"A group of 10 went on the butterfly tour. It was spectacular. First we stopped at a wonderfu pottery shop with a splendid garden, where we found unique types of complex glazes. Then we went to our comfortable hotel, where Pablo the botanist gave a fascinating and informative lecture about monarchs, and how climate change is affecting them. the next morning we hiked to sierra chincua, where the butterflies put on a magnificent show. Our leader, Jennifer, was wonderful in every way."
- Ann Patty (Hope for the Monarchs 2025)
DATES DURATION DIFFICULTY GROUP SIZE BEGINS & ENDS MEALS
Feb 7-13, 2026 6 Nights Moderate Mobility 16 Max Mexico City 13 (11 x B / 2 x L)
TOUR OVERVIEW
Discover the magic of La Huasteca Potosina, often called Mexico’s Garden of Eden, on an unforgettable journey through breathtaking landscapes, colonial history, surreal art, and natural wonders. Our adventure begins with visits to two renowned wineries and the charming town of Peña de Bernal before heading into the Sierra Gorda, where we will explore the magnificent Franciscan Missions and the beautiful mountain town of Pinal de Amoles with its stunning waterfalls. From Jalpan to Xilitla, we will experience the dreamlike world of Edward James’ Surrealist Garden and the Leonora Carrington Museum, while also discovering the ancient Huasteca archaeological site of Tancama. Along the way, we will marvel at the incredible Sótano de las Golondrinas and Sótano de las Huahuas, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Tamul Waterfall, Tamasopo Cascades, and Puente de Dios—perfect for swimming and connecting with nature in one of Mexico’s most spectacular regions.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
LOGISTICS
12 Days Duration
11 Nights Duration
Hotels (Double Occupancy)
11 Breakfasts with regular coffee, tea or juice. Latte's, cappuccinos and fancy beverages are separate.
Private Transportation
12 Days with Local Expert
ENTRANCE FEES & ACTIVITIES
Cheese Tour in Guanajuato
Winery Tour in Queretaro includes tastings at 3 wineries and barrel-to-bottle experience
5 Franciscan Missions of Sierra Gorda
Archaeological site of Tancama
Tour to the Cave of Swallows at Sunset
Tour to the Cave of Parakeets at Sunrise
Surreal Garden of Edward James
Museo Leonora Carrington
Tour to Tamul Waterfall includes Boat ride*
Entrance to Puente De Dios
Entrance to Cascadas Tamasopo
* The Tamul Waterfall is currently dry due to agricultural irrigation problems, but efforts are underway to recover the Gallinas River. We will visit following rainy season, so are hopeful the situation will be rectified. If it hasn't, we will visit another attraction that day, of which there are many.
5 SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
1
SURREAL GARDEN OF EDWARD JAMES
Xilitla, San Luis Potosí
Las Pozas, also known as the Edward James Surrealist Garden, is a fantastical sculpture garden created by British artist and surrealist patron Edward James in the lush jungle of Xilitla. Built between the 1940s and 1980s, it features towering concrete structures, stairways leading nowhere, giant flower-like columns, waterfalls, and natural pools woven into the rainforest landscape. James designed it as a dreamlike “Garden of Eden,” blending surrealist art with nature in one of Mexico’s most unusual and iconic artistic sites.
2
ANCIENT HUASTECA CITY OF TANCAMA
San Luis Potosí State
Tancama Archaeological Site is a small pre-Hispanic ruin in the Sierra Gorda region of Querétaro, built by the Huastec culture and later influenced by other Mesoamerican groups. Surrounded by green hills and forests, the site features plazas, temples, and ceremonial structures dating from around 200–900 CE, offering a peaceful glimpse into ancient life in central Mexico.
3
FARM & CHEESE TOUR
with Empress of Cheese
Tonya Harman of The Empress of Cheese offers a fascinating tour about the artisanal cheeses that are made in Mexico, much to the surprise of cheese enthusiasts who have failed to find quality cheese in local markets. She will bring us around a round of cheese to satisfy and surprise our senses, while offering information about where we can source these extravagant flavours right here in Mexico!
