We’re thrilled to announce a week long tour throughout historic sites of the Aztec Triple Alliance kingdom of Tenochtitlan, known today as Mexico City (CDMX), and the breathtaking pyramids of Teotihuacan, to trace the connections between modern cacao culture and the ancient history of the Mexica (Aztec), Maya, Olmec and Toltec civilizations.
We’ll adventure to ancient archeological sites, enjoy historic museums, eclectic markets, delicious local cuisine, and rich cultural experiences unique to the beauty of Mexico.
Mexico City is now one of the biggest cities in the world, and much was lost through colonization. Yet a lot has survived too, and that's a testament to this special place.
Our time in Teotihuacan will take place during a total lunar eclipse within view of the pyramids.. This will be the only total eclipse viewable in N. America in 2025, therefore a very magical cosmic occurrence to witness at an ancient sacred site.
In respect to cacao and its indigenous cultivators, we’ll discuss the importance of reverence and honor to the land and the ancestors throughout the tour. We'll have group circles to provide mutual support during the journey.
This one-of-a-kind group tour will be guided by Soul Lift Cacao founder Nick Meador and local expert Crystal Arreola.
Join us for a profound and memorable journey into the heart of ancient Mexico that will leave a lasting imprint in your heart and soul!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Dive Into the History of Mexican Cacao: Uncover the origin story of cacao that dates back over 4,000 years, that survived colonialism to today's chocolate traditions. We’ll also enjoy a cacao workshop and sample not so well known traditional cacao beverages off the beaten path.
Discover Mexico City’s Cultural Treasures: Visit world-class museums and landmarks to deepen your understanding of Mexico’s vibrant history as a nexus of civilization.
Explore the Mysteries of Teotihuacan: Wander the iconic pyramids of Teotihuacan, uncovering the spiritual connections between the ancients, sacred items, and the celestial realms. Plus we’ll board a hot air balloon to rise high above the pyramids!
Experience Ceremony and Ritual: Participate in both modern and ancestral ceremonies to connect with the land and deeply with ourselves, including a featured experience during the lunar eclipse.
TOUR DATES:
- Arrive in Mexico City by Sunday, March 9
- Activities planned from Mon, March 10 to Sat, March 15
- Group separates the morning of Sun, March 16
TRIP INCLUDES:
- All planned activities and entry to all museums, etc.
- Modern cacao and microdose (optional) ceremony in the totality of the lunar eclipse.
- Seven (7) nights lodging (private & shared options), part in the Centro Histórico neighborhood of CDMX and part next to Teotihuacán.
- All ground transportation in and around CDMX.
- Transportation to the airport (Benito Juarez MEX, or Felipe Angeles NLU) on the 16th.
- Note: Arrival transportation to the hotel on the 9th isn’t included, but is easy with Uber.
- Meals from breakfast on Mar 10 to breakfast on Mar 16.
- Vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options. All diets accommodated.
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Due to the unpredictable nature of group travel, organized meals happen 2-3 times per day during the tour. Participants will have the option to bring snacks or find more food. There will be no refunds for missed meals.
Reserve your spot today to experience the timeless allure of Mexico during this unforgettable celestial event!
ITINERARY (More detail coming soon): *
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Sun, Mar 9 - Arrive in Mexico City and meet at NH Collection Centro Historico hotel
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NOTE: Airfare is not included in the trip package. Please schedule your flight to arrive at La Aurora Airport (GUA) by 9pm on Sunday at the latest.
- Ground transportation to the hotel is not included either. The hotel is 20-30 minutes from the airport. The easiest and most affordable way to get there is via Uber (address will be on the Pariticipant Guide document).
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You might want to consider arriving a day early (Mar 8), since international travel is so unpredictable these days. One time someone missed the first day of the tour due to a flight cancellation. To stay NH Collection hotel the night of Mar 8, we can arrange it for an additional $150 USD for private or $80 per person for shared. Or you can arrange lodging on your own.
- Mon, Mar 10 - Templo Mayor archaeology site (ruins of Tenochtitlan), Xochimilco for a "trajinera" boat ride (pre-colonial World Heritage Site)
- Tues, Mar 11 - Anthropology Museum, Chapultepec forest
- Weds, Mar 12 - Ethical chocolate processing workshop, Chocolate Museum with "molinillo" (traditional whisk) artisan demo
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Thurs, Mar 13 - "Mercado de Jamaica" flower market, drive to our hotel near Teotihuacan, evening cacao and micro dose ceremony for the lunar eclipse
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Fri, Mar 14 - Teotihuacan pyramid day 1 (detail TBD)
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Sat, Mar 15 - Teotihuacan pyramid day 2 (detail TBD)
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Sun, Mar 16 - Hotel check-out and going our separate ways
- Transportation to an airport (Benito Juarez MEX, or Felipe Angeles NLU) provided
*Last updated 12/8/2024. Note: Specific activities and lodgings are subject to change as plans for the tour become refined, and also due to factors out of our control. We are doing our best to represent the essence of the tour and what it will involve. We will update the group of any alterations to the plan. If in the unlikely chance that a whole day has to be cut from the itinerary, a partial refund would be issued to participants.
