This page was last updated: October 27, 2015

O  Quiroga
O  Tzintzuntzan
O
Santa Clara del Cobre
O  Ocumicho
O
O
O
O
o Las Curvas
.o Tzurumútaro

Tours around Michoacan
Together with his wife Ursula, who is interested in the conservation of nature and artistic education, Francisco   has the task to preserve:   
The tradition of self–reflection, an ancient practice of self-healing, experienced and offered by Francisco to you, the visitor. 
The original meaning of the pre-colonial art, found in masks, embroidery, and in wooden and painted handicrafts. 
The natural richness of the area.  This begins with environmental education at an early age, as well as with the support of organic agriculture, especially the production of the multi-colored Indian corn. 

The tours we offer are directed to: 
Persons interested in the roots of today’s Purepecha culture, its artistic expression, its social and ecological situation, and pre-hispanic philosophy and the beauty of the region.  
We offer: 
Tours for groups of up to 20 persons, and families with children are welcome. Tours are customized to suit the group’s interest, but typically center on the villages around the lake where close contact with artisans and the rural Mexican life is emphasized. 

Guided hikes for those who love nature. 

Workshops, of 1 to 5 days duration and in subjects including; 
Self –Reflection-Retreat 
Oral Spanish 
Poetry 
Indian Philosophy 
Mexican History 
Batik 
Botany 
Oponguio: Mezcal Production
Puacuaro: Medicinal Garden. 
Erongaricuaro: Ex-Franciscan monastery and Center of Pre-Hispanic Philosophy, Casa    Eronokuri.
San Francisco Uricho: Home of the Urichas, last Purepecha women still planting organic multicolored corn and making corn tortilla to support their families, cause most of the men are working in "The North". 
Tocuaro: Place of the famous Mask makers. 
Tzintzuntzan: Arquelogical Site.
Tours, Hikes, and Workshops can be conducted in English, French, German., or Spanish. 
For further information please contact us at: 
Telephone: 434-344-0167
Recommended by Lonely Planet, Fromer’s, Fodor’s, and Michelin Guides.
CULTURAL TOURS ON THE PATZCUARO LAKE REGION IN MICHOACAN MEXICO
               The tours are offered by Francisco Castilleja, a versatile guide with more than 20 years of experience in the Purepecha region. The Indian name Purepecha means one who is on a visit – (to live the story foretold by our Tonali or destiny). It is a story meant for our spiritual growth, to help us attain the perfect, natural and gentle Indian state of mind, that of a visitor accepting the transience of life without complaint, but with courage, humility, humor, wisdom, and devotion. 

               Francisco’s intention is to preserve aspects of the indigenous cosmic vision because of its value to all of us, as he had learned it through an intense relationship with his Indian grandmother and with indigenous healers – curanderos, whom he had met during the First International Meeting of Indian and Alternative Medicine that he had organized in Erongaricuaro in 2002. These were deep experiences and explain why he considers himself a Visitor learning from his Tonali.
 Francisco at Casa Eronukuri
Ursula and Francisco’s educational Center, Casa Eronokuri, is situated in the nice lake village of Erongarícuaro, some 17km from Pátzcuaro. The village name comes from Eronokuri, meaning the one who looks back.  This connotes the same as its former Nahuatl name Tezcatlan – Place of the Mirror, that is to say “self–reflection”.
If you are looking for tours to visit artists and their crafts, I recommend Marcia Parrino in Patzcuaro.  She is dependable, flexible and has a vast knowledge of artisans in the Colonial Highlands, as well as the indigenous artesonado churches of the sierra.
Feliz viaje, David 
Contact Marcia Parrino at mparrino@gmail.com 
ph#434-342-7183
A friend wrote in October, 2010
"When I was in Patzcuaro area in September, I used Jaime Hernandez Balderas, the tour guide for Patzcuaro's region. I would highly recommend him as he was knowledgeable about the area and its history. I asked him not to take me to stores, but to factories where the crafts were manufactured. That is exactly what we did, including visits to private homes and even garages of the specific artists." 

The Day of the Dead tour, Encounter with the Souls is November 1, 2010
THE PURHEPECHA FESTIVAL  in the town of JARACUARO to welcome the souls with TARASCAN music, dances and more. 
Vigils in the grave yards of Arocutin and cucuchucho, two of the most wonderful towns to experience the traditon.  
Cost:  $ 370.00 pesos per person.  Spaces are currently available. 
Reservations: 
 ph #434-342-7865 Cell #434-107-7150 
pie_0968@hotmail.com

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