City air turns quiet fast. This Desierto de los Leones hike blends pickup-and-transport convenience with a real forest walk that ends at an ex convent complex. I like that you get a guide who explains the place as you go, plus snacks and entrance fees so you’re not hunting details all day. One catch: the drive is long (you’ll spend about 1–2 hours each way), so it helps if you plan to relax in the car and don’t expect a fast in-and-out day.

For me, the best part is the contrast: Mexico City on the way, then green shade and stone buildings in the middle of nature. You also get a warm-up before you start walking, which matters on a trail that can feel tougher than the beginner label suggests. The lunch situation is another thing to note: lunch isn’t included, so you’ll want cash and a simple plan for where you’ll eat afterward.

Quick hits: what makes this hike worth your time

• Small group of up to 6 means less waiting and easier questions to ask your guide
• Two guided walks (about 1.5 hours each) gives you time to enjoy the forest, not just rush through it
• Entrance tickets and transport included so the day runs smoother than solo planning
• Ex convent visit with gardens gives you a clear “why are we here?” payoff at the end
• Snack + water for the road helps you start comfortable, especially on a long day
• Optional pulque tasting if conditions allow it, adding a very local flavor to the route

Desierto de los Leones: forest hiking inside Greater Mexico City

Desierto de los Leones National Park is one of those places where the city feels very far away, even though you’re still in Mexico City territory. The vibe is forest shade, quieter air, and a trail that gradually pulls you away from traffic sounds.

What you’re really hiking toward is the ex convent (an old religious complex) set among the trees. That setting is the whole point. As you walk, your guide talks about why there’s a monastery in the wilderness, plus myths and legends tied to the area. It’s the kind of story-driven hike that makes the route feel more purposeful than just exercise.

Price and value: what $163 buys you in a 7-hour day

At $163 per person for a 7-hour outing, you’re paying for more than steps on a trail. You’re also paying for transport, a live guide in English or Spanish, entrance/ticket coverage, and snacks and water. That adds up fast if you try to DIY it, because you’d still need a guide, park entry, and reliable transportation.

You also get photos included, which can be handy in a place where you’ll be stopping and climbing on uneven ground. If you want a guided experience that covers the money basics up front, this one is built that way.

Getting there without stress: pickup, drive time, and what to do in transit

You’ll be picked up from your lodging, then you’ll ride out for about 1–2 hours to reach the park. It’s long enough that you should use it like your “warm-up time” for the day—rest, hydrate, and get your questions ready.

On the way, your guide is there for Q and A, so you’re not only meeting them right before you start walking. Once you get back, you’ll do another 1–2 hours of driving to your lodging, so plan your evening accordingly. This isn’t a quick half-day. It’s a full day that trades convenience for time in the car.

The hike rhythm: warm-up, two trail segments, and beginner-friendly reality

Your day starts with a warm-up designed to help you avoid injuries. That might sound small, but it’s a smart move on uneven forest paths, especially if you’re used to city walking.

Then you begin the main hike through the forest, with guided time along the way. The route is described as beginner level, and you only need a little physical condition. Still, one review captured the honest feeling well: it’s not exactly easy, but it’s not brutally steep either.

The walking isn’t a single sprint. You’ll do two main guided walk stretches of about 1.5 hours each, with a break in between for food tasting. That pacing tends to keep the day from feeling grindy.

Stories on the trail: history, myths, and why the monastery matters

This is the part that turns the hike from exercise into a trip you’ll remember. As you move through the forest, your guide explains the history of the place and shares myths and legends—plus why an ex convent sits out here in nature instead of a city center.

Even if history isn’t your main reason for traveling, this kind of framing helps you notice details. You start looking at the route differently: not only as a path, but as a route shaped by time, belief, and the way people used the area.

If you like learning without sitting in a classroom, this is a strong fit. You’re walking and listening, with stops that naturally match the pace of the group.

Arrival at the ex convent: what you’ll see and how the visit flows

Once you reach the ex convent, you don’t just stand outside and take a photo. You enter to see spaces and gardens, then explore with your guide. This matters because convent complexes can be confusing if you don’t have context, and the layout makes more sense once someone points out what you’re looking at.

After the guided entry and viewing, you’ll head back out the way you came—again through the forest. The park setting makes the departure feel different, too. Going in, you’re on the way to the mystery. Coming out, you’re leaving the mystery behind and returning to the city sounds slowly.

