Mexico city: Hiking tour to Desierto de los leones

An old monastery sits deep in the cool forest of Desierto de los Leones, a surprising pocket of nature within Greater Mexico City. This seven-hour outing combines a beginner-level hike with stories about the former convent, local legends, and the reason religious life took root in such a remote place.

I like two things right away. First, pickup, entry tickets, water, a snack, and photos are handled for you. Second, the group is limited to six people, so you can ask questions instead of marching behind a large crowd. The main drawback is the long drive, which can take one to two hours each way, and lunch is not included in the $163 price.

At a glance

• A forest hike with a purpose: The trail leads to a former convent, not just a scenic viewpoint.
• Small groups of six: You get a more personal outing and room for questions.
• Two walking sections: Expect about 1.5 hours of walking before the convent and another 1.5 hours on the return route.
• Food is separate: A snack and water are included, but lunch and any pulque tasting cost extra.
• Cash is essential: There are no ATMs, and card payments are not accepted at the park.
• Beginner level, not effortless: The route is not described as steep, but it still calls for closed shoes and a modest level of fitness.

Why Desierto de los Leones makes a good city escape

Mexico City is huge, noisy, and high in altitude. Desierto de los Leones gives you a change of pace without requiring an overnight trip. You trade traffic and concrete for forest air, a walking trail, and an old religious complex surrounded by nature.

The appeal is not only the trees. The hike gives the day a clear story. You start on foot, hear about the park’s myths and past, reach the ex-convent, explore its rooms and gardens, and then return through the forest. That mix makes the outing more satisfying than a simple drive to a building.

The setting also adds atmosphere. An isolated monastery raises natural questions. Why build here? How did people live in such a remote place? Your guide explains the background as you walk, so the convent becomes part of the forest rather than a disconnected monument.

This is a useful choice if you have already seen some of central Mexico City and want time outdoors. It is less useful if your main goal is to pack in famous city sights. Seven hours is a large part of your day, and the round-trip drive may stretch toward four hours depending on conditions.

The pickup and drive from Mexico City

Pickup is included from your lodging in Mexico City. After your reservation is confirmed, the operator contacts you to verify the pickup time and location. Leave a working WhatsApp number, since this is the stated way to coordinate the meeting details.

The ride to Desierto de los Leones takes roughly one to two hours. That sounds long, but it is part of the practical value of having transport. You do not need to work out a route, find parking, or arrange a separate ride back after hiking.

A water bottle and road snack are provided. Use the journey as quiet time, or ask your guide questions about Mexico City, the park, and the day ahead. The return ride is also a chance to rest after the walk.

The drive is the chief time trade-off. The tour is advertised at seven hours, but the stated driving range means the total can vary. Traffic and pickup conditions may affect how long you are away from your lodging. If you have a fixed afternoon booking, leave plenty of space.

Warming up before the trail

At the park, the guide begins with a warm-up. This is a small but sensible part of the plan, especially if you have spent the morning sitting in a vehicle or are not used to walking at altitude.

The route is described as beginner level. You need some basic physical condition, but it is not presented as a demanding mountain hike. One useful description places it between easy and steep: not exactly effortless, but not sharply uphill either.

That distinction matters. Beginner level does not mean you can wear city sandals or expect a flat stroll. The tour asks you to bring comfortable, closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get dirty. Forest paths can be uneven, and the operator specifically lists insect repellent and biodegradable sunscreen among the things to pack.

Set a steady pace from the start. You do not need to prove anything here. The reward is the setting and the story, not speed or distance.

Walking through the forest for about 1.5 hours

The first walking section takes about 1.5 hours. As you move through the woods, your guide talks about the place’s past, myths, legends, and the reason a monastery was built in the middle of nature.

That commentary is the heart of the experience. Without it, the walk would still offer fresh air and exercise, but the convent might feel like a random old building at the end of a trail. With context, the route becomes a gradual introduction to the site.

The small group helps here. With no more than six participants, you can stop to ask for clarification or request more detail. The tour is offered in English and Spanish, so confirm your preferred language when booking or communicating about pickup.

Bring your phone fully charged and a camera if you want photos. Photos are included, but the provided information does not explain how many you receive or how they are delivered. Your own phone remains the safest way to record the walk.

You should also carry cash. There are no ATMs at the park, and card payments are not accepted. That affects lunch, drinks, souvenirs, and any tasting you choose to buy.

Reaching the former convent

The trail ends at the ex-convent, the day’s main sight. You enter to see its spaces and gardens, then have time to take in the contrast between the formal religious complex and the surrounding woodland.

The former convent is valuable because it gives the hike a physical destination. You are not simply told about Mexico’s colonial religious past in a museum room. You reach a place where the setting itself helps explain the choice of location.

The supplied details do not promise access to every room or a long formal museum tour. Expect a guided visit through the available spaces and gardens rather than an exhaustive architectural study. If you want exact information about current access or special closures, ask the operator before departure.

This stop also makes the tour a good fit for people who like a little culture with their outdoor time. You get movement, nature, local stories, and a historic building in one outing. It is not the right pick if you want a full-day archaeological or art-focused tour.

