Our Lady of Guadalupe

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Dec. 3. Los Angeles - Mexico City

Depart Los Angeles. Upon arrival in Mexico city, you'll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. The evening is free for rest and preparation.

DAY 2 – Dec. 4. Mexico City – Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Full Day.

After breakfast, depart for the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of the Americas), by way of the Plaza of the Three Cultures. You will first visit the Church of Santiago Tlatelolco where St. Juan Diego was baptized. This plaza is important as it symbolizes the unique blend of the pre-Hispanic, and Hispanic cultures that make up Mexico. Continue to the Shrine of Guadalupe, built in response to Our Lady’s request to the visionary, St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. Upon arrival at the Shrine, you will celebrate Mass as you marvel at the brilliantly colored Basilica. Following Mass, we visit the various points of interest in the Tepeyac area surrounding the Basilica, each associated with the story of the apparitions of Our Lady. We see the original chapel on the exact site of the apparitions to Juan Diego (Capilla del Cerrito) and the Old Basilica completed in 1709. One special stop is La Capilla del Pocito (Chapel of the Little Well) – a well which opened under the feet of the Virgin.

Free time for lunch (on your own. After lunch, free time to explore the Basilica grounds and shopping. In the afternoon, return to your hotel. Enjoy a delicious taco dinner at a restaurant near the hotel accompanied by your guide. (B/D)

DAY 3 – Dec. 5. Mexico City – Church of the 5th Apparition – Teothihuacán

After breakfast, transfer to the Church of the 5th Apparition, where the Blessed Virgin Maria de Guadalupe appeared to Juan Bernardino, Juan Diego’s uncle. Here you can find a well of healing water which locals drink from. Continue to Teotihuacan one of the most powerful cultural centers in Mesoamerica, a prominent political and religious center with complexes of monumental buildings such as the Citadel and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the Calzada de los Muertos and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Lunch at a local restaurant (at your own) with live music and native dancers followed by a guided tour which will reveal to you how the Aztecs lived and used to work the obsidian stone as well as the multiple uses of the Maguey Plant. Return to México City, dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (B/D)

DAY 4 – Dec. 6. Mexico City – Holy Family / Fr. Pro – Historic Center

After breakfast, transfer to Holy Family Church, where you will view the tomb of Fr. Miguel Agustin Pro, the Jesuit martyr. In a time of great religious persecutions, Fr. Pro was exiled from Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. However, he returned to Mexico and was aided by a secret ministry who helped him hide from authorities. During his time in Mexico, he assisted many individuals in their spiritual, as well as temporal, needs. He was eventually discovered, arrested and killed by authorities. You will also visit the small but very inspiring Museum dedicated in honor of Father Pro. We celebrate our private Mass. Continue to the Historical Center and visit the Metropolitan Cathedral located at the Zocalo, the main square. Inside you will visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Cross of Poison. Originally made of white marble, the cross miraculously turned black from absorbing poison placed on it, intended to kill the Bishop who traditionally kissed the feet of the cross every day after mass. We will see the National Palace (from outside). This extraordinary palace has been occupied by the ruling class of Mexico since the Aztec Empire’s rule. Time to walk the beautiful pedestrian alley of Francisco I. Madero. From start to end, it is home to noteworthy buildings from both colonial and contemporary times such as: Casa de los Azulejos, or “House of Tiles”, the Temple of San Francisco who was the headquarters of the first twelve Franciscan monks sent to Mexico to evangelize in the viceroyalty of New Spain. Free time for lunch (at your own). After lunch, free time to explore the city centre on your own and do some shopping.

In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. (B/D)

DAY 5 – Dec. 7. Mexico City – Cholula – Puebla

After breakfast and check out. We will leave Puebla to visit Cholula, a Magical Town where two great symbols of both cultures coexist just a few meters away: the Great Pyramid and the Franciscan Ex-convent of San Gabriel, one of the oldest convents in America. Next, we will continue to Puebla City, one of the most beautiful Mexican colonial cities which were founded by the Spaniards in 1531 to shelter people who traveled from Veracruz to Mexico City. Sightseeing of historical center, including the Church of St. Francis, the magnificent Cathedral, and the Santo Domingo Church. Free time for lunch (at your own). Time for shopping at colorful shops where you will find many typical goods and sweets. Get ready to enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, featuring typical dishes from Puebla's cuisine. After dinner, back to the hotel. Overnight in Puebla. (B/D)

DAY 6 - Dec. 8. Puebla – Taxco – Mexico City.

After breakfast and check-out from Puebla we will head a full day excursion to Taxco. Taxco is a city of cobblestone streets and tile roofed houses preserved as a traditional colonial town. lt preserves what is considered the "Jewel of Baroque" in Mexico, the Church of Santa Prisca, ornated with beautiful, gilded altars it is the church where we will celebrate Mass. Free time for some shopping and lunch (at your own).

In the afternoon, return to Mexico City. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (B/D)

DAY 7 - Dec. 9. Mexico City – San José del Altillo – Blessed Conchita - Xochimilco.

After breakfast, we visit the Church of San José del Altillo to see the crypt where Blessed Conchita Cabrera is buried. Blessed Conchita was beatified at the Guadalupe Basilica, and she is the first Mexican laywoman to receive beatification. Mass. In the afternoon, we will continue visiting the beautiful Museo Casa Reliquia Concepción Cabrera de Armida which was the last resting place of Conchita Cabrera (Blessed Concepción Cabrera de Armida, Foundress of the Works of the Cross Mexico, beatified on 07/05/2019). We will drive to the “Floating Gardens” of Xochimilco, a pre-Hispanic marvel situated in the southern part of the city. It is under the protection of UNESCO as Heritage of Mankind. Boat-ride along the channels on a colorfully decorated “trajinera”, while listening to festive music. Lunch time on board (included). Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. (B/D)

DAY 8 - Dec. 10. Mexico City – Transfer to Airport

After breakfast, time for check out and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.