Day 1 Arrival from El Norte and Hotel in Cholula

Fly from Canada or the US to Mexico City and take the deluxe bus to Puebla. It is a two hour drive out of the Valle de Mexico into the pine forest as we pass the slopes of the sleeping giant, Volcan de Popocateptl. We move on to Cholula a town just outside of Puebla where we spend the next two nights in the Hotel Casa Calli, a simple inn located on the central square. Arriving in late afternoon will give us time to explore the great pyramid at Cholula, considered the largest in meso-America now topped with a Spanish chapel.

Transfer: 2 Hours

Hotel: Casa Calli http://www.hotelcasacalli.com/

Dinner: On your own at one of many small restaurants

Day 2 Mighty Popo!

We have a great day of biking to burn out those travel legs! We leave right from town then out into rolling country at the base of Popocateptl. Early in the day you can see the steam rising from the crater as we tackle the rocky road, Pica de Piedra. After a road side picnic prepared by the Selva crew its onto some single track and a little climbing back into Cholula

Ride: 55KM rolling country; some climbs and single track

Hotel: Casa Calli Cholula

Dinner: Tonight we can hop a taxi to Puebla and the Zona Dorado with lots of bars and restos to choose from

Day 3 Canyon de Calpan

Again we leave from close to Cholula centre and ride the Canyon de Calpan. Here we will bike along a prisitine river bed then climb up and out to see a ruined convent form the 16th century. On to the little village of Nealtican where we will picnic. From here we will load up and drive to Tehuacan a very pleasant town with a leafy central square surrounded by arches and some nice restaurants.

Ride: 35KM rolling country; some climbs

Transfer: 2 hours to Tehuacan

Hotel: Hotel Mexico http://www.hotelesdepuebla.com/hotelmexicotehuacan.html

Dinner: Wander over to the square ( squares in Mexico are often called the Zocalo). This town is famous for Mole de Cadera which is a stew made from specially raised kid goat hmm hmm.

Day 4 San Juan Raya and the Cactus Forest

A short drive outside the town and then we bike up and into high desert populated by unique cactus species. Far from modern infrastructure we ride down into San Juan Raya, no phone lines or electricity poles here! Along the way, we encounter a dry creek full of fossils, that because million years ago all this land was covered by the sea. You'll think you are on the set of a spaghetti western. Tonight we'll bunk at a simple lodge built by local people and gaze out at stars sparkling bright in the absence of sodium glare

Ride: 50KM rolling country; some climbs

Transfer: Very short

Hotel: Lodge in San Juan Raya

Dinner: Country cooking at the lodge!

Watch a video of the trails thought cactus bush:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i39YlNiRlfo

Day 5 Desert and Dinosaurs

We ride out of San Juan Raya and into the cactus desert, across a pre historic sea bed and finally to a site where dinosaur tracks were discovered in 2006. Fossils abound. Then we will transfer to the town of Perote at the base of Pico Orizaba which, at 5600 metres is the tallest mountain between Alaska and the Andes.

Ride: 30 - 40KM

Transfer: 2 hours

Hotel: Perote

Dinner: Lots of choice but Perote is famous for Jamon Serrano.

Day 6 Across the Great Divide

We begin the day with a short transfer up the mountains to the height of land on the shoulder of Cofre Perote Volcano. We start our volcano ride at Rancho Nuevo village 3000 metres above the the Gulf of Mexico.To our right lie the snow fields of Pico Orizaba at 5600 metres, the highest peak between Alaska and the Andes. Rolling down through cloud forest and tiny villages like Tembladeras, the weather warms as the vegetation changes to jungle and coffee plantation in the town of Xico. Overall our descent for this day is a vertical mile! We'll end the day at the spectacular waterfalls below Xico and then transfer to Selva Azul Lodge. The lodge is composed of simple yet comfortable camp style rooms. Facilities include a pool, a Temazcal ( traditional steam bath) and a kitchen where our meals will be prepared by local women.

Ride: 60KM

Transfer: Short morning and 45 minutes afternoon

Hotel: Selva Azul base camp

Dinner: Wonderful Veracruz home cooking under the stars.

Day 7 Veracruz Villages and Springs

Today we ride easy terrain from the lodge through cane fields and country roads to the tiny village of Apazapan. We'll start early to avoid the mid day heat but time our return to have a swim in the clear waters at Poza Azul, then back to the Lodge for some r & r or if time allows we can take a white water adventure on the Rio Pescados. From that point, tired bikers, we will do the long transfer back to Puebla where we check into a lovely hotel in the city centre and get together for a farewell dinner

Ride: 20-50KM

Transfer: 3 hours

Hotel: Colonial  http://www.colonial.com.mx/

Dinner: On the square in Puebla

Day 8 Walk and Travel

Take a walk through the old city centre and check out the artisans market plus the cathedral. Then it is time to board the bus for Mexico City.

Onward

Lots more to see and do in Mexico and we are happy to advise you on further travels. The magical city of Oaxaca is just 4 hours away by bus and the prisitne beaches of the Pacific coast just beyond. Mexico City itself is a fascinating place to visit.