House of Gods: Shrine of Guadalupe & Teotihuacan Day-Trip

Get ready to discover more than 2,000 years of history and learn about the foundations of Mexico City on this fascinating cultural tour led by a passionate local guide. Our first stop will be the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (also called the Shrine of Guadalupe), where the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is housed. This is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Catholicism in the world, so don't be surprised if you see people arriving on bicycles, or walking in processions on route to the sacred site. We’ll get into the details about why this spot is so special, but in a nutshell, the church in question was built near the hill of Tepeyac, where Our Lady of Guadalupe (also known as the Virgin Mary) is believed to have appeared to Saint Juan Diego. The Basilica houses the original cloak of Juan Diego, which holds the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to see the original image of Guadalupe for yourself, visited by millions of people each year. Our historical and cultural journey will continue north to the holy city of Teotihuacan, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see for anyone visiting Mexico City. The beauty and majesty of this place is truly unique, and the sheer size of the ancient Mesoamerican city is awe-inspiring. There is still a shroud of mystery surrounding Teotihuacan (which means “place where gods were born”), making it all the more exciting to experience. The towering pyramids are waiting for you; climb them and see the beauty of what once was the most powerful and largest city of pre-Aztec central Mexico. Save some energy for a visit to the homes of some families in the town next to Teotihuacan. These families have been developing some of the ancient techniques once used in the mighty culture of Teotihuacan, including the use of obsidian stone. The stone, a naturally formed volcanic glass, was widely used by the ancient people of Teotihuacan, and today is transformed by local artisans into beautiful pieces of art. In addition to working with obsidian, locals are also bringing back historic ways of cooking, in particular, the use of xoconostle (the fruit of the nopal cactus, also called “tuna”). Locals us it to create some wonderful desserts, chips, marmalades, and liquors that you will be able to taste when you enjoy dinner with a local family.