ART COLLECTION
TOUR
HECHO A MANO MICHOACAN
"What sets this tour company apart from others is the vision of the owner. She and her colleagues share a deep love for Mexico, especially Michoacan. The tours I have been on have been spectacular; the guide's excitement is infectious. Did I mention I'll be back for more? Yes, of course!"
- Sarah (P'urepecha Meseta 2022)
HECHO A MANO MICHOACAN
AN ART COLLECTION TOUR THAT INCLUDES CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR THE ARTIST IN YOU
STARTS: San Miguel de Allende
ENDS: San Miguel de Allende
DATES: May 9-16, 2026
DURATION: 7 Nights / 8 Days
PRICE IS BASED ON COST SHARING & DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
12-14 GUESTS: $34,452 MXN (APPROX $1900 USD / $2600 CAD
If you are travelling solo and do not want a roommate, the extra charge for a private room is $7800 MXN. If you would like a roommate, please let us know so we can start looking!
INCLUSIONS:
Hotel x 7 nights (double occupancy), 7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 1 Picnic Lunch & 2 Dinners (Drinks & Desserts are separate). All Entrance Fees and guided services are included. Tips are discretionary and appreciated.
CURRENCY CONVERTER
TRIP OVERVIEW
Michoacan is a rich and culturally diverse state worth exploring...
From the famous guitar town of Paracho, a wide range of gorgeous ceramics, a historic church submerged in a lava field, exquisite museum-quality textiles, the cobble-stone magic of Patzcuaro's historical centre and the wonderment of shopping directly from artists you get to meet, this tour has something for everyone...
despite the frantic safety warnings that scare tourists away...
Yes there are issues here that arise from time to time, but those of us in the tourism industry keep our ears to the ground to avoid problem areas. It is important to remember the fact that Cartels do not target tourists, for they are not interested in attracting foreign investigators. The biggest risk of travelling through our state is falling in love, and browsing through real-estate websites in search of your next dream home...
The rural P'urepecha Meseta is as beautiful as it is remote...
Visiting artisans in their homes is an instructive way to learn about their communities, as you have the chance to witness daily life, to see where they work and gain perspective on what inspires their creativity...
and closer to the way we all used to live, in communities without logos...
Visiting this region is like stepping back-in-time, when animals were still utilized as beasts of burden, chickens were roaming about the yard, horses were ridden as a common mode of transportation and cows blocked the roadways. You will also notice a lack of corporate signage, aside from the odd storefront boasting Pepsi or Coca Cola, which we see across the country. Even these businesses are locally owned and operated by families who live here and benefit directly from their businesses...
The pace of life is closely connected to the land and climate...
Though the artists contribute a large part of the economy in this region, chores still take priority throughout the day. Most women weave in their spare time for approximately 3 hours a day, which means that even after all of the chores are done, they are still working their fingers to the bone...
and every art purchase contributes to the local economy here...
We love promoting art collection tours in this region, as there are so few collectors who come here to shop directly. When the children see foreigners who are interested in their culture, it encourages pride. We were so pleased to see that one of the weavers daughters, who we first met 5 years ago, has now started weaving. She was so excited to show us how much she had progressed, in just one week of her first lessons. We look forward to purchasing her pieces to encourage her growth as a weaver and cultural ambassador...
Our tours cover a plethora of subjects, from history, art, gastronomy & more...
We often organize at least one lunch with an indigenous family so you can taste traditional cuisine, much of which hails from pre-Hispanic gastronomy. Our village tours will include history, insights about architecture, art studios and important churches. We try to shy away from too many churches, but those that stand out or have cultural significance are included. This tour also includes a small but important archaeological site...
and enjoy some down-time while you are in our area...
Due to the pace of this tour, we have included a free day while we are in Patzcuaro, so you can sleep in and explore downtown on your own terms. If you would like a guided walking tour for your free day, please let us know ahead of time so we can make arrangements.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
TOUR DIFFICULTY
This tour is accessible for everyone who can walk. We will not be doing any strenuous hiking, aside from visiting the Cupatitzio National Park in Uruapan, which most of you should be able to manage. If you worry about your balance, a walking stick or cane is recommended. Please let me know ahead of time if you cannot walk up stairs, as the hotel does not have an elevator. For those who really cannot walk the stairs, please let me know so I can ask the hotel if they have any rooms on the ground floor.
APPROPRIATE GEAR
May is the cusp of rainy season in our area, so we recommend having a poncho or umbrella with you. It will usually be sunny in the morning, with showers in the mid-late afternoon. We advise packing layers, as it can get chilly when it is damp. We also recommend bringing a bathing suit, as our hotel in Uruapan has a pool! Sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water bottle are always on our list of recommendations.
GROUP COOPERATION
Not everyone is made to travel in groups. We ask you to consider how flexible and adaptable you are, before committing to this tour. We work hard to stick to our itineraries as much as we can, due to the expectation and investment from our guests. Sometimes, we must change plans due to spontaneous closures or other unseen obstacles, such as an accident that closes the road or a sick guest who needs to stop at a clinic. We appreciate travellers who can roll with the punches and stay open-minded despite alterations that are necessary.
OUR LODGINGS
We will stay in two locations during our art collection tour...
