Experience the Heart of Oaxaca: A Transformative Cultural Immersion

Join us on a unique journey through Oaxaca, where deep-rooted traditions blend with innovation.

Over the course of six memorable days, we will venture off the beaten path to meet Zapotec artisans whose work reflects generations of knowledge and sustainable practices rooted in a deep respect for the land. We will visit the historic capital, take part in hands-on workshops in remote villages, and dine in family homes on time-honored dishes prepared by regional producers.

This thoughtfully curated itinerary offers meaningful opportunities to connect with the people and spirit of Oaxaca. We will meet individuals whose small, family-run businesses are dedicated to sustainable agriculture, mezcal production, artisanal chocolate, eco-friendly footwear, and the preservation of local food traditions.

Each day is an invitation to learn about Oaxaca’s culture in a way that is personal, authentic, and unforgettable.

Why Choose Our Oaxaca Journey?

Go beyond the typical tourist experience and discover the true heart of Oaxaca with Tejiendo Alianzas and A Qué Te Sabe. This journey is a collaboration offering unparalleled depth and authenticity:

• Dual-Expert Guidance for Deep Context: Navigate Oaxaca with the unique combined expertise of your hosts.

  • Sarahi Garcia, an indigenous Zapotec woman from San Dionisio Ocotepec and Tejiendo Alianzas co-founder, provides intimate cultural context, having focused her law degree on human rights and the customary law of indigenous peoples. She offers an invaluable perspective, especially in communities like her home village, where her family runs DAVA Artisan Design.

  • Richard Hanson, Tejiendo Alianzas co-founder, brings deep context from his work creating a sustainable community development model, which includes a program linking university students to projects in rural indigenous communities.

  • Frederick Jiménez, a professional chef, food writer, and guide for A Qué Te Sabe, elevates your culinary experience, bringing his research on local cuisines since 2013 to respectfully approach the region's food. In Oaxaca City, much of the food we eat will be prepared by him.

• Authentic Community Immersion: Connect directly with indigenous Zapotec women, master artisans, and local producers. Your participation directly supports their sustainable microenterprises and the preservation of ancestral traditions. Additionally, 10% of our profits are dedicated to supporting vital projects and groups like Xula, Xuchil, and DAVA.

• Hands-On Cultural Discovery: Don't just observe—do! Participate in engaging workshops like traditional palm weaving in mystical caves, crafting your own Oaxacan chocolate, and learning the ancient secrets of mezcal production from master mezcaleros.

• Sustainable & Ethical Travel: Our tours champion eco-friendly practices and empower local communities. Experience firsthand how innovation, like solar-powered mesquite flour production, respects the land and creates a positive impact.

• Transformative Personal Connections: Forge meaningful bonds with the people you meet and leave with more than just souvenirs – depart with a profound appreciation for Oaxaca's vibrant heritage, inspiring stories, and a sense of belonging.

Your Organizers

Richard Hanson

Richard received Master's Degrees in Public Administration and Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. He created an intercultural education program for Oaxacan and American high schools in 2007. After supporting community projects for the ORB Foundation, he co-founded the NGO Tejiendo Alianzas in 2017, creating a sustainable community development model.

Sarahi Garcia

Sarahi is an indigenous Zapotec woman of artisan parents from San Dionisio Ocotepec, Oaxaca. She received a law degree with a special focus on human rights and the customary law of indigenous peoples from the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez in Oaxaca. She co-founded Tejiendo Alianzas in 2017, drawing on her deep interests in the social, cultural, and economic development of indigenous communities.

Partnership Highlight: Frederick Jiménez, A Qué Te Sabe

Frederick Jiménez is a Venezuelan culinary journalist, professional chef, and food tours guide who has lived in Oaxaca since 2013. His project, A Qué Te Sabe, is dedicated to researching local cuisines and respectfully approaching the cultural, social, and historical context of Oaxaca through ingredients and meals. Frederick's expertise ensures a deeply authentic and informed culinary component to your transformative immersion.

About Tejiendo Alianzas 

Tejiendo Alianzas is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable community development in Oaxaca, Mexico. We work directly with indigenous artisans, producers, and local microenterprises, supporting their efforts to preserve ancestral traditions, promote ecological practices, and create economic opportunities. Our tours are more than just a trip; they are a direct extension of our mission, allowing travelers to connect deeply with the heart of Oaxaca and directly contribute to the well-being and flourishing of its vibrant communities, making your visit a meaningful part of our mission.

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We strive to minimize our carbon footprint and negative impact on the environment, not only through our nonprofit's projects, but through responsible consumption, recycling, and using as many reusable and/or biodegradable materials as possible. We'll make sure you're constantly hydrated, but we ask you to bring a reusable water bottle for refilling throughout the trip. On your first day, we'll outline additional practices and recommendations for your stay.

Clothing: Though technically it'll be winter, the Oaxacan sun is intense! Make sure to bring a good hat, comfortable walking shoes, and light clothing that can prevent sunburn but not make you uncomfortably hot. The temperature will range from 50 F at night to somewhere in the 80s during the day, but the sun will keep us mindful of where to find the shade. It will very likely be dry as a bone. You'll probably want to bring a sweater or light jacket for the evening.

Medicine and personal supplies: Bring your important prescription meds as well as your go-to favorite OTC remedies that you use on a regular basis. There are plenty of reliable pharmacies here, but we recommend you have on-hand small stashