Who can truly prosper without God?
-Reckless Travelers
Are you looking for a spiritual and cultural adventure in Mexico? Do you want to experience the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas, and visit the places where she appeared to a humble peasant named Juan Diego? Do you want to enjoy the beauty and history of Mexico City and its surroundings? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should join us on the 5-day, Our Lady of Guadalupe tour, starting at $999, departing on January 10 or November 28, 2023, Ground Only.
This tour is organized by ETS and liaised by Reckless Travelers, a trusted and experienced travel agency that specializes in Catholic pilgrimages. We offer free consultation and personalized service to make your trip unforgettable. While ETS partners with local priests and guides who will enrich your journey with their knowledge and faith, we organize all of the minor details of your trip so all you have to do is pay.
Airfare is not included in this package, but we can help you find the best deals and options for your flight, or you can book your flight directly through the Reckless Travelers app. You will stay in first-class hotels with breakfast and dinner daily, and travel in deluxe A/C motor coaches. You will also enjoy entrance and program fees, guided tours, and gratuities included in the price.
Here is a brief overview of what you will see and do on this amazing pilgrimage:
Day 1: Depart USA / Arrive in Mexico City
You will arrive in Mexico City, the capital and largest city of Mexico, and check in to your hotel for overnight. You will meet your fellow pilgrims and enjoy a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. You will also have an orientation session with your tour leader and priest who will accompany you throughout the trip. (D)
Day 2: Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe / Basilica / Tepeyac Hill
After breakfast at your hotel, you will have Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the most-visited Catholic shrine in the world. Here you will see the original tilma (cloak) of Juan Diego, which bears the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. According to tradition, Mary appeared four times to Juan Diego in December 1531, and asked him to build a church on this site. She also left her image on his tilma as a sign for the bishop. The image has been venerated by millions of people ever since, and has become a symbol of Mexican identity and faith.
You will have a tour of the Basilica, which was built in 1976 to replace the old one that was sinking due to the soft soil. The Basilica can accommodate up to 50,000 people and has a circular design that allows everyone to see the tilma from any angle. You will also visit the grounds of the shrine, including the hilltop Chapel of Tepeyac, where Mary first appeared to Juan Diego; the Capilla del Cerrito (Chapel of the Hill), where she appeared for the second time; the Capilla del Pocito (Chapel of the Well), where a spring of water emerged after her third apparition; and the Museum of Guadalupe Artifacts, where you can see various paintings, sculptures, relics, and gifts related to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
You will have lunch on your own at one of the many restaurants near the shrine. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own, shop for souvenirs, or pray at one of the many chapels. Dinner is on your own as well. (B)
Optional: If you are interested in seeing a Mexican Ballet Performance this evening, you can book it with us for an additional cost.
Day 3: Tulpetlac / San Juan Teotihuacan / Acolman
Today you will travel outside Mexico City to visit some other sites related to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mexican culture. First, you will stop at Tulpetlac, where Mary appeared for the fifth and last time to Juan Diego's uncle, Juan Bernardino. She healed him from a serious illness and revealed her name as "the Perfect Virgin Mary of Guadalupe". You will see the church that was built on this site in her honor.
Next, you will visit San Juan Teotihuacan, one of the most impressive archaeological zones in Mexico. This ancient city was once home to a powerful civilization that flourished between 100 BC and 750 AD. You will see the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, the largest structures in the area, as well as the Avenue of the Dead, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and the Palace of the Jaguars. You will learn about the history, culture, and religion of the Teotihuacans, who had a complex cosmology and a sophisticated urban planning.
You will have lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy some traditional Mexican cuisine. Afterward, you will visit Acolman, a 16th-century monastery that was founded by the Augustinian order. You will admire its beautiful architecture, which combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Mudejar styles. You will also see its impressive frescoes, altarpieces, and cloisters. You will learn about the history of this monastery, which played an important role in the evangelization of the native people.
You will return to Mexico City in the evening and have dinner on your own at a nearby restaurant. (B, L)
Day 4: Coyoacan / Xochimilco / Farewell Dinner
On your last full day in Mexico, you will visit some of the most charming and colorful neighborhoods of the city. First, you will go to Coyoacan, which means "place of coyotes" in Nahuatl. This area was once a separate village that attracted many artists and intellectuals in the 20th century. You will see the Church of St. John the Baptist, which dates back to the 16th century and has a richly decorated interior. You will also see the Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the Blue House, where the famous painter lived and worked with her husband Diego Rivera. You can admire some of her paintings, personal belongings, and furniture.
Next, you will visit Xochimilco, which means "place of flowers" in Nahuatl. This area is famous for its canals and floating gardens that date back to pre-Hispanic times. You will board a trajinera, a colorful gondola-like boat, and sail through the canals while enjoying the scenery and music. You will also see some of the chinampas, artificial islands that were created by the Aztecs to grow crops on the lake.
You will have lunch at a local restaurant and taste some of the specialties of Xochimilco, such as quesadillas, tlacoyos, and barbacoa. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own or shop for handicrafts.
You will return to your hotel and get ready for your farewell dinner. You will meet your group at a nearby restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal together. You will also share your experiences and memories of this wonderful pilgrimage. (B, L, D)
Optional: If you want to end your trip with a bang, you can join us for a farewell dinner show at Garibaldi Mariachi Plaza for an additional cost. You will see a spectacular performance of mariachi music and folk dances from different regions of Mexico.
Day 5: Return to USA
After breakfast at your hotel, you will check out and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. You will bring with you many blessings and graces from Our Lady of Guadalupe and a deeper appreciation of Mexican culture and faith. (B)
We hope you enjoyed this article and that it inspired you to join in on this amazing pilgrimage. If you are interested in booking this tour or have any questions, please contact us at Reckless Travelers today. You cannot book this trip direct through the website and will need a travel advisor or organization like Reckless Travelers to book this one. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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Source of Information:
(1) Our Lady of Guadalupe - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe.
(2) Our Lady of Guadalupe | Description, History, & Facts. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Our-Lady-of-Guadalupe-patron-saint-of-Mexico.
(3) Reckless Travelers/InteleTravel Preferred Partner Program