A monastery in the woods?

That is the fun hook of this Desierto de los Leones hike near Mexico City, where you swap city noise for pine-scented trails and end up at an ex convent built in the middle of nature. I love that the day blends movement with stories—your guide talks myths and legends and explains why a monastery sits out here. I also like the practical pacing: a warm-up to help you avoid injuries, then walking through the forest in guided chunks. One thing to consider is that it is still a hike, and you should plan for uneven ground even if the route is listed as beginner level.

This tour also treats you like a human before you start walking.

Pickup is included, and you get transportation plus a snack and water for the road, so you are not scrambling right when the day begins. The group stays small (limited to 6), and you get a live guide in English or Spanish, along with photos included—nice if you are not trying to play photographer all day.

The main drawback is food planning.

Lunch is not included, even though you may have a food tasting stop, so bring cash for meals afterward and expect to pay for lunch on your own.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Small group hike (up to 6) means you get more attention on the trail and during the ex convent visit.
• Transportation + skip-the-line tickets lowers hassle and helps you spend more time outside.
• Warm-up before the hike is built in, which matters when the ground gets uneven.
• Ex convent interior and gardens are part of the visit, not just a quick viewpoint stop.
• Pulque tasting if timing allows adds a cultural bonus without turning the day into a long detour.
• Cash required since there are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted.

Desierto de los Leones: Why This Forest Hike Feels Different

If you have been in Mexico City long enough, you start to crave one simple thing: air that is not trapped between buildings. This trip delivers it fast. You get picked up from your lodging, then you ride out into the Greater Mexico City area toward the Desierto de los Leones National Park—a forest escape where the change in sound and light is immediate.

The other reason I like this one is the ending. You are not just walking for exercise. You are walking to an ex convent, with a guided look at its spaces and gardens. That combo—forest trail plus monastery setting—turns the hike into a story you can physically follow. Your guide connects the landscape with local myths and legends and explains why a monastery exists in this kind of wilderness environment.

The 7-Hour Day Plan, Hour by Hour

The tour runs about 7 hours, with driving time on both ends of the day. You get a realistic schedule that still leaves room to rest between walking segments.

Pickup and road time (the part that saves your energy)

You are picked up at your lodging in Mexico City. The drive to the park takes roughly 1 to 2 hours. Before you start hiking, you receive water and a snack for the road, which is exactly what you want if you are prone to getting hungry or cranky before coffee.

This is also when your guide is ready for questions. If you want to understand the myths you will hear later, or you have practical questions about the route, this is the time to ask. If you prefer a nap, the vehicle time gives you that option too.

Enter the park: warm-up and guided forest walk

Once you arrive, you start with a warm-up. It is not a dramatic workout, but it signals that the guide expects real walking and wants you to avoid strains.

Then you begin the main hike through the forest. You will walk about 1.5 hours, guided along the trail while your guide talks about the place—its myths, legends, and the monastery’s strange-in-a-good-way location. This is where you feel the value of having a guide instead of wandering. You are not just admiring trees; you are learning how locals interpret the place.

Ex convent: exploring spaces and gardens

After the first forest section, you eventually reach the former monastery area (the ex convent). Here, you get a guided tour and time to enter and look around its spaces and gardens.

This is a key part of the experience because it is not rushed. You get the chance to see how the complex is arranged and how the grounds work as part of the larger setting. If you like cultural stops that do not feel like museum runs, this is the right kind of visit.

Food tasting (plan for lunch separately)

Right after one of the guided segments, the schedule includes food tasting and a regional-food window of about 1 hour.

Here is the practical catch: food is not included. A tasting is not the same thing as a full meal, so you should expect to pay for lunch separately. One of the most useful things you can do is bring cash specifically for this moment, since card payments are not accepted and there are no ATMs.

Return hike and the ride back to Mexico City

After you leave the ex convent, you head back through the forest. The walking time is again about 1.5 hours for the return portion, guided the whole way.

On the way, you might also have the chance to taste pulque, the traditional drink. It is not guaranteed in the wording, but it is a real cultural add-on when timing and access work out.

Finally, you get back into the car for the drive to your lodging—another 1 to 2 hours. This is when you rest again. The schedule is built so your legs get recovery time twice: once before the hike, and once after.

What Makes This Tour Good Value (and Where It’s Not)

At $163 per person for a 7-hour outing, you are paying for more than a walking route. This tour includes transportation, a live guide, tickets, and photos, plus snack and water.

That adds up. In Mexico City, transit and ticket logistics can chew up time fast, especially if you are trying to coordinate everything yourself. Here, you are handed a structure: pickup, guided walk, guided ex convent visit, and a planned return. The small group size (up to 6) also matters. A bigger group can feel like a moving line; this one is set up to feel more human.

