Author: Connie Burk

The Best of the Folk Art
and the Colorful Artisan Fair in Chapala!

Nov 5 – Nov 12, 2025
Eight Days and Seven Nights

Guadalajara has so much to offer, from the splendid murals of José Clemente Orozco to the magical towns such as Tlaquepaque, Chapala, Ajijic andTonalá. Each place will give us great delight. We will also visit the most important folk art fair in Mexico. We will go to Chapala to talk and share with the great masters of folk art, while we enjoy the best views of the lake. This trip is the perfect combination of architecture, muralism, folk art and splendid gastronomy. This trip is for you!

QUICK LOOK

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TRIP

• • Discovering the magical town of Tequila, a typical Mexican village, home of the famous drink
  • Following the footsteps of one of three greatest muralists: José Clemente Orozco
  • Visiting the most colorful magical villages and and the richness of the handcrafts at Tlaquepaque, Tonalá and Ajijic
  • Enjoying the Annual Feria de los Maestros in Chapala and having the best opportunities to see the best quality of folk art in México
  • Learning about the history of the most emblematic buildings in Guadalajara
  • Being amazed about the beauty of Guachimontones, the most important archaeological site in Jalisco
  • Enjoying the colors at the local markets and the seeing the popular religiosity with the Lady of Zapopan

GALLERY

ITINERARY

NOVEMBER 5

We will organize your transfer from the airport to our centrally located hotel at Guadalajara, Jalisco. Then we will have our first dinner together and we will welcome you to these eight days of adventure.

NOVEMBER 6

We will start our visit to Guadalajara by visiting a World Heritage Center: Hospicio Cabañas. This important cultural center holds the incredible murals that José Clemente Orozco painted. Then we will continue with our visit to the most emblematic historic buildings of Guadalajara.

NOVEMBER 7

After breakfast we will visit two interesting places: Tlaquepaque and Tonalá. This will be an opportunity to be close to different expressions of folk art. We will visit galleries and we will meet local artists in order to be involved in the new wave.

NOVEMBER 8

During the first half of the day we will visit the 22^nd Annual Feria de Maestros del Arte at Chapala, Jalisco; the purpose is to join and see the highest quality of Mexican folk art. Then we will have time to discover the surroundings of Lake Chapala.  Then we will visit the colorful village of Ajijic, where we will have lunch. Finally, we will walk to the most emblematic galleries while we are enjoying the some of the most fantastic folk art collections.

NOVEMBER 9

Tequila, it’s not just a drink, it’s a place. Today we will go to Tequila and we will learn about the process to make this distinctive drink, a true trademark of México.

NOVEMBER 10

Jalisco has a very important archaeological site: Guachimontones. Also we will visit the Phil Weigand Interpretive Center, and we will discover the fascinating story behind this important archaeologist and his knowledge related with the hidden geometry of the Guachimontones.

NOVEMBER 11

Today we will visit the basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, which is an architectural jewel of the XVII century; then we will go to the City Hall in order to see the unique murals that José Clemente Orozco painted.

NOVEMBER 12

Today we will take you to the local airport to Guadalajara, Jalisco in order to take your flight back home.

COSTS (USD) & DETAILS

The tour includes:

• • Transportation
  • Daily tours
  • Accommodations
  • A guide specialized in archaeology, ethnography and anthropology
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel
  • Entrance fees to all the attractions detailed in the tour description
  • Welcome dinner and seven lunches with culinary experiences

It does not include:

• •  International flights
  • Tips
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Laundry and personal expenses

This trip was designed for only fourteen travelers.

Ready to reserve? Use the button below to go to our form. Questions? Contact us.  (If you need details about an alternative way to pay, we will be happy to help you.)

January 16-24, 2025
Nine Days and Eight Nights

Chiapas is full of color, spirituality, culture, beauty and wonderful people. I love Chiapas. The first time that I visited, I easily fell in love. Since then I have been showing unique places in Chiapas to unique people like you!