4
WATERFALLS OF SAN LUIS POTOSI
San Luis Potosí State
We will visit several pristine waterfalls in the region, including Puente de Dios, Cascadas Tamasopo and the majestic Tamul Waterfall, if it has recovered.
5
FRANCISCAN MISSIONS
Sierra Gorda, Queretaro
The Franciscan Missions of the Sierra Gorda are a special history of the region, with syncretic architecture that combines indigenous symbols and Catholic alike, which is architectural evidence of how the Catholic Church embraced select aspects of indigenous worldviews, incorporating them into their Christian teachings to make conversion more fluid.
3 REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH US
1
SMALL GROUP TRAVEL
14 Maximum
Our extended tour is only open to 14 Guests, with the exception of Noche de Animas on November 1. Having a small group means we can organize meaningful community exchanges, meals with Traditional Cociñeras, a fun art workshop and more. Please note that on November 1, we hire a private boat, therefore, we must combine our group with a second group of 16, as the boat union will not otherwise take us. As we will have a second group, we hire a second van and 2 assistants to handle the other group as though they are separate.
2
EXPERT GUIDES
Educational Tourism
We enjoy working with experts who are passionate about history, culture, handicrafts and more. This tour includes cheese expert Tonya Harmon and insightful historical and cultural lessons by Jaime Hernandez Balderas, who has 25+ years experience as a National Certified Guide, and who is currently working on his Bachelor of History degree.
3
A TRULY CURATED EXPERIENCE
Each Tour is Custom Designed
This tour is designed to move at a more relaxing pace than most, as we want you to slow down and fully enjoy the surroundings. We prefer to limit our daily activities to include enough down-time for you to read a book or journal. While we do have a couple of long days, we also have left most evenings free.
TO CONFIRM YOUR TOUR
Please contact us if you live in San Miguel de Allende, as you will not need a hotel room. This means your price will be $56,138 MXN For guests requiring a hotel in San Miguel de Allende, the tour price is $57,575 MXN. Prices are based on double occupancy. If you are travelling solo, the single supplement is an additional $12,200 MXN. Please let us know if you would prefer to have a roommate. We will try to match you with someone, but cannot guarantee this. We require a 50% non-refundable deposit to confirm your tour. We accept payments through Wise or traditional bank transfer. If you would like to use a credit card, we charge an extra 5% to cover their processing fees. You may choose to pay the deposit or full trip amount on your credit card by clicking on the appropriate button below. ALL TOURS ARE PRICED IN MEXICAN PESOS. YOUR BANK WILL CONVERT THE AMOUNT FOR YOU. If you would like to use a payment plan, we can invoice you monthly, The balance must be paid in full by the start of the trip. If you are paying the balance through a bank transfer or by credit card, it is due 2 weeks prior to our tour commencement. Otherwise, you may pay the balance with cash upon arrival in Mexico City on October 22. Please purchase Travel Insurance to cover any emergencies that could cause you to cancel your trip.
LET'S HIT THE ROAD!
DAY
1
BIENVENIDOS
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
EVENING: Welcome to Copper Moon Travels! Once everyone has confirmed their reservation, we will send you the address for our hotel. We ask that everyone meet in the lobby by 6:30 PM so we can make introductions and head for dinner by 7:00 PM. If you live in San Miguel de Allende, please check the pricing, as we do not include hotels for you. We encourage you to join us for dinner regardless, as we will be doing introductions and paper work. MEALS: All meals are separate
DAY
2
ALL THINGS QUESO
Peña de Bernal, Queretaro
MORNING: We will meet for breakfast at 8 AM. Please meet in the hotel lobby at 7:45 AM for our departure. If you live in San Miguel, please meet us at the restaurant (TBA) with your luggage. Tonya Harmon of The Empress of Cheese is a cheese expert and font of fascinating information on all things Queso. Her keen passion for artisan cheese led her on an exploratory mission to find rich and elegant cheeses sourced right here in El Bajio region of Mexico. Her inspiring events and tours are educational and delicious – we are looking forward to this event! AFTERNOON: At around 2:30 PM, we will depart for the charming Pueblo Magico of Bernal, where we will enjoy a lovely wine tasting at San Juanito Winery. Peña de Bernal is a picturesque village famed for the world’s largest monolith and fantastic textile collectives where wool is spun manually and woven on pedal looms. EVENING: Dinner is scheduled for 7:00 PM MEALS: Breakfast and Lunch Included. Dinner is separate.
