DAY OF THE DEAD TOUR. MICHOACAN

Authentic tour to that place where everything started!


Dates: October 30 - November 3, 2024

One exclusive departure — and this will definitely sell out!

Intimate experience for 10 people only!
This is not just a tour, this is a journey that can only be experienced once in a lifetime. We will follow in the footsteps of the popular cartoon "COCO" and visit places so unique that you will not find it in any guidebook! We will meet local families getting in the spirit, taste authentic flavors in intimate settings, and appreciate every moment while experiencing one of the world’s most colorful and vibrant celebrations. You will see Mexico as you’ve never imagined, with unparalleled access to experience the Day of the Dead like a true local.

Day by Day Experience

Day of the Dead is the most fabulous celebration in cities, towns, and villages across Mexico. But Michoacan has them all beat because this is where everything started. This culture and tradition you won’t see in any other tour—or at any other time. Your professional experience curators have involved the local community and indigenous people to get the truest and most authentic journey.

Join us for a lively, magical experience in Michoacan!

Day 1
Bienvenidos a Mexico! Meeting Morelia, photoshoot in Day of the Dead style
The morning will start with a stroll in the Morelia city center, named by UNESCO a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Along the way, we’ll enjoy and learn about local food, traditions, and history. Then we will have lunch in the restaurant that is also a mezcal distillery! Next, we are putting on makeup and dressing in Day of the Dead style and go for a Golden Hour photoshoot in the coastal fields of marigolds. We’ll end the day with dinner in Morelia in the most Day of the Dead style decorated restaurant.
Day 2
Going to Coco grandma's house
Get ready for a busy day! We will learn about La Catrina and the art of doll crafting. We will have lunch in Quiroga, sampling local food consisting of the best carnitas you’ve ever had. Next, we are off to the house of Grandma Coco to explore, enjoying the beauty of the small towns decorated with bright marigolds along the way. We will interact with and see how the locals prepare for the celebration. In the evening, we will watch the sunset with a glass of Champagne from a stunning viewpoint. A five-course tasting menu awaits you to enjoy at the top restaurant in Pátzcuaro. Sleep well tonight; tomorrow is a big day!
Day 3
Celebrating Day of the Dead on the island
Today is a day and night you will never forget. After breakfast, we will adventure around Pátzcuaro seeing how locals celebrate this glorious day. Then, we are headed for a short boat ride to the island of Janitzio. This is a locals-only experience where natives of the area come to the island to give their prayers, offerings, and celebrate their loved ones. We will enjoy watching the sunset from the top of the island, then immerse ourselves in dinner where freshly made delicacies await. Lights out at 10pm as we are going to be having an early morning! Up at 4am to head to the cemetery where celebrations continue and we will have a truly immersive experience followed by watching the sunrise.
Day 4

Pátzcuaro - a picturesque city in the land of the Purépecha people

Free time to explore, sleep or take it easy in the morning after breakfast with a fantastic lake view. Around noon, we will head back to Pátzcuaro to enjoy a walk around the city, watch the life of the local people and feel the atmosphere of the Day of the Dead. Then, we will have lunch on the beautiful ranch, which has incomparable views of the island of Janitzio and its lake and tranquil atmosphere. In the evening, we return to Morelia and check into the former 17th-century noble palace and now - the best boutique hotels in the city. You’ve definitely earned a solid night sleep!
Day 5
Visit the world capital of avocado. Learn how to make authentic traditional guacamole.

Did you know that avocados in Mexico are considered green gold? Mexico accounted for 35% of the avocado production in the world, whereas Michoacan accounted for 75% of the national output. We are headed to the world capital of avocado, Uruapan. Here we will walk through the orchards and learn about the production process from the growers and harvesters who have been doing it the same traditional way. We can’t be around this many avocados and not taste it! A Master Class on how to make the "right" guacamole will be next with ample opportunity to try all the flavors and spices that make this international dish.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
  • Seven nights at unique accommodations (2 people in the room);
  • Transportation;
  • Daily breakfasts, lunches, dinners;
  • Accompanying 2 tour leaders (Russian/English - speaking и Spanish/English-speaking) during the whole trip;
  • Face makeup for photos in the style of the Day of the Dead;
  • All activities and entrance fees according to the program;
  • Bottles of water for each day.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
  • Roundtrip Your city – Morelia - Your city;
  • Alcoholic drinks and beverages;
  • Personal spendings;
  • Travel insurance.