Food tasting and the lunch decision you make yourself

There’s a break in the day for a food tasting (about 1 hour). That gives you a chance to try regional flavors as part of the experience, without committing to a full meal right away.

Lunch, though, is not included. You’ll have time and options afterward, and one review highlighted that there are multiple restaurants around the convent with food that’s very affordable. That’s useful to know because you can plan on eating there once the hike ends.

Because the tasting is included but lunch isn’t, I treat this day like: taste first, then eat what you actually crave. Also, bring cash—this tour explicitly warns there are no ATMs and card payments aren’t accepted.

Pulque tasting: local drink, only if the moment works

If you have the opportunity, you may taste pulque, the traditional drink tied to Mexico’s culture. It’s not listed as guaranteed every time, so I think of it as a bonus.

Even if you skip the tasting, the fact that it’s even on the menu for the day shows you this isn’t only a nature tour. It’s also about local traditions tied to the area.

What to bring: the simple checklist that keeps the day comfortable

The tour is beginner level, but you’re still hiking in a forest environment. The packing list is pretty straightforward, and it’s worth following closely.

Bring:

• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes (the trail can be uneven)
• Biodegradable sunscreen and biodegradable insect repellent
• Comfortable clothes that can get dirty
• A charged smartphone (you’ll want photos)
• A camera if you like more control than a phone
• Cash, since there are no ATMs and cards aren’t accepted

Also, wear layers if you get chilly in shade. The park can feel cooler under trees, and you’ll switch from warm-up to steady walking.

Who this hike is for, and who should pass

This tour fits best if you want light hiking plus guided context, and you’re comfortable with a full day schedule. The group is small (limited to 6 participants), which also makes it easier for slower walkers to keep up.

It’s not suitable for:

• Children under 8
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with heart problems
• People with diabetes
• People with altitude sickness
• People with pre-existing medical conditions
• People with recent surgeries
• People with high blood pressure

If any of those apply, it’s worth rethinking the day or asking your provider for a safer alternative. Also, if you’re very sensitive to uphill uneven ground, don’t treat beginner level as “flat and effortless.”

Photos, souvenirs, and how to think about spending

Tickets, photos, and entrance fees are included, and you’ll also get snack and water. That helps control costs during the day.

Souvenirs aren’t included, so if you like buying small mementos, plan that spending separately. For food, you’re covering lunch yourself, and you’ll be paying with cash.

If you want the smoothest day, I’d keep your money organized before the hike. You’re hiking, you’re sweating, and you don’t want to be searching for cash in a pocket full of grit.

Should you book the Desierto de los Leones hike?

Book it if you want a guided forest hike that ends with a meaningful place to visit, not just a turnaround point. I’d especially recommend it if you like history told in motion—stories about myths, legends, and why a monastery exists in this setting.

Don’t book it if long drive days stress you out, or if you fall into any of the medical and physical categories listed as not suitable. And if you hate carrying cash, factor in that this tour explicitly warns there are no ATMs and card payments aren’t accepted.

If your ideal Mexico City day includes fresh air, a small group pace, and an ex convent visit you can actually experience (inside, with gardens), this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Desierto de los Leones hike tour?

The total duration is 7 hours, including pickup, transport, guided walking, the ex convent visit, and the return trip.

How much walking should I expect?

You’ll do two guided walk segments of about 1.5 hours each, plus a warm-up at the start. The route is beginner level and needs only a little physical condition.

Is transportation included from my lodging?

Yes. Pickup is included, and the drive to the park is about 1–2 hours. The return drive to your lodging is another 1–2 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Transportation, a live tour guide, tickets/entrance fees, photos, snack, and water are included.

Is lunch included?

No. You’ll have lunch available at the end, but food isn’t included. There is a food tasting during the tour (about 1 hour).

Is pulque tasting included?

Pulque tasting is offered if there’s an opportunity during the day. It isn’t described as guaranteed.

What languages will the guide speak?

The guide speaks Spanish and English.

What should I bring, and do I need cash?

Bring comfortable shoes, clothes that can get dirty, biodegradable sunscreen, biodegradable insect repellent, and a charged smartphone. Bring cash because there are no ATMs and card payments are not accepted.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for children under 8 and for people with certain health situations, including back or heart problems, diabetes, altitude sickness, high blood pressure, recent surgeries, or pre-existing medical conditions. It’s also not suitable for pregnant women.