DAY
3
TERROIR OF QUERETARO
Peña de Bernal, Queretaro
MORNING: We will meet at 8:30 AM for a lovely and leisurely breakfast this morning, followed by our 10:00 AM departure for the Bodega Bothë Winery. Tucked behind a picturesque church with views of the vineyard, this enchanting artisan winery features reds, whites, rosé, cider and some regional wines only found here, including raspberry, garambullo and damiana. AFTERNOON: At 12:00 PM, we head to Puerta del Lobo for lunch in a vineyard restaurant among the ruins of an old hacienda. They have a decadent lunch and lovely wine. We will then head to La Terquedad, renowned for their French oak-aged reds, which consistently rate higher than pricier reds in the region. This small, family run winery is a hidden gem and a great place to conclude our wine tour. We will head back to Peńa de Bernal from here. EVENING: We will have dinner at 7:00 PM and enjoy a relaxing evening. MEALS: Breakfast and wine tasting x 3 included. Lunch and Dinner are separate.
DAY
4
TO THE SIERRA GORDA
Jalpan de Serra, Queretaro
MORNING: Please have your luggage in the lobby by 8:00 AM. Breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 AM with our departure time approximately 9:30 AM. We begin our commute into the Sierra Gorda, reaching Pinal de Amole at around 11:00 AM. AFTERNOON: The picturesque mountain village of Pinal de Amole was founded in 1606 after the discovery of mineral deposits, which fed the markets with silver and mercury. In 1730, it was given the name Hacienda de San José Escanela, then to San José del Pinal in 1750. In 1770, it was changed yet again, combining two neighboring settlements of Real de San José del Pinal and Puesto de los Amoles, eventually settling on Pinal de Amoles in December of 1894. Since the decline of mining operations in the area, the municipality has become one of the poorest in Mexico, despite recent efforts to promote ecotourism and restart mining. With many residents relocating to the United States for work, most of the income generated here comes from remittances. With her colonial roots and picturesque setting, we will enjoy browsing around the historical centre and will have lunch at Comedor Don Lalo, which is famed for their traditional hand-made corn tortillas with Cecina, which is Mexico’s version of jerky. Cecina is a staple in the Sierra Gorda, where the dry mountain air is perfect for air-drying thinly sliced and heavily salted beef and pork. Generally served with tortillas, beans, fresh cheese and salsa, this is a regional dish you might consider trying. We will depart Pinal de Amole after lunch, making our way to our hotel in Jalpan de Serra. EVENING: Dinner is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Comedor Meztli. MEALS: Breakfast is included. All other meals are separate.
DAY
5
FRANCISCAN MISSION TOUR
Jalpan de Serra, Queretaro
MORNING: We will have breakfast at Topanco’s Restaurant from 8:00-9:00 AM. We will depart for Tancoyol to visit La Nuestra Seńora de la Luz de Tancoyol, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Light. With profuse vegetative ornamentations and prominent ears of corn, this is considered the most elaborate and finest of the Franciscan missions. This church also features a rhomboid window surrounded by a representation of the cord Franciscans used to tie their habits. From there, we will commute to Tilaco to visit San Francisco de Asis del Valle de Tilaco. Constructed between 1754 and 1762, this mission is dedicated to Francis of Assisi. Aside from the ears of corn and small angels, one distinctive indigenous representation of this mission is the presence of four mermaids. The Tilaco mission has the best conserved atrium corner chapels called “capillas posas,” which are used for processions. AFTERNOON: We will enjoy a lovely picnic while in Tilaco before spending the afternoon in Landa de Matamoros to visit the Mision de Santa Maria del Agua de Landa, the most syncretic of the five Missions, featuring Mesoamerican and Catholic elements on its impressive facade. If time allows, we will also visit the Museo Historico de la Sierra Gorda before returning to Jalpan. EVENING: This evening we will have dinner at Restaurante Tequila MEALS: Breakfast and Picnic Included.
