2011 Mexico Tour Itinerary
2010 Mexico Tour
Day One, January 25th
Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA to Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico [237 miles]
This is the day to leave Las Cruces and cross the border into the land of Manana. Please arrive here and meet at the tour headquarters Hotel (TBA) before today. Aerostich Tours will be here late on the 23rd and spend the 24th meeting everyone on the ride and doing registration and check in and to assist anyone picking up a rental motorcycle. Please confirm you have all necessary paperwork in hand, and be prepared for us to verify that on the 24 th. Today (the 25 th) the group will leave Las Cruces at 8AM, ride to the border crossing 60 miles away and spend about an hour and a half getting processed to enter Mexico. The ride to Nuevo Casas Grandes is a fairly smooth and straight road across the Sonora Desert, full of sand dunes, chamisa, and chaparral. 
Day Two, January 26th
Nuevo Casas Grandes to El Divisadero, Chihuahua [250 miles]
After a pleasant night in the small quiet town, you will depart for the canyon country. As you leave the arid desert to the north, you will begin to see Mennonite family apple orchards and ride through the rolling curves of the northern Sierra Madre foothills. Parts of this area have been settled for over a century by families escaping religious persecution, and the fruit trees are mature producers with elaborate hail protection tents constructed. After a scenic lunch stop, you will proceed to the jaw dropping canyon overlook at El Divisadero and the small town of San Rafael.
Day Three, January 27th
El Divisadero to Batopilas, Chihuahua [130 miles]
Spend breakfast viewing the deep chasms of Copper Canyon, and then you will wind back down the mountain road to Creel and turn back south to enter the Barranca del Cobre itself. With several miles of twisted asphalt before the road changes to dirt, you will begin to see the wonders of the vast erosion that created these amazing cuts in the earth so many years ago. The destination tonight is in the bottom of this part of the canyon system, just outside of Batopilas. A new lodge built on a very old foundation clinging to the canyon wall will be your home for the night. A fabulous dinner served in the lodge’s dining room will be sure to please.
Day Four, January 28th
Batopilas to Guachochic, Chihuahua [110 miles]
This morning you will start out by riding through the old mining town of Batopilas and continue on past to the lost mission of Satevo. This 16th century church bears no record of its origin or builders. The mystery of its existence can only be speculated upon as you view the century’s old architecture. Only a date etched in the brick floor indicates an age of the time worn structure. A short look at the much newer ruins of the Shepard Hacienda in Batopilas will tell a story of how hard it is for any building to survive the harsh rainy season in the canyon. The journey continues as you climb out of the canyon on an obscure dirt and gravel road. This day will be spent completely off pavement. Tonight you will find yourself in the small woodland town of Guachochic.
Day Five, January 29th
Guachochic to Hidalgo Del Parral, Chihuahua [100 miles]
Humble accommodations operated by warm and friendly people will typify this trip. Everyone wants to be sure you are well fed before hitting the road every morning too. Eggs with beans and potatoes for breakfast? Sure, why not. Add some chili (carefully). The road south continues to be unpaved for half the day as we leave the canyon country going into the mountains, and then you will ride some undulating pavement on into Hidalgo Del Parral. Although the accommodations are a bit unusual here, they are also very nice.
Day Six, January 30th
Hidalgo Del Parral to El Salto, Durango [310 miles]
Today you mostly travel on open highway through the remote countryside. Passing along the edge of the city of Durango, the ride continues on into the high mountain region of the Sierra Madre Occidental, to the small mountaintop village of El Salto for the night. This road is tame for now, but will get more interesting as you continue. You will have several chances to stop for a scenic overlook to view into the distance of the mainland.
Day Seven, January 31st
El Salto to San Blas, Nayarit [259 miles]
The Camino del Diablo (Devil’s Road) across the mountains into Mazatlan is one of the most famous roads in all of Mexico. Although well improved now, it was once an entire day’s trip to travel the 100 miles or so across this mountain pass from the plains to the coast. This road has been the demise of many a driver over the years, caught paying too little attention to operating their vehicle. All that is left to remember them is a small marker surrounded by flowers alongside the road. This is one section of highway which deserves extra caution. This after- noon you will experience a stretch of Mexico’s new “Interstate Highway”, and then divert off of it onto a tiny road through the lush deciduous forest to reach the small sandy beach village of San Blas, along the coast south of Mazatlan, that is much less crowded and quieter than the big tourist resort city. The stretch of four lane asphalt is a nice quiet break, because it is perfect and smooth with very little traffic, since it is a toll road and the locals never drive on it. Bring some extra pesos today.
Day Eight, February 1st
San Blas to Colima, Colima [265 miles]
As the tour moves along the coastline the lush green terrain is almost a jungle-like landscape. The temperatures rise to a tropical level and it begins to feel more like summertime. Later in the day you turn from the coast at about the most southern point of our journey. Tonight you will stay in Colima, an older town with modern conveniences to find and interesting street scenes to observe. If you have your lap top, high speed WIFI is available right on the plaza, with special covered bench/desks, as you munch your delicious bacon wrapped hotdog purchased from the ubiquitous street vender on the sidewalk nearby. A computer center is also available at the modern, but unique hotel where we stay.
