Mexico city: Hiking tour to Desierto de los leones

Desierto de los Leones offers a striking change of pace from Mexico City: forest trails lead to a former convent surrounded by nature, all within a day trip that includes pickup, a guide and park entry. I like the mix of outdoor time and history, and the chance to eat regional food near the convent rather than hurry straight back to the city.

I also like the small group size, capped at six, which should leave room to ask questions about the forest, local legends and the monastery. One thing to weigh: the drive takes about one to two hours each way, and lunch is extra, so this is a full day with more than the $163 ticket price to budget for.

What to know before you go

• A forest walk leads to a former convent: The route combines time on beginner-level trails with a visit to the convent’s rooms and gardens.
• The trip starts at your lodging: Transport is included, and the operator will contact you to confirm pickup time and location.
• Expect about seven hours away: The drive is roughly one to two hours each way, with two walking periods and a regional-food stop.
• Lunch is not part of the price: Bring cash. The area has restaurants, but there are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted.
• Pulque may be available: The traditional drink is an occasional tasting, not a guaranteed part of the day.
• The group stays small: No more than six participants join, and the guide speaks Spanish and English.

A forest day beyond the city

This tour is for anyone who wants a break from Mexico City’s streets without giving up a sense of place. The destination is Desierto de los Leones National Park, where the plan pairs a forest hike with a visit to an old convent. That combination gives the day a useful rhythm: walk, learn, explore, eat, then walk back.

The park sits within the greater Mexico City area, but getting there still takes time. The drive is listed at about one to two hours each way, depending on the trip. That means you should think of this as a full-day outing, not a quick stroll before dinner.

The hike is described as beginner level, requiring only a little physical condition. That is reassuring if you are active enough for a moderate walk but not looking for a demanding mountain trek. Still, one participant described the route as not exactly easy, though not too steep. I’d take that as a useful warning: beginner level does not mean effortless, and your comfort will depend on your stamina, shoes and the day’s conditions.

The reported 5-star rating is based on just three reviews, so it is a small sample, not a guarantee. The most specific praise points to the beautiful forest, a worthwhile hike and affordable local food by the convent. Those are the day’s strongest draws. A brief five-star comment simply says Nice, which is pleasant but offers little detail.

The pickup and drive from Mexico City

Pickup is included, which makes this easier than arranging your own way to the park. After your booking is confirmed, the operator will contact you to agree on the location and time. You need to leave a WhatsApp number, so check that you can receive messages there before travel.

The ride takes about one to two hours. Water and a snack are provided for the road, and the tour description suggests using the time to rest or ask the guide questions. That can be a welcome start if you have had a busy few days in the city. It also gives you a chance to learn what to expect before you start walking.

The drive is a practical benefit, but it is also a real part of the day. Round-trip travel may take two to four hours, before you count the park visit, hike and meal. The stated tour duration is seven hours, so timing depends on the actual drive and pace. Keep your evening plans flexible rather than booking a tight dinner reservation for your return.

The small group limit of six matters here. A compact group can make conversation easier and reduce the feeling of being hurried along in a large crowd. The guide is available in Spanish and English, though no individual guide’s name is provided. If you want to ask about the site’s history, myths or legends, this format gives you a natural opening.

Walking into Desierto de los Leones

At the park, the group starts with a warm-up before setting out. That is a sensible step, especially after sitting in a car. The guided walk is split into two sections of about an hour and a half each, with the convent visit and food stop between them.

During the first walk, the guide talks about the place’s history, legends and the reason a monastery was built amid the forest. Those stories give the route more meaning than a simple out-and-back hike. You are not only getting fresh air; you are also hearing how people understand this unusual meeting of woodland and religious architecture.

The setting itself is the main appeal. A reviewer called the forest beautiful and described it as being inside Mexico City’s borders. That contrast is worth keeping in mind: the park offers a change from the city, but the day remains connected to it and does not require a far-flung overnight trip.

Wear closed-toe shoes with good comfort for walking. The recommended clothing is comfortable and suitable for getting dirty, which is practical advice for a forest route. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent, plus a charged phone and camera. The route is beginner level, but the description does not give distance, elevation gain or trail surface, so don’t assume you can judge the effort from the label alone.

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with a range of health conditions, including heart problems, back problems, diabetes, altitude sickness, high blood pressure, recent surgery or other pre-existing medical conditions. It also lists a weight limit of 230 pounds (104 kilograms). If any restriction may apply to you, confirm suitability before booking.

Exploring the former convent

The walk brings you to the ex-convent, the day’s historical centerpiece. You’ll enter to see its spaces and gardens, then have time to take in the contrast between the building and its forest setting. The experience is not just an exterior photo stop: the plan includes going inside and exploring the grounds.

The information provided does not specify the convent’s age, architectural details or which rooms are open, so I would not book expecting a deep architectural tour. What you can expect is a guided visit, with the guide explaining why the monastery is here and sharing local stories. That context is especially useful if you prefer a place to come with a human explanation rather than a wall of labels.

