Online registration has now closed, to register for a Saturday off-site activity, please visit Pam Chanthavongsa at the Registration and Information Desk at the Hilton Reforma Mexico CIty on Wednesday, 1 March at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and then daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The last day to register onsite is Friday, 3 March at 2 p.m.
Important: ONE off-site activity is included in the price of your University registration. These activities are open to members and their registered guests (full participation and limited participation). All off-site activities will take place on Saturday, 4 March 2017. The activities will depart from and return to the Hilton Mexico City Reforma Hotel.
Please read these important notes about off-site activities before you register!
- Registered members and their registered guests (full or limited participation) may sign-up for ONE (1) off-site activity per person.
- All off-site activities include lunch. Some activities that depart in the early morning will include breakfast.
- All off-site activities have limited space and are first come, first served.
- Some activities are weather permitting and may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
- All activities require a minimum number of people to participate and may be cancelled prior to the event if the minimum has not been met.
- Some off-site activities may require a user-pay supplement and are indicated in the description.
- All user-pay activities are non-refundable.
- Members and guests that sign-up for the same activity will be assigned to the same group.
- There are no wait-lists for sold out activities.
- All events will depart from and return to Hilton Mexcio City Reforma Hotel.
- 50 minutes of body scrub + body wrap + 30 minutes back neck and shoulders massage
- 80 minutes of relaxing massage (aromatherapy- Swedish pressure)
- 80 minutes of hot stones massage
- 60 minutes of Mystic Mexican massage + 20 minutes of facial clay treatment
For questions about off-site activities, please contact Pam Chanthavongsa on the EO Global Events team at [email protected].
Exploring Mexico City’s Art Scene
For decades, Mexico City has been home to an energetic art scene and in modern days, has gained traction as a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts. On a daily basis, the people of Mexico City witness the arts through the city’s historical architecture, vibrant markets, galleries and globally-renowned museums dispersed through its sprawling city limits. On this off-site, we’ll visit some of the city’s most celebrated exhibitions and galleries. We’ll start the day by visiting Palacio de Bellas Artes, a magnificent domed palace that is home to some of the country’s most famous pieces of art including those of Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo and more. Later in the morning, we’ll move on to Castillo de Chapultepec, a grand castle built in the Mexican colonial era and is the only royal castle in North America that was used as a sovereign residence. Home to the National Museum of History, the palace hosts 19 exhibition halls that portrait the history of Mexico. Closing out the afternoon, we’ll head to Galería Oscar Román, an EO member-owned Mexican art gallery that hosts innovative and neo-conceptual artistic works, for lunch and discussions focusing on contemporary Mexican art.
Time: Depart at 9:00 a.m.; Return at 3:00 p.m.
Hot Air Balloon and Teotihuacan Pyramids Sunrise Experience
When the Aztecs discovered this city in the XIV century, it had already been abandoned for a few hundred years. However, the grandeur of its buildings remained and many suggested that it was built by the gods themselves. Hence, “Teotihuacan,” the city of gods, was the name bestowed upon the landmark. To this day, little is known of the Teotihuacano culture aside from what the Aztecs inferred from when they found the abandoned city. During this off-site, you will experience your own “god’s view” of the city as you soar above it in a hot air balloon for up to one hour. We’ll continue on to have breakfast by ancient nearby caves while witnessing a pre-Hispanic ritual performed by a Mexican shaman. We will then venture into Mexico’s most significant archeological site – Teotihuacan – where a site archaeologist will guide us to areas not open to the public as they unveil some of the greatest mysteries of the city.
Time: Depart at 4:45 a.m.; Return at 1:30 p.m.
What to Bring: Casual, warm clothing for the early morning air balloon flight and comfortable walking shoes.
Program Note: The hot air balloon flight is subject to weather conditions, particularly wind. Those with a fear of heights are not recommended for this activity.
User Pay: US$150 per person
Aerial Tour of Mexico City
Considering how expansive Mexico City is, some of the most impressive views of the city are really only accessible from the sky. On this off-site activity, we’ll take to the air via helicopter for an unforgettable bird’s eye view of the city’s iconic cityscapes, the bustling street life below and the Teotihuacan Pyramids before returning back to the city for lunch. An extension of the trip is available for those who wish to participate in a two-hour walking tour of the Teotihuacan Pyramids.
User Pay Option 1: US$150 per person only includes the aerial tour of Mexico City and Teotihuacan Pyramids
Time: Depart at 10:00 a.m.; Return at 1:00 p.m.
