Excursions - Tours in Chalchihuites

Places to visit in Chalchihuites

Fenix Zacatecas conducts regular excursions to areas of interest for a minimal fee. Fenix Language Institute provides supplementary tours for its Language and Culture Program. These are culturally educational as well as recreational. Fenix tours are led by a guide, with an orientation over the trip beforehand.

Alta Vista Archaeological site. This impressive ancient ceremonial center, also an astronomical observatory, is located 4 miles outside the municipal capital of Chalchihuites, which takes its name from the culture which developed here; Chalchihuites means green, precious stones, and were green stones from some of the mines of the region.

Sierra de Organos.This spectacular rock formation rises abruptly from the plain twenty-five kilometers north of the city of Sombrerete. Its capricious, fantastic forms have made it the setting for many important Mexican and international film productions. It is an ideal site for excursions and camping trips.

Sombrerete. In 1555 a small group of Spaniards and Native Americans settled together at the foot of a large hill shaped like the three-cornered hat in common use at the time. Thus they named their settlement Sombrerete, after the hat. The area boasted a number of rich silver mines and the community developed into a thriving small city.

Mines of Chalchihuites. FLI offers excursions to mines which were opened and worked during the colonial period, some dating back to the 16th century. Using strict safety precautions, we offer interested students the adventure of exploring these ancient systems of extracting and exploiting gold, silver, lead, copper and zinc.

Durango City. The city of Durango, located in the Guadiana valley, was founded on July 8, 1563 by Francisco de Ibarra who named this part of the country the Province of Nueva Viscaya. Here tourists can experience the atmosphere of the past. The buildings of Durango are considered a nice representation of colonial arquitecture.

Zacatecas City. The City of Zacatecas, whose name in Nahuatl means "On the Hill Abundant Zacate", was founded by the Spaniards in 1546, just 25 years after the conquest of the Aztec empire. It is considered to be one of Mexico's most beautiful cities, with striking colonial architecture and a warm, friendly people. Its rich history, impressive buildings and cultural diversity make Zacatecas an ideal place to study Spanish.

On site history classes. In accordance with its teaching system, FLI has designed classes on history and culture to be held in the locations where the events occurred. As often as once or twice weekly we visit former haciendas, historic buildings, the nearby archaeological site, mines, or other places of interest to study.

Bicycling. The area surrounding the village of Chalchihuites is ideal for mountain bicycling. It offers different types of terrain, where the cyclist can be in direct contact with nature and observe many different wildlife species including rabbits, coyotes, birds and others, as well as a variety of plant life ranging from semi-arid to high-mountain types.

Note: Other excursions may be arranged depending on student interest.