What you should not confuse is the “day trip package” mindset. You do get a food tasting, but lunch is not included. So for real budgeting, plan for an extra meal cost on top of the tour price.

The Hiking Reality: Beginner Level, Not Zero Effort

The hike is labeled beginner level and requires only a little physical condition. That is reassuring, and it matches what you should expect for a forest outing that still feels like an adventure.

But beginner level does not mean flat and easy. Trails can be uneven and slippery after rain. You are walking about 3 hours total, split into two 1.5-hour segments. Add warm-up time and ex convent exploration, and you will be on your feet for much of the day.

If you know you are not great with hills or long walking, this is where the guide’s warm-up and pacing can help—but you should still be honest with yourself about your stamina.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a good fit if you want:

• A forest escape from Mexico City without having to plan a complex day
• A guided cultural stop at an ex convent, not just a nature stroll
• A small group day with English or Spanish guidance
• A structured schedule that includes transport, tickets, and basic food support (snack and tasting)

It is less ideal if you fall into the tour’s not-suitable categories, which include people under 8, pregnant women, and anyone with back problems, heart problems, diabetes, altitude sickness risk, high blood pressure, recent surgeries, or other pre-existing medical conditions. It is also listed as not suitable for people over 230 lbs (104 kg).

If any of these apply to you, treat it as a clear warning rather than a suggestion.

What to Bring (So You Do Not Get Stuck)

This day is practical, so your packing should be too. Bring:

• Comfortable closed-toe shoes (walking comfort matters most)
• Biodegradable sunscreen and biodegradable insect repellent
• Comfortable clothes that can get dirty
• A camera (photos are included, but you will still want your own angles)
• A charged smartphone
• Cash, because there are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted
• A few extras: clothes that handle sun and bugs, plus something you can layer if it feels cooler in the forest

One small but important tip: if you tend to forget little essentials, set a reminder for cash. This tour makes cash a non-negotiable.

The Guide and Language Setup

You get a live tour guide with Spanish and English options. Since the guide speaks during both walking segments and the ex convent visit, language access really matters here. You are not just getting directions; you are hearing the myths, legends, and context that explain why this setting works.

Also, because the group is limited to 6 participants, you are more likely to get your questions answered instead of being left behind in a crowd.

Meals and Pulque: How the Food Part Works

Food is handled in two pieces:

1) A snack and water at pickup time

2) A food tasting during the tour

Then, lunch is on you. It is not included, and you pay at the point where you find food near the ex convent area. That is why cash is so critical.

Pulque tasting is listed as a potential add-on if there is an opportunity. If you like trying local traditions, this is the kind of bonus that makes a hike feel like a full experience rather than just exercise.

Photos Included, But Still Think About Your Timing

The tour includes photos, which is great if you want proof you were there without spending the day asking strangers to take pictures. That said, you should still keep your eyes open for moments when the light hits just right in the forest.

The timing is fairly structured: arrive, warm-up, walk, ex convent tour, tasting, return walk, then the drive back. So the best photo spots are likely along the guided route and around the ex convent grounds.

Small-Group Energy in a Big-City Setting

One thing I really like about this kind of day trip is that it gives you city access without turning your escape into a production line. With small group size limited to 6, you generally spend less time waiting and more time walking and learning.

It also means you are more aware of your pace. If you need a break, you are more likely to get it without derailing the whole group.

Should You Book This Desierto de los Leones Hike?

Book it if you want a guided Mexico City hiking day that ends at an ex convent, and you like learning the stories that connect people to a place. The value is strong when you factor in transportation, tickets, snack and water, guide support, entrance fees, and photo help.

Skip it if you are worried about any hiking constraints, need full meals included, or cannot travel with cash. And if any of the listed medical limitations apply, treat them seriously.

If you are a moderate walker who likes nature walks with cultural context, this is the kind of day that resets your brain.

FAQ

How long is the hike and tour?

The total duration is about 7 hours, including driving time, guided walks, and the ex convent visit.

What is included in the price?

Transportation, a live tour guide, tickets, photos, a snack and water are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though there is a food tasting during the day.

Are there entrance fees covered?

Yes. Tickets and entrance fees are included.

How long is the walking portion?

Each main walking segment is about 1.5 hours, with guided time before and after the ex convent visit.

Do I need cash?

Yes. Bring cash because there are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted.

Is the hike suitable for kids?

No. The tour is not suitable for children under 8.

What languages are available for the guide?

The guide can speak Spanish and English.

Is pulque tasting guaranteed?

It may happen if there is an opportunity during the tour, but it is not described as guaranteed.

What should I bring for comfort?

Bring comfortable closed-toe shoes, biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent, cash, clothes that can get dirty, and a charged smartphone (plus a camera if you want).