuato. This colonial city, located among gold and silver mines, had its greatest peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its opulent UNESCO-listed historic center is an explicit proof of its former glory. Walking tour, check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in the evening.
In the morning, after breakfast & check-out from our accommodation in Guanajuato, go to San Luis Potosí. With numerous baroque constructions, colonial mansions, and Novo-Hispanic churches this UNESCO-listed city used to be the most important in northern Mexico. After a walking tour of its historic center and an optional lunch, continue to another UNESCO-listed colonial city - Zacatecas. Check-in, optional dinner and get-together with the rest of the group in Zacatecas.
This day we will explore Zacatecas - the northernmost pearl of our trip. First, we will tour its historic center with its narrow streets, idyllic balconies, and hallways to fully enjoy its romantic atmosphere. Then, we will take a cable car to La Bufa. This mountain with a very distinctive shape is the city's most recognizable landmark. Afterward, we will visit Mina El Eden, the only mine in the country that still allows visitors to enter. Check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the rest of the group in Zacatecas.
In the morning, we will continue our heritage tour going to La Quemada. Those are the only big pre-Columbian ruins in this part of Mexico that used to be home to a flourishing city. After a guided visit to the archeological zone, go to Aguascalientes. This prosperous industrial city, whose name in Spanish literally means "hot waters", is known for its handsome colonial center, numerous museums, and thermal springs. Check-in, visit of 200-years-old thermal springs, walking tour of the historic center, optional dinner, and get-together with the rest of the group in Aguascalientes.
In the morning, after breakfast and check-out from our accommodation in Aguascalientes, go to San Juan de Los Lagos. Founded in 1542, it's currently the second most visited religious place in Mexico. The town is especially famous for its Nuestra Señora de Los Lagos Cathedral with six paintings that were allegedly created by Rubens.
After an orientation walk of the historic center, continue to Cutzeo, a charming "Magical Town" on the shore of a same-named lake. There, we will have an orientation walk of its lovely colonial center and visit the 16th-century Ex Convent of Santa María Magdalena (also hosts Museum of the Print). Finally, after an optional lunch, we will go to the last destination of our trip - Morelia. Known as the "City of the Pink Stone", this UNESCO-listed city is home to numerous Baroque and Neoclassical monuments. Accommodation, walking tour, optional dinner and get-together with the rest of the group in Morelia.
Last day of our Colonial Tour. Opt to return to Mexico City with the rest of the group in the morning, stay longer to explore Morelia, or join some of our next tours.
The route
The fine print
Local Expert Guides
English/Spanish bilingual Tour Leader service.
Accommodation
8x nights in conveniently located hotels/B&Bs
Transportation
Transportation in a private vehicle throughout the tour
Meals
8x breakfasts, 1x dinner
Activities
Walking tours and orientation walks: Mexico City, Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Juan de los Lagos, Cuitzeo, Morelia. Cable car to La Bufa (Zacatecas) & El Pipila (Guanajuato) hills; guided visit of La Quemada Archeological Zone, Mina El Eden (Zacatecas), thermal springs (Aguascalientes)
Flights from your starting point to/from destination
Travel insurance
Personal expenses & tips
Comfortable clothes and shoes; swimming suit and slippers; a smaller backpack for daily tours; hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen; travel insurance, personal ID, some cash; good mood and curiosity.
Logistics
Your 9 days finish where they began, in Your accommodation in Mexico City.
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