QUICK LOOK

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TRIP

• • Visiting four archaeological sites with incomparable beauty: La Venta, Palenque, Bonampak and Yaxchilán
  • Enjoying the festivals in honor of St. Sebastian and St. Ildefonso in three indigenous villages: Zinacantán, Tenejapa, and San Juan Chamula
  • Visiting interesting museums specializing in textiles, traditional medicine, archaeology and history
  • Staying in a beautiful colonial city for four days: San Cristóbal de las Casas
  • Sharing with a local family at the Lacandon Jungle and being part of their daily lives
  • Learning about different aspects of the Maya’s lives in their own context, especially during the festivals. You will enjoy every minute of this time spent with their living culture
  • Visiting the Sumidero Canyon and being part of the Parachicos Festival at Chiapa de Corzo
  • Sharing with a local family at the Lacandon Jungle and being part of their daily lives
  • Learning about different aspects of the Maya’s lives in their own context, especially during the festivals. You will enjoy every minute of this time spent with their living culture.

GALLERY

ITINERARY

JANUARY 16

We will meet at our centrally located hotel and have our welcome dinner at 6:30 p.m.

JANUARY 17

Our first stop will be the outstanding park/museum of La Venta, designed by the poet Carlos Pellicer. His main purpose was to provide an open place to display the majesty of several Olmec heads. After lunch we will travel four hours by van to the Lacandon Jungle.

JANUARY 18

Traveling by boat on the Usumacinta River, we will visit Yaxchilán, an important archaeological site where you will be amazed by its beauty and remoteness. Then we will visit another archaeological site, Bonampak, where you will be delighted with the unique colors and themes that are shown in the chambers of the Acropolis. Then we will spend some time with a Lacandon family.

JANUARY 19

We will travel to Palenque, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Maya area. You will learn about its main rulers, writing system, hierarchy and much more.

JANUARY 20

After traveling to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital city of Chiapas, we will take a boat to visit the Sumidero Canyon. Then we will learn about the traditions in Chiapa de Corzo and its main fiesta, the Parachicos.

JANUARY 21

We will visit the Textiles Museum of the Maya World in San Cristóbal and enjoy the variety and versatility of the textiles of the Highlands of Chiapas. Then we will attend the main day of the fiesta to honor St. Sebastian in Zinacantán and San Juan Chamula. We will be immersed in their culture, popular religiosity and mysticism.

JANUARY 22

After visiting the Maya Museum of Traditional Medicine, we will go to Tenejapa, where we will be part of the fiesta in honor of St. Ildefonso. Then we will visit the Na Bolom Museum where we will close with the story of Frans Blom and Gertrude Duby.

JANUARY 23

Chiapas is very well known not only for its beautiful textiles but also for its pottery. At Amatenango del Valle, we will meet the most important artist in town, Juan Gómez. We will share some time learning about the pottery traditions, and we will have a big celebration in her new gallery.

JANUARY 24

We will leave San Cristobal at 6:30 a.m., and will arrive at the airport at Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas before 8:00 a.m.

COSTS (USD) & DETAILS

The tour includes:

• • Transportation: from Villahermosa, Tabasco, ending at the Chiapas-Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport*
  • Daily tours
  • Entrance fees to all the attractions detailed in the tour description
  • Boat rides on the Usumacinta River and to see the Sumidero Canyon
  • A guide specialized in archaeology, ethnography and anthropology
  • Accommodations
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel
  • Eight lunches
  • Welcome dinner and two dinners in the Lacandon Jungle

*For the convenience of the travelers, this trip will start in Villahermosa, Tabasco, and will end at the airport at Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas.

It does not include:

• • Transfer from the airport in Villahermosa to the hotel in the same city
  • Tips
  • Telephone calls, laundry, etc.

This trip was designed for only fourteen travelers.

Ready to reserve? Use the button below to go to our form. Questions? Contact us.  (If you need details about an alternative way to pay, we will be happy to help you.)