Fiesta Tours International

2025-2026 SEASON

July 28, 2025

Dear Fiesta Tours Friends,

We have decided to slow down the pace – it is so hard to stop. We love what we do. Let’s just call it semi-retirement. We will continue with the best of the best.

Over the last 40 years, we have been immersed in the history and culture of Latin America. We continue to learn from our adventures. Not only do we learn from reading and experiencing, but we also learn from the many interesting and wonderful people who have traveled with us. People who have engaged our insatiable curiosity. Botanists have expanded our knowledge of the flora of the various environments we visit;

Astronomers have helped us track the southern cross! An Oceanographer helped us decipher the impact of the ocean currents that powerfully affect our weather and the places we visit. Historians, Anthropologists, Archaeologists, and people from all walks of life have expanded our minds as we travel. We do appreciate all of you and thank you for the support and friendship you have given us over the years.

Our tours will still be available to you if you would like to put together a group of friends to share your adventure. We can tweak any of the tours to meet your needs and interests. The tours we can easily do for you are listed on this website. Tours we have enjoyed in the past but not repeated recently require a little more research to update the latest information. That’s what makes for a great tour – always changing!

We continue to learn and explore. This November we will follow the route Cortez took from Veracruz to Mexico City from 1519 to 1521 and chase down historic sites relevant to the American Invasion in 1847. As such, we are reconnoitering Veracruz, Xalapa, Tlaxcala, Cholula, Puebla, Paso de Cortez, and surrounds,

Mexico City is celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Aztec founding of Tenochtitlan (which became Mexico City). A memorable time to explore this exciting city.

We may design a new tour “following the footsteps” – let us know if you are interested!

Meantime, we will no longer be sending out a yearly brochure and will not be sending out as many email updates over the course of the year. Please check the website from time to time, we’ll keep you informed.

We would love to hear from you if you have a special memory of a tour you have experienced with us, or a favorite place you visited on one of our tours. We have lots of good memories and hope to write a memoir of our adventures. Please remind us of one of your favorites!

With the best of thoughts,

Cathy and Marshall

GRAY WHALE ENCOUNTER IN THE BAJA PENINSULA

This tour is fills fast – Gather your friends for a unique adventure!

In March, the mothers are friendly and often bring their babies to the boat to get to know us. We cannot guarantee it, but it is the best chance to get to pet a baby whale! No words can describe the experience – it will forever change your view of how we relate to other species.

• Three opportunities provided to meet with the great grays – Laguna San Ignacio, Ojo de Liebre and Scammon’s Lagoon – get close to the whales in 20 foot pangas

• Stay in comfortable hotels all along the way – terrific fresh seafood daily

• Experience the beautiful wine country of northern Baja – tour the oldest historic winery.

• Learn about colonial history, prehistoric, and natural history in this unique corner of the world

• Fly from Loreto

• Spend a fascinating day in the Sierra de San Francisco visiting the unique culture of the people who live in this remote area. Peruse one of the world class cave paintings.

TOUR DATES:

TOUR COST: $3575 per person double $590 single supplement, plus one-way air from Loreto to the States.

INCLUDES: transport by vehicle from Tucson to Loreto BCS, pangas and whale watching, all breakfasts and lunches, except lunch on the last day, all lodging & lodging taxes, entry fees, one wine tasting experience, bilingual guide & driver.

An amazing trip, such a great opportunity to immerse in the local culture, cuisine and history. The whale encounters were unbelievable, up close and personal with a slew of whales. I look forward to more trips with Fiesta Tours!

Sue Hannum, Raleigh, NC

Baja Whale Experience 2020

Mexico City – Art, History, and Archaeology

*Stay in an historic hotel right on the Zocalo

*Walking distance to Tenochtitlan and the museum, National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral,

*As well as the National Art Museum, the Diego Rivera Murals, the Palace of Fine Arts and several art museums to visit!

*Special tour of the Museum of Anthropology and Carlos Slim’s private collection at the Soumaya

*Explore the archaeological ruins of Teotihuacan and the “chapels” built for the Virgin of Guadalupe

*Frida and Diego day to visit their private homes and studios

*Take a boat ride on Lake Xochimilco and explore the chinampas once farmed by the Aztecs

TOUR DATES: to be announced

TOUR COST: Approximately $3500.00 per person double occupancy $700.00 single supplement. Cost depends on final itinerary.

INCLUDES: All tours and transfers from the Mexico City Airport, all lodging and taxes, all breakfasts, most lunches, bilingual anthropologist tour escort, local guides.

COPPER CANYON

Copper Canyon is our longest running tour and one of our favorites!

• Visit the Yaqui and Mayo in their villages in Southern Sonora
• Enjoy the colonial city of El Fuerte
• Ride the train into the mountains – overnight on the canyon rim at Divisadero where three of the canyons meet
• Mingle with the Tarahumara and learn about their customs and culture – meet our godchildren!

• Take one of the most scenic drives in the world to the bottom of Urique Canyon to visit the town that time forgot

• Option to spend one night in the lovely colonial town of Alamos, Sonora

• End your tour with a highlight visit to the village of Mata Ortiz to see the potters at work in their own homes

• Optional day hiking available in the Sierra Madre

TOUR DATES: TBA

TOUR COST: $3500 per person double occupancy $700 single supplement. Cost depends on final itinerary.

