7-Day Archaeological Excursion
through Central Mexico
An immersive journey into the mystical heart of ancient Mexico, visiting Mayan, Olmec and Aztec ruins with access to relaxing spa treatments and wellness centers in resort areas once frequented by the Aztec kings and Cortez himself.
The trip includes visits, guided by archaeologist and teacher Albert Coffee, to the ruins of Cacaxtla and Xochitécatl in Tlaxcala; the great pyramid of Cholula, Puebla; the Olmec ruins of Chalcatzingo, Mayan Xochicalco and Aztec temple Tepozteco in Tepoztlán, Morelos; the Cuauhnáhuac Museum in Cortez’s palace in Cuernavaca; the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and Teotihuacán.
Trip accommodations in:
- Hotel Real de Naturales, right near the main square in San Pedro Cholula.
- Posada del Tepozteco, part of the Tesoros line of boutique hotels with optional spa treatments and temazcal, in Tepoztlán, Morelos
- Hotel Villas Arqueológicas, situated right near the pyramids of Teotihuacán
Dates
Tentative dates: September 28th – October 4th. Contact us for more info and to join the expedition!
Itinerary
Leaving from and returning to San Miguel de Allende.
Day 1 – Cacaxtla & Xochitécatl as well as Cholula (Puebla valley)
Day 2 – Cholula, Tlachihualtépetl
Day 3 – Tepoztlán, Chalcatzingo, Cuaunáhuac Museum in Cortez’s Palace in Cuernavaca
Day 4 – Free Day in Tepoztlán (optional hikes)
Day 5 – Xochicalco (House of Flowers)
Day 6 – Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, Teotihuacán
Day 7 – Tour of Teotihuacán and back to San Miguel
Click to see Detailed Itinerary
Cost
$1395 USD, double occupancy
Includes: All entrance fees to museums and ruins, lodging, transportation, and breakfast daily
Discover the Hidden Treasures of Central Mexico
If you have a keen and sincere interest in the pre-Columbian history of Mexico and the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica like the Olmec, Teotihuacán, Toltec, Aztec and Maya then you’re in luck. Archaeologist and teacher Albert Coffee offers a tour of central Mexico’s ancient sacred sites imparting knowledge based on years of archaeological survey and research in the lands of Mexico that make up what is known today as Mesoamerica.
This fascinating immersion into the cultural traits and remains of the civilizations and peoples who once occupied the archaeological ruins of this country could not be better taught than at the actual places where this rich history has been left to the earth and humanity. These places include the great pyramid of Cholula and the ruins of Cacaxtla and Xochitécatl in the Puebla valley under the gaze of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl; and magical Tepoztlán, Morelos, the mythical birthplace of the god Quetzalcóatl or ‘feathered serpent’ near the ruins of the Aztec temple Tepozteco and the Maya-dominated hilltop city of Xochicalco. With visits to the museum in Cortez’s palace in Cuernavaca, to Teotihuacán, and to the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City you will become well acquainted with the origins, complexities and fates of the ancient native cultures of Mexico.
Guided tours of the sites and museums included in the trip make up only part of the overall experience while you stay in charming boutique hotels, and enjoy some of the finest spa/retreats that Mexico has to offer in some of the most sacred and magical places in the country. This trip combines the relaxation of top quality accommodation and optional spa treatment with an in-depth course in Mesoamerican archaeology and cultural history, led by an archaeologist gifted in bringing to life the ruins of these incredible, ancient cities for those who accompany him.
The tour is limited to 5 people to offer a more intimate, focused yet relaxing experience.
The Path of the Feathered Serpent Itinerary
- Day 1 – Monday – Leave San Miguel in the early morning, transport to the scenic ruins of Cacaxtla and Xochitécatl in the Tlaxcala/Puebla valley; overnight in Cholula. Lunch included.
- Day 2 – Tuesday – Tour of the Great Pyramid of Cholula, Tlachihualtépetl, topped by a colonial period church and one of the largest man-made monuments in the world, and visit to museum learning about the pre-Columbian history of Mexico under the shadow of volcanoes; free afternoon, overnight in Cholula.
- Day 3 – Wednesday – Leave Cholula for Tepoztlán, Morelos; stop for tour of Olmec ruins at Chalcatzingo and the Museum Cuaunáhuac (Cortez’s Palace) in Cuernavaca; overnight in Tepoztlán.
- Day 4 – Thursday – Free Day in Tepoztlán with optional hike to pyramid (built to house the Aztec god of Pulque, which is readily available for consumption), tour of museum and church and assortment of spa services (temazcals etc.). Time to absorb the rejuvenating energy of this magical town and the mountains surrounding it which attracted the Aztec kings and Cortez to rest in this region.
- Day 5 – Friday – Tour of the impressive Maya dominated, hilltop ruins of Xochicalco or “House of Flowers” and the site museum and free afternoon and evening in Tepoztlán. Overnight in Tepoztlán.
- Day 6 – The way to Teotihuacán, the most influential unifying force in Mesoamerica includes a tour through the world class Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City; overnight in Teotihuacán. Breakfast included.
- Day 7 – Tour of Teotihuacán in the morning and early afternoon and transport back to San Miguel, arriving by evening.