Discover Central Mexico

  • Location

    Central Mexico - Mexico City

  • Duration

    9 Days | 8 Nights

  • Length

    35 - 100km daily

  • Climb

    200 - 1,500m daily

12 Feb 2024 - 20 Feb 2024 / 28 Oct 2024 - 5 Nov 2024

Mexico is a country of magical towns, incredible colors and delicious flavors. Definitely a heavenly place worth venturing out and discovering by bike! The expert guide and travel designer of our Grand Tours Project is originally from Mexico and together with the GTP team we have designed the best possible tour, tasting Mexican food, traditions, exceptional places full of culture and art and above all landscapes in which you won't believe until you see it with your own eyes.

So we decided who could be better than Uri, a former pro cyclist, a very nice guy overall, to design an epic explorer tour of his home from him in central Mexico. This tour has everything for everyone. Keen climbing cyclists, easy going cycling, and non-cyclists. Plus, you will see the stunning volcanic scenery and various climatic landscapes resulting from these massive landforms; the vibrant colours and flavours and heavy dollops of Spanish influence over laying the pre-Columbian cultures; the awe inspiring pre Columbian pyramids and ruins that attest to the grandeur of former civilisations; and of course the pleasure of riding beautiful routes at a pace that suits you.

Uri has designed this tour to offer you a luxury escape and to showcase his home.

Join us for a Grand Tours Project in Mexico!

Total price: From €4,390

  • Discover the secret beauty of central Mexico amongst volcanoes and mountains
  • Experience "Día de Muertos" and the amazing festivity with locals (October tour)
  • Escape to somewhere different and see a different world
  • Fully supported tour with experienced guides, support vehicle and motorcycle escort
  • Excellent routes with minimal traffic in breathtaking sceneries
  • Shorter and longer options every day - this tour is suited for riders of all levels
  • Five charming hotels "hacienda style" and outstanding Mexican and local cusine
  • Grand Tours Project Cycling kit
  • Premium rental bike available (Full carbon disc brake + Ultegra di2 electronic or equivalent)
  • DAY 1 – SATURDAY

    BIENVENIDO TO MEXICO!

    We will welcome you at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, and transfer you to our charming hotel in old Nahuatl (Aztec) town of Jiutepec.

    We’ll help you assemble your bikes and test ride them in the tranquil garden outside the hotel.

    Once we have completed the bike setup, we’ll head into luxuriant Cuernavaca, the City of Eternal Spring. At an altitude of 1510m, Cuernavaca has been home to Aztec and European royalty and the rich and famous. We’ll visit the Palacio de Cortes and La Catedral before heading to La Plazuela del Zacate for an aperitif and dinner and ‘Mariachis’ singing nearby.

    Hotel & Spa Hacienda de Cortés*****
  • DAY 2 – SUNDAY

    CUERNAVACA - TEPOZTLÁN

    35km / 600m or 45km / 1,100m

    First stop is Ocotepec with a beautiful view of the valley and volcanoes and has a cemetery famous for it’s elaborate and painted tombs.

    We continue on to Tepoztlan and decide who will ride the epic San Juan Tlacotenco, the hardest climb in central Mexico with a 7km climb from 1770m to 2327m and gradients up to 21 and 23 percent.

    In the centre of Tepoztlan, we will change and have a light lunch before heading to No 2 epic climb of the day - the world famous Tepozteco Pyramid …on top of a mountain. At the top, you'll get enery... the legend that claims you will receive a lot of energy!

    After the descent, we can wander the artisanal marketplace, taste the delicious flavours of Mexico and perhaps dance with the traditional ‘Chinelos’.

    Hotel & Spa Hacienda de Cortés*****
  • DAY 3 – MONDAY

    Xochicalco - Tequesquitengo - Hacienda Vista Hermosa

    46km / 400m or 55km / 450m

    Make sure everything is packed as you and your bags will be transferred to our next hotel, Hacienda Vista Hermosa. Our day will start in Xochicalco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    First up, we have arranged a private guide to take us to the substantial and monumental pre-Columbian ruins including the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. The museum will finish our private tour and we can mount our bikes and start our descent to Rodeo and Coatetelco Lagoons and finally to Tequesquitengo Lagoon and the main water storage for the region. You can opt to ride around the lagoon or go directly to our hotel, a former Hacienda founded in 1529 by the infamous conquistador Hernan Cortes.