Entry tickets are included, and the activity says you can skip the ticket line. That removes one small task from the day and makes the visit easier to fit into the group’s schedule. Photos are also included as part of the tour, though it is not specified how many you receive or how they are delivered. Bring your own camera or phone if you want to take pictures as you go.

The convent is also a natural pause in the hike. You can look around the rooms and gardens before sitting down for food. If you have come mainly for the forest, this visit gives the outing a second purpose. If you are most interested in religious history, keep expectations measured: the tour promises an overview and local stories, not a specialist history lecture.

Regional food, with lunch on your own

After leaving the convent, the group stops for typical regional food. This part lasts about an hour, and it gives you a chance to eat near the site rather than carry a full meal through the walk. Food is not included in the $163 price, so budget separately and bring cash.

The area around the convent has several restaurants. One detailed account singled out the food as both very good and affordable, which is encouraging if you want a local meal without a city-restaurant bill. Still, no fixed restaurant or menu is specified, so you should not count on a particular dish or price.

Pulque, a traditional drink, may be available to taste if the opportunity comes up. The wording matters: it is a possibility, not a promised tasting. If you would like to try it, ask the guide when you arrive, but don’t make the booking decision on that tasting alone.

Cash is important. The tour information says there are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted. Bring enough for lunch and any small purchases or souvenirs. Souvenirs are not included, and there is no need to carry more than you are comfortable holding while walking.

The return walk and ride home

After the meal, you head back through the forest to the transport. The second guided walk is listed at about an hour and a half, giving you another chance to enjoy the park after the convent visit. Your legs may feel the return more than the outward walk, especially after a meal, so comfortable shoes and a steady pace matter.

The ride back to your lodging takes another one to two hours. Water is included, and the tour suggests using the drive to rest. That is a sensible end to a day with several hours of walking and road time. Keep your phone charged if you need it for pickup coordination or photos, and consider bringing a light layer if you tend to get chilly after a walk.

The seven-hour total is best treated as an estimate. The listed walking and food stops together add up to about four hours, while the drive can add two to four more. Actual timing will depend on traffic and the pace of the visit. If you need to be somewhere at a fixed time afterward, ask the operator for the planned departure and return times before you commit.

What the $163 price includes

At $163 per person, this is not simply an entry ticket and a short walk. The price covers transport from your lodging, a guide, park tickets, a snack, water and photos. It also brings the group together in one small-party outing, so you do not need to arrange the route, transport and entry separately.

That bundled setup is the main value. A round trip of up to four hours can be a hassle to organize on your own, and the guide adds the historical and local context that makes the convent visit more than a quick look around. If you value convenience and want a guided day in nature, the cost may make sense.

But the price does not cover lunch or souvenirs. Add food to your budget, and bring cash because you cannot rely on cards or nearby ATMs. If you are comfortable arranging transport yourself and mainly want to walk, compare the cost with other ways of reaching the park. If you want a small-group day with pickup and a guide, the included services carry more weight.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance. Check current availability and starting times before choosing a date. Those flexible terms can help if your Mexico City plans are still taking shape.

Who will enjoy this day most

I’d recommend this trip if you want to mix a manageable forest walk with a meaningful historic stop, and you prefer having transport and a guide arranged for you. It suits people who enjoy asking questions, can handle several hours of walking and do not mind a long drive on either side of the outing.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a strenuous hike, a quick excursion or a fully prepaid day. The route is beginner level, but one account describes it as moderately challenging in feel, and the two walking sections add up to around three hours. You should also be comfortable with a full schedule and paying for lunch separately.

Pack for a walk, not a city tour: closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothes that can get dirty, biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent. Carry cash, water is supplied, and a camera is optional but welcome. If you have a health condition or are unsure about the listed restrictions, check with the operator before booking.

Should you book the Desierto de los Leones hike?

Book it if the idea of walking through forest to a former convent sounds better than another day among city sights. The best reasons to go are the pairing of nature and history, the small group, and the chance to eat local food by the convent. The forest and the convent give the excursion a clear identity, rather than making it just a ride to a viewpoint.

Skip it if you want a short outing, need a precise return time or are not prepared for a few hours on foot. Remember that lunch costs extra, and the pulque tasting is not guaranteed. For the right kind of day, though, this is a practical way to reach a green corner of greater Mexico City and see a quieter side of the region.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour is listed as seven hours. The drive takes about one to two hours each way, and the planned park activities include two walks of about an hour and a half each plus a one-hour food stop. Actual timing can vary.

Is transportation from Mexico City included?

Yes. Pickup in Mexico City is included. After your reservation is confirmed, the operator will contact you to confirm the pickup location and time. You need to provide a WhatsApp number.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transportation, a tour guide, tickets, photos, a snack and water. Lunch and souvenirs are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. You pay for your own meal. Bring cash, since the tour information says there are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted.

How difficult is the hike?

The route is described as beginner level and suitable for someone with a little physical condition. It includes two walking sections of about an hour and a half each. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.

Is pulque tasting guaranteed?

No. The tour may have an opportunity to taste pulque, but it is not guaranteed.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide is available in Spanish and English.