We will confirm hotels as soon as we can confirm our guest list, but our goal is to house you at the Mansion del Cupatitzio in Uruapan and Casa Encantada in Patzcuaro. Both hotels are well located and offer comfortable beds and excellent service. Our hotel in Uruapan backs onto the National Park and Casa Encantada is steps from the main plaza in Patzcuaro's historical centro...
PHOTO GALLERY
It's impossible to take a bad photograph here...
This gallery shows some of the work we will see while on tour. If you are looking for anything specific, please let me know ahead of time so I can do some research...
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TOUR
A 25% non-refundable deposit confirms your seat...
Unless we must cancel this tour, your 25% deposit is non-refundable and is what confirms your seat for this experience. Please do not book your flights until we confirm the tour is going ahead. We will be collecting deposits over the next two weeks, confirming by April 25 (hopefully before!).
WHY DO WE HAVE SUCH A STRICT RESERVATION POLICY COMPARED TO CORPORATE TRAVEL COMPANIES?
As sole proprietor of a small business, I cannot afford the fall-out of guests who are noncommittal. Recently, we had 3 guests who verbally committed to our Chiapas tour only to change their minds within a few days for non-emergency reasons, leaving me with unfair and substantial financial loss. I was obligated to the 3 guests who had not only paid deposits, but who had also booked their flights. Unfortunately, this has happened far too many times for me to keep working on trust, which is why I now require a deposit in order to confirm your seat.
So if you are committed and ready to travel, please contact us but do not book your flight until we have confirmed that we actually have a minimum of 10 guests!
What is expected after the tour and flights are confirmed...
Once your deposit is paid and tour is confirmed, I require another 25% deposit so I can pay deposits for hotels, van rental and other expenses.
The balance is due in full upon arrival. If you prefer to pay the balance with a credit card, I need to invoice you two weeks in advance, as it takes 10 business days for the deposit to enter my account. If you are paying with cash, we only accept Mexican Pesos, as exchanging foreign cash costs us nearly 20%.
PAYMENT METHODS
Our preferred payment method is WISE, formerly Transferwise...
If you do not have a WISE account, please click here to start an account. We recommend using your smart phone, as it's easier to upload ID and verify the account. You will need your standard banking information to connect your bank account to the transfer app. Once your account is open, you need to transfer money from your bank into the WISE account in order to make payments.
When you are ready to pay, simply email me for a payment link. The beauty of WISE is that I can request the payment in Pesos, so the exchange isn't messy.
Please Note: If you use my referral to sign up for your account, your first transaction is discounted.
Just click on this link to get started: https://wise.com/invite/ihpc/jenniferb907
We can also accept Interac Transfers to our Canadian or Mexican accounts...
If you do not have a WISE account, we can also accept traditional wire transfers to our Canadian or Mexican bank accounts. Please email us for deposit information.
Canadians can e-transfer us through a simple email transfer...
If you have a Canadian bank account, we can accept an e-transfer to coppermoontravels@protonmail.com
Or you can pay 5% to use Stripe if you are paying with a credit card...
As all other payment methods do not cost us any processing fees, we do not add them into our prices. If you are using a credit card, we must charge 5% to cover their processing fees. If you are paying with a credit card, please click on the link below to make your payment!
The amount is in Mexican Pesos
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
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Mayo Cultural Dancing & Medicines
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Mayo Ceramics Demo & Traditional Lunch
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Birding on Rio Fuerte
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El Chepe Express Train (First Class)
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Basket Weaving Class with Raramuri Women
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Hiking on the Canyon Rim
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Tram Car Ride Across Copper Canyon
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Cusarare Mission Church & Museum
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Raramuri Rituals in Batopilas Canyon
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Visit Church of Satevo
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Ex-Hacienda San Miguel
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Raramuri Rituals on the Canyon Rim
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San Ignacio Mission & Valley of Hongos & Frogs
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Rowing on Lake Arereko
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Mata Ortiz Ceramics (Direct Shopping from Artisans)
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Ancient Archaeological Site of Paquime
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Ancient Archaeological Site of Cuevo de Olla
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El Fuerte
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Canyon Rim
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Batopilas
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Guachochi
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Canyon Rim
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Creel
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Casas Grandes
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Chihuahua City
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
Angahuan
Aranza
Capula
Cocucho
Erongaricuaro
Huecorio
San Jose de Gracia
Santa Fe de la Laguna
Ocumicho
Paracho
Patamban
Patzcuaro
San Felipe de los Herreros
Santa Clara del Cobre
Sevina
Tocuaro
Turicuaro
Tzintzuntzan
Zacan
Uruapan x 3 Nights
Patzcuaro x 4 Nights
This trip departs from San Miguel de Allende
If you are flying here from out of the region, please consider the Queretaro or Leon airports. It is also possible to fly through Mexico City with a 3.5 hour commute by bus, or into Guadalajara, which is about 4 hours away by bus. If you happen to live in Morelia, Patzcuaro or surrounding area, please contact me as your guides are from this area. We can make arrangements to pick you up and bring you home.
We recommend arriving early and leaving late if it's your first time....
If you are coming from outside of this region, we highly recommend arriving early or leaving late. San Miguel de Allende is a rich and luxurious city with glorious colours abound, fabulous restaurants, high end galleries, cobblestone streets, romantic views and a stunning historical centre. It's hard not to fall in love...
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)