User Pay Option 2: US$300 per person includes ground tour of Teotihuacan Pyramids
Time: Depart at 10:00 a.m.; Return at 3:40 p.m.
Casa Azul – Frida and Diego Tour
Photo Credit: FMPT Photo by Mariana Ricau
As portrayed by Salma Hayek in the famous movie Frida, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are arguably the most famous couple in Mexican history and are also two of the most important painters in our culture; this off-site is devoted to them. We’ll start with an informal chat over breakfast with Frida’s family as Christina Kahlo and her son tell us stories about what it is like to carry Frida’s last name. Following breakfast, we’ll tour the house and studio of Diego and Frida and spend the rest of the morning exploring San Angel, particularly the neighborhood’s unique arts and crafts market that sets up every Saturday.
After the morning’s adventures, we’ll venture on to Coyoacán, a quaint borough of Mexico City, to see Casa Azul, the famous blue house where Frida grew up and today serves as a landmark museum. After a tour of the house, we’ll get the opportunity to walk through the picturesque streets of Coyoacán on our way to lunch in the heart of the central plaza at Los Danzantes restaurant. After lunch, we’ll explore the charming town by foot before heading back to the hotel.
Time: Depart at 8:00 a.m.; Return at 5:00 p.m.
Program Note: Breakfast and lunch are both included in this activity.
Explore the City of Palaces
Photo Credit: FMPT Photo by Mariana Ricau
Mexico City was named in the XIX century as “The City of Palaces” for the sheer number of grand, historic establishments located in the downtown radius. During this tour, you will get to see the most grandiose colonial palaces in downtown Mexico City—from they city’s most popular landmarks to a number of hidden gems. The expert knowledge of our tour guide will make discovering these little—and not so little—corners of Mexico even more enjoyable.
Time: Depart at 9:30 a.m.; Return at 4:00 p.m.
What to Bring: This is a walking tour; comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Polanco and Chapultepec Castle Tour
Photo Credit: FMPT Photo by Mariana Ricau
If exclusivity and going to places not typically open to the public is your “thing,” this tour is for you! On this off-site, you’ll be granted access to private areas of the two most renowned museums in Mexico, the Museum of Anthropology and the Castle of Chapultepec. Inside the National Museum of Anthropology and History, where the famous Aztec Calendar is displayed, you will be able to witness the museum’s private archives and historical pieces, including 500-year-old textiles that are not available to the common visitor. In the National Museum of History, also known as Chapultepec Castle, the only authentic castle in the entire continent, you will get the opportunity to visit the exclusive restoration area. Originally the castle’s kitchen, you will see how the museum’s experts work to piece back together important artifacts and items reserved for important visitors.
Time: Depart at 9:30 a.m.; Return at 5:00 p.m.
What to Bring: Photo ID will be required for security checks. Tripods or backpacks/bundles are not permitted in the museums.
Program Note: Due to high security, registration for this activity will close on 24 February.
Paragliding Through Valle de Bravo
Photo Credit: Vive Valle
One of the quaintest towns in Mexico, Valle de Bravo not only boasts beautiful architecture, unique arts and crafts and its serene lake surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, but opportunities to experience exhilarating Mexican adventures!
After we arrive to Valle de Bravo, we will board all-terrain vehicles that will take us to the top of the valley’s mountain. At the mountain’s summit, expert instructors will guide us on a paragliding tour of the valley through the sky; one of the most spectacular ways to see the area. After our 10 to 15 minute flight, we will land next to the valley’s lake where we will start our walking tour of the downtown area and take some time to shop for arts and crafts. Lunch will be served at a beautiful property built on the side of a granite mountain before heading back to the hotel.
Time: Depart at 8:30 a.m.; Return at 5:30 p.m.
What to Bring: Appropriate clothing for paragliding (closed shoes, preferably lace up shoes like sports shoes (required), long pants (recommended), light jacket or wind breaker (recommended), sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, change of clothes.
Program Note: The paragliding segment of this off-site will take in total about 2.5 hours. Participants are free to wait for the rest of the group in the garden where the paragliders will land, or, can explore the downtown area (about a 15-minute walk from the garden) during this time. Lunch will be served in the garden at 1:00 p.m.
