Highlights
- Stay exclusively in 5-star hotels and luxurious retreats in top neighborhoods
- Taste the best street tacos and artisanal mezcal with a private food guide
- Learn about ancient Aztec agriculture on the canals of Xochimilco
- Discover Mitla, Hierve el Agua, Teotitlán, and a mezcal palenque on a full-day tour
- Explore the markets and street food of Oaxaca, one of Mexico's great food cities
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Mexico City, Tacos, Chelas & Mezcal Tour | Mexico City |
| Day 2 | Float the Canals of Xochimilco, San Juan Market Tour & Cooking Class | Mexico City |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Oaxaca, Historic Oaxaca Walking Tour | Oaxaca |
| Day 4 | Full-Day Mitla, Hierve el Agua, Teotitlán & Mezcal Palenque Tour | Oaxaca |
| Day 5 | Oaxaca Street Food & Market Tour, Depart |
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City, Tacos, Chelas & Mezcal Tour
Welcome to Mexico City! This pulsating mega-metropolis is a rapidly evolving city where towering skyscrapers coexist with colonial architecture, and ancient Aztec ruins intertwine with the city's diverse urban life. From its lively street food culture and vibrant large-scale murals to the leafy suburbs and dynamic markets, Mexico City is a place where you'll never get bored. On arrival, a private driver will meet you at the airport for a transfer to the 5-star Mondrian, a sophisticated stay at the crossroads of two of the city's best neighborhoods, Roma and Condesa.
Check into your room, then set out to explore Condesa. Stroll through the green streets, wandering by lush parks, chic boutiques, and local taquerías. Save room for this evening when you meet a private guide and venture to nearby Narvarte, a suburb known for its tacos. Start at a taquería specializing in "volcanoes," a crispy tortilla cooked over charcoal, topped with cheese and poblano peppers. Then, try tacos al pastor and suadero tacos from top street vendors. Discover Mexico City's lively cantina culture, and then end the evening with a private small-batch artisanal mezcal tasting.
Day 2: Float the Canals of Xochimilco, San Juan Market Tour & Cooking Class
Today, you'll visit one of the most iconic areas of Mexico City: the canals of Xochimilco. Meaning "the place of the flowers" in Nahuatl, these canals are the last reminder of the rivers that once crossed the valley floor of ancient Tenochtitlan (now modern-day Mexico City). Explore the canals on a private traditional trajinera—a wooden boat painted in colorful colors, named after a family member. As you float along, learn about the Aztec's ingenious techniques for growing food on the fertile riverbeds—many of which are still in use today.
There's no need to grab lunch—this afternoon, you'll discover the gastronomic roots of the Aztec capital with a visit to the Mercado de San Juan. Famous chefs and local shoppers flock to the city's top food market in search of the best produce, meats, and specialties on offer. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you on a private half-day tour where you'll taste exotic fruits, cheeses, jams, coffee, and more while learning about Mexican cuisine and market history. Then, you'll follow in the footsteps of locals and try traditional delicacies such as pulque, tacos, and seafood tostadas.
Later, the foodie fun continues with a private gastronomic experience at Casa Malinche Coffee Bar. This evening, you'll join a private cooking class and learn how to prepare four easy dishes, which can change from group to group but might include tortilla soup or mole. Best of all, you'll prepare traditional corn tortillas from scratch. While here, you'll also learn about Mexican coffee, from the crop to cup, and have the chance to taste some of the best single-origin Mexican brews.
Day 3: Transfer to Oaxaca, Historic Oaxaca Walking Tour
After an early breakfast, a private driver will take you to Oaxaca, a 6.5-hour drive east. Along the way, you'll stop at Zapotitlán Salinas, a town renowned for its vibrant salt flats. Continue to Puebla, a city famed for its colonial architecture and culinary prowess. Traverse its charming streets adorned with colorful tiles, and enjoy Pueblan cuisine for lunch. In Oaxaca, you'll arrive at the luxurious Majagua, a modern adults-only retreat in the heart of the city. Enjoy your welcome cocktail on the expansive terrace, then get ready to explore.
Late this afternoon, you'll meet a private guide for a three-hour walking tour of Oaxaca's colorful streets. Tick off the main attractions of the city, including the 16th and 17th-century aqueduct, the old Seminary of Santa Cruz, the facade of the Casa Juarez, Templo del Carmen, Plaza de Santo Domingo, the former Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, Calle de Alcala, and the beautiful Cathedral with its Baroque facade. You'll also stroll through Oaxaca's famous squares and brilliant markets, where the colors, aromas, and flavors of the city are most vivid.
You have two nights in one of Mexico's great culinary destinations, so you might like to lock in a reservation at one of the top Oaxacan restaurants. Your guide will suggest local favorites, like Teocintle, a small and contemporary Oaxacan restaurant serving a changed six-course menu daily. Las Quince Letras is a classic that serves traditional Oaxacan dishes from across the state, Casa Oaxaca works directly with local producers to source chili, corn, insects, seeds, and Oaxacan ingredients for its traditional menu, and Hierba Dulce serves traditional cuisine, vegetarian-style.
Day 4: Full-Day Mitla, Hierve el Agua, Teotitlán & Mezcal Palenque Tour
Today's day trip takes you out of Oaxaca and into the countryside, where you'll discover a mix of archaeology, handicrafts, and nature on this full-day trip. The first stop is Santa Maria del Tule to see the ancient Árbol del Tule, a Montezuma cypress approximately 2,000 years old and whose trunk is known to be the strongest in the world. From there, you'll continue for around 90 minutes to Hierve el Agua Park, where you can bathe in the mineral-rich cold water springs of a petrified waterfall while enjoying the panoramic view of the surrounding mountain scenery.
Descend to the Mitla Archaeological Zone to explore one of Mexico's best-known Mesoamerican ruins and learn about the ancient site, thought to have been established as a sacred burial place by the Zapotecs. After a half-hour break, you'll continue to Teotitlán del Valle, a village famous for its textiles. Visit the house wool weavers to learn about the artisanal process of spinning, weaving, and dying the wool. Finally, you'll tour a mezcal palenque to taste different types of smoky agave-based spirits and discover the elaborate distilling process. After, return to Oaxaca City.
Day 5: Oaxaca Street Food & Market Tour, Depart
It's your final morning in Mexico, so finish on a high note with a half-day food tour. A private guide will reveal this state's cultural, historical, and gastronomic richness, starting at the Mercado de la Merced. Here, you'll taste a traditional empanada baked in the oven, then wander the vibrant streets of the Jalatlaco neighborhood, admiring colorful street art until you reach the 16th-century aqueduct. Pause for tacos on García Vigil street, pass the Temple of Santo Domingo, and taste one of the city's famous ice creams. Finally, finish with a delicious Oaxacan hot chocolate.
When it's time to depart, your private driver will transfer you to the airport, a 40-minute drive, where you'll catch your flight home or onward. Adiós and safe travels!
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