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CARNIVAL IN CHIAPAS
FEBRUARY 14 – 23, 2012

This tour begins in Mexico City, where we will spend two nights at the Hotel La Casona in the charming Roma neighborhood. Wednesday, our full day in Mexico City, will be spent with local expert and foodie extraordinaire, Ruth Alegria. We’ll start the day with a colorful and delicious tour of the Xochimilco market and end with a wonderful late afternoon at one of my favorite restaurants in Mexico, Carmen Delgollado's wonderful El Bajio.

From there we’ll be off to Chiapa de Corzo, our first stop in Chiapas. A mid-morning flight from Mexico City will have us there by early Thursday afternoon, in time for a rollicking boat trip down the stunning Sumidero Canyon in the afternoon and strolling through this friendly town in the evening.

From Chiapa de Corzo we will drive up into the mountains to the lovely colonial city San Cristóbal de las Casas, where we will stay at the Hotel Diego de Mazariegos, a charming colonial-era hotel conveniently located just a few blocks from the main plaza. From there, we'll enjoy the many charms of San Cristóbal, and they are numerous. The tile-roofed, cobblestoned city itself is home to many unique museums, artist’s workshops, textile shops, my favorite mercado (market) in Mexico, countless cafes, and churches galore, but it is equally renowned for the indigenous Maya villages in the outlying areas. San Juan Chamula, Zinacantán, and many more are just a short drive—and yet a world—away. Villagers here exist today much as they have for centuries, in simple houses scattered throughout the mountainous terrain, gathering weekly to barter on market day or attend religious festivities. Each village has its own distinct spiritual beliefs, social customs, language, and traje (local dress), making this one of the most fascinating regions of Mexico.

Our time in the San Cristóbal area will be spent with two world-class guides, authors, and scholars of ancient and modern Maya culture, Carol Karasik and Chip Morris. And we’ll be here for Carnival, a syncretic mash-up of indigenous beliefs and traditions with Catholic saints and rituals that takes place during the five “lost” days of the Maya calendar. Expect monkey men, wild bulls, fireworks, sacred clowns, shamans and more.

While in San Cristóbal we will visit the private museum of my real-life hero, Sergio Castro. Don Sergio has brought free healthcare, drinking water systems, and schools to rural indigenous communities throughout the Chiapas Highlands for almost fifty years, and in the process has amassed an impressive collection of traje, or regional outfits, which are on display at his museum. Introducing people to Don Sergio and giving them the opportunity to help him help others is one of the reasons I started My Mexico Tours. (To view a trailer of El Andalón, an excellent movie about Sergio made by to MMT travelers, visit Veremos Productions.)

CARNIVAL IN CHIAPAS


February 2 - 12, 2012
The price for this trip is $2400 per person, double occupancy.
Single occupancy supplement is $700.
Price includes lodging, a breakfast and lunch each day,
two celebratory meals, ground transportation,
one way ticket from Mexico City to Chiapas,
tours and guides, and entry fees.
Price does not include international airfare, airport transfer,
other meals, and personal expenses.

PRE-TRIP TOUR EXTENSION

February 11-14, 2012
Three more days of exploring the dynamic metropolis of Mexico City
will allow visits to Frida's Casa Azul, the floating gardens of Xochimilco,
a guided walking tour of the Centro Historico, and a day at
Chapultepec Park and its world-renowned Anthropology Museum.

$350 per person covers transportation, guides, and
entree fees for all outings,
we'll all pay for our own lodging and meals.

A deposit of $500 is required to register in this tour.
Deposit is fully refundable until December 14, 2011
Non-refundable, but transferable, after December 14, 2011,
less $100 service charge
Payment in full is due January 14, 2012.

THIS YEAR'S TOUR IS FULL. 2013 TOUR WILL OPEN FOR REGISTRATION IN APRIL, 2012.

When you travel with MY MEXICO TOURS the hands-on care begins before you leave home. I’ll help you find the best flight, send you interesting background information on the area and events we’ll be seeing, and about three weeks before the tour you’ll receive a detailed information booklet with your daily itinerary, travel notes, packing list, suggested reading, and more.

For more information or to register for this tour, please contact me directly by phone or email. I'll confirm availability, send you all the necessary paperwork, and you'll be on your way.