MARIAN SHRINES PILGRIMAGE IN MEXICO: 7 DAYS & 6 NIGHTS ITINERARY
Day 1, ARRIVAL IN MEXICO CITY
- Arrive in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and your starting point for the pilgrimage.
- Check-in to your chosen accommodation and rest after your journey.
- Evening orientation and welcome dinner.
Day 2, MEXICO CITY - BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
- Begin the pilgrimage with a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most important Marian shrines in the world. Attend Mass at the Basilica and take time for personal prayers and reflection.
- Explore the complex, including the original and new basilicas, the Virgin's image, and the Juan Diego Chapel.
- Visit the Tepeyac Hill, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Juan Diego.
Optional at evening:
Do not miss the Folkloric Ballet of México by Amalia Hernández which offer an outstanding folkloric musical show representing music and dance of all regions of Mexico at the Fine Arts Palace of Mexico.
Day 3, MEXICO CITY - METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, LOCAL CHURCHES - TOUR OF THE HISTORIC MEXICO CITY CENTER, A WORLD HERITAGE SITE
- Attend Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in the heart of Mexico City. Explore the Cathedral's stunning architecture and religious artifacts.
- Visit other significant churches in the city, such as the Church of Santo Domingo and the Church of San Hipolito.
- Take a walking tour of Mexico City's historic center to appreciate its rich religious and cultural heritage.
- Visit most iconic heritage buildings on the historic center of Mexico declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. See the National Palace, the City Government building, the Supreme Court building, the Post-master Palace, the Major Temple, reminiscent of the Tenochtitlan capital of the Aztec Empire, the Currency Palace, nowadays Museum of Currency in Mexico, the Fine Arts Museum, the Houe of Counts Heras and Soto, the House of blue tiles between others.
Day 4, PUEBLA AND CHOLULA - OUR LADY OF REMEDIES AND GREAT PYRAMID
- Travel to Puebla, a colonial city with strong religious roots.
- Visit the Church of Our Lady of Remedies, located atop the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
- Climb the pyramid's steps for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding landscape.
- Explore Puebla's historic district, including the Puebla Cathedral and the Rosary Chapel.
- Attend Mass at a local church and spend the evening enjoying Puebla's unique cuisine.
- Accommodation at a Hotel 4* in the historic center of Puebla or surrounding area.
Day 5, TLAXCALA - SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF OCOTLÁN
- After breakfast, depart for the city of Tlaxcala, known for its deep religious traditions.
- Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Ocotlán, a historic Marian shrine known for its beautiful image of the Virgin Mary.
- Attend Mass at the shrine and explore the surrounding area.
- Learn about the history of Christianity in Tlaxcala and its significance to the indigenous communities.
- Visit the historic center of Tlaxcala, enjoy its traditional colonial buildings including the Tlaxcala Cathedral with its distinctive baroque novo-Hispanic style.
- Going back to Mexico City, check in at the Hotel 4* at centrally located area, evening at leisure. Try a visit at evening to Mariachi Square to listen best original Mexican traditional music.
Day 6, MEXICO CITY - SHRINE OF THE FIFTH APPARITION MARK THE SPOT WHERE THE VIRGEN OF GUADALUPE APPEARS ONCE AGAIN TO SAN JUAN DIEGO
- After breakfast, visit the “Shrine of the Fifth Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe”. Here once again Virgen Maria miraculously appeared to Juan Diego and cured his uncle who was sick, renovating the commitment of Juan Diego to continue with his mission to convince the Bishop to build a place for her.
- Attend Mass at the shrine and learn about its history and significance.
- Spend the afternoon in personal reflection and prayer at the shrine.
- Farewell dinner to celebrate the completion of the pilgrimage.
- Staying at same hotel like the previous night with breakfast included.
Day 7, DEPARTURE
- Depending on your departure time, you may have some free time for last-minute shopping or exploration.
- Check out from your accommodation and proceed to the airport for your departure.
END OF SERVICES
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ITINERARY CAN BE CUSTOMIZED ACCORDING TO YOUR PREFERENCES INCLUDING THE ACCOMMODATION IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY PREFERENCE.
Tour include:
- Accommodation in B & B in standard room at Hotel Plaza Florencia 4* with breakfast for 5 nights in Mexico City and Hotel 4* in Puebla state 1 night.
- Tours as indicated with comfortable transportation with A/C and certified tour guide in English.
- Breakfast included as mentioned on the program as well as selected dinners.
- Transfers Airport - Hotel - Airport.
Tour does not include:
- Health insurance.
- International flight.
- Other services Not included in the program.
- Tips to the tour guide and driver on tours.
- Personal expenses.
OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
Mexico's greatest pilgrimage is done in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe every December 12, commemorating the day when the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared before Juan Diego.
The Basilica of Guadalupe receives millions of pilgrims who travel for days from their place of origin throughout the country. All pilgrims prepare their clothes and carry banners, candles and offerings. Many pilgrimages also include a music band that leads the way and a parade floats carrying people who represent the moment when the Virgin appeared before Saint Juan Diego.
The present church was constructed on the site of an earlier 16th-century church that was finished in 1709, the Old Basilica. When this basilica became dangerous due to the sinking of its foundations, a modern structure called the New Basilica was built next to it; the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is now housed in this New Basilica.
The painting, which is preserved in the modern Basilica of Tepeyac measures approximately 66 x 41 inches and the image of the Virgin occupies about 56 inches of it. In the circular form Basilica, you can see the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe from any interior point; but if desired, there is a walkway below the altar with conveyors that allows better visibility.