DAY
6
ARBOL MILENARIO
Jalpan de Serra, Queretaro
MORNING: This morning we will have breakfast at Casita de Alex at 9:00 AM, departing at approximately 10:00 AM for the Mision de San Miguel Arcangel de Conca, which is dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The smallest of the five mission churches, this church was likely finished in 1754. The ornamentation features flowers and foliage, with indigenous-styled figures. It features a rabbit and a double-headed eagle. The rabbit is a pre-Hispanic Pame indigenous motif, which is a striking example of the blending of two world-views. AFTERNOON: The Arbol Milenario is a colossal Montezuma Cypress believed to be more than one thousand years old. It is the second-widest tree in Mexico, at 22 meters in diameter, and sits in a natural spring. With crystal clear, tepid water and a warm November day, we will stay here for a few hours to enjoy soaking in these lovely waters. We will have lunch at La Ccasa del Gigante at 2 PM. EVENING: Free MEALS: Breakfast included. All other meals are separate.
DAY
7
HILL OF FIRE
Xilitla, San Luis Potosí
MORNING: This morning we will meet in the hotel lobby by 8:45 to load the van before heading to La Casita de Alex for breakfast. We will enjoy a walking tour of Jalpan de Serro downtown to visit the Mision de Santiago de Jalpan, which was the first mission built here. The largest of the five churches, it is considered the most historically important, as it laid the groundwork for the other missions and was the first to incorporate syncretic “Mestizo Baroque” architecture, which all the missions feature. AFTERNOON: We will have lunch in Jalpan at 1:00 PM before departing for the ancient site of Tancama, which means “Hill of Fire.” Though unexcavated, this site is interesting due to the unique circular and semi-circular platforms and astronomical relation. From here, we will depart at 3:30 PM for the commute to Xilitla. EVENING: Dinner is scheduled for 6:30 PM at El Papan Huasteco Xilitla MEALS: Breakfast included. All other meals are separate.
DAY
8
THE SURREAL GARDEN
Xilitla, San Luis Potosi
MORNING: This morning we will have breakfast at Mama Huastequita at 8:00 AM, departing for the Surreal Garden of Edward James by 9:00 AM. We will explore the gardens in the morning to avoid the high afternoon heat. AFTERNOON: We will have lunch in the gardens before enjoying some relaxation time to cool off in Las Pozas. The property features 2 areas for swimming, one of which features a waterfall and the other that has architectural structures. EVENING: At 4 PM, we will depart for the Sotano de las Golondrinas. The commute takes about one hour, then we will hike up to the edge of a massive 376 meter deep sinkhole before thousands of birds begin dive-bombing into the cave at sunset. We will stop in the small town of Aquismón for dinner at Restaurante el Bohio before returning to Xilitla. MEALS: Breakfast is included. All other meals are separate.
DAY
9
A CAVE OF GREEN PARAKEETS
Xilitla, San Luis Potosí
MORNING: This morning we will depart our hotel at 4:00 AM for Sotano de las Huahuas. The commute takes about one hour, then we will hike through the dark to reach a sink hole famous for green parakeets and white collared swifts. As the jungle awakens, these royal birds catch the wind currents, slowly circling up through the cave and into the sky. This is a similar experience as the Golondrinas Sinkhole, except the ascent of the parakeets and swifts in the morning is slow and magical. We will have breakfast at 9 AM, then return to Xilitla. AFTERNOON: We will visit the Leonora Carrington Museum this afternoon, before enjoying free time to enjoy Xilitla. We will help organize whatever everyone wants to do, from hanging around the centro or swimming in one of the nearby swim-holes. EVENING: We will have dinner at 7 PM MEALS: Breakfast included. All other meals are separate. We will pack yogurt and granola bars for the early commute but also include breakfast after our morning excursion.