TOUR COST:

DATE

PRICE

October 30 - November 3, 2024

2 499 USD

What to expect from this journey
Throughout this journey, it will be clear to you that Day of the Dead is truly about life, in all its vibrant and hypnotizing joy.
  • We will become the characters of movie "COCO"

    We will visit the home of the Coco family, a magical and unique cemetery decorated with many marigolds and candles on the most sacred night of the year located on the island!

  • We will see celebration from inside

    We will see parades, decorated ofrendas (altars) in private homes and family cemeteries, learn about traditions from local families and artists, become guests of honor, and feast on delicious foods

  • We will make unique photos

    We will paint Day of the Dead- themed faces and take amazing photos at the Golden Hour in the largest marigold fields.

  • We will visit a capital of avocado

    Uruapan is the capital of the avocado and on our journey, we must visit the avocado orchards and find out why the avocado is the green gold of Mexico.

Why you should join us for this experience?
  • Uniqueness

    Most Day of the Dead tours take place in the state of Oaxaca. However, this tradition originated in Michoacan state, where our tour will take place so that you can experience this holiday's magic. This state has yet to be known to tourists. You will have exclusive access and tastings with the local community.

  • Interactions with indigenous people

    We will communicate and interact with the local population and indigenous people of Purepecha, who are the bearers of one of the oldest and most influential cultures. We will stop for lunch prepared by locals, visit workshops, and spend the night on the island on the Day of the Dead at the local family house.

  • Gastronomy experience
    Did you know that UNESCO named Michoacan Cuisine the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity? And we will feast on the best dishes Michoacan has to offer! We have hand selected the best of the best.

  • Small group, interesting people
    This incredible journey is limited to 10 people to ensure a truly intimate experience. You can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background, and interests. This adventure is for travelers aged 18 and above.
ACCOMODATION
We will stay in 2 different boutique hotels in Morelia in the historic downtown. This is the perfect place to feel like we are in the midst of the Day of the Dead action. One of the hotels was originally a 17th-century noble palace converted into a superb boutique hotel.

In Pátzcuaro, we will stay at the 17th-century building turned into the hotel located right in the center of the main celebration! And on Janitzio island, we will stay in the traditional house of the Purepecha family.
Emotions from the previous trip
WHAT TO BRING:
Cloth and shoes

Warm clothes are a must! It gets cold in the evening and at night.

Warm socks, sweater, jacket, scarf, hat (just in case).

Sport shoes.

Other things

Personal hygiene products, wet wipes, chargers, sunglasses, water bottle, photoshoot equipment like cloths, jewelery etc.

(if you need it). Don't foreget good camera for the photoshoot!

Documents

Passport, money (and card), phone, medical insurance.

Medicine

Sunblock, painkillers, personal medications.

  • The tour program is subject to change at the discretion of the organizer
Day of the Dead is a celebration of family, ancestors, the past and gathering everyone together.
Tour creators
We have created this journey in the Discovery format. Our goal is to make this itinerary unforgettable! Your goal is to enjoy every moment of the trip!
  • Anastasia
    Group leader, creator of itineraries, travel designer

    Global Explorer (8+ years): traveled extensively worldwide, seeking the best hotels, restaurants, and experiences.
    Accommodation Connoisseur: expertise in discovering unique and comfortable accommodations globally.
    Culinary Explorer: savvy in exploring diverse cuisines from local markets to Michelin-starred establishments.
    Masterful Itinerary Planner: crafted numerous detailed itineraries for friends and clients.
    Instagram
  • Ricardo
    Group leader, local guide, travel coordinator

    Years of Exploration: travelling around Mexico since childhood with a special focus on the cultural gems of Michoacán and the Riviera Maya
    Dedication to Customer Service: Placing clients at the forefront, creating a home away from home for clients, crafting unforgettable moments
    Multilingual Communicator: Fluent in four languages, ability to connect with people
    Architect of unique local experiences in Riviera Maya. Passionate about photography and profound appreciation for nature.
    Instagram
Previous reviews
Anatolii Denisenko
https://www.instagram.com/bounceti7/
I visited the cartoon Coco in real life

It's hard to imagine how unique the Day of the Dead tour was organized by Anastasia. This is not about studying the culture of Mexico, it is about “living in the culture.” It was a legendary 5 days of travel and every day we visited unique places, learned local history, ate delicious food, and immersed ourselves in the local culture and Mexican traditions in general. I just want to say a huge thank you, Nastya. From the trip, I took with me not just photos of the places I visited, but great memories and emotions that will always be with me.

