This trip to Michoacán is an excellent follow up to the Morelia and Monarch Butterflies Tour, or for anyone who is interested in beautiful scenery, historic buildings, traditions and culture.

‘La Ruta de Don Vasco’ (The Don Vasco Route) is a cultural tourism project designed by the Michoacán state government to promote areas of cultural and historical interest related to Don Vasco de Quiroga. The objective of the project is to use sustainable tourism to develop the region and contribute towards combating poverty.

Don Vasco was the first bishop of Michoacán, and then worked as a pastor and protector of the Purépecha Indians for the remainder of his life; he taught them about religion, crafts and the fundamentals of self-government. He was greatly loved by his people and became known to them as ‘Tata Vasco’ (Father Vasco). The skills he implanted among Purépecha have been passed down to their descendants, who are today considered among the most skilled crafts persons in Mexico.

The route is actually made up of several circuits, covering many small towns and larger cities, each of which has its own story to tell. Our first tour on ‘La Ruta de Don Vasco’ includes the Island of Janitzio on Lake Pátzcuaro, followed by some of the small lakeside towns such as Quiroga and Santa Fe de la Laguna. We also venture to the quiet town of Angauan, where we descent to the lava covered town of San Juan Parangaricutiro; from there we witness the amazing site of the church steeple and alter emerging from the lava of the world’s youngest volcano, el volcán Paricutín.

From one breathtaking site to another, we head to the National Park that lies in the centre of Uruapan, one of Michoacán’s most important cities, famous for its avocado production. We will see waterfalls and lush green gardens, as well as other highlights offered by this diverse area.