DAY
10
CUEVA DEL AGUA
Tamasopo, San Luis Potosí
MORNING: Please have your luggage in the lobby by 7:45 so we can depart early for breakfast. We will commute to meet our tour guide for an excursion to the Tamul Waterfall. The Tamul Waterfall experience includes travelling by boat up the turquoise Tampaón River to reach the 105 meters (344 feet) towering crystalline cascade that is fed by the Gallinas River. AFTERNOON: After viewing the spectacular waterfall, we will paddle to Cueva del Agua (Cave of Water) to swim in a sunning natural pool, nestled in a limestone cave with mesmerizing limestone formations and crystal-clear blue waters. The pool reaches a depth of 45 meters (147 feet) of sapphire blue beauty. EVENING: We will commute to Tamasopo to check into our hotel and head for dinner by 7 PM. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Tamul Waterfall has typically dried-up by April, for the past three years. In 2026, efforts were made to bring the river back to life; alas, the water sunk into the riverbed before reaching the waterfall that is so famous here. Work is being done, so we are confident these efforts combined with the upcoming rainy season will bring the splendour of this place back to life. If the Gallinas River is still dry by the commencement of our tour, we will visit another site today. MEALS: Breakfast included. All other meals are separate.
DAY
11
PUENTE DE DIOS
Tamasopo, San Luis Potosí
MORNING: This morning we will meet in the hotel lobby at 8:45 AM, with breakfast scheduled for 9:00 AM. The Puente de Dios (Bridge of God) is a stunning natural pool and waterfall formed by the Gallinas River. The river has carved out a natural arch and several underwater caves of porous limestone, creating the appearance of a bridge with a series of breathtaking pools. We will need to wear a life-jacket inside the cave. AFTERNOON: We will have a relaxed approach to the day, departing Puente de Dios to swim at Cascadas Tamasopo for the afternoon. EVENING: This evening, we will have our last supper at 7 PM. MEALS: Breakfast is included. All other meals are separate.
DAY
12
HOMEWARD BOUND
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
MORNING: Please have your luggage in the lobby by 7:30 AM. We will have breakfast and hit the road for San Miguel de Allende AFTERNOON: As our commute today is approximately 6 hours, we will make a stop at the half-way mark to have lunch. EVENING: We should reach San Miguel de Allende by 4:30 PM. If you are commuting with us to Morelia or Patzcuaro, we will reach our destinations between 7:30 and 8:30 PM.
"Jen arranged the most awesome tour. It was filled with history, culture, archaeology, and nature. It went from a city, through the jungle ruins of the Maya and ended up on the Mexican Caribbean. There were lots of incredible and unique shopping opportunities and everyday had activities that kept everyone engaged. Jen does wonderful job of managing all the details.."
- Susan (Ancient Mysticism & The Maya 2024)
LOGISTICS & OTHER INFO
ACCOMMODATIONS
Your accommodations are included, based on double occupancy. If you would like to share a room with someone, we will try to match you with another solo traveller. If you would like a private room as a solo traveller, there is an extra charge (TBA)
BANKING
We recommend contacting your bank to inform them you will be travelling out of country. ATM machines are easily accessible in Mexican Airports, so you can withdraw some pesos upon arrival. There are several ATM's available in San Miguel de Allende You may use credit cards in select restaurants, but we recommend leaving the tip in cash. Not all international ATM's work in restaurants or stores, but you will be able to withdraw cash from the bank machines. IMPORTANT INFO FOR TAKING CASH OUT OF THE ATM: While you must always accept the "service fee" for using the ATM's, some Mexican banks will also offer you a conversion rate. ALWAYS HIT DECLINE. You will still receive your cash, but your own bank will give you a much better conversion rate.