AREA OF TRAVEL:
LODGING (scroll to the bottom of the page for photos):
- Mexico City - NH Collection Centro Historico
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Teotihuacan - Villa las Campanas
GROUND TRANSPORTATION:
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A private bus or provided taxis will take our group from one destination to the next
REGISTRATION – LIMITED TO 15 PARTICIPANTS
Shared Lodging - $1,899 USD per person
Private Individual - $2,199 USD per person
• Payment can be all at once, or you can save your spot with a $600 deposit.
• Payments by credit/debit card, Venmo, or Paypal are subject to a 2.91% service fee. If you need us to take credit card info over the phone, the service fee is 3.5% due to higher payment processing charges. Options to avoid the fee include paying by Zelle or wire transfer.
• NOTE: ShopPay automatic installments are not an option for registration.
Whichever option you choose, if starting with a deposit in advance, the full trip balance will be due by February 9, 2025.
• Because we have to pay deposits to reserve lodging and other activities, registration is non-refundable. Please look into trip insurance if you have any concerns.
ABOUT NICK MEADOR
Since 2016 Nick has been traveling throughout Central America connecting with cacao farms, collectives, and experts. He founded Soul Lift Cacao to create a positive impact in the world by helping Mayan collectives share their cacao in the U.S. and beyond.
On top of that, Nick has been on a path of facilitation, leadership, and self-development for more than a decade. He has trained in various traditions, schools, and lineages for healing and self-development, and looks for the parallels that tie them together.
Nick created the Soul Lift Cacao Method to provide an ethical and responsible way to share ceremonial cacao in modern settings, and to create safe containers for transformational journeys. He has been training people to share cacao on their own since 2017.
This will be the ninth cacao and culture tour that Nick has organized.
ABOUT CRYSTAL ARREOLA
Crystal shares the teachings of ancestral medicine, lineage decolonization and is a seasoned cacao facilitator. She spends most of her time in modern day Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) researching and studying the ancient origins of cacao, its ancient people and cosmic connections to many archeological sites in MesoAmerica.
After living amongst Tzotzil Maya communities in the indigenous stronghold of Chiapas for years, she is passionate about supporting indigenous resistance and sovereignty after witnessing and even second hand experiencing how the land, waters and people are still exploited and abused. This includes speaking up for the many ways indigenous culture and medicines are appropriated and disrespected.
Crystal is also an initiated Priestess of the Rose Lineage who utilizes her knowledge and training within this path to cultivate the healing and empowerment that is possible by honoring cacao as an ancestral medicine and benevolent guide. Cacao has supported her through many moons of deep ancestral healing repair and she aims to support others through a similar process.
She does this in work in reverence to indigenous wisdom keepers and the cacao cultivating ancestors, warriors and abuelas of her Mexican, Guatemalan and Colombian lineages.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Extensive consideration will be taken for health and safety at every step of the tour.
Mexico is a developing nation. However Nick has always felt safe traveling there. Mexico City is a major urban center. However we will be in popular tourist areas that are considered generally safe.
One factor to consider will be food and water. It’s important to only drink purified water and eat food in clean establishments. All arranged meals on the trip will take this onto consideration.
Please consult a medical professional if you are curious about potential inoculations and other health considerations for the trip.
ETHICS
Nick Meador is of mixed European heritage and not of Guatemalan or Mayan descent. So he puts a lot of effort into making sure his work is ethical and responsible. Nick works in close partnership with Mayan teachers and cacao workers in an ongoing effort to bridge cacao into the modern world. It's all based on direct, consensual relationship, and an attitude of curiosity about this special plant that has changed Nick's life so profoundly, particularly on his path of healing from chronic illness. As an American who started traveling to Guatemala in 1996, and who has a deep background in facilitation, Nick is in a fitting position to lead this tour for Americans and people from other Western countries. The intention is to bring positive impact for both visitors and our Guatemalan hosts, while minimizing or eliminating potential harm. Feel free to write to hello@soulliftcacao.com with any questions.
LODGING PHOTOS (subject to change)
NH Collection Centro Historico (Mexico City)
Villa las Campanas (Teotihuacan)
