The Last Desert Outpost (2 Days)
Discover the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, home to the municipality of Zapotitlán Salinas in southern Puebla.
A place where ancient history, untamed nature and ancestral culture intertwine to offer a unique experience among salt flats, marine fossils, mezcal and stars.

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Day 1: Salt Flats, Fossils & the Art of Mezcal

Departure from Mexico City:
We depart promptly at 4:00 a.m. to reach Zapotitlán Salinas after approximately 4 hours of travel.

Visit to the Salt Flats (20 minutes):
Upon arrival, we’ll explore the ancient salt flats, where you'll learn about the traditional method of organic salt production, practised for centuries.

Hike to Cerro de Cuthá:
From the salt flats, we’ll begin our hike to Cerro de Cuthá:

• Distance: 3.9 km

• Estimated duration: 2 hours

 

Here, we’ll discover Popoloca tombs, pre-Hispanic remains, and learn about the medicinal uses of local plants.

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Regional Breakfast:
After the hike, we’ll enjoy a typical regional breakfast around 10:00 a.m. at a local restaurant.

Marine Fossil Adventure at the Dry Riverbed:
We’ll then walk roughly 2.2 km along the bed of an ancient dry river, where marine fossils are revealed by seasonal rains. A perfect opportunity for photography and learning about this fascinating geological record.

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Palenque Visit and Traditional Meal:
Following our fossil adventure, we’ll head to an authentic mezcal palenque:

• First, we’ll explore the artisanal mezcal-making process.

• Then, we’ll enjoy a guided tasting.

• Finally, we’ll share a traditional meal at the same palenque, paired with the unique flavours of mezcal.

 

Hotel Check-in:
After lunch, we’ll check in at our hotel.

 

Giant Sotolín Forest and Night Sky Observation:
In the afternoon, a light 1.1 km walk through the impressive forest of giant sotolíns — ancient, tree-like plants unique to this region.
At nightfall, we’ll marvel at the starry sky in a true desert moonlit experience.

 

Day 2: Fossils & Dinosaur Footprints

Free Morning:
From 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., time to enjoy the pool or simply relax.

 

Breakfast:
At 9:00 a.m., a full breakfast will be served at the hotel restaurant.

 

Exploration in San Juan Raya:
At 10:00 a.m., we depart to the community of San Juan Raya (20 mins) to begin two fascinating guided tours:

 

Tour 1: Turritella Fossil Park
A walk through a petrified seabed:

• Distance: 1 km

• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

 

We’ll see fossilised sea snails, molluscs and other marine life forms.

Tour 2: Carnivorous Dinosaur Footprints
Follow in the tracks of a prehistoric predator:

• Distance: 1.5 km

• Duration: 2 hours

 

We’ll admire the authentic footprints of a carnivorous dinosaur that once roamed this area 90 million years ago.

Artisanal Ice Lolly Tasting:
Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a refreshing tasting of artisanal ice lollies made from exotic regional fruits such as pitaya, garambullo and xoconoxtle.

Lunch in Zapotitlán Salinas:
A traditional meal to conclude the adventure.

 

Return to Mexico City:
We depart for our return journey at around 6:00 p.m., with an estimated arrival time between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m.

 

Note on the Mezcal Bottle:
As part of the palenque visit, all travellers will enjoy a tasting of artisanal mezcal. Additionally, if the group consists of two or more people, a complimentary bottle of Pichomel mezcal will be included for the group. For solo travellers, the full tasting is included, but the bottle is not.

 

Recommendations:

• Comfortable, lightweight clothing

• Suitable footwear for hiking

• Swimming costume

• Sunblock and hat

• Camera

 

Dare to experience “The Last Desert Outpost” and be part of a story written in stone!

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