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DIA DE MUERTOS
HIDDEN TREASURES TOUR

Lake Patzcuaro Region, Michoacan Mexico

October 31 - November 2, 2025

2 Nights / 3 Days

$9,500 MXN

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Please Note:  We offer two tours in this region, both of which will meld together into a shared group for October 31-November 2.  Our  max size for this group is 16. â€‹

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR

Though this tour is shorter than our Cultural Odyssey experience, it still introduces you to much more than most of the large companies that operate in our region.  Most tourists arrive in our area to celebrate on November 1-2, and are unaware of the different cultural activities that begin on the eve of October 31.   You will have the opportunity to visit with two families in a small traditional village where we will build a small offenda to bring to our hosts.  Participating on this level is a hands-on and heartfelt experience you won't soon forget.  On November 1st, we will visit Tzintzuntzan during the day to observe the Procession of Altars, and by evening will enjoy a special dinner with a local indigenous family.  From there, we embark on a journey to vigils and cemeteries in hidden places on an unannounced route to visit with families we work with throughout the year, and will cross Lake Patzcuaro for the legendary boat rides our region is so famed for.  We will be moving far from the tourist crowds and traffic congestion, for an intimate experience that underlines what Dia de Muertos is truly about  - honouring our hosts in a respectful manner.  We are fortunate to have invitations to these communities, rather than feeling like intruders in a hoard of thousands of tourists.  

 

Let ancestor worship and these sacred rites transform your relationship with death.   

WHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE

Witnessing the traditions of the Lake Patzcuaro region is life transformative because few cultures extend such efforts annually to honour their deceased loved ones.  You will experience a lot of joy and surprise, and if you have recently lost someone close to you, this can also be an emotional journey.  One of the reasons we highly recommend staying in Patzcuaro on November 2 is so you have time for reflection, to process everything you will experience over these short but intense observations.  We have had many guests return for Dia de Muertos tours, as your first time here can feel like sensory overload, especially for those of you who are coming for our shorter tour.  If you would like to consider a fuller experience, check out our Cultural Odyssey Tour, which starts on October 27 and joins this tour on the 31st.

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Either way, this promises to be a rich and fulfilling moment in your life story.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTY?

Though this party is scheduled for October 30th, and is not included in your tour, you are welcome to join us if you happen to be arriving on or before October 30.  The party starts at 5 PM in the city of Patzcuaro.

 

Each year arrives with anticipation of our annual Fiesta de las Catrinas, which is our answer to mitigating the damages done by the commercialization of this holiday.  La Catrina was inducted into Dia de Muertos as an iconic subject, yet does not represent the indigenous hosts of our region.  We prohibit guests from boarding our van for the cemetery tours if you are dressed in costume, as you will not find indigenous elders dressed-up with face paint.  Some question whether wearing Catrina make-up is similar to wearing black-face, and to that, we say no - but it simply isn't appropriate for the cemeteries.  La Catrina was the creation of a controversial cartoonist and satirist who was critical of government and who wanted to bring awareness to class warfare.  Today, she is a delightful and comical icon of Mexican culture, not to be confused with specific indigenous cultures that maintain their own world view.   

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La Fiesta de las Catrinas falls before the vigils in our region begin.  We hire musicians to entertain you with traditional and popular music and invite our local friends to serve their small-batch, locally produced mezcal, wine and beer.  Our dinner is 3 courses, and our door prizes are all handmade by local artisans.  We understand that you are travelling and may not know how to paint yourself into a Catrina, so we also invite a few local professional make-up artists who can transform you during our party for a small fee.  If you are travelling as a group and would like to have your face painted before the party, we can make an appointment for the artist to visit you at your hotel ahead of time.  This is a really fun party that continues to grow every year, as new ideas come to mind.

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Please bring a small photo of a deceased loved one you would like to honour, as we will have a Muertos Altar at the party.  Please bring copies, as you are unlikely to get your photo back.  Due to space limitations, we ask guests to bring a photo that is no larger than a 4x6.

HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT LOCALS?

