Overview
Take a journey like no other through the Americas for a faith strengthening experience.
Brazil – Mexico – USA
Itinerary
Arrive at Rio de Janeiro airport and transfer to the hotel. Check in and at leisure. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
After breakfast, proceed for a full-day tour of Rio. From anywhere in the city, visitors can see the most beautiful postcard of Rio de Janeiro: The Christ the Redeemer on the mountain of Corcovado. The walk begins in the Cosme Velho neighborhood, traveling through the Tijuca Forest with wonderful panoramic views of the largest urban forest in the world. Once the visit to the statue is finished, we will proceed to the foot of the Corcovado. Stop for lunch and then go on to The Sugar Loaf and the Panoramic City Tour.
This tour begins with a tour of the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro with highlights for the Sambodromo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Library, and the Assembly building. After touring the center, the tour continues through the neighborhood of Flamengo towards Urca, where the hill that the city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by Estádio de Sá in 1565 is located. The visit to the Sugar Loaf is done in two stages by a cable car. The first stage connects Playa Vermelha to Morro de Urca, from where you can see the Guanabara Bay and its islands, Flamengo Beach, Morro del Corcovado, and the bridge that connects Rio to Niterói. From the Morro de Urca, the second part of the ascent begins to the Sugar Loaf where a unique view of the Copacabana Beach and the Santa Cruz Fortress can be observed. After time spent on the Sugar Loaf, the descent will proceed using the cable car back to the foot of the hill. Your transportation back to the hotel will be waiting. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
After breakfast we visit Santa Teresa, one of the most traditional and beautiful neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro. It is located in the central region of Rio and on a hill, which provides privileged views of the southern area of the wonderful city. The origins of the neighbourhood go back to the 19th century, when the Santa Teresa convent was built, giving its name to this place. The region that surrounded the convent was a redoubt of the old aristocracy of Rio de Janeiro, and that is why today you can see its architectural buildings, rich in detail with houses and mansions of the time. The visit is complete by bars, restaurants and art ateliers in its cultural and handicrafts centre. After Santa Teresa the tours goes on to the biggest urban rainforest, Tijuca Forest where the visitors will observe and enjoy the wildest landscape in Rio de Janeiro going through the forest by open jeeps Return to the hotel and at leisure. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
Breakfast and transfer to the airport to take the flight to Mexico. Upon arrival transfer to Mexico city hotel. Overnight at Mexico City.
After breakfast, drive to Tlatelolco, considered the largest archaeological site in Mexico City, also
the capital of the Aztec empire. See the Plaza of the Three Cultures where Pre-hispanic, colonial and modern Mexico blend. Continue the tour towards the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It receives more than 20 million pilgrims every year. After visiting the Basilica of Guadalupe, you will continue your tour to Teotihuacan, "City of the Gods." A guide will take you on a journey through the history of this mystical place. Walk around the ruins and be in awe at the marvelous pyramids and buildings. Go up the famous Sun and Moon Pyramids and take in the incredible views from the top. Return to hotel. Overnight at Mexico City.
After breakfast, travel with your guide southeast to Cholula. Head inside Cholula's Archaeology Park and visit the world's largest pyramid - the Great Pyramid of Cholula, aka Tlachihualtepetl. From the pyramid base, look up to see the Church of Our Lady of the Remedies perched on the summit.
Then, your guide takes you to Puebla, a city where buildings are sculpted out of freestone and covered with painted ceramic tiles. The charming city boasts 70 churches in its historic district alone. Visit the 16th-century Church of Santo Domingo and Chapel of the Rosary. Admire the gilded stucco inside this example of Mexican Baroque architecture. Gaze at the serene blue Convent of Santa Monica. Finally, visit onyx and Talavera ceramics factories, and learn about how these artisanal items are crafted, before catching the transport back to your hotel.
Overnight at Mexico City.
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight to Santa Fe. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Later visit Loretta Chapel. Evening return to hotel. Overnight at Santa Fe.
After breakfast, transfer to airport for the flight back home.