Wildlife & High Life of Mexico
FOLLOWING THE GREEN MACAWS: AN EXPLORATION OF THE WILDLIFE AND HIGH LIFE OF MEXICO CITY, PUEBLA & OAXACA - 9 Days / 8 Nights (mid Apr to mid Aug)
Join guide Bernardo Cruz for a truly remarkable journey across southwestern Mexico. We'll make our way from the wilds of Mexico City, to the wildly spectacular landscape of the Valle de Zapotitlán, to the truly remote area of Cañon del Sabino to witness what few people have seen - the spectacular green macaws flying in to roost after a long day out foraging for food. We'll then wrap up this trip by diving into the great historical, cultural and gastronomical feast that is Oaxaca City. Guide Bernardo Cruz is a native of Mexico City and conducted his master's thesis research with the green macaws of Cañon del Sabino. Few people have the local experience, insight and knowledge that Bernardo brings to this journey, a journey that he created from scratch to showcase the best-known and least-known parts of Mexico that he loves the most.
DAY 1: MEXICO CITY
Welcome to Mexico City!
Today you will arrive at CDMX where you will be met by your driver and transferred to the beautiful Grand Hotel Ciudad de México in the heart of the city. Bernardo will give you a brief walking introduction to downtown Mexico City, then you'll head to the first of many great restaurants you'll experience on the trip for your welcome dinner and trip briefing. Let the adventure begin!
DAY 2: MEXICO CITY
Teotihuacan Pyramids
The Aztecs called Teotihuacan "The City Where the Gods Were Born" and it is easy to see why. Today we'll drive roughly 90 minutes northeast of Mexico City to marvel at the truly impressive pyramids, paintings and structures of this ancient city, while your guide illuminates some of it's fascinating history. We'll have lunch in a local restaurant, then head back to the heart of Mexico City where we'll explore more of the treasures in the downtown area. Dinner at another fabulous restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.
DAY 3: MEXICO CITY
National Museum of Anthropology
One of the gems in Mexico City, this amazing museum will give us great background and context for the marvels we have seen so far in México city and its surroundings. After spending the morning at the museum, we will spend the rest of the afternoon having lunch and exploring some of colorful neighborhoods of the city.
DAY 4: VALLE DE ZAPOTITLÁN
Valle de Zapotitlán
Today we leave México City and head for the Valle de Zapotitlán area in the state of Puebla. We will arrive around lunch time to have our introduction to the simple, yet wholly original local cuisine, which includes delicious juices, tacos and other dishes made from local cactus species - and the species that inhabit them! After lunch we'll transfer to the small town of San Juan Raya where our host Juan Reyes will greet and get us settled into our very simple cabins. It's then time to start exploring the true magic of the area. The magnificent landscape of Valle de Zapotitlán is filled with an incredible diversity and abundance of cacti, and is truly unlike any place you've seen elsewhere on the planet. Juan will serve us a simple but tasty dinner back at the cabins.
DAY 5: VALLE DE ZAPOTITLÁN
Pottery Workshop
Today we will visit the nearby town of Los Reyes Mezontla, where we will be greeted by the local family who makes and sells the very tableware that we will dine on for lunch. They will conduct a really fun, interactive clay pottery workshop with us in which we not only learn to make pottery, but we learn about the history of the clay and pottery-making in the region. This will all be capped off by a terrific lunch made by the family. The pottery is great but honestly the lunch is even better! In the afternoon we will head back at San Juan Raya where we will go for another hike through the remarkable landscape.
DAY 6: REGIÓN DE LA CAÑADA
Green Macaws!
Today we'll rise early, bid good-bye to Juan and his family, and transfer to the La Cañada area and our main destination today, el Cañon del Sabino. After lunch we'll hike for about an hour up to the rim of the canyon, gaining roughly 200 meters in altitude along the way. Once we get to our vantage point with sweeping views of the steep canyon walls, we'll settle in to wait for the macaws to come back to roost after a day spent feeding elsewhere. It is a truly remarkable natural spectacle, and it is difficult to describe how thrilling it is to see these beautiful pairs of birds flying in tandem through the canyon, calling to each other, playing games, then settling into nearby trees for grooming and a loud renewal of vows. It is a soul-filling experience. Afterwards, we'll head to the lovely town of Cuicatlán, situated in the foothills of this beautiful landscape, where we'll experience what a not-catering-to-gringos Mexican town in this area means: rich, genuine and full of wondrous surprises. Tonight we'll celebrate with a very special dinner prepared by a local slow-food, family-run restaurant. 
DAY 7: OAXACA
Oaxaca City!
After a well-earned late start we'll head towards the cultural colossus that is Oaxaca City. We'll check into our hotel in the heart of the city, have lunch, then delve into this marvelous town whose beautiful architecture, incredible history, world class gastronomy and flamboyant indigenous cultures and have combined to earn it a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Oaxaca is a melting pot of tradition, great creativity, artistic sensibility, and genuine hospitality. This rich cultural heritage is present in the streets of the city, the artisan work and fabulous food. This afternoon we'll stroll through downtown's beautiful streets, checking out art galleries and shops, churches, street art and more. Oaxaca has an international reputation for some of the best cuisine on the planet, and tonight we'll enjoy one of the great restaurants in town.
DAY 8: OAXACA
Of Mescal and Carpets
Today we'll drive a short distance from Oaxaca City to learn from the master craftsmen creating two of Oaxaca's most famous products, carpets and mescal. We'll see the craftsmen in action, have plenty of time for questions and shopping, and naturally we will have a mescal tasting session. We'll have plenty of time in the afternoon to explore more of downtown Oaxaca City, then head out for our farewell dinner at another fabulous local restaurant.
DAY 9: END OF ITINERARY
Today we'll transfer to the airport after breakfast. Say adios, but not good-bye!
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