Day Nine, February 2nd
Colima to Morelia, Michoacan [252 miles]
As the road winds upward in elevation, the beautiful countryside unfolds before you, with fruits and vegetables grown all over in the rich fertile soil. You will stay off the toll roads in order to see the real country and mix with the real people. The distance is always greater when winding in and out of the remote valleys and villages, but the experience is one of being within the culture rather than sort of flying past above it. You will be in no hurry to get away from the friendly people of rural Mexico. Tonight we are treated to a stay in one of the oldest buildings in Mexico, in the ancient town of Morelia. This lodge has been a destination for travelers for hundreds of years since it was originally a carriage house. Across the main street is the central plaza where you are sure to find lively activities of some sort, and a great meal in a unique setting.
Day Ten, February 3rd
Morelia to Zitacuaro, Michoacan [62 miles]
Following a morning of exploring and touristing in the beautiful old city of Morelia, this afternoon starts out by riding up into the wooded forest east of town. The cathedral in the main plaza is enough to take your whole morning, but there are plenty of other wonderful things to see as well. Just relaxing in the exquisite courtyard of the old carriage house is a wonderful experience to remember. A short ride across the hills sees us arrive amidst the unmatched splendor of the world’s only Monarch butterfly migration sanctuary. Zitacuaro is the best base for visiting the butterflies at Cerro Pellon. About ten miles north of town lie the Matlazinca pyramid ruins, and just south in San Pancho is a 16th century Iglesia to visit. Both are side trips this afternoon.
Day Eleven, February 4th
Zitacuaro to Tula de Allende, Hidalgo [125 miles]
After a wonder filled morning of hiking through literally billions of butterflies in the remote forest sanctuary, some which traveled 6000 miles to get here, you will continue riding east through wooded hillsides, eventually coming to an overlook displaying the immensity of the second largest city in the world. This is as close as you will get on this trip to the maddening traffic snarls and congestion of Mexico City, instead meandering on north to the ancient and unique Toltec ruins of Tula where you will enjoy a quiet night in another interesting and unusual lodge, in the nearby Tula de Allende.
Day Twelve, February 5th
Tula de Allende to Teotihuacan, Mexico [100 miles]
Tula was an important city from about AD 900 to 1150. Aztec annals tell of the magnificent Toltec capital city of over 35,000, with palaces of gold, turquoise, jade and quetzal feathers. Tula was abandoned in the 13th century and perhaps the Aztecs looted its treasures. After being treated to a privately guided tour and talk of these ruins, you will ride only a half day south to the most famous and impressive pyramids in the area; Teotihuacan. In the most unusual setting yet; dinner will be available nearby in a vast, subterranean, dank cave, with live music.
Day Thirteen, February 6th
Teotihuacan to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato [200 miles]
You will begin the day with another very informative guided walk through and over the ancient ball fields, sacrificial arenas, worship areas, and of course the pyramids themselves, at Teotihuacan. This complex of awesome pyramids set amid what was once Mesoamerica’s greatest city is a huge site that began construction in the early part of the first century AD, and that compares in significance to the ruins of the Yucatan and Chiapas. As the tour turns again north this afternoon, you will begin the ride through the vast Sierra Madre Oriental. Arrival in San Miguel de Allende, founded about 1550 as a Spanish mission, is a trip into the colonial era of Mexican history. Now the town is a popular art center, and home to many USA expatriates.
Day Fourteen, February 7th
San Miguel de Allende to Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi [200 miles]
The enigmatic Real de Catorce is as mysterious as it is unique. A long cobblestone paved road and a narrow tunnel is the main access to this interesting town. Like many old towns in Mexico, this village high on the fringes of the Sierra Madre Oriental has a rich mining history. Although now considered nearly a ghost town much of the year, the silver boom had over 40,000 people living here in the late 1800s. Visit the old bull ring and 18th century “Templo”.
Day Fifteen, February 8th
Real de Catorce to Parras, Coahuila [188 miles]
As the route returns northward toward the USA, the riding days will be longer in order to make up time. You may begin to add layers again to stay comfortable in the cooler air. Parras is home to the very first winery in the Americas, established in 1597. The now large industrial enterprise lies four miles north of Parras, in San Lorenzo, shipping wine called Casa Madero all over the world. A free half hour side tour of the winery is available if we arrive in town by 5 pm. You will see large scale wine making equipment, old and new, like wooden fermenting barrels holding over 70,000 liters. You can also buy quality wine and brandy on-site, although you shouldn’t expect it to be 400 years old.
Day Sixteen, February 9th
Parras to Chihuahua, Chihuahua [365 miles]
The longest day of the trip, this route will still pass quickly through beautiful, open, desert scenery. Starting out on back roads, as we near Chihuahua they get larger, and wider, and faster. A large administrative and commercial center in northern Mexico, the city has a long history of cattle and mining interest. A fast growing metropolis, Chihuahua still has some old world charm to be found, although you will spend only a short while here this trip. A very special place is selected for your lodging this night and the rooms, food, and entertainment are more modern than most all the earlier parts of the country you have passed through on this tour. Farewell dinner tonight.
Day Seventeen, February 10th
Chihuahua to Las Cruces, New Mexico [287 miles]
The return to the USA will seem like coming to a different planet after being south for two weeks. You will appreciate many things you may have never noticed before. You will also miss some little kindnesses shown to you in Mexico that aren’t so readily available back home. There may be some conveniences from home you have missed too. Anyone for pizza delivery?