Mexico city: Hiking tour to Desierto de los leones

Deep in the pine forest on Mexico City’s western edge, an old monastery gives this outing its special character. You walk through quiet woodland, hear stories about the site’s past and legends, then enter the former convent before returning by forest trail.

I like the small group limit of six, which should make the hike more personal and leave room for questions. I also like the practical setup: pickup at your lodging, water, a road snack, entry tickets, photos, and a bilingual guide are included.

The catch is the long drive. The ride can take one to two hours each way, so this is a seven-hour outing with a fair share of time in the vehicle. Lunch is not included, and you will need cash because there are no ATMs and cards are not accepted.

Key Points at a Glance

• A forest monastery gives the hike a strong sense of place: The former convent adds history and architecture to what could otherwise be a simple woodland walk.
• The route is beginner level but not effortless: Expect about three hours of walking, split before and after the monastery visit.
• Pickup and a group of six keep the day simple: You do not need to arrange a taxi or find the park on your own.
• Lunch is local and affordable, but extra: Bring cash for regional food and the possible chance to taste pulque.
• The altitude and medical restrictions matter: This is not suitable for people with several listed health conditions, recent surgery, pregnancy, or a body weight over 230 pounds.
• The best value comes from the complete package: Transport, guide, tickets, water, snack, and photos are included in the $163 price.

Why This Forest Outing Feels Different

Mexico City is famous for museums, markets, grand plazas, and ancient sites. Desierto de los Leones offers a change of pace without requiring an overnight trip. You leave the city for a wooded national park, where the main attraction is not a packed schedule but the contrast between cool forest air and the capital’s dense urban center.

The former convent makes the visit more than a nature walk. Its location in the wilderness raises an obvious question: why build a religious retreat here? Your guide uses the walk to explain the site’s history, local myths, and legends before you reach the building.

That combination is the main reason I would choose this tour over a basic park visit. You get exercise, a dose of local culture, and time away from traffic and concrete. It is still a modest hike, not a major mountain trek, but it has enough substance to fill most of a day.

Leaving Mexico City and Settling Into the Ride

Pickup is included from your lodging in Mexico City. After booking, you need to provide a WhatsApp number so the operator can confirm the pickup location and time. Since the city is large and traffic can be heavy, the exact ride length will vary, but the stated estimate is one to two hours each way.

That travel time is both a benefit and a drawback. You can rest, take a nap, or ask your guide questions on the way out. The water and snack are useful here, especially if you have an early start or do not want to search for breakfast before pickup.

At the same time, you should not picture this as seven hours spent entirely on the trail. The drive can take up a substantial part of the day. If you dislike long road transfers, a nearby city walk or museum visit may suit you better.

The group is limited to six people. That is a useful size for a forest route because you can stay close to the guide without feeling tied to a large tour crowd. The guide speaks Spanish and English, so you can ask questions about the park, monastery, myths, and food in either language.

Starting With a Warm-Up in the Park

Once you arrive at Desierto de los Leones National Park, the walking portion begins with a warm-up. This is a small but sensible detail. Even a beginner trail can feel harder when you have just stepped out of a vehicle after a long ride.

The route is described as beginner level, requiring only a little physical condition. Still, one useful description gives the trail a more honest shape: it is beautiful and not exactly easy, but it is not especially steep either. Plan for a real walk rather than a gentle stroll from a parking area to a building.

You will spend about 1.5 hours walking and hearing about the park before reaching the former convent. The exact trail surface and pace are not specified, so wear closed-toe shoes with good comfort and grip. Clothes that can get dirty are a wise choice, particularly if conditions are damp or the trail is rough.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent. A charged smartphone and camera are also recommended, although photos are included as part of the tour. Cash belongs in your day bag from the start, since there are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted in the area.

Following the Forest Stories to the Former Convent

The guide’s storytelling is central to this outing. As you walk, you learn about the site’s past, its myths and legends, and the reason a monastery was built in such a remote setting. The forest is not just scenery between two stops. It is part of the explanation.

This is where a guide adds real value. A self-guided walk could show you trees and old walls, but it might not explain why the convent belongs in this setting or how local stories have shaped the place. You should expect interpretation rather than a formal lecture, with opportunities to ask questions along the way.

The first walking section lasts about 1.5 hours. That gives the guide time to set the scene before you enter the building. It also means you should pace yourself early. There is another 1.5-hour walk later, so do not treat the first section as a quick approach.

The site is within Mexico City’s wider area, but the forest setting can feel far removed from the capital. That change is one of the strongest parts of the day. You get fresh air and a sense of space without giving up the convenience of returning to your lodging that evening.

Exploring the Former Monastery and Its Gardens

At the ex-convent, you enter the building to see its spaces and gardens. The visit gives the hike a clear destination and adds architectural interest to the natural setting.

Do not expect a huge museum complex with hours of exhibits. The information provided presents the convent as a focused stop within the hike. Its appeal comes from the setting, the old religious purpose, and the stories that explain why it was built there.

I would pay close attention to the guide here rather than rushing through for photographs. The building makes more sense after the forest walk and the explanations about its history. The included entrance ticket also keeps the visit simple, with no separate admission purchase needed at the site.

