¡El Tour
Budget Bicycle Tours in Mexico
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The Complete Archive · 2000–2020
Day of the Dead Tour 2011
Season 2011–2012 · all tours that season
On this regular difficulty tour we cycle around the highlands of Michoacan state during the famous Day of the Dead celebrations. We range in altitude from 1500m to 2500m so the weather is cool. We'll explore colonial cities, indigenous Purepecha towns, the newest volcano in the world, the avocado capital of the world and some spectacular mountain country-side. There are lakes, colourful markets, and interesting history and culture. This is a loop tour starting and ending in Quiroga. We suggest that you fly into Morelia international airport.
| Dates: | Wed Oct 19, 2011 to Wed Nov 2, 2011 (2 weeks - 10 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 51km Maximum/day: 67km Total Approx: 505km |
| Route Type: | REGULARRegular DifficultyA good level of fitness is required. Distances average around 50 - 80 km per day (depending on hills), and are always less than 120 km. Roads range from flat to very hilly. We may climb up to 1500 metres on a hard day.WeatherThe Weather: MountainsLate fall and winter in the Mexican mountains is dry and cool. The sun warms things up during the daytime, but expect freezing temperatures overnight. High volcanoes can be snowcapped around this time.Spring is warmer, and in the summer it will often rain in the afternoon. RoadThe Road: MountainsThe road is generally in excellent condition. There are some sections of dirt road, and rough pavement. In the mountainous areas, the road rarely flattens out and occasionally climbs at more than a 10% grade, however in the high plateaus the road can be fairly flat to rolling. Traffic is generally light to non-existent, except of course close to larger towns and cities. The surface is generally wide and the drivers are courteous.LandThe Land: MountainsAltitudes generally range between 1500 and 2500m, however on some tours we may climb up over 4000m. The high volcanoes are snow-capped in the winter. The mountain vegetation varies greatly from humid cloud forests to cool dry pine forests or dry desert shrub. |
| Highlights: | Spectacular mountain views of Michoacan state, challenging climbs, exciting descents, the world's newest volcano (Volcán Paricutin), the capital of the avocado, many colonial towns and cities, indigenous Purepecha culture and ancient Tarasco ruins, a wide variety of handicrafts including hammered copperware, masks and textiles. There's a geyser, lakes, various church and cathedral architectures including colonial, baroque and gothic, and a tasty variety of traditional cuisine. |
The Route
Altitude Profile
Itinerary
Click any day for the full description. Itineraries were always subject to minor changes.
WhenWhereDistanceHighlights
Day 0 — Wed Oct 19, 2011Fly to Morelia, meet in Quiroga-
Quiroga's original Tarascan name, Cocupato, means 'The Reception Place', and so it will serve for our tour. The modern name is in honour of Don Vasco de Quiroga. In the 16th century, he created communities in the vicinity of Lake Pátzcuaro, the heart of the Tarascan country, where Indians would not only receive religious instruction, but also in arts and crafts and in the fundamentals of self-government. This was the land that had been so brutally ravaged by Nuño de Guzmán. Bit by bit, the Indians came to realize that the kindly Bishop was as much a representative of the European race as the sadistic conquistador. Like many utopian communities, the settlements created by Quiroga had elements of a primitive socialism. Each person worked six hours a day and contributed on an equal basis to the common welfare. Quiroga died in 1565 but the skills he implanted among Tarascans of this region have been passed down to their descendants, who are considered among the most skilled craftspersons in Mexico.
small town, lake Pátzcuaro, baroque church [more]
We suggest that you fly into Morelia's international airport and take a taxi to our hotel in Quiroga which is where we'll all meet, get to know each other and make sure we're all ready for a great bicycle tour.Quiroga's original Tarascan name, Cocupato, means 'The Reception Place', and so it will serve for our tour. The modern name is in honour of Don Vasco de Quiroga. In the 16th century, he created communities in the vicinity of Lake Pátzcuaro, the heart of the Tarascan country, where Indians would not only receive religious instruction, but also in arts and crafts and in the fundamentals of self-government. This was the land that had been so brutally ravaged by Nuño de Guzmán. Bit by bit, the Indians came to realize that the kindly Bishop was as much a representative of the European race as the sadistic conquistador. Like many utopian communities, the settlements created by Quiroga had elements of a primitive socialism. Each person worked six hours a day and contributed on an equal basis to the common welfare. Quiroga died in 1565 but the skills he implanted among Tarascans of this region have been passed down to their descendants, who are considered among the most skilled craftspersons in Mexico.
