Highlights
- Learn the ancient ingredients and methods of Indigenous Oaxacan gastronomy
- Cycle through vibrant neighborhoods to discover street art and galleries
- Explore the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán
- Paint your own vibrant sculpture in an alebrijes folk art workshop
- Cook and taste delicious Oaxacan cuisine in the Oaxaca Valley
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Oaxaca, Gastronomic Indigenous Roots Experience | Oaxaca |
| Day 2 | Street Art Bike Tour, Huautli Experience in San Pablo de Etla | Oaxaca |
| Day 3 | Monte Albán Tour, Alebrijes Workshop | Oaxaca |
| Day 4 | Rural Cooking Workshop in Oaxaca Valley | Oaxaca |
| Day 5 | Depart Oaxaca |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Oaxaca, Gastronomic Indigenous Roots Experience
Hola, and welcome to Mexico! Touch down in Oaxaca de Juárez, otherwise known simply as Oaxaca, the capital city of the Mexican state of the same name. Upon arrival at the airport, your private driver will meet you for your transfer to your hotel in the city. Oaxaca is famed for its rich culture, vibrant architecture, and beautiful weather. It's also one of the greatest food destinations in the world, and you'll dive right in with an Indigenous gastronomic experience. For the next 1.5 hours, you'll discover traditional food that's so good it's designated on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Head to an authentic restaurant in the city, where chefs from Indigenous communities will prepare traditional Oaxacan gastronomy from their eight regions, using ancient ingredients and cooking techniques. Taste pre-Columbian staples like corn, chilies, beans, tomatoes, and squash, whipped into iconic dishes like tamales, mole, sopa de piedra (stone soup), and chapulines (grasshoppers). You might even like to wash it down with a glass of mezcal, a traditional alcoholic beverage made from agave.
Day 2: Street Art Bike Tour, Huautli Experience in San Pablo de Etla
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
One of the best ways to explore Oaxaca is on two wheels, and this morning you'll spend four hours cycling around 3 miles (5 km) through three vibrant neighborhoods. The streets are like an open-air museum, showcasing the diverse and talented artists of the city. You'll admire colorful street art, from large murals to stencils and posters, and make stops at interesting places like art galleries and graphic workshops. You'll also have time to enjoy a local drink and snack along the way.
In the afternoon, head to the nearby town of San Pablo de Etla for a special experience discovering huautli (amaranth). Meet Margarita Barrita, a member of Alegria de la Vida, a group of women who work to preserve the culture and use of this ancient grain. Margarita will introduce you to the world of amaranth in a fascinating three-hour experience learning about the plant, the grain, the cultivation process, the transformation into flour, and its impressive health benefits. You'll also learn the process of making a clay comal (traditional flat cooking pan) and cook your own tzoalli, a pre-Hispanic dessert made with amaranth that's considered a food of the ancient gods.
Day 3: Monte Albán Tour, Alebrijes Workshop
This morning, you'll go on an adventure through the archaeology, history, and crafts of the region. Your local English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and begin a tour of Monte Albán, a great Zapotec city located on a hilltop in the heart of Oaxaca Valley. This UNESCO-listed city was once the capital of the Zapotec civilization and had a significant influence on the development of Mesoamerica. You'll spend two hours exploring the ancient structures of the complex, including the North Platform and Grand Plaza. Admire the impressive mountain and valley landscapes as you wander through the Gallery of the Dancers and the ball court, among other impressive buildings.
Next, you'll visit the Alebrijes Workshop at the house of Don Mario Jiménez, a renowned alebrijes artisan. Alebrijes are colorful Mexican folk art sculptures of fantasy creatures, and during this hands-on experience, you'll meet Don Mario's son, Isaías, to get to know this fascinating craft. Learn the history of the workshop, then try your hand at the craft, painting vibrant colors onto a wooden carving. You can take this piece home as a memento of the rich Oaxacan culture and traditions.
Day 4: Rural Cooking Workshop in Oaxaca Valley
Today, your English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to an immersive, six-hour rural cooking workshop. Depending on the availability of the local chefs, you'll visit either Teotitlán del Valle or Santa Ana del Valle, with both villages part of the Zapotec community in the Oaxaca Valley. Visit the local market and meet with the comideras, women who prepare community feasts and are acclaimed for their culinary knowledge and skills. The women will help you select and buy local produce for your traditional dishes.
Afterward, you'll go to their home to help prepare the dishes, learn their cooking methods, and taste your creations. Some dishes you might enjoy include soup (such as chepil or milpa), a green mole with pumpkin seed, a dessert (such as apples or tejocotes in sweet, chocolate tamale), and a coffee or chocolate drink. Everything is made by hand, with a firewood stove, molcajete and tejolote (similar to a mortar and pestle), and you'll delight your palate with this delicious cuisine.
Day 5: Depart Oaxaca
Your cultural and culinary adventure through Oaxaca comes to an end today. When it's time to depart, your private driver will transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Adiós!
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