CLIMATE & ALTITUDE
Starting in San Miguel de Allende, which is seated at 1,975 meters (6,435 feet) altitude, we will enjoy daytime temperatures ranging from 15-24 Celsius (60-75 F), with nights cooling down to around 7 C (45 F). Jalpan de Serra sits at approximately 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) above sea level, with subtropical climate. Daytime temperatures should be between 26 C (78 F), with nights cooling slightly. When we reach La Huastecea Region of San Luis Potosí, the temperatures will range between 20-26 C (68-79 F) and lows of around 13 C (56 F). As this region is much lower altitude than the Sierra Gorda, expect humidity to be a factor.
MEDICAL INSURANCE & EMERGENCY CONTACT
Please purchase medical insurance before you come and send us contact information for your insurance provider AND an emergency contact, in case you are unable to communicate with us. Please send our contact information to a family member or friend in case someone at home cannot get a hold of you.
MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS
This tour is for active travellers who like to hike and swim. If you walk daily, you should be able to manage this tour. We recommend bringing a hiking stick to help with balance, especially if you suffer from sore hips or knees. Sturdy walking shoes are a must.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Throughout the years, we have endured many cancellations for various emergencies, which has forced us to change our booking policy. Please purchase travel insurance to cover trip cancellation in the event that you suffer a medical emergency, bereavement, climate event etc.
WHAT TO BRING
These are some recommendations for items you may wish to bring for your trip. * Rain poncho or compact umbrella just in case it rains * Walking Stick * Layered clothing for relatively warm during the tour and colder weather in San Miguel de Allende and Peña de Bernal. * 2 Pairs of comfortable shoes. One pair could be a pair of sturdy hiking sandals. * Aqua Socks / Water Shoes for wearing while swimming * Hand Sanitizer or perssonal sized bottle of hand soap * An open mind!
FAQ'S
1
HOW MUCH WILL MY MEALS COST?
Sit-down meals will range from $15-$40 US, depending on whether or not you order multiple courses plus drinks. Your breakfasts and 1 lunch are included, which means you are responsible for 9 lunches and 11 dinners.
2
HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY SHOULD I BRING?
This really varies! We will see some beautiful textiles in Peña de Bernal, and lots of little boutique galleries throughout our travels. The handicrafts of this region include intricate back-strap weaving and traditional red clay coil pottery. If you collect textiles and pottery, expect to spend around $4000 MXN for quality fabric pieces and approximately $300-$600 MXN for ceramic pieces. We will also have the chance to buy quality artisan cheese and wine.
3
CAN WE BRING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON TOUR?
While guests are technically permitted to drink in the van during our tours, we will remove anyone who drinks to excess, at your own expense, especially since we will be hiking and swimming. We prefer guests reserve their drinking for enjoying with food or in the evenings.
4
WHAT ARE THE BATHROOMS LIKE?
Baños have drastically improved over the years, but it is typical to find toilets without seats, especially in nature reserves. Please do not flush your toilet paper, as Mexico's pipes are narrow and treatment centres are not all designed to process TP. In some cases, the bathroom will be equipped with a massive water tank and a bucket, which is used for flushing the toilet. Simply fill the bucket and pour it into the toilet to flush. We recommend carrying hand sanitizer or a small, personal sized bottle of liquid hand soap in case there is no soap or handwashing facility.
5
WHAT IS THE STANDARD TIPPING AMOUNT?
We generally recommend tipping your driver around $40-$50 MXN per day, while doubling that for your team leaders, depending on their service. For your hotel or housekeeper, if you ask for cleaning services, we recommend $40-$50 MXN per service. If you are purchasing groceries and someone bags them for you, the average payment is 5 MXN per bag. Our drivers and guides establish their own rates, but tipping is still customary in Mexico, particularly in tourism-based professions. In restaurants, the standard tipping among foreigners is 15-20%. Please do not worry about tipping for meals that are included, as we will cover that! We also encourage our guests to pay all tips in cash whenever possible, as some restaurants do not allow tips to go through on credit or debit cards.