Running Mexico City: Behind the Scenes
Photo Credit: Mexico City Subway
Have you ever wondered how a transportation system built for 23 million people operates? During this off-site activity, we’ll take you to see one of the world’s most state-of-the-art command centers. Mexico City’s subway system is among the three most efficient globally, transporting a whopping 16-million people every day! Join us as we visit the subway’s command center, where experts control the proper flow of the city’s rail system and get a behind-the-scenes look into the complex processes necessary to run this large-scale supersystem. During the second half of our tour, we’ll visit the Futura CDMX city model, one of the largest, 3-D urban models in the world, spanning an amazing 234 square meters. Alejandro Martínez, Director of Urban Projects and Director of Futura CDMX, will share how the city model serves as an invaluable tool for Mexico City governmental officials in evaluating development projects, including communications, mobility, and infrastructure.
Time: Depart at 9:00 a.m.; Return at 3:30 p.m.
Recharging in Tepoztlán
Photo Credit: Morelos Tourism Board
About a two hour ride south of Mexico City, Tepoztlán is famous for being a magnetic center of wellness and wholeness. We’ll use this off-site as an opportunity to recharge so you can leave full of energy and positive vibes. We will venture into one of the most exclusive hotel and spas in the area where we will be greeted by an internationally-trained published specialist who will lead us in a number of bioenergetic exercises including a Temazcal ritual within a cleansing “steam room” that is derived from pre-Hispanic times. Concluding with a unique yoga exercise, through deep meditation, you’ll experience being taken back to your mother’s womb before your spiritual re-birth.
Time: Depart at 8:30 a.m.; Return at 5:00 p.m.
What to Bring: Appropriate yoga attire, bathing suit, and a change of clothes.
Program Note: Participants for Temazcal must not have had alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior and no food or beverage two hours prior to the activity.
Xochicalco Pyramids and Cuernavaca
Photo Credit: Morelos Tourism Board
Two hours south of Mexico City lies a little-known World Heritage site, Xochicalco. On this off-site, we’ll visit its pre-Hispanic observatory for a private viewing. We’ll continue to Cuernavaca for lunch at beautiful Las Mañanitas, a restaurant named for many years as the best in Mexico, not only for its food but for its surroundings. Dine amongst the restaurant’s stunning gardens, lined with peacocks and beautiful flowers. We’ll finish our day with a tour of Robert Brady’s home-turned-into-a-museum. A jet-setter and world traveler from the 50s, Brady acquired and collected the most eclectic and diverse collection of artifacts from all over the world. The museum director will personally welcome us and toast to our group with a round of afternoon cocktails!
Time: Depart at 8:00 a.m.; Return at 5:30 p.m.
What to Bring: Casual, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, etc.
Mexico City Culinary Experience
According to a recent Forbes survey, Mexico City is one of the top three cities in the world with the best dining. Experience the hype for yourself as you uncover the city’s best culinary secrets with an acclaimed host chef on this off-site tour. We’ll start our day by visiting the San Juan market to purchase locally-sourced ingredients for lunch. Sample Mexican delicacies like grasshoppers or silk worms amongst other more common gourmet foods if the insect options are a bit out of your comfort zone. Be sure to save some room! After our shopping experience, we’ll head to one of the most renowned gastronomy schools in the city to have a hands-on cooking demo followed by a feast to eat the culinary masterpiece we just prepared. What about dessert? You’ll have to make your own at the nearby Museum of Chocolate where you will learn all about this “Mexican gods’ gift to mankind” along with a chocolate making demo workshop.
Time: Depart at 9:00 a.m.; Return at 5:00 p.m.
What to Bring: Your appetite!
Hiking at Nevado de Toluca
Photo Credit: Ecotura
Nevado de Toluca, also known as the Xinantécatl, is located about an hour northeast of Mexico City, and is one of the tallest volcanoes in the country standing at 4,680 meters above sea level. After a brisk hike up the side led by expert guides, we will be able to witness majestic views of the sun and moon lagoons nestled within the volcano’s crater before hiking back down.
Time: Depart at 5:00 a.m.; Return at 4:30 p.m.
What to Bring: Some equipment is needed, such as a backpack, sunscreen, cold weather apparel, suitable footwear, raincoat and change of clothes.
Program Note: This activity takes place at 4000 meters above sea level so participants must be in good physical condition to do this activity; no hypertension, overweight, diabetic, cardiac patients or pregnant women should sign-up.
Relax at Spa Alameda
Built in the heart of the ancient Mexican region, Spa Alameda at Hilton Mexico City Reforma provides a haven of serenity where you can forget the quickness of the bustling city and recharge from the weeks’ fast-moving activities! From traditional pre-Hispanic recipes to elaborate therapies, the spa is offering four different spa experiences that will take you to a wonderful place of calm.
Spa Options:
Time: Various times.
Program Note: One (1) of the spa package options listed above is included with this off-site activity.
