The Tlahuica Cultures of Morelos

19.09.2004 - 26.09.2004

Itinerary

Teopanzolco

This site, which dates from the late Post-Classic period has a fascinating and dramatic history, which your guide will bring closer to you. The area was included in the Aztec Empire in the 14^th century, and it is estimated that construction of the site began around 1350. The most impressive structure is the GREAT PYRAMID dominating the area. Close to the pyramid are the remnants of the temples dedicated to Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli.

Tepotzlan

The little town is idyllic and charming. It was the hometown of Moctezuma II’s mother and already in Aztec times a popular retreat for the nobility in Tenochtitlan that came here to relax and to enjoy the fresh air, the nature and to take temascal (a sort of Aztec sauna). Also today, visitors can take temascal in Tepotzlan. It is a center for traditional Nahua medicine and healing even today. The town which predates the Aztec conquest has a long history which the guide will bring closer to you. If you would like to explore the city, which also has some nice examples of colonial architecture, it is recommended to do this after returning from the temple site. The temple site is located in a beautiful natural surrounding high up in the mountains. A narrow path leads up from the town, and it is sometimes an exhausting walk, but the magnificent view from the top makes it definitely worth the effort. 

Xochicalco 

(Place of the House of the Flowers in Nahuatl) is the largest and most impressive pre-Hispanic complex in Central Mexico after Teotihuacan. It is beautifully located on an hilltop, but despite its proximity to Cuernavaca and Mexico City, only few tourists find their way to this majestic site. There are not even direct bus connections! On weekdays, we have often experienced being the only visitors around, giving our guests the opportunity really to explore the site peacefully, without any disturbances. One of Xochicalco's major attractions is the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl) with some of the finest decorative panelling outside Yucatán. To really enjoy the marvels of Xochicalco, several hours are neccesary, but it is definitely worth it.

Exploration of Cuernavaca:

-    Your personal guide will bring Cuernavaca, the city of eternal spring closer to you. This city offers a certain touch of elegance. Already in Aztec times this was a favourite summer refugium for the nobility in Tenochtitlan and in later centuries, it was a resort attracting European nobility and royalty and is even today maintaining a certain flair that few other Mexican cities can match. The city has excellent opportunities for dining, entertainment and shopping. Cuernavaca and the surrounding areas have several interesting museums and archaeological sites, which you may explore during the day with your Personal Guide.

In addition to the city of Cuernavaca, we would also like to introduce you to another nearby destination during your stay here: the area surrounding Tequesquitengo Lake. It is a beautiful tropical area surrounding a big lake and only one hour away from Mexico City and a short bus trip from Cuernavaca. The place has a well-developed infrastructure, good communications and a number of wonderful accommodations. The lake is big, and the locals call it "The Morelos Ocean". The water of the lake is warm and pleasant all year. It is actually one of the few places in Mexico where comfortable living in a beach resort can be combined with easy access to real urban life.  The area offers excellent conditions for water sports and the beach is great. However, despite the excellent location, few foreign visitors come here, and the prices for real estate are considerably lower than in areas with more foreign tourists.

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 Accomodation Cuernavaca:

Alternative 1: Posada Maria Cristina Hotel in a beautiful 16th century building in walking distance from all attractions of the center (for instance Palacio de Cortes, the Cathedral, Brady Museum, Jardin Borda and Jardin Etnobotánico). This hotel offers a magical and very special atmosphere and the charming and well-preserved building, the wonderful tropical garden and the comfortable and delicately decorated suites offer an incomparable experience. The Hotel has exclusive facilities and high quality services.  

The gardens are filled with delights: a small swimming pool, lush gardens with fountains, a good restaurant, and patios. Guest rooms vary in size; all are exceptionally clean and comfortable, with firm beds and colonial-style furnishings. Bathrooms have inlaid Talavera tiles and skylights. Suites are only slightly larger than normal rooms; junior suites have Jacuzzis. La Calandria, the handsome little restaurant on the first floor, overlooks the gardens and serves excellent meals based on Mexican and international recipes. Even if you don't stay here, consider having a meal. The Sunday brunch is especially popular.

Alternative 2: Another preferred accommodation in Cuernavaca is Hotel Hacienda de Cortes, which also is a truly unique experience in an amazing historical building. Built in the 16th Century by Hernan Cortes, The Hacienda of San Antonio Atlacomulco, now called the Ex-Hacienda de Cortes, was one of the most important sugar mills of the Colonial era. The entire building and the gardens is an attraction in itself. The grounds and gardens are full of tropical flowering plants and many of the stone walls have a tangle of Amate roots growing out of them in convoluted patterns.

Some of the salones hold pieces of colonial furniture and artefacts and the vaulted ceilings and thick stone arches of the restaurant/bar area are reminiscent of a Spanish wine cellar, cool and shadowy. Both our selected hotels in Cuernavaca offer unparalleled comfort, discrete elegance and high quality services in delightful historical surroundings at a good price. Both hotels should be experienced, we therefore often recommend our guests travelling with us to Cuernavaca to spend the night in one of them, and at least have diner once in the other, alternatively to spend a part of the stay in Maria Christina and a couple of days in Hacienda de Cortes.

 

Departure and Return Details
Additional Information	This tour includes: Lunches and meals according to tour description Accomodation according to tour description   Multilingual guide All local transportation according to tour description (Buss: Mexico City - Cuernavaca -  Mexico City, Local transportation between hotel and archeological sites etc during guided tours according to tour description) Entrance fee to the archeological site Please Note: This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date Confirmation with payment information for this product will be received within 12 hours after booking. Major Credit Card accepted:   Confirmation for this product will be received within 12 hours after booking Your personal guide for this tour will contact you by e-mail within 24 hours after received booking.  Fact File:  in pdf-format
Fact File	For each of our tours, a special fact sheet has been developed with some basic background information, a map, and references for further reading.
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