    Hotel & Spa Hacienda Vista Hermosa*****
  • DAY 4 – TUESDAY

    Hacienda Vista Hermosa - Taxco

    65km / 1,250m

    Enjoy the amazing Mexican breakfast – when everyone is ready, we’ll set off into the hills and roads of the Morelos, past the hacienda and ranch of famous singer Juan Sebastian, and then into the village of Amacuzac. After a short stop, we’ll climb to famous KM 138, a cycle meeting point and intersection for many races including the Tour of Mexico. Then it is a gentle easy ride to the historic silver mining town of Taxco. At our hotel we’ll change and then explore Taxco, a city famed for its Spanish Colonial architecture and its silver jewellery production…an opportunity to buy silver trinkets for loved ones…or yourself!

    Posada de la Misión, Hotel Museo y Jardin****
  • DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY

    Jardines de México - Las Estacas - Cocoyoc

    65km / 600m or 92km / 1,100m

    If we are up early enough, you will be able to watch the sunrise on Taxco. The following two days, we will experience the festivities of "Dia de Muertos" (October tour) having amazing activities. After breakfast, we will transfer to Jardines de Mexico for a quick spin around the garden before hitting the road for Balneario Las Estacas, a mineral spring and day spa in a protected nature reserve. Here we’ll have an early delicious picnic and then enjoy the crystal clear waters of the reserve. After our refreshing dip we'll jump back on the bikes for Cocoyoc. There is a return detour option to Tepoztlan for those riders seeking a longer ride. Back at our hotel, we can relax until the Strava riders return before going to Tlayacapan to explore the impressive monastery, old mansions and streets of paved stone. This town is also a film location for many Mexican and American films.

    Hacienda de Cocoyoc
  • DAY 6 – THURSDAY

    COCOYOC – PASO DE CORTÉS

    48km / 1,400m OR 62km / 2,400m

    Today ride towards two of Mexico’s most emblematic volcanoes: Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl – the Smoking Mountain and the White Woman. We’ll stop at the impressive and imposing monastery, Ex Convento Agustino San Mateo Apostol, before reaching San Juan Tehuixtitlan where you can choose to cycle to the top of Paso de Cortes or choose the shuttle. This ascent is not for the faint hearted – 20km and 1,200m gain! At Paso de Cortés, we will regroup to enter Iztaccihuatl National Park and take the bus to Altzomoni, at 3,985m. At the viewpoint we’ll devour our picnic lunch and the magnificent view of the volcanoes. If there is time and you have the energy, there is about one hour to hike in the area before we depart for our hotel in Mexico City. Today Día de Muertos will make our day unforgettable!

    Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico*****
  • DAY 7 – FRIDAY

    PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACAN

    Non Riding Day

    Today we have an early breakfast and then transfer to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan! We will explore Teotihuacan, the largest and most significant of the Mesoamerican cities of the Americas and dominated by the Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramids of the Moon and the Sun. A guide has been arranged so we can better appreciate the grandeur and history of this archaeological site.

    Back at the hotel for lunch and you can choose to relax or to explore Mexico City and delve into the colours and flavours of real Mexico.

    Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico*****
  • Day 8 – SATURDAY

    MEXICO CITY EXPLORING DAY

    Non Riding Day

    This morning, we recommend a leisurely sleep in and enjoy a delicious breakfast. A special tour has been arranged so you can maximise your time in Mexico City. We will visit and explore Castillo de Chapultepec, Zocalo de Mexico, Palacio de Bellas Artes and visit the old markets.

    After the tour, Uri recommends a bit of cultural time visiting museums such as Museo Soumaya, Frida Kahlo Museum or The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco

    A day of walking, exploring and museums can be as exhausting as a day on the bike, so back at the hotel, relax with a “Agua de Jamaica, Palomita or Michelada”, a classic Mexican drink before our final dinner at Roma & Condesa.
    Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico*****
  • Day 9 – SUNDAY

    Adios - Departure Day

    Every tour ends this way but sadly we bid you farewell today.

    GTP hope that this special tour designed from the heart by Uri has fulfilled your expectations and opened you to the wonders of central Mexico.

    You will be transferred to Benito Juarez International Airport for your destination flight. If you wish to extend your stay, please let us know and we are happy to assist you.

    Until next time
    Uri and the GTP Team