All of your guides, drivers and assistants are local to Michoacan.  The participatory activities bring income to local families and artists.  Our Catrina party is hosted by a locally owned restaurant and includes local musicians, make-up artists and small-batch producers of wine, mezcal and beer.  All of our door prizes for the event are handmade by local artists.  Our dinner on Noche de Muertos brings income to a local artisan family, who are always pleased to host us at their home.  We will also enjoy lunch with a local indigenous cook who makes exquisite traditional P'urepecha cuisine.  Though we have a few surprises tucked up our sleeve, we are sure that as you experience this tour, you will recognize the many parts that are woven together to create a beautiful tapestry of local experiences.        

WHAT HAVE OTHER GUESTS SAID?

Please Note:  Our company was registered as Soul of Mexico Tours in 2018, but was Trademarked by someone unscrupulous in 2023.  We changed our company name to Copper Moon Travels in April 2023.

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From Cate 2023

My 12 year-old and I participated in Día de Muertos adventures with Copper Moon Tours from October 30 through November 3, 2023. Jen put together such an amazing experience for us that I never could have organized on my own. Our guide Jaime was an incredible storyteller and we both learned so much about the Purépecha people and the customs surrounding Día de Muertos. The tours were conducted with the upmost consideration and respect for the holiday and the people who actually live in Pátzcuaro and the nearby islands and towns that we visited. Thank-you so much, Jen and Jaime!

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From Nora 2021

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Jen, thanks so much for such a marvelous tour for Dia de Muertos! It was magical, enchanting, unique and delightful! You are so lovely and kind and that spilled over to the people in our small group! I posted compliments to your Soul of Mexico Tours wall also. I look forward to seeing you and sipping some more mezcal in beautiful Patzcuaro! Very warmest regards and many thanks.

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From David 2021

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Soul of Mexico Tours’, “Día de los Muertos” is the perfect way to immerse yourself in this incredible, colorful, magical time in the Patzcuaro/Purépecha indigenous people’s region of Mexico. It’s a once in a lifetime experience! Jen organized a wonderful itinerary that took us into many small pueblos; showing a different and unique aspect to the holiday celebrations. We got a closeup look into some of the local traditions and even got to actively participate with the townspeople. We were always welcomed with open arms, big smiles and warm hearts. The daytime and nighttime excursions into the elaborately decorated and candlelit cemeteries was memorable beyond … striking images sharply remain. There was ample time to shop the big, festive markets and fairs being held simultaneously, too. Overall, it was a thrilling time from start to finish. Jen’s tour covers a lot of ground and showcases Día de los Muertos in the best way possible.

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From Jayne 2021

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Jen and Soul of Mexico's Dio de Muertos tour this year was beyond anything I could have imagined. This small-footprint carefully curated tour was a once in a life-time experience. If you would like to read more about it and my experience you can find it and more here: Thanks, Jen and Jaimi! intothefireventures.com

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To read more reviews, please click here.  We also have some reviews on Trip Advisor, which we are trying to grow.  If you come on tour with us, please consider leaving us a review, as they are so crucial for small businesses like ours!

PRICE INCLUSIONS & RESERVATIONS

The tour price of $22,000 MX does not include your hotels.  Please be sure to secure accommodations before confirming your tour, and contact us if you need assistance finding lodgings.  We are here to help!

Once you have secured your accommodations, we require payment to confirm your tour. We will send you information for payment methods, as we have several ways you can pay. 

 

The price for this tour includes 5 lunches, 3 dinners and 1 mezcal tasting.  All other meals are separate.  All drinks are separate.

 

All entrance fees, activities, events, ground transportation and boat rides are included.

 

Please bring $100 Pesos for our evening tour on October 31, as we will purchase flowers, candles and fruit for our host families.

 

Guided services with bilingual National Licensed Guide included

 

Tips for your team leaders are discretionary and appreciated.

SUGGESTED READING

On the Path of the Marigolds: Living Traditions of Mexico’s Day of the Dead

 

BUY NOW
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A FLOWER FOR THE SEASON - The Sacred Marigold of Mexico

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READ NOW

CONTACT US

Contact:  Jennifer Bjarnason

Email:  coppermoontravels@protonmail.com

WhatsApp / Text:  +52 443 639 2782

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