The monastery is the emotional center of the route, but it is not the only attraction. The walk is what connects the experience. If you want an outing with both movement and culture, this balance works well. If you want a long, demanding hike with sweeping mountain views, this may feel too gentle and too focused on the historic stop.

A Regional Lunch With the Option of Pulque

After leaving the convent, you have about an hour for food tasting and regional food. Restaurants are located around the former convent, and the meal is not included in the tour price. You should carry cash for this stop because card payments are not accepted and there are no ATMs.

The extra cost is worth planning for, since the food stop is part of the day’s local character. You are not being sent back to Mexico City immediately after the walk. Instead, you have time to eat typical food in the area and possibly try pulque, a traditional Mexican drink.

The wording around pulque is important: you may have the opportunity to taste it, but it is not guaranteed. If you are curious, ask your guide about availability. If you do not drink alcohol or simply prefer not to try it, the meal remains the main purpose of the stop.

Because lunch is separate, the $163 price is not all-inclusive. Add a meal and any drink you choose to your budget. On the other hand, the surrounding food is described as affordable, so this should not turn into a costly restaurant excursion unless you order freely.

The Second Forest Walk and the Ride Home

After lunch, you return through the forest to the vehicle. This second walking section lasts about 1.5 hours. It gives you a quieter finish than simply retracing the road, but it also confirms that you need enough energy for a full day outdoors.

The return route is useful for taking in the park at a slower pace. You will already know the basic story of the monastery, so the guide can continue with questions, legends, or details you did not catch earlier. Bring your camera if you enjoy nature photographs, but keep your phone charged since it is also the contact tool for pickup arrangements.

Once you reach the vehicle, allow another one to two hours to get back to Mexico City and your lodging. This is a good time to rest. The complete day can feel tiring even though the trail is beginner level, simply because of the walking, altitude, road time, and change in routine.

Is $163 a Fair Price?

The price is $163 per person, which is not cheap for a beginner hike. Its value depends on how much you would otherwise spend arranging the day yourself.

The price includes transportation from your lodging, a live guide, park tickets, photos, water, and a snack. It also gives you a small group, bilingual support, and a planned route that combines the forest with the convent. Those inclusions matter in an area where you need cash and where arranging transport independently may take effort.

Lunch and souvenirs are extra. You should also allow for the possibility that traffic makes the day feel longer than expected. I would call the tour a reasonable value for someone who wants convenience and interpretation, not the cheapest possible way to visit the park.

Three ratings are listed, all at five out of five. The strongest practical detail is that the hike is described as beautiful and moderately demanding rather than steep or punishing. Use that as a guide: the route should suit a generally fit beginner, but you should not book it expecting a purely easy walk.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would choose this tour if you want to combine nature and history in one day. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who prefer a personal guide over a large coach tour.

It is also a good match if you have already seen several central Mexico City sights and want a quieter change of pace. The forest, convent, regional food, and possible pulque tasting give the day a different feel from a standard city sightseeing tour.

You should think twice if you have very limited time in Mexico City. With up to four hours of road travel, the outing can take most of your day. I would also avoid it if you want a strenuous hike, since the route is intended for beginners.

The operator lists several exclusions: children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, diabetes, altitude sickness, high blood pressure, recent surgery, other pre-existing medical conditions, people prone to seasickness, and anyone over 230 pounds or 104 kilograms. These limits are unusually specific, so take them seriously and ask for clarification before booking if any condition applies to you.

What to Pack for the Seven-Hour Day

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Choose clothing that can get dirty, and bring biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent suitable for the outdoors.

Pack cash for lunch, drinks, and any souvenirs. There are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted. Your water and snack are included, but bringing anything else you personally need for a seven-hour outing is sensible.

A camera is recommended, and a charged smartphone is especially useful because pickup details are confirmed through WhatsApp. The tour includes photos, but your own phone lets you take pictures whenever you want.

Final Verdict: A Good Choice for a Forest and History Day

Book this tour if you want a manageable hike with a clear cultural reward at the end. The former convent, the forest stories, small group size, and included transport give the day more depth than a simple walk in the park.

Skip it if long drives frustrate you, if you need an included lunch, or if you are looking for a demanding mountain route. For the right visitor, $163 buys convenience and a well-shaped day: hotel pickup, fresh air, local history, regional food, and a monastery far from the city’s busy center.

FAQ

How long does the Desierto de los Leones tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours. The drive to and from Mexico City can take about one to two hours each way.

Is transportation from Mexico City included?

Yes. Pickup from your lodging in Mexico City and return transportation are included. The operator contacts you after booking to confirm the location and time.

How difficult is the hike?

The route is beginner level and requires only a little physical condition. It is not described as especially steep, but it is a real walk and is not exactly effortless.

How much walking is involved?

The itinerary includes about 1.5 hours of walking before visiting the former convent and another 1.5 hours of walking afterward.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Regional food is available near the former convent, but you pay for lunch separately. A possible pulque tasting may also cost extra.

Should I bring cash?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks Spanish and English.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with listed heart, back, diabetes, blood pressure, altitude, or other medical conditions, people with recent surgeries, people prone to seasickness, or people over 230 pounds or 104 kilograms.