Oaxaca, Mexico

Upon arrival, a private driver will meet you at the airport and take you to our centrally-located hotel. For those who arrive early or are interested in some activities on this day, our team will be on hand to assist. We'll then meet up in the evening for a group orientation and our first dinner together, diving into the deep flavors of Oaxaca's famous food scene!

We'll start the day by exploring Oaxaca's captivating old town on foot, visiting major attractions like Santo Domingo and the Zocalo, as well as bustling markets. At lunchtime we'll head to the famous "20 de Noviembre" market to savor a wide array of Mexican dishes, including tlayudas, enchiladas, enfrijoladas, and more.

We’ll then have the opportunity to visit a local art gallery and studio, where we’ll engage with a Oaxacan artist celebrated for his vibrant and innovative take on figurative expressionism.

Our day will conclude with a dinner featuring mole, a renowned Mexican sauce that dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Known as the "land of the seven moles," Oaxaca is the perfect place to experience this culinary delight.

Today we’ll head to Teotitlan del Valle, a Zapotec village known for its naturally dyed rugs and beeswax candles. Here you'll get to roll up your sleeves in a hands-on weaving workshop led by locals who’ve been in the textile game for generations. We’ll learn how they use the different ingredients they collect from nature, like the cochineal bugs, moss, and indigo, to make their colorful dyes. Everyone will get to create a small woven piece using a manual loom with Zapotec techniques.

Afterwards we’ll move on to Tlacolula for lunch, and maybe even sneak in a quick visit to a mezcal palenque to see how they craft this smoky liquor. In the afternoon we’ll drive to San Marcos Tlapazola, a community largely run by women who’ve formed a red-clay pottery cooperative. Using unconventional tools like corn cobs and repurposed basketballs, they make some really cool traditional kitchenware.

We'll kick off our day by diving into a lively market, surrounded by an array of colors and aromas. It's here that we'll gather fresh ingredients for a cooking class that awaits us. From there, we'll head to the kitchen of a local chef who will guide us through the intricacies of Oaxacan cuisine, including how to make mole, a complex sauce that often contains over 50 ingredients, ranging from chilies to chocolate, giving it a unique and rich flavor.

After enjoying our culinary creations, you'll have free time to wander through Oaxaca’s city center, with options such as visiting art galleries, exploring boutiques, or relaxing in one of the city’s charming cafes. The day will conclude with a hearty, home-cooked meal with our local friends.

Today we’ll begin our day with a drive to the Atzompa Archeological Site, part of the Monte Albán complex. Here we’ll wander among ancient ruins and see the ball game court, a structure that once played a central role in Zapotec community life.

After exploring the site and soaking in its historical atmosphere, we’ll enjoy lunch in the peaceful countryside surrounding Oaxaca. Our journey will then continue in Arrazola, a town long known for its tradition of crafting alebrijes, folk art sculptures that reflect a deep cultural heritage.

Here we’ll visit a workshop run by a local women’s cooperative. During this session, you’ll have the rare opportunity to paint your own small alebrije and learn the traditional techniques behind these uniquely crafted figures. We’ll conclude our day in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town celebrated for its unique black pottery, where we’ll observe the craft up close and interact with local artisans.

We'll start the day with a traditional Mexican breakfast in a charming small town before heading to Hierve el Agua, a natural wonder featuring cliffside formations that look astonishingly like frozen waterfalls.

After a relaxing tour of the site, we’ll drive to the town of Mitla, honored with the "Pueblo Magico" title in 2015. This title is awarded to towns in Mexico that offer visitors a "magical" experience due to their natural beauty, cultural richness, traditions, and great hospitality. Here we'll explore some of Oaxaca's most significant archaeological sites, wander through a quaint market, and enjoy a tasty lunch.

For those who prefer a quieter day, our tour leader can help you set up a restful experience back in the city, with options such as a day spa, enjoying a temazcal steam bath or partake in a chocolate-making class. As the day winds down we'll regroup for our farewell dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city.

You will be picked up for your private airport transfer based on the time of your departing flight.