Desierto de los Leones gives you a very different Mexico City day: pine forest, cool mountain air, local legends, and an old monastery far from the city streets. The route ends at the former convent, where you can explore its rooms and gardens before sitting down to regional food.

I like the small group of no more than six and the fact that pickup, entry, a guide, water, a snack, and photos are covered. I also like the easygoing hiking plan. The trail is described as beginner level, but one useful warning is that it is not completely effortless. One hiker found it neither easy nor especially steep, so bring decent shoes and a little stamina.

The main drawback is the long drive. Transport can take one to two hours each way, and lunch is not included. At $163 per person, this is a convenient, private-feeling nature day, but it is not the cheapest way to visit the park if you can arrange your own transport.

Key points to know before booking

• A forest hike inside Mexico City’s wider urban area: Desierto de los Leones feels far removed from the capital, even though it is within Greater Mexico City.
• The route ends at a former monastery: Your guide connects the walk with the site’s history, myths, legends, and religious past.
• Beginner level, but not a flat stroll: Expect walking through the forest for about three hours in total, split before and after the convent visit.
• Transport is a major part of the service: Pickup and return to your lodging are included, with up to two hours of driving each way.
• Regional food is available after the visit: Lunch costs extra, and you might have the chance to try pulque, a traditional Mexican drink.
• Cash matters here: There are no ATMs, and card payments are not accepted at the park.

Why Desierto de los Leones makes a good city break

Mexico City is famous for museums, markets, churches, and grand plazas. Its high-altitude setting also gives you access to cooler wooded areas, and Desierto de los Leones is one of the easiest ways to trade traffic for trees without planning a full overnight trip.

The park’s name can confuse first-time visitors. This is not a desert in the usual sense. The name refers to the old religious site and its remote setting, while the surroundings are forested mountain country. The experience combines an outdoor walk with a historic stop, so you are not choosing between nature and culture.

I would book this for a day when you want a slower pace. The guide does not simply drive you to a building and send you back. The walk is part of the story. Along the trail, you hear about the place’s past, local myths, and why a monastery was built in such an isolated setting.

That format gives the visit more meaning than arriving only for a quick look at the convent. It also means you should accept a little mud, changing conditions, and a slower rhythm. Bring clothes that can get dirty, as requested, rather than your smartest Mexico City outfit.

The long ride from your lodging

Pickup is included from Mexico City lodging, with the exact place and time confirmed after booking. You need to provide a WhatsApp number so the operator can contact you. The drive takes roughly one to two hours on the way out, then another one to two hours after the walk.

That is a lot of road time for a seven-hour activity. Still, included transport solves a real problem. You do not need to work out how to reach a mountain park, find parking, or arrange your own return after a tiring walk. In a city where getting across town can take time, door-to-door service has real value.

The vehicle ride also sets the tone for the day. You receive water and a snack for the road, and you can rest or ask the guide questions during the journey. If you dislike long drives, this is the part to consider carefully. If you prefer not to manage transport, the time may feel worthwhile.

The small group helps here. With a maximum of six people, the guide can answer questions and keep the outing more personal than a large coach excursion. No individual guide names are provided, but the tour is offered in Spanish and English.

Warming up before the forest trail

At the park, the group begins with a warm-up intended to help prevent injuries. That is a sensible touch, especially after sitting in a vehicle for up to two hours. You should still take responsibility for your own pace and tell the guide if anything feels wrong.

The route is labeled beginner level, and you only need a little physical condition. Do not read that as meaning a paved, effortless walk. The trail runs through the forest, and the total walking time is about three hours, split into roughly 1.5 hours before the convent and another 1.5 hours afterward.

A practical reading of the difficulty is this: you do not need advanced hiking skills, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours. Closed-toe shoes are required on your packing list, and comfortable shoes are strongly advised. Wear clothes that allow easy movement and can handle dirt.

Altitude is another point to take seriously. The activity is not suitable for people with altitude sickness, along with several medical conditions listed by the operator. It is also not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with diabetes, people with high blood pressure, people with recent surgeries, or people with other pre-existing medical conditions.

The operator also lists a weight limit of 230 pounds, or 104 kilograms. If any of these restrictions apply to you, ask before booking rather than hoping the route will be manageable on the day.

Walking through the forest with local stories

The forest section is the heart of the outing. As you walk, the guide explains the history of Desierto de los Leones and shares its myths and legends. That storytelling matters because the setting can otherwise look like a pleasant woodland walk with an old building at the end.

The guide also explains why the monastery sits in the middle of nature. This gives the route a clear purpose. You are not only exercising or taking photographs. You are following an old religious and historical connection between solitude, the forest, and the convent.

The available information does not promise viewpoints, wildlife sightings, or a particular type of trail surface, so you should not book this expecting a sightseeing checklist. The appeal is the combination of woods, stories, and the former convent. Bring your camera and a charged smartphone, both of which are on the recommended packing list.

Use biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent. Those requests are practical for a forest outing and also reduce the impact of personal-care products in a natural setting. Water is included, but I would still pay attention to your own hydration needs during a several-hour walk.

Reaching the former convent

The trail leads to the ex convent, where the group enters to see its spaces and gardens. This is the cultural payoff after the walk. The building gives you a physical sense of the religious community that once used this remote place, while the gardens and rooms provide a change from the forest path.