INCLUDED: All ground transportation from Tucson, Arizona, accompanied by Marshall and Cathy Giesy, most meals, lodging and taxes. MINIMUM OF 8 PEOPLE, MAXIMUM OF 9.

We are anxious to travel again with you. Our Copper Canyon Tour was wonderful - we had been looking forward to this trip for quite some time. We greatly enjoyed the outdoor activities, the scenery, the hikes, and especially Arnulfo, our Tarahumara Native guide.
Highly recommend this tour.

Bernd and Erika Brand, Tucson Arizona

Mata Ortiz 2017, Pre-Inka Peru 2019, Copper Canyon 2020

Fabulous trip! Cathy and Marshall were very knowledgeable about the region and totally fluent in Spanish; and unlike most tours, provided a delightful, meaningful opportunity to interact on a personal level with a variety of indigenous Mexican people. Everything was well-planned, we were well taken care of and had a leisurely, fun trip.

Anita Tripp and Brad Bradshaw – Green Valley AZ

Copper Canyon 2019

Hiking in the Sierra Zapoteca of Oaxaca

• ask about our hiking tour in the Zapotec villages of the historic Sierra Norte north of Oaxaca City.

Exotic Oaxaca!

A few spaces left – rooms fill fast for the Dia de Muertos!

*Visit the villages to see San Martin, Ocotlan, and Coyotepec to explore the artistic traditions of master wood carvers, famous artists, and black pottery.
*Teotitlan del Valle – visit the home of well-known weaver Porfirio Gutierrez in a remote corner of the village – enjoy a private luncheon with the family
*Zapotec/Mixtec prehistoric ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla
*Stay the week in a fabulous B&B five blocks from the city center. Savor the great Oaxacan cuisine
*Meet the “women of the red clay” at the remote village of San Marcos – have a typical Zapotec luncheon in the home of Macrina Mateo, and watch her magic as she builds a red pot.
*Day of the Dead tour can be an option for the fall of 2026

TOUR DATEs: TBA

TOUR COST: $3595.00 per person double occupancy $525 single supplement plus air

Mata Ortiz Art & Archaeology Tour

Stay in this unique, small village and enjoy the atmosphere and culture. Visit the homes of a few primary artists, experiencing how pottery is created in Mata Ortiz. Watch the magic of clay coils being pinched into a graceful form. Observe how the fine lines are painted with a brush made from a child’s hair. Feel the excitement of firing the finished work and watching as it is finally uncovered from the ashes. Explore the fascinating Paquime Ruins at Casas Grandes. The culture of the Paquimé thrived from AD 900 to 1450 and their recovered pottery inspired the revival at Mata Ortiz. Walk through the delightful museum and then tour the massive ruins.

“we can easily design this tour to meet your needs and interests – such as photography, archaeology, hiking, or pottery classes”

TOUR DETAILS: Dates and Costs depending on the details requested for the tour

INCLUDES: all transportation, lodging, meals in Mata Ortiz, visits to potter’s homes, fees and expenses for tour guides and escorts, visits to archaeological and historical sites. TOUR SIZE LIMITED TO 10 PEOPLE.

Marshall and Cathy offer an unparalleled adventure in Oaxaca during the Dias de los Muertos celebrations. Both speak Spanish fluently and they are incredibly versed in the local history and culture. Their extensive experience throughout Mexico has generated a remarkable list of exceptional guides and lodging. Participating in the preparations and meeting families gathered to honor their forebears is an unforgettable experience.

Sara and Royal Martin , Green Valley, AZ
Mata Ortiz, 2015, Alamos 2017, Oaxaca 2019, Peru 2019

"Fiesta Tours' Day of the Dead Tour in Oaxaca was outstanding. Experiences we treasure and will remember forever. "

David and Hanna Gradwahl, Ames, Iowa
Copper Canyon 2018, Oaxaca 2019

ABOUT FIESTA TOURS INTERNATIONAL
Since 1985 with destinations to Latin America, our focus has been to introduce our small groups of travelers to the wonders of the various marvelous cultures found within each country we visit.
With Cathy’s background in Anthropology and Marshall’s fascination with history, we have developed unforgettable friendships with the locals over the years that help us provide personal experiences giving you special insight to the amazing ways of life of the people of each region we visit.
We are privileged to have shared unbelievable experiences over the years with our travelers and we thank you for your support and interest in our unique programs. We do appreciate your business.
*Small groups
*Quality accommodations
*Regularly scheduled tours and customized tours for your special group
*We can help set up an independent tour if you wish to travel on your own

Custom Tours

Let us design an itinerary that meets your special interests to any one of our regular destinations as well as:

Seri Indians of Kino Bay, Sonora Belize * Guatemala* Panama* Costa Rica * Arizona Indian Lands * Monarch butterflies in Michoacan * Baja Hiking *Banamichi, Sonora, Galapagos, Oaxaca hiking.

CONTACT US FOR DETAILS – fiestatoursint@gmail.com or 520 398 9705

CONTACT US

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PO Box 2141
Tubac, AZ 85646-2141

Contacts

fiestatoursint@gmail.com
Phone: (520) 398-9705