Day 1 — Thurs Oct 20, 2011Quiroga to Erongaricuaro31 km
Easy start, quiet roads and small towns around the lake [more]
We start the tour off easy. The road that rolls along peeking at the lake every so often and poking in and out of little towns has very little traffic on it. It is a pleasure to ride here. Erongaricuaro, or more conveniently known as 'Eronga' is a quiet and beautiful little town overlooking lake Patzcuaro. The town boasts a Fransiscan monasery and colonial architecture. The name of the town is derived from the original Tarascan name, Eránharhikuarheni meaning the place of reflections.Day 2 — Fri Oct 21, 2011Eronga to Zacapu41 km
quiet roads, great views [more]
We cycle away from the lake and up our first challenging climb. At the top are some very spectacular views of lake Patzcuaro, then we gently descend and roll along the rest of the way to Zacapu. By now you may have come to appreciate the wonderful taste and diversity of Mexican ice-cream and real fruit popsicles. Zacapu is an excellent place to excercise that appreciation. After the ride you may also want to visit one or more of the nearby attractions including Alberca Los Espinos, a lake in the crater of an extinct volcano, and La Zarcita, a beautiful spring that's right in town.Day 3 — Sat Oct 22, 2011Zacapu to Cheran60 km
Beautiful mountain scenery [more]
We start our day with another challenging climb to get up and out of Zacapu. After a long downhill, we have a couple of good climbs and rolling hills through pine forests, and fields of white poppies. Mountains and volcanic cones watch over our advance.Day 4 — Sun Oct 23, 2011Cheran to Angahuan57 km
Quiet mountain roads, Paracho market. [more]
We cycle on more quiet mountain roads today as we make our way to the small Purepecha high mountain village of Angahuan. On the way we'll go through Paracho which is world-famous for the guitars hand-crafted by local artisans, and Sunday is its big market day!Day 5 — Mon Oct 24, 2011Angahuan-
Volcán de Paricutín, lava field, buried village, indigenous village [more]
Volcán Paricutín the world's newest volcano errupted out of a cornfield in 1943 and continued to grow until 1952. The lava gradually flowed out to cover 20-sq-km including 2 villages. No one was hurt by the slow advance. The only remaining visible trace of San Juan Parangaricutiro and San Salvador Paricutín, two villages engulfed by solidified black lava, is the top of San Juan's church. You can take a tour by foot or by horse to San Juan, the lava field and also to the volcano itself. Climbing up the steep slippery sides of the volcano we gain a view of the crater where you can still see gentle wisps of steam rising out of fissures around the inside. To get back down, run full tilt down the soft ash side of the volcano. Angahuan itself is an interesting attraction, being an indigenous Purepecha village.Day 6 — Tues Oct 25, 2011Angahuan to Tingüindín61 km
nice downhill, agricultural center, fruit orchards, small colonial town [more]
We cycle through more mountains then past lime, avocado, berry, and sugar cane crops. Tingüindín is a pleasant little town with a baroque church. This town is know for its bread.Day 7 — Wed Oct 26, 2011Tingüindín to Zamora48 km
Unfinished gothic cathedral, sweeping views [more]
We cycle up over another pass today and descend past sweeping views of the countryside into the city of Zamora. There are many churches in Zamora, including the gothic Catedral Inconclusa (unfinished cathedral). Started in 1898, it suffered a major setback with the Mexican revolution of 1910. Work has now started to finish it.Day 8 — Thurs Oct 27, 2011Zamora-
Diverse market, traditional sweets, the unfinished cathedral [more]
In Zamora, there are many, many interesting churches you can visit, but the one not to miss is the humongous Catedral Inconclusa, the unfinished cathedral. This is a stunning neo-gothic cathedral whose construction began in 1898, then due to the Mexican revolution of 1910, was suspended in 1914, and then restarted in 1985. It is reported to be the 14th largest in the world, and the 4th largest in the Americas.Day 9 — Fri Oct 28, 2011Zamora to Paracho67 km
Challenging climbing, quiet mountain backroads, guitar capitol [more]
We cycle on yet more quiet mountain roads today as we make our way to the small Purepecha high mountain town of Paracho, world-famous for the guitars hand-crafted by local artisans.Day 10 — Sat Oct 29, 2011Paracho to Zirahuen54 km
Very quiet roads, great views, Nahuatzen market, small towns and villages, small lakes-side resort [more]
We cycle across the heart of the Purepecha meseta, over rolling hills and a couple of good climbs which present ever more spectacular views. Zirahuen is a small colonial lake-side resort.Day 11 — Sun Oct 30, 2011Zirahuen to Patzcuaro34 km
brick road, copper town, view of lake Patzcuaro [more]
We start on a 14km brick road to Santa Clara del Cobre where they make all manner of copper artistry and crafts, from doors to pots and kitchenware to jewelry. After a break to explore the workshops and a bite to eat, we will continue. Climbing over a pass offers us our first view of Patzcuaro. We will enjoy a fast descent into this town where we will spend our final rest day.Day 12 — Mon Oct 31, 2011Patzcuaro-
rest day, fantastic Purepecha/Mexican market, colonial architecture, handicrafts [more]
You can spend the day exploring this colonial gem, and getting to know the great variety of regional handicrafts. Visit the vibrant market to sample some local culinary treats and fuel up for our rides to come. You may take a trip to Janitzio, the largest island in lake Patzcuaro where you can climb up a 40m high statue of Morelos for a view of the lake and its surrounding villages. Back in Patzcuaro, there are also a variety of museums, squares and churches to visit. This is also the main center of the day of the dead celebrations.Day 13 — Tues Nov 1, 2011Patzcuaro to Quiroga (via Eronga)52 km
Tocuaro masks, market day in Eronga, quiet lakeside roads, Day of the Innocents. [more]
We take the quiet road out of Patzcuaro along the lake to Tocuaro, the mask making capital of Mexico. If we're lucky, we can visit the workshop of Juan Horta Castillo, one of the best maskmakers in Mexico. We continue cycling along the lake returning to Erongaricuaro, this time on market day, then we retrace the beautiful 31km back to Quiroga.Day 14 — Wed Nov 2, 2011Quiroga-
Fly back home or stay a while longer, Day of the Dead [more]
At this point you may choose to go back to Morelia and fly back home, or stay a while and explore the area a little more. Morelia is certainly worth spending a couple of days in for example. It has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. You may even decide to stick around and join us for our next tour in nearby Queretaro.What it cost that season
| Guides' Fee | + Accommodations | + Food & Drink | + Misc. | = Approx. Total Land Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $800 | $240 | $180 | $150 | $1,370 |
All figures in US dollars, as published at the time. Riders paid their own accommodation, food and entrance fees on the road — the Guides' Fee was the only charge from ¡El Tour. Full history: price of Day of the Dead Tour through the years.
Photo Album
