Mexico City: Day of the Dead Original

Mexico City: Day of the Dead Original

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5 Days From

$1355

Mexico City: Day of the Dead Original

5 Days Starting and ending in Mexico City

Visiting: Mexico City

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

QVSO

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $1355

NB: Prices correct on 25-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour 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. Sample tasty street food at the open air Mercado Jamaica, see the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan, 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 in to the spooky and spiritual ceremonies that have made this tradition so famous. Oh, and Mexico City’s tacos will make you feel you’ve died and gone to heaven, too.

Highlights

  • Fiesta the night away in Mexico City and get into the true spirit of this haunting ceremonial festival.

  • Get the low-down on all of the traditions and rituals of the Day of the Dead festival, including taking part in making your own traditional altar offering.

  • See the ruins known as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan and stroll down The Avenue of the Dead to discover what life here was like nearly 2000 years ago.

  • Visit Panteon Tulyehualco cemetery to view graves that have been decorated with colourful flowers, photos and food, and see the Day of the Dead ceremonies.

  • Sample tasty street food at the open air Mercado Jamaica where people come to buy everything they need for the Day of the Dead, including the famous pan de muerto sweet rolls.

  • 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.

  • Visit Tlahuac cemetery to view graves that have been decorated with colourful flowers, photos and food, and see the Day of the Dead ceremonies.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Mexico City

Location: Mexico City

Accommodation: Hotel

Bienvenidos a Mexico! 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. Although crowded and smoggy, 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, so keep an eye out for any Day of the Dead decorations you can spot around town.

Day 2: Mexico City

Location: Mexico City

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

You will have the morning at leisure before regrouping at 1pm to depart for Tlalocan. Upon arrival you will be meet by our local host. Get hands-on by creating your own traditional altar for Day of the Dead. Late in the afternoon you’ll visit Panteon cemetery to see the graves that have been decorated with colourful flowers, photos, food and more. 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.



Included Activities:
-Tlahuac - Cemetery visit in Tlahuac
-Tlalocán - Day of the Dead altar creation

Day 3: Mexico City

Location: Mexico City

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Set out on a walking tour of Mexico City’s historic centre, walking past the Zocalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor and Palacio de Bellas Artes. You’ll also swing by the open air Mercado Jamaica where people come to buy everything they need for the Day of the Dead, including the famous pan de muerto sweet rolls. After you’ve looked around, you might want to buy yourself some lunch or try some of the special festival foods. The afternoon is then free for you to explore on your own.



Included Activities:
-Mexico City - San Juan Market visit
-Mexico City - City Tour

Optional Activities:
-Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee)

Day 4: Mexico City

Location: Mexico City

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

It’s an early morning start as you depart Mexico City and travel to Teotihuacan (2hour drive) where you'll discover the extraordinary ruins known as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which dominate the skyline. This was once one of the country's biggest ancient cities and the Teotihuacan Capital. Join an expert local guide and stroll down The Avenue of the Dead to see fascinating clues as to what life here was like nearly 2000 years ago. Arrive back into Mexico City late afternoon where you will have the opportunity to head out for an optional final dinner.

Included Activities:
-Mexico – Teotihucan ruins guided visit

Optional Activities:
-Mexico City - Torre Latino 360° Lookout (entrance fee)
-Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour)
-Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays)

Day 5: Mexico City

Location: Mexico City

Meals Included: breaksfast

Your immersion in Mexico's Day of the Dead festival ends after breakfast this morning. 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).

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (4 nights)

  • Mexico – Teotihucan ruins guided visit

  • Mexico City - Cemetery visit

  • Mexico City - Day of the Dead altar creation

  • Mexico City - Jamaica Market visit

  • Mexico City - City Tour

  • Meals

    4 breakfasts

  • Mexico City - Cemetery visit in Tlahuac

  • Tlahuac - Cemetery visit in Tlahuac

  • Tlalocán - Day of the Dead altar creation

  • Mexico City - San Juan Market visit

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

Transport

Private vehicle , Metro

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Included Activities

Mexico City - City TourMexico City - Anahuacalli Museum (entrance fee)Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee)El Tepozteco - Archeological Site Tour (guide. transport & entrance fee)Mexico City - Day of the Dead altar creationMexico City - Cemetery visit

Important Information

Traffic in Mexico City during this festival is very busy. This at times may hinder drive times and sitting in traffic.The Day of the Dead parade date is only announced a few weeks before this trip departs- unfortuntely we can't predict if the parade will occur over the days our trip departs.

Mode of Transport

Private vehicle , Metro

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This itinerary is designed to provide the best possible experience of the annual Day of the Dead festivities around Mexico City. As such, there is very limited free time to explore many of the area’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Park. We recommend you stay a few extra days before or after the tour to make the most of this vibrant metropolis. If you would like to spend more time in Mexico City, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

    We will be operating multiple departures of this tour so it possible that more than one group will be at some locations or activities at the same time. However, each group will have a maximum of 12 passengers with its own dedicated tour leader.

    This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the Medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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