Xochimilco Floating Gardens

In the southern part of Mexico city we find the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Culture Heritage site. It was here in pre-hispanic times that the Aztecs built their artificial chinampa Islands in the shallow water of the lake, to gain land for agriculture. These were essentially rafts made of branches, tied together, anchored to the river bed and topped with soil and many are still in use today, now growing flowers rather than crops. You can step on a typical Trajinera boat to enjoy a pleasant ride on the ancient canals and learn more about the significance of the waterways.

After the boat tour, you can return to the centre of Mexico City via University City with its beautiful campus architecture, once built on an ancient lava field of Volcanoe Xitle.