Anna Fronz
https://www.instagram.com/Annas_traveldiaries/

I had the pleasure of joining Ricardo's Day of the Dead tour, and it exceeded all my expectations! From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of magical. I had always been fascinated by the rich cultural traditions of Dia de los Muertos, and this tour truly brought it to life. Additionally, this is the most authentic tour in Mexico because you are visiting the original towns that originated the entire Day of the Dead traditions and its people still safeguard those traditions to date.


Ricardo was exceptional - knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging. He shared incredible insights into the history and significance of the Day of the Dead festivities, making the experience not only fun but also educational.


The itinerary was perfectly planned, allowing us to participate in various traditional activities and cities that started it all. Exploring ofrendas, the giant skull art installations, learning about the significance of marigolds, and witnessing the vibrant festivals and the Catrina fashion show, were some of the highlights. The tour struck the right balance between being respectful of the cultural significance and letting us embrace the joyous spirit of the occasion.


Furthermore, the local artisans and communities we interacted with were warm and welcoming. It felt like we were genuinely a part of the celebration rather than mere observers.


The attention to detail was commendable. The logistics were well-organized, and the tour operators ensured our comfort and safety throughout the journey.


Overall, this Day of the Dead tour was a life-enriching experience. I returned home with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Mexican culture. I highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking authentic and unforgettable celebration of Dia de los Muertos!


Thank you to Ricardo for creating such a memorable and immersive experience. I would give this tour 10 out of 10!

𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒌𝒐
https://www.instagram.com/ellisimma/
It was an unforgettable trip in a warm and friendly company, filled with a huge number of activities. Every day we learned new things about Mexico and visited new places. Day of the Dead spent on Janitzio Island is a truly unique experience that is difficult to compare with anything else. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour, especially if you are a fan of the cartoon Coco and the culture of Mexico!
Raquel
https://www.instagram.com/bailemosssss/
I highly recommend Ricardo and his tours, especially for “Dia de Muertos”. He is an expert on the area, and the cultural activities. He is flexible, reliable and fun. We had such a blast and learned so much.
Egor Grishkov
https://www.instagram.com/grishkoff__/

How lucky I was with the organization of the day off! I have been in the city of Playa del Carmen for 2 months, and during this time, I did not arrange mini-travels for myself. Anastasia was recommended to me - I applied immediately, and it was the right decision! After 2 days, I went to the island of Cozumel, where I felt an unforgettable feeling of freedom for the first time in my life, especially when I raced on a scooter along empty roads. Hot air mixed with a pleasant, cool breeze.

The first destination was a national reserve, where I rested on the cleanest beach with tricolor water and a complete absence of algae (and at that time, there were tons of algae on public beaches, and I even disdained to go into the water). Then I went for a walk along the lake where crocodiles live, but I did not dare to swim there. On the way back, I climbed the lighthouse, from which a great view of the entire island opened up; taking beautiful photos, I went to the next point: snorkeling; I saw shoals of fish and starfish while there were few people nearby!

I had dinner with a signature lobster burrito overlooking the sea, sat for a long time, and admired the sunset. I stocked up on spicy habanera sauces and happily sailed on the last ferry voyage, admiring the stars to the sound of live music. A lot of time has passed since that Saturday, and I often remember it with pleasure! Feel free to contact Anastasia - I am sure that she will make you an itinerary based on your needs. Remember that emotions are priceless!

Alexander Boldyshev
https://www.instagram.com/alexboldyshev/
Well, what can I say… It was one of the brightest trips of my life!!! ☺️

Cancun - Mexico - Guadelajara - Tequila - Testla Guerres - San Cristopal - Coast with whales

Canyons, rivers, mountain Chiapas, agave fields and a tequila factory, lakes, cenotes, authentic settlements, hot air balloons, city ruins, Mayan pyramids, whales… 🤯

Anastasia, thank you so much for this adventure! For a unique individual tour, for working out the route, for maximum involvement and attention to every detail. This trip is something that will be remembered forever. You really managed to fall in love with this wonderful country in a few weeks and made me miss it after leaving. I will definitely be back!! Here are some photos from the trip as a keepsake 🙂

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