The visit is guided, and tickets are included. You do not have to sort out admission on arrival, and the activity includes skipping the ticket line. That is a small convenience, but it keeps the group moving after the hike.

Do not expect a major city museum with a huge collection. The attraction here is the setting and the connection between the building and the surrounding woods. The former convent feels meaningful because you reach it on foot, with the guide explaining the site along the way.

Photos are also included, though no details are given about how many or when they are taken. You should still take your own pictures. A camera is specifically recommended, and the contrast between the forest trail and old monastery makes this a good day for visual memories.

Regional food and a possible pulque tasting

After leaving the convent, you have about an hour for regional food at restaurants around the site. Lunch is not included in the $163 price, so bring cash. The food is described as typical fare from the area, and one useful advantage of eating here is affordability. You can choose and pay for your own meal instead of accepting a fixed lunch that may not suit you.

The food stop also gives your legs a break before the final walk. After roughly 1.5 hours on the trail and time inside the convent, a seated meal is welcome. Keep your schedule flexible, since the exact restaurant and menu are not specified.

You might also have the chance to taste pulque, a traditional Mexican drink. This is not presented as a guaranteed part of the tour, and it is not clear if the tasting has an extra charge. Treat it as a possible local add-on, not as a promised inclusion.

Cash is essential. There are no ATMs, and card payments are not accepted. Carry enough for lunch, drinks, pulque if available, and any souvenirs. Souvenirs are also excluded from the tour price.

The second forest walk and the ride home

After lunch, you return through the forest to the transport. The second 1.5-hour walk means the day does not end at the convent. This gives you more time in the woods, but it also makes the physical demands clearer. If your legs tire quickly, use the meal break to recover and tell the guide about your pace.

Once back in the vehicle, you face another one to two hours on the road. You can use the ride to rest after the hike. The return transfer is especially useful for anyone who would rather not drive after a full day outdoors.

The seven-hour duration is an estimate for the full outing, and traffic can affect the day because both driving legs are long. Keep the evening free if possible. I would not book a tight dinner reservation, theater ticket, or airport connection after this activity.

Is $163 a fair price?

At $163 per person, the tour sits in the higher-priced range for a beginner hike. The value depends on how much you want handled for you.

The price covers pickup and return transport, a live guide, park tickets, photos, water, and a snack. It also buys a small group capped at six, which can be more comfortable and flexible than a larger organized trip. For a solo visitor, couple, or small family group that does not want to arrange transport, those parts add up.

You still pay for lunch, drinks, possible pulque, and souvenirs. The long driving time also means a portion of the price pays for logistics rather than time walking. If you are comparing this with a self-guided park visit, the tour may not be the lowest-cost option.

I see the strongest value in the full package: hotel pickup, bilingual guiding, a historical explanation, and a planned route through the forest. You are paying for ease and context. If your priority is simply spending a few hours among trees, look closely at transport costs before deciding.

Who should book this hike?

I would recommend it to you if you want a nature outing that still has a strong cultural element. It suits people who enjoy walking at a moderate pace, listening to local stories, and eating regional food afterward.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Mexico City and do not want to rent a car or navigate the route yourself. The limited group size should appeal to anyone who prefers questions and conversation over a large bus tour.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long vehicle rides, need a completely flat route, or want every meal included. The activity is beginner level, but the guide’s description and available feedback make clear that it is not exactly effortless. Medical restrictions are broad, so check them carefully before reserving.

For your day bag, pack:

• Closed-toe walking shoes
• Comfortable clothes that can get dirty
• Biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent
• Cash for lunch and extras
• A camera and charged smartphone
• Any personal water or snacks you may need beyond the included supplies

Should you book the Desierto de los Leones hike?

Book this tour if you want a convenient escape from Mexico City with forest walking, an old convent, local legends, and regional food in one day. The former monastery is the special feature, but the approach through the woods gives the visit its character.

Skip it if you want a short outing, a guaranteed pulque tasting, or a low-cost visit. The two long drives and extra lunch cost matter. For the right person, though, this is a well-rounded way to see a quieter side of Greater Mexico City without giving up a guide or having to solve the transport yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is included from your lodging in Mexico City. The operator contacts you after confirmation to verify the location and pickup time.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is seven hours. The drive can take one to two hours each way, with time at the park for hiking, the convent, and food.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation from Mexico City to Desierto de los Leones and back to your lodging is included.

Is the hiking route suitable for beginners?

Yes. The route is described as beginner level and requires only a little physical condition. It is still a several-hour walk and is not completely flat or effortless.

How much time do you spend walking?

The planned walk is about 1.5 hours before visiting the former convent and another 1.5 hours afterward.

Is lunch included?

No. Food is not included in the price. You pay for your regional meal separately.

Can you try pulque?

You might have the opportunity to taste pulque, a traditional drink. The information does not present this as guaranteed or confirm whether it costs extra.

Are park tickets included?

Yes. Entrance tickets are included, and the activity includes skipping the ticket line.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.

Is cash necessary?

Yes. There are no ATMs at the site, and card payments are not accepted. Bring cash for food, drinks, and souvenirs.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight are not permitted. The activity also lists restrictions for pregnant women and people with several medical conditions, including back, heart, and blood-pressure problems.