A PATH OF ALTARS
TRAVERSING THE CULTURAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ANCESTOR WORSHIP AT LA NOCHE DE ÁNIMAS
STARTS: Patzcuaro, Michoacan Mexico
ENDS: Patzcuaro, Michoacan Mexico
DATES: October 24 - November 3, 2025
DURATION: 10 Nights / 11 Days
PRICE FOR 10-18: $28,000 MXN each
(Prices include Taxes)
INCLUSIONS: All Taxes, 9 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 4 Dinners (meals do not include drinks), all entrance fees & activities (unless otherwise noted), private transportation, bilingual services with Licensed National Guide and small contribution for our hosts.
CURRENCY CONVERTER
TRIP OVERVIEW
Dia de Muertos is an indigenous observation to honour the ancestors...
Many cultures around the world practice some form of ancestor worship between autumn and winter. Perhaps it is nature that instructs us of such considerations when the leaves begin to fall and the last harvest concludes, closing the time-gap between the living and the dormant. This convergence is often explained as a veil so thin, the living and the dead intersect and interact, as though through a porthole between different dimensions...
and it arrives each year with many responsibilities & preparations...
Though the Vigil de los Angelitos and La Noche de Ánimas takes place between the evening of October 31 and November 2 of each year, the preparations that precede this elaborate observation are many, from the planting of marigold seeds to the kneading of Pan de Muerto and tamale preparations. Symbolic pre-Hispanic altars and arches are bound with flowers and erected around the lake region, as well as the gateways opening into churchyards and cemeteries adorned with flowers. No expense is spared by family members to honour their loved ones, right down to the hiring of musicians during the procession of altars and the sharing of pozole, tequila and other traditional foods to countless visitors during these sacred vigils...
You are invited to observe intimate & private vigils with the locals....
We are fortunate to work with Jaime Hernandez Balderas of Animecha Tours, who has been a well respected guide in this region for more than 25 years. With P'urepecha ancestry in his own family, Jaime speaks P'urepecha and has harnessed respectful relationships through countless tours for art collection and cultural observation. We are honoured to work with Jaime for many of our tours, but especially during the Dia de Muertos observations here as he has introduced us to community members and artists, allowing us to also establish meaningful and trusting connections. Our guests have a special invitation to visit select communities, homes and cemeteries during these vigils, and also beforehand during preparations. Our intention is to introduce you to this region and her people before the main events take place, so you feel familiar with this area by the time you cross this cultural threshold for an observation that may forever change your philosophy about life and death...
which means you must arrive with an appropriate offering...
We request that all guests bring $600 MXN each to collect items which we will assemble before the night vigils, as offerings for our hosts. We will create two different offrendas - one that is a communal project shared between everyone, and another that will be your own personal basket to offer to one of our host families. We have already included a small sum in the price of this tour, which will be divided between the families who host us. This donation is to help the families offset the costs of the marigolds and food expected of them, when they host vigils in their homes.
and be ready to accept food offerings from our hosts...
When we enter private homes during the vigils, we will be offered food. This can include pozole, tamales, atole and tequila. Please accept the food, as it is considered rude to refuse it. If you cannot eat it, we will take it from you and handle the conversation with the family. Please do not ever feed your meal to the street dogs, regardless of their begging. This would be viewed as extremely offensive. Please let us know ahead of time, if you have any allergies.
We will build a traditional altar and invite you to bring a photograph....
Families build personal altars during Dia de Muertos, which consist of specific elements and symbolic items. We will be constructing an altar together, complete with the various elements required, so you can build your own altar at home each year. Elements include salt, water, fire, marigolds, copal and photos of your own loved ones. Please bring a 4x6 photo (or smaller) of a loved one who has passed away, so you can honour them during this observation. We ask that you bring a copy, as it's possible that you will not be able to collect your photo prior to leaving....
but your salt dish is meant for your own altar, next year...
When we visit Santa Clara del Cobre, we will work in the home studio of award winning artist Sergio Velasquez, who will be teaching you to make a small copper salt dish. Salt is one of the elements required for a traditional Dia de Muertos altar, and this keepsake is something for you to keep for your future altars. We hope you will cherish the memory of making your own salt pot, while also recollecting the experiences you have during this eclectic and interesting journey.
Our marigold altars will become a part of this years contribution...
Board a traditional wooden boat for a trip across the legendary Lake Patzcuaro to an island where we will work with the locals to construct pre-Hispanic marigold altars. We will collect our flowers in the market, along with veggies and fruits to bring to our hosts as an offering. We will then spend the bulk of our day working with indigenous community members, who will instruct us on how to build these traditional altars. We will also enjoy a traditional lunch and learn about the local fishery and the efforts being made to replenish the lake with the iconic white fish for which the state of Michoacan was named. (For those who don't know - Michoacan translates as 'possessors of fish.")...
Along with Pan de Muerto, which we will have the chance to make...
Pan de Muerto is a traditional "skull and bones" bread that is made annually, during Dia de Muertos. Slightly sweet and typically fluffy, this bread is an important part of the Dia de Muertos celebrations, along with bread that resembles little people. We will be visiting a family of bread makers in an indigenous village, and will have the chance to try our own hands at kneading, forming or even baking (in an open-fire oven with a wooden stick)...
This trip is accessible from anywhere in the world...
Most of our guests fly into the Morelia International Airport. We can also receive guests by bus from nearby cities, including Ajijic, Chapala, Guanajuato, Leon, Mexico City, Morelia, Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende and Zihuatanejo. Please contact us for assistance with your flights!
We also recommend arriving early and leaving late if it's your first time....
Both Patzcuaro and Mexico City are incredible places to explore on your own. If you are looking to extend your travels, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information!
QUESTIONS?
Please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer if you have any questions or would like to schedule this tour at a different time for a private group.
Email: coppermoontravels@protonmail.com
WhatsApp: +52 443 639 2782 (Please text first)