ONE WEEK TOURS
1. PATZCUARO (One Week) – Departure from Puerto Vallarta (or fly to Guadalajara or Mexico City )
The high mountain state of Michoacán is inhabited by the Purepechan natives. They were the only neighboring kingdom not to be conquered by the Aztec Empire. They still speak their language, sing traditional songs, and dress typically. They also produce arts and crafts unique to each village www.patzcuaro.com . Pátzcuaro is the regional government and market centre (3 square block central market). It is located 3 hrs south of Guadalajara , Mexico and a half hour from Morelia . It is internationally famous for its Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations on November 1st (All Saints Eve).
We'll head there through the Sierra Madre range east of Puerto Vallarta , with a quick tour of the old gold mining colonial mountain villages of San Sebastian and Mascota en route. Once through the mountains we´ll travel the southern shores of Lake Chapala , off the main freeways. We'll make a few brief stops of interest before we arrive in Pátzcuaro (approximately 12 hrs on the road). We'll stay in the Posada de Salud in the center across from the Basilica, with its inner courtyards, lawns and gardens. Option A – Lago de Patzcuaro Tour - Each morning after breakfast, we'll focus on 2 hours of Spanish with useful phrases, vocabulary and structure. Then we'll do a tour of Patzcuaro itself or one of the many interesting local villages to view arts, crafts and local geographic and cultural features (eg. Ancient Ruins of Ihuatzio and Tzintzuntzan, handmade Sombreros in Jarácuaro, wooden Mask Carvers in Tócuaro, hammed copper crafts in Santa Clara del Cobre, walking and tramway tour of historic and cultural Patzcuaro, the natural park region of Lago de Zirahuén, potters in various villages, the 1943 Volcano Paricutín, various local festivals) (see Teacher's Journal at www.talkadventures.com for description and photos – Feb 2008, Oct 2007, May 2007).
Costs - 7 nights (Inquire re: dates) $850 or $800 (D).
Option B - Day of the Dead Tour – After breakfast and 2 hrs of Spanish, we'll do a town and market tour by town tramcar and on foot with a guide. In the afternoon we'll visit some of the local sites and villages as per A (above). The second day after classes, we'll tour the village of Tzintzuntzan and see the ruins of the former government center. Then we'll see the cemetery and with a guide discuss the details of the ceremonies and what we can expect to see up to and at the nighttime ceremonies. We'll stay at a local hotel for the night. We'll spend subsequent nights in Patzcuaro and join in the celebrations. On the way back we'll spend a night in San Sebastian del Oeste or Mascota, mountain villages located 2-3 hrs east of Vallarta. Costs – 7 Nights- Oct 28-Nov 3, 2008 $950 and $900 (D)
Option C - Patzcuaro and Monarch Butterflies Winter Sanctuary We'll travel through the mountains from Puerto Vallarta , along south shore of Lake Chapala and arrive  at Lago de Patzcuaro region. Here we'll stay for 4 nights and visit the many villages with distinctive arts and crafts in the region. Then we'll drive east for 2 hrs to Anguangueo and El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Reserve (2 nights). We'll hike from the trail head a half hour of moderate degree of difficulty into the forests where they reside. The town has lots of charm. We'll stay one night in Angangueo Then we'll head to the Eduaro Ruiz National Park in Uruápan and to the coast through a different route west and back to Puerto Vallarta . (See Teacher's Journal , www.talkadventures.com March 2008) for descriptions.
Costs : 7 Nights - Feb 22 -1 March, 2009 - 7 nights $900 or $850 (D)
Please reserve early as Accommodation bookings are required well in advance.
2. SAN SEBASTIAN DEL OESTE -MASCOTA - TALPA DE ALLENDE (One Week or Weekends) Just 70 km east of Puerto Vallarta , Mexico in the pine-clad high mountains, lays San Sebastian del Oeste. Cobble-stones pave the streets, comprise the fences and the houses are of adobe, ancient timbers and red clay roofs. This was once a wealthy mining community, and today although with fewer facilities, still retains its charm, tranquility and the magic of Mexican village life.
After Spanish classes in the morning, we'll tour the museums, the cultural landmarks and the surrounding environs. We may explore Real Alto, a village of 50 people 3,000 ft higher, where tequila and raicilla is the main home industry. We'll visit Mascota, a spacious agricultural centre, with a unique anthropology museum. An hour above Mascota is the small village of Navidad , a 16 th Century mining settlement, and the lake region of Juanacatlan. We overnight in Mascota, and then an hour's drive to Talpa de Allende. Today the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Talpa is a special religious museum, owing to a sighting of the Virgin Mary. It's one of the most visited sites in Mexico for religious pilgrimages. There are many cultural features, viewpoints, and natural features to take.
