Fearless travellers can experience one of the world’s creepiest adventures on Mexico’s deserted ‘Island of the Dolls’ over Halloween – which true to its name, is covered in creepy dolls hanging from the trees, many missing heads and limbs.
Shrouded in folklore, the island is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a drowned girl and local legend states that the dolls have been heard whispering to one another, moving their head and arms and even opening their eyes.
But the nine-day adventure through Mexico with Flash Pack – which specialises in group adventures for solo travellers in their 30s and 40s – comes with a warning, as the company’s founder advises that “this part of the tour is not for the faint-hearted”.
“For many of our customers, an adventure means abseiling down the side of a mountain, for others however, the adrenaline rush of a fright provides the exact same thrill. This one-off tour through Mexico certainly delivers that, whilst also immersing them in the country’s rich history and tradition” says Flash Pack‘s co-founder, Lee Thompson.
Although the deserted island looks terrifying, it actually has a very sad past. Situated just south of Mexico City, between the canals of Xochimico, the story goes that Don Julian Santana Barrera, the island’s caretaker, found a young girl floating in the canal with a doll nearby. He was unable to save her, so hung the doll to a tree out of respect. He soon claimed to be haunted by the spirit of the girl so hung more dolls in an attempt to appease the ghost, eventually covering the island with them, giving it its eery name ‘Isla de las Muñecas’ (Island of the Dolls).
But it’s not all thrills and ghost stories. For travellers that don’t fancy their chances on the island, there’s plenty more on offer.
The tour, which departs on 26th October, will take up to 14 solo travellers through central Mexico and provides a unique take on ancient Mexican tradition, including Dia de los Muertos (Day of The Dead) – a tradition that was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Travellers will also be able to immerse themselves in the colourful city of Puebla, before heading south to the culinary capital of Oaxaca, nestled amid the mountains.
“Mexico attracts travellers from around the world throughout the year with its endlessly rich culture, but in October, the country comes alive – most famously exemplified by its Day of the Dead celebrations” adds Thompson. “The country has so much more to offer than white sandy beaches, and this one-off tour gives solo travellers the chance to really get under the skin of the country, with a few scares thrown in.”
The adventure comes to a magical end with a visit to the world’s only petrified waterfall – which has created an ethereal frozen-in-time effect and also happens to be a fantastic spot for wild swimming, with natural thermal pools.
The one-off adventure runs from Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov and costs £2,449 / AUD $4509 – price includes all accommodation, local transport, meals and an expert guide. Bookings can be made here and other trips to Mexico with Flash Pack can be booked here.
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