Experience Overview
Feel the mystical vibes of the weird and wonderful Dia de los Muertos, or the annual Day of the Dead festival, on a five-day cultural exploration of Mexico City and surrounds. Visit the museums of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and learn all about their fascination with death, wander about the Tlahuac community, participate in a traditional Day of the Dead ceremony and see elaborate altars dedicated to the deceased. This festival is all about rituals, so dive straight into the spooky ceremonies that have made this tradition so infamous. Oh, and Mexico City’s tacos will make you feel you’ve died and gone to heaven, too.
Highlights
- Join a family in Tlahuac to create an altar (or ofrenda as it's sometimes called in Spanish) to remember your ancestors and join in their colourful cemetery ceremonies.
- Take a walking tour of Mexico City with your local leader, taking in the city’s most iconic sites – the Zocalo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Palacio de Bellas Artes.
- Get the low-down on all the traditions and rituals watching the incredible Day of the Dead parade then fiesta the night away in Mexico City and get into the true spirit of this haunting ceremonial festival.
- Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum in the historic Coyoacan neighbourhood – you'll check out the works in her former home and discover her art often focused on the notion of death.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Gastromotiva. Donations help them provide nutritious, balanced meals for vulnerable people in Mexico. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2476
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Private vehicle,Metro
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator: Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: QVKC
Starts: Mexico City, Mexico
Finishes: Mexico City, Mexico
Duration: 5 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (4), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Hotel (4 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,125 ($425 /day)
Itinerary
Bienvenidos a Mexico! Welcome to Mexico. Arrive at Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport and be transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Modern meets ancient in Mexico City – one of the world's largest urban centres. A bustling, busy place, 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 colonial architecture or relax in one of the many parks, plazas and gardens. After your important meeting, why not head out and see this city in full swing – street tacos, anyone? You’ll already have noticed a mystical feeling in the air – keep an eye out for any Day of the Dead decorations you can spot around town.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a free morning to further explore 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 sometimes 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 with the local family. 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 passed over. 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, yet beautiful experience that you won’t soon forget. You will arrive back at the hotel in Mexico City late in the evening.
Included Activities:
- Tlahuac - Cemetery visit
- Tlahuac - Day of the Dead altar creation
- Tlahuac - Day of the Dead parade
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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 to explore on your own.
Included Activities:
- Mexico City - City Tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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 the house she lived throughout her life, the museum contains a collection of her work, as well as artefacts, photographs and personal items.
Included Activities:
- Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Radhika - Traveled, October 2023
Beautiful trip that really immersed you in the Day of the Dead tradition. Good mixture of activities in a variety of locations. Visit to Puebla was my highlight. Roxanna was a lovely guide and the group all got on. Definitely a trip to remember.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Carmen - Traveled, October 2023
We did the Intrepid tour for Dia de Los Muertos We started in Mexico City, visited Tláhuac and Puebla Congratulations to Intrepid for creating this excellent immersing tour We loved Tláhuac being welcomed by locals, eat their food, drink their mezcal, visit the cemetery Our exceptional guide Karla is enthusiastic and fun and everyone in the village recognized her Visiting Puebla was truly exceptional too - a beautiful city; and again we were lucky to see a parade and just everything for these festivities Our hotel was changed from the original one and we were upset because we were moved from Zocalo to a further location but it turned out to be better because the neighborhood is trendy, safe, quiet lots of good restaurants The only thing that the hotel could improve is the service at front desk and and quality of breakfast Our van and driver excellent too. Once again I want to mention out tour director/ guide Karla for an above and beyond service We will be back
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Jasmine - Traveled, October 2023
This is the best way to experience Dia de Los Muertos safely while also up close!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Michelle - Traveled, October 2023
This tour is perfect if you’re looking for an amazing, colourful and cultural experience during the Day of the Dead festivities. Delicious food, amazing experiences and lovely people. Led by a knowledgeable and flexible guide - this tour won’t disappoint
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/05/2023
Kaiya - Traveled, October 2023
Wonderful introduction to Mexico! Being a part of day of the dead customs was a beautiful experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/07/2023
Andrew - Traveled, October 2022
Festival Of The Dead Festival Mexico ???? Really Good Trip With A Very Knowledgeable Guide. Accommodation Was Great And All Staff Were Willing To Assist And Accommodate Your Wishes. We Certainly Plan To Return To Mexico Again In The Future.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2022
Maria - Traveled, October 2022
Nathan is very charismatic and like-able tour guide : he always has great energy and super upbeat attitude. Truly a great problem solver ; being bilingual I got a small taste of how much work it is to translate for everyone at all times and that seems quite stressful to me ; he handle that job gracefully every-time . I had a great time and certainly will be back to Mexico to visit next year .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/04/2022
Tricia - Traveled, October 2022
More than I could have imagined. Everything was well planned and we even got a few bonus excursions. Our guide was excellent. I can't wait for our next trip to the Galapagos. Fantastic experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/04/2022
Gabriellea - Traveled, October 2022
Intrepid provides the most intimate and authentic experience when travelling, where you can just immerse yourself in the beauty and richness of the countries that you visit. My tour guide Valeria Valdivia made my experience of the day of the dead tour through Mexico City incredible! Sharing her passion, insight, love and care with all the amazing people in my group! I genuinely had the best time ever! ??
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/12/2022
Jorge - Traveled, October 2022
This was a great tour in Mexico during Dia de Los Muertos. Our tour guide Jasson was very good! Also we all became family :) I recommend this tour for anyone who would like to visit Mexico during day of the dead! You will have a great time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2022
Gayle - Traveled, October 2022
If you are interested in a jam packed itinerary featuring local food, archeological history and an immersive experience in all things Day of the Dead this is the tour for you.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2022
Carrie - Traveled, October 2021
The mysterious alchemy of travel experiences never disappoints. We pack a suit case with personal items to arrive at the destination to full our minds with new ideas. Connections made, friendships cast, memories imprinted and empathic horizons expanded. Thank you to all of the staff at Intrepid working to build and ensure safe travel and a very special encore round of applause to our tour leader Valeria Valdivia for being an outstanding ambassador going above and beyond to accommodate all needs and requests! She shared many intimate moments with us including her voice, singing a capella during a bus trip. Her valor and tears during the Día de Muertos alter building ceremony was love made visible. Travel for me is about exchange and the exploration of humanity.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/04/2021
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