Ancient Guachimontones: Enigma of Mexico’s Circular Pyramids
Description
Discover the ancient world of Guachimontones with a team of passionate SECTUR-certified guides dedicated to creating immersive, professional, and meaningful experiences. Explore one of Mexico’s most enigmatic archaeological sites, home to Mexico’s rare circular pyramids and the legacy of an advanced civilization that flourished more than 3,000 years ago. Travel in comfort with A/C transportation, carefully planned logistics, and small groups that allow for a more personal and flexible experience. Along the way, uncover ancient rituals, sacred symbolism, cosmic mysteries, and the remarkable architecture that still surrounds this extraordinary site. We combine history, culture, and storytelling to go beyond a typical sightseeing tour, creating authentic experiences designed for curious travelers seeking deeper connections with Mexico’s ancient past.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travelers will journey from Guadalajara into the quiet valleys surrounding the Tequila Volcano, where the landscape begins to open into rolling fields and ancient terrain. Upon arrival at Guachimontones, they will walk through one of the most unique archaeological sites in Mexico — a series of circular pyramids rising from the earth with striking symmetry. Guided by a certified expert, visitors will explore ceremonial platforms, ancient tombs, and open plazas while learning how this pre-Hispanic society designed its world around movement, ritual, and cosmic order. The circular layout reveals a deep connection between architecture and spirituality — a space created not only for function, but for meaning. There will be time to walk at a relaxed pace, take photos, and absorb the atmosphere of the site, surrounded by nature and silence. This experience offers a clear, enriching look into a lesser-known civilization, far from crowded tourist routes.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We can pick you up at your places. Or meet at the Minerva Roundabout
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(14)
The whole day was a memorable day, the pyramids were beautiful, and with very few other tourists which gave the place a very peaceful atmosphere. Our guide Alejandro was friendly, funny and knowledgeable. His stories about the history of the pyramids and the civilizations that lived during that time period added another level to the trip, and made it a truly unforgettable experience.
On the day of the tour, the Guachimontes Pyramids site was unfortunately closed. Still, Alejandro more than made up for it by taking us to another site as well as an area where we could view the Guachimontes Pyramids from above. We also went to a nearby hacienda. Alejandro had a lot of knowledge and was easy to talk to. I'd definitely recommend a tour with Alejandro if you are interested in learning about the Guachimontones pyramids and surrounding sites, or if you're just a curious person who likes to learn. He also had water and snacks as promised.
My wife & I visited our daughter who lives & works in Guadalajara the first week of February 2021. Daughter had to work during the week so I went to the TripAdvisor website two days before my wife & needed something to do. We selected and signed up for the half day Guachimotones Pyramid tour. A total of $78 was posted to our credit card. That evening we got an email from tripadvisor saying that tour is of a State run museum that was closed due to the pandemic. As an alternative, the email suggested a day long tour to include brunch at a Hacienda on the way to other not yet State run and commercial pyramids in the area and then on to Tequila Town to tour a local privately owned distillery in addition to the town itself. My wife & I agreed. Alex & Rodriguez picked us up at our airB&B about 9:30 am in a nice clean privately owned vehicle – I think it was Rodriguez’s because he drove and Alex did most of the talking. So it was just the four of us. They were nice, both spoke fluent English and had plenty of hand sanitizer and bottled water. We did wear our masks while riding in the car. Alex & Rodriguez were awesome! We thoroughly enjoyed lunch at the Hacienda El Carmen. Alex obviously knew his way around in addition to the local history & politics taking us (walking) down dirt roads (paths) that no one-else was on or seemed to know about to both pyramids and Aztec temples. We then went on to Tequila stopping at a locally owned & operated distillery – again that few other tourists seemed to be interested in – on the out-skirts of town. We took a self guided and un-chaperoned tour of the operation and sampled some of the finished product before departing. We, however, chose not to purchase any at the distillery’s store as we normally do not drink alcohol and it’s difficult to get back to the US. We then went on into Tequila and parked to stroll around the historic and beautiful little town with Alex pointing out high-lights and answering any questions along the way. Finally, we headed back to Guadalajara and were dropped off back at our place about 5 pm. It was the BEST tour we have ever been on! That’s saying something as we have been on such tours all over north America and Europe. Before departing, we gave them a well deserved generous tip. We suspect that they spoiled us because business was still slow due to the pandemic but, would highly recommend them to anyone wanting a guided tour of Guadalajara’s surrounding attractions. The photo is of tour-guide Alex and driver Rodriguez next to our ride for the day.
Booked through Viator and communication was a bit spotty. The booking stated that it would be a private tour, but two days before we were asked if it's okay that another couple would join us on the tour. Due to the short timeline, we won't be able to arrange another tour anyway, so we agreed. Luckily the other couple was very nice, and Carlos was a great guide. The car was comfortable even with 5 people. Both the pyramids and the town of Tequila were very interesting, it was a very nice break from Guadalajara, which can be a bit overwhelming!
Our whole trip was a great experience.We were picked up from our hotel, and the drive to Guachimontones was both pleasant and interesting. Berenice is very knowledgeable and tri-lingual guide. This is an incredible site, and with Berenice bringing it to life, we learned a lot and had a great time. She was accommodating of our needs and made this a very memorable trip. The site pre-dates the Christian era (350 BCE - 350 AD)and the museum has several stunning murals depicting the story of a civilization that developed into a community of 40,000 at its height, and artifacts which had been recovered from the deep burial shafts that the archaeologists had managed to locate and excavate.
Alex is super knowledgeable. The overall pace of the tour was perfect. It was a beautiful sight to see.
Our guide Alex was very friendly and explained everything in a super understandable way!! Very recommendable this tour
I had an excellent tour with Alex. He and I walked around the museum and pyramids and he was super knowledgeable about each area and ruin we went to. He even took us to some delicious tacos right after! This tour is off the beaten path for many people visiting Guad but is a super interesting and mysterious place. I highly recommend!
I had a great tour to the pyramids! Super knowledgeable and even recommended some delicious food for lunch after the tour. Would highly recommend!
Attended on a Tuesday and entrance was free. We waited a few minutes for an English speaking guide to be available. There were for of us adults in our family and another family of 3 joined us. Our guide spoke both English and Spanish. He started out by passing out instruments, then teaching us a primitive dance like would have been danced during those pyramid ceremonies. We then walked by the sports court but it’s not a basketball or soccer match. It’s a “duel” where they play with a heavy ball as hard as a coconut which is not supposed to touch the ground. It can only be kept in the air by hitting it with your head or arm. Penalty point are awarded every time it touches the ground. The one with the most points loses if he survives the 12 hour match. The pyramids are circular in honor of the wind and were built before Chitchanitza or Tulum. There are 3 pyramids but the largest one has been partially destroyed so it is left as is and is climb able. Excavation continued until 2006 when the lead died. The museum is also modern, fascinating, well built and informative. Staff are so well trained and informed and welcome sharing their knowledge with everyone. They could not have been more cordial and helpful.