Costs: 7 Nights – Dec 7 – 14, 2008 and March 22 – 29, 2009 $550 or 500 (D)
3. TEPIC and HUICHOL VILLAGE to LAGUNA SANTA MARIA DEL ORO - Cultural and Nature Tour This trip offers a variety of cultural and natural features. We stay off the gringo path in the very old Mexican city of Tepic (2 nights  stay), a vibrant small city of 250,000 people. It's an historic centre where each street corner offers something unique – from street vendors to fruit stands. The Huichol indigenous natives are commonly seen in their traditional dress at the central markets, at various cultural gatherings in the main plaza, and in their communities. We'll visit the Huichol community of Zitacua, and the many museums and regional shops which display Huichol and other indigenous life and art Then we'll to to Laguna Santa Maria del Oro, a lake of clear turquoise waters in a deep volcanic crater. Here we'll stay in cabins at lakeside, hike, kayak, and other outdoor pursuits (2 nights stay). Then to the ancient small island village of Mexcaltitán (1 night), some believe the origin place of the early Aztecs. After their long pilgrimage from 1116 to 1325, they conquered the people of Mexico valley, and established the Aztec empire. Next we head north to the coast to San Blas, located at an estuary with isolated beaches, a navigable river and jungle edge that hosts a multitude of birds where we'll do a boat tour.
Costs: 7 NIghts - Nov 30 – Dec 7, 2008 and March 22 – 29, 2009 - $750 (700 D); Tepic alone available also as a weekend tour.
WEEKEND STUDY TOURS
1. SAN SEBASTIAN DEL OESTE, MEXICO
In a weekend, we'll drive the 70 km from Puerto Vallarta up the winding mountain road to San Sebastian del Oeste, a small village, with beautiful Spanish colonial architecture nestled in the green pine and oak hills. We'll spend 1 night and 2 days in the village and environs, with a possible day trip up to Real Alto, 3000 ft higher) or to Mascota, the regional centre one hour away. Weekend $ 150 Includes Transport, 2 hrs Spanish Class and Conversational support, Accommodation (2 days/1 night)
2. TUITO and LAS JUNTAS Y LOS VERANOS Las Juntas y Los Veranos is 30 min south of Puerto Vallarta where the Rivers Orcones and Tomatlán join. Los Veranos Canopy Tours has a riverside restaurant, water slides and their canopy tour on “zip” lines or cables to which one is harnessed traversing many kilometers in the treetops. We'll visit the restaurant, exotic animal zoo and play in the crystal clear water and deep pools. The canopy tour is optional (1.5 hrs $70 p.p.). Five minutes south is the Botanical Gardens - a marvel of gardens by theme built along easy to hike trails, one of which also leads to river pools for swimming. At both locations, we can do a short nature hike and birding . We'll overnight in El Tuito , a small commercial centre, another 20 minutes south, and stroll the attractive central zocalo. We'll explore this distinct Mexican town with unique charms and experiences to be enjoyed.
The annual Guadalupe festival is Monday, January 12th , with fireworks (un castillo with synchronous wheels of fireworks set off on a 20-30 ft wooden “ferris wheel” structure), vendors, bands, and a parade. To participate in this fiesta, we'll start on Sunday morning, returning Monday night.
Weekend 2 days, 1 night $150 p.p. (2 per. minimum) Includes Transport, Accommodation (2 days/1 night).
3. SHOPPING OFF THE TOURIST TRACK - in Puerto Vallarta Area. Conversational Spanish on the fly!
We'll show you the shopping highlights. We'll briefly hit a few of the “must see” tourist destinations in old Vallarta , stop at “ tianguis ” or flea market for the curious, hit a few unique specialty shops, unique artisan shops and visit Pitillal , a traditional Mexican shopping area north of Vallarta.
Cost: One day -. $75; Overnight - Inquire
4. LAS PALMAS HOTSPRINGS – A short 45 minutes east of Vallarta are the hotsprings. We'll head there on a day trip and return by nightfall to Vallarta. We'll tour the corridor en route. Cost: $75 p.p . (Inquire re Weekend Tour options ).
5. TEPIC – 2 days, 1 night. Old traditional Mexican town, Huichol village, market, plaza, old haciendas, parks, laid back and traditional. Cost: $175 Includes transport and accommodation.
OFFERINGS & REQUIREMENTS:
1. Recommended Level 2 Students and higher (recent study of basic verb conjugations, Ser and Estar); Limited to 4 per group, Minimum 2
2. Prices include : Transportation, Accommodation, 10 hrs Spanish study plus conversational support and daily tours with teacher (Some extra costs for group tours on location, but at group rates).
3. If you'd like to form your own group , have a specific date in mind, or want to go for less than a week, please inquire. We may be able to accommodate your request. Or if you have a location that you'd like to see in the coastal region, not listed here, check our availability.
ABOUT US
Yelapa English Spanish Institute (YESI) offers a Spanish study program of classes in Mexico designed for you to learn Spanish and speak  Spanish quickly. Study near Puerto Vallarta , Mexico in small groups, and at your level of learning. Spanish classes run for 3 hours from Monday to Friday. Focus on learning Spanish in small grammar units, with vocabulary lessons daily to join them. Students study Spanish through various exercises and games to reinforce learning, and through Spanish songs, readings and writing. As a follow-up, materials such as CD-roms, DVDs, books, songs, music are available and a “Cine y Cena” - Movie and Dinner night arranged so you can learn Spanish naturally. Do more than parrot phrases, after a few short weeks of Spanish study through classes, activities and home stay. The mood of the school is casual, with a relaxing atmosphere on a sunlit patio at an authentic palapa. Classes are small, typically 2 to 4 people, so you can learn at your pace.
For further information please write by email to: YESI@talkadventures.com
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