Oaxaca (Wah-Hah-Kah) is the ancient home of the Zapotec and Mixtec civilization, builders of Monte Alban and Mitla. The zocalo (town square) is a place where people relax, listen to the mariachi bands, and is an area where cars are banned.
So why should I take this tour? As a craftsperson, artist, or someone who loves to travel, you will find that Oaxaca's woodcarving, weaving, pottery, metal working, baskets and masks are just a few of the crafts that appear everywhere, and are an integral part of every day life in Oaxaca. When we travel to the villages you will see the primitiveness of this area and the craft work reflects their wonderful culture. You will experience the markets that come alive with sights, smells and sounds that one will never forget. The markets have vast selections of all types of crafts.
Your Itinerary
Wednesday, January 14
Travel Day - Arrive in Oaxaca, Mexico. You will make your way via taxi to the Bed & Breakfast which will be our home for the next 8 days. Evening meal at the B&B.
Thursday, January 15
Breakfast at the B&B and then on to Monte Alban, Oaxaca’s major archeological site where we will have our own personal tour guide. This site was the elite center of Zapotec culture from 500 BC to 800 AD. We will make a brief stop at the home of a local potter, Irma Blanco, in the village of Atzompa where we will see a pottery making demonstration. Mid-day meal at the B&B. After lunch we visit the Rufino Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art. While this is a small museum in comparison to the large National Museum in Mexico City, the artifacts displayed were chosen solely for their aesthetic rank of the works,their beauty, and originality. The evening meal at the B&B.
Friday, January 16
Today we travel to Ocotlan for the weekly market and a visit to the beautiful town church and museum. Lunch will be at a roadside restaurant. Then on to the woodcarving village of San Martin Tilcajete. Our final stop will be San Bartolo the black pottery village, where we will visit a pottery workshop and the new Folk Art Museum of Oaxaca. The balance of the day will be free time. Dinner at the B&B.
Saturday, January 17
Breakfast at the B&B. After breakfast we travel to Teotitlan del Valle, a village that is devoted entirely to the weaving of tapestry style rugs. First there will be a brief visit to the town church and then on to a wonderful demonstration of spinning, dyeing and weaving. Today lunch will be in a restaurant in Teotitlan. We return to Oaxaca late afternoon – the remainder of the day will be free time. Dinner at the B&B.
Sunday, January 18
After breakfast we travel by van to the Tlacolula market, which is held every Sunday and is filled with an abundance of local produce, livestock, the best selection of breads and a large variety of area crafts. Visit the Dominican Chapel considered by many to be the most beautiful in the Americas. Next, we make a brief stop at Santa Marie del Tule, home of El Tule a large (15 story high) Mexican cypress tree which is over 2000 years old. Back to the B&B for the mid-day meal. During the afternoon you will have free time to explore Oaxaca. Dinner at the B&B.
Monday, January 19
Breakfast at the B&B. Today we spend the morning and early afternoon at La Casa de Mis Recuerdos where our hostess, Nora Gutierrez, will lead us through a cooking class of traditional Oaxacan cuisine. Nora creates an array of delectable meals, calling on time-honored recipes passed down by her mother and grandmother. Lunch will be held at the cooking school. After class you will have time to visit the recently renovated Cultural Museum of Oaxaca, formerly a convent, to see exhibits of religious, social and cultural life. You can view objects and artifacts leading you through 8000 years of human history in the Oaxaca Valley and also see the treasures from Monte Alban’s Tomb 7. Next to the museum is the lavishly decorated Santo Domingo Church. Within this area are many craft shops. Dinner at the B&B.
Tuesday, January 20
Breakfast at the B&B. We travel to the ruins at Mitla where we will have our own personal guide. Mitla, is an unusual site with the buildings containing mosaic geometric designs and is unique because it lacks any human or animal figures. There will be time for shopping in this small village and then a brief stop at a mescal factory to sample this fiery drink made from the agave cactus. Lunch will be at the B&B. After lunch we will visit the Basilica La Soledad, 2 blocks from the Casa. There is a small museum attached to the church and a courtyard with vendors that sell nieves (a cross between water ice and ice cream.) Dinner at the B&B.
Wednesday, January 21
Breakfast at the B&B. Today will be entirely at your own pace. A visit to the Benito Juarez Market or the Abastos Market. This market is the largest in the state and covers a 20 square block area and is just a short taxi ride (or walk) from the B&B. Here you will see the locals purchasing anything from fresh fruits, produce, household goods, and live animals to a wide range of locally produced crafts. Back to the B&B for lunch with enough time in the afternoon to make your final purchases, sit and have a drink on the zocalo, and see your final sites. Our final dinner will be a special event.
Thursday, January 22
Breakfast at the B&B and then travel to the airport for your flight home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Includes:
- Lodging;
- All meals;
- Ground transportation;
- Daily tours;
- Local Guides;
- Museum admissions;
- Archeological site admissions
- Cooking Class
Single rooms very limited - travelers may be paired with another person sharing a room. Tour is limited to 10 people.
Also see tour packages in:
North America
Mexico
Crafts Tours
Cultural Journey
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