AN ECLECTIC EXPLORATION OF MICHOACAN'S INCREDIBLE AND DIVERSE HANDICRAFTS AND MUSEUM QUALITY TEXTILES

TRIP ITINERARY

​If you would like to join us from San Miguel de Allende, we are arranging transportation directly for you, so you don't have to travel to Guadalajara.  We will all meet at Lake Camecuaro and join the same travel van.  At the end of the tour, we will have the driver pick you up from our last artisan studio to return you directly to San Miguel de Allende.

 

DAY ONE:  Wednesday January 28, 2026 - Paracho, Michoacan 

We will depart from Guadalajara this morning for Lake Camecuaro, arriving on time to have lunch.  Enjoy a lovely boat ride across the pristine waters of this spring-fed beauty before departing for two artisan studios, one for ceramics and the other for an award winning master weaver who is one of few who continue to use a pre-Hispanic technique for creating lovely shawls, blouses and ponchos on traditional back-strap looms.  From there, we will retreat to our hotel in Paracho, which is a basic but clean and comfortable hotel.

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DAY TWO:  Thursday January 29, 2026 - Paracho, Michoacan 

This morning we will head to a traditional P'urepecha village where we will enjoy a fun workshop that involves painting a bird whistle, which is iconic in this town due to the roots of their art form.  From there, we will visit two more wonderful studios boasting collectible ceramics before returning to Paracho for dinner. 

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DAY THREE:  Friday January 30, 2026 - Uruapan, Michoacan

This morning we will visit a family of incredible embroidery artists who use a very specific technique to create "deshilados."  We will be working on a small napkin, just to learn about and understand their process.  Each guest will receive a pre-prepared piece with cut-threads removed from the cotton canvas, which we will put onto embroidery hoops to begin our class.  You will also have a chance to browse through their museum quality clothing.  We will have lunch in the small village before returning to Uruapan to unwind in the famous National Park, with exceptional water fountains and features, cobble stone pathways and arched bridges, lush vegetation and plenty of picturesque spaces.

 

DAY FOUR:  Saturday January 31, 2026 - Uruapan, Michoacan

This morning we are destined for small village where the women embroider gorgeous dresses and blouses of impeccable quality.  From there, we will visit a family of weavers who create wool and cotton rebozos (shawls) and ponchos on backstrap looms.  Enjoy a demonstration and traditional lunch with the family.  After lunch, we will visit the Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro, which is partially submerged in the lava of Paricutin Volcano, which resulted in the permanent evacuation of two P'urepecha villages.  We can ride horses or hike.  The horseback riding is optional, with a cost of approximately $400 MXN (including tip.). The hike along the well-groomed path takes about 40 mins. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a walking stick for the Lava Flow where the church is, as it is difficult to walk on. (If you don't want to walk on the lava, you don't have to. Some guests will browse through the handicraft stalls while waiting).

DAY FIVE:  Sunday February 1, 2026 - Hacienda Porumbo, Michoacan

The most fabulous textile market in Michoacan opens every Sunday in this region and we will be heading that way as soon as we've checked out of our hotel.  Shop for exquisite shawls that are fringed with feathers, and many other styles.  We will have lunch here before departing for an interesting village where the women are going to demonstrate natural dying processes while we are there.  The women weave traditional rebozos on back-strap looms here, so you have another chance to shop directly.  Our last stop is at the home of a mask-maker who supplies traditional folk dancers from our region with specialized costumes for different cultural traditions.  We will then head to Hacienda Porumbo for some tranquility and a fabulous dinner by Samantha Lopez of Santa Huacal, served with lovely wines.  The property features a 19th Century Hacienda and several casitas, where we will be staying.  We will all have shared accommodations while staying here, between the casitas.

 

DAY SIX:  Monday February 2, 2026 - Hacienda Porumbo, Michoacan

This morning, following breakfast, we will enjoy a mole cooking class with Samantha Lopez, which we will enjoy for lunch.  After lunch, we will be engaging in two different workshops - one for loom weaving and another for making Milagros.  Milagros are little metal charms issued by the Catholic Church for prayers, but artisans in our region hammer them onto wooden crosses, hearts and saints.  Each guest will receive a heart, but if you would like a project to take home, the artisans will have some other pieces for you to choose from.  The workshop involves painting your piece, then choosing your own "miracles" for it.  Of course, we can also work on our embroidery projects, or do some more painting while here.  (We are bringing everyone small palettes and paints, embroidery hoops etc for this tour).  Today is for tranquility in a beautiful rural setting with creativity abound.   

 

DAY SEVEN:  Tuesday February 3, 2026 - Patzcuaro, Michoacan

This morning we are bound for Santa Clara del Cobre to witness a copper demonstration, and then get our own hands busy making a small copper dish.  Guests will be working with open fire and handmade tools in this super fun workshop that will further your appreciation for the workmanship of this town.  We will have plenty of time to explore the galleries here before heading to Patzcuaro at around 4:00 PM. 

DAY EIGHT:  Wednesday February 4, 2026 - Patzcuaro Michoacan
This morning we will visit the fine-art studio of Briseida Zepeda, who is a dear friend and mixed-media artist.  Zepeda taught at the University in Uruapan for many years, but has since retired to Patzcuaro to focus on her artwork.  Briseida also curates exhibitions in her Sirena Gallery, representing many different artists from around Central Mexico.  Our next stop is in Capula, where we will spend the afternoon painting Catrina dolls and feasting on a lovely picnic in the most enchanting garden of our state.  Maestro Juan Torres was the first artist to create Catrina from ceramics, and his estate is an homage to his passion as a sculptor, painter and ceramicist.  On our way back to Patzcuaro, we will stop to visit two more artisan studios - one for exquisite pottery, one for popotillo (reed woven) mandalas, and another for an embroidery style that is known for colourful and charming depictions of village scenes and local celebrations, known as story cloths. 

 

DAY NINE:  Thursday February 5, 2026 - Patzcuaro, Michoacan
This morning we will meet for a lovely walking tour of our historical centre in Patzcuaro, breaking by lunch for an afternoon of free time so you can explore the city on your own terms.  If you have been here before are would rather visit Janitzio Island or more of the outlying villages, please let us know when you book your tour so we can discuss options.

 

DAY TEN:  Friday February 6, 2026 - Return Home

This morning we will depart Patzcuaro after breakfast, heading to the home of Nicolas Fabian.  Here we will be engraving ceramics with patterns, which Nico will dry, fire and then ship to you (please confirm that you have a Mexican address, as shipping outside of Mexico is very costly and will require postage paid).  The shipping within Mexico is included.  We will have one last traditional lunch with a P'urepecha cook before departing the Lake Patzcuaro region for a fun little ceramics town where the artisans make whimsical animals.  From there, we will have transportation coordinated to split our group into those who are heading to Guadalajara, and those who are heading for San Miguel de Allende.  

 

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CREATIVE EXPLORATION OF OUR STATE!