‘Am I not here. I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?’ So goes the famous words spoken by the Virgin Mary in Guadalupe Mexico during the famous 16th century apparition. She appeared to St Juan Diego, a man of typically humble origins, who later became the first Saint of the Americas in 2002 when he was canonised by St John Paul II for receiving the iconic image of the blessed mother. This pilgrimage itinerary is centred around the Marian shrine in Guadalupe (Mexico City) and other sites around Mexico, giving you a true experience of Christian Latin America.
UK - Mexico City
Depart London Heathrow to Mexico City. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel.
Tulpetlac - Teotihuacan Pyramids
Today we visit the town of Tulpetlac and its church built where Juan Diego was born. We then drive to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, located 50km northeast of Mexico City. Teotihuacan is one of the most impressive cities of the ancient world, held sacred by the Aztecs. We will explore its temples, palaces and pyramids, including the Quetzalpapalotl Palace Complex, the Temple of the Feathered Conches, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the immense Pyramid of the Sun, ranked among the biggest in the world. Time for lunch before returning to Mexico City.
Xochimilco floating gardens - University City
Today we visit the beautiful floating gardens of Xochimilco, in the south of the city. On the way we make a stop at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Latin America’s largest university, recently declared a World Heritage Site. We arrive at the floating gardens of Xochimilco, which were once connected to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) by a causeway, and where the Aztecs grew much of their food. We will navigate the canals on board a typical ‘trajinera’, a flower-decked punt, and will discover how Aztec life was before the conquest.
Full day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Drive to the Basilica de Guadalupe, Latin America’s most revered religious shrine. It is here where the Virgin of Guadalupe is said to have appeared before Juan Diego in 1531, and an image of her was miraculously emblazoned on his cloak. We will have time to explore the New Basilica de Guadalupe (the Old Basilica, built in 1700, is slowly sinking) and to see Juan Diego’s cloak.
Mexico City tour - Churches and Anthropology museum
We will explore magnificent Mexico City, built on top of the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. Our first stop is the Zocalo (main square), one of the biggest public squares in the world. We will visit the Catedral Metropolitana - the biggest church in Latin America, and the Palacio Nacional - which hosts Diego Rivera’s murals depicting the history of Mexico. Your tour continues as you visit the Plaza of Santo Domingo. This plaza contains two Holy places that are architecturally exquisite; the Church of Santo Domingo, the first church built by the Dominicans in 1576, and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, the first Rosary Shrine in Mexico. You will also visit “La Enseñanza” Church, the Temple of San Felipe Neri “La Profesa” and Church of San Francisco. We then drive along the famous boulevard Paseo de la Reforma, built during the short-lived reign of Emperor Maximilian to connect the main square and his castle in Chapultepec. Our last stop is the Museum of Anthropology, where we will have some time to explore the treasures of the Aztec culture.
Puebla - Cholula Archaeological site - Tonantzintla
We will drive to the World Heritage Site of Puebla, located 130km southeast of Mexico City. On the way we will make a stop in Tonantzintla, where we visit its exuberant church. Under its dome, the surface is covered with colourful stucco with saints, flowers, fruits, birds and more - a great example of indigenous artisanship applied to Christian themes. We continue to Cholula, where we will visit the Great Pyramid of Cholula, its remains measuring 450m along each side of the base and 65m high, making it larger in volume than Egypt’s pyramid of Cheops. Now overgrown and topped by a church, it is difficult to recognise this once magnificent pyramid. We arrive in Puebla in time for lunch. Mexico’s national dish, the ‘mole poblano’, originated here! We will explore the colonial centre, lined with churches and colonial mansions, many adorned with the beautiful hand-painted Talavera tiles for which Puebla is famous.
Tlaxcala: San Miguel del Milagro - Sanctuary of Ocotlán - San Francisco church
Today we drive to Tlaxcala, upon arrival you will visit the Shrine of San Miguel Del Milagro, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared to Diego Lazaro in 1631. We visit the Grotto with its healing waters. You will have the opportunity to view these miraculous sites, as well as bring an empty bottle to collect the miraculous water. After viewing this exquisite site, you will enjoy lunch followed by a transfer to our next stop, the Church of St. Francisco.
Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Shrine - Airport
We travel back from Puebla to Mexico City and have free time at Our Lady of Guadalupe’s shrine before travelling to the airport for our flight back to the UK.
Overnight flight to UK
Arrive back in London.
The booking deadline at this price is 19/04/2024. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £850 with your completed booking form will confirm your place on this tour. The final balance is due 2 months prior to the departure date.
We’ll mail your travel pack around two weeks before travelling, including your flight information, boarding passes (if applicable), general information booklet, hymn and prayer booklets, name badge, lanyard and luggage label.
All Saints Travel is an ATOL licence holder (no. 6049). In the very unlikely event of company insolvency, you are guaranteed a refund and repatriation back to the UK through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF). Please visit www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection for further information.
It’s your responsibility to ensure you have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of return, in addition to any visas required to travel to the relevant countries. Please call us on 01793 881166 for further information.
For the latest travel advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
While people of all ages are invited to travel on this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required in order to keep pace with the group. There may be extended periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces.
It’s compulsory to have adequate travel insurance for your journey. You have the option of purchasing cover from Global Travel Insurance when booking with us, or you can buy your insurance independently.