Lunch, regional food, and a possible pulque tasting

After leaving the convent, you have about an hour for regional food at one of the nearby restaurants. Lunch is not included, so budget separately for your meal. The price of $163 covers several useful basics, but it does not cover this central part of the day.

That extra cost is worth planning for because you will likely be ready to eat after the walk. Bring enough cash for food and drinks, since cards are not accepted and there are no ATMs.

The food is described as typical regional fare, and the nearby restaurants are part of the appeal. One detailed assessment of the outing specifically points to amazing, affordable food around the former convent. I would treat that as a good reason to carry cash, not as a promise of a set menu or a particular restaurant.

If the opportunity comes up, you may taste pulque, a traditional Mexican drink. The wording makes clear that this is dependent on the circumstances, so do not book the tour solely for that tasting. It is an added local touch, not a guaranteed centerpiece.

The one-hour food stop gives the day a useful pause. You can sit down, eat, and let your legs recover before the second walk.

The second forest walk and return drive

After lunch, the guide leads you back through the forest for another 1.5 hours. Returning on foot keeps the outing active instead of turning the visit into a quick stop followed by a vehicle ride.

The second walk may feel different from the first because you have already seen the convent and learned the main story. You can focus more on the woods, ask follow-up questions, and enjoy a slower return. At the same time, remember that the full walking time is about three hours, not just a short stroll from the car park.

Once you reach the vehicle, the ride back to Mexico City takes another one to two hours. This is where the snack, water, and flexible mindset help. Plan for a tired but quiet finish rather than more sightseeing after the tour.

The stated schedule adds up to about seven hours, but the drive range makes it wise to keep your evening open. Do not pair this with a timed dinner reservation that leaves no room for traffic.

What the $163 price really covers

At $163 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a forest and old convent. Its value depends on how much you want done for you.

The price includes transport from your lodging, a live guide, entrance tickets, a snack, water, and photos. It also gives you a small group capped at six participants. For a visitor who does not want to navigate beyond Mexico City, that package can make sense.

The price does not include lunch, souvenirs, or the possible pulque tasting. Add those costs before deciding. The tour also uses a full day, with a large share spent in the vehicle.

I see the strongest value for solo visitors, couples, and small parties who want a guided day outdoors without arranging each piece themselves. A larger self-organized group could possibly spend less, but would need to handle transportation, admission, timing, and route planning.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mexico City schedule is still shifting.

Who should book this hike

This outing suits you if you want:

• A break from central Mexico City
• A forest walk at a beginner level
• A small group and live English or Spanish guidance
• Local myths and history connected to a real place
• A former convent with rooms and gardens
• A simple day with transport arranged from your lodging

It is less suitable if you dislike long drives, need a fully accessible route, or want a short and gentle sightseeing stop. The operator excludes children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, altitude sickness, recent surgery, or other pre-existing medical conditions.

The activity also excludes people over 230 pounds, or 104 kilograms, and those prone to seasickness. That last restriction is unusual for a land hike, but it is part of the stated health guidance, so take it seriously and ask the provider if you are unsure.

The park’s elevation may matter in Mexico City’s region. If you have had altitude sickness before, this is not a day to ignore your own limits.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Wear clothes that can get dirty and shoes with closed toes and good comfort for walking. A camera and charged smartphone are useful, both for your own photos and for staying in touch about pickup.

Pack biodegradable sunscreen and biodegradable insect repellent. Carry cash for lunch, drinks, and souvenirs, since there are no ATMs and cards are not accepted.

You receive water and a snack, but bringing any personal food or extra water you need is sensible, especially if you prefer to eat before the regional lunch stop. The provided information does not state the exact snack or water amount.

Keep your plans flexible. The drive can take up to two hours each way, and the activity includes roughly three hours of walking plus a food stop.

Final verdict: a strong choice for nature and history

I would book this tour if I wanted a guided forest day and liked the idea of reaching a former convent on foot. The combination of small-group transport and a clear forest-to-monastery route gives the outing more purpose than a simple park visit.

I would skip it if my Mexico City schedule were tight, if $163 felt high before adding lunch, or if I wanted a strenuous hike. The route is beginner level, but it still requires proper shoes, some fitness, and comfort with a long day.

For the right visitor, Desierto de los Leones offers a refreshing change from the city, with local stories, a historic religious site, affordable regional food nearby, and a possible taste of pulque. Bring cash, allow extra time for the road, and treat the hike as a steady outing rather than a race.

FAQ

How long does the Desierto de los Leones tour last?

The advertised duration is seven hours. Transportation takes about one to two hours each way, and the walking portions take about 1.5 hours before reaching the convent and another 1.5 hours on the return route.

Is transportation from Mexico City included?

Yes. Pickup from your lodging in Mexico City is included. The operator contacts you after confirmation to verify the location and pickup time, so provide a WhatsApp number.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. A snack and water are included, but lunch is paid separately. You should carry cash because there are no ATMs at the park and card payments are not accepted.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

How difficult is the hike?

The route is described as beginner level and requires only a little physical condition. It is not exactly effortless, but it is not described as very steep. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are required.

How many people can join the group?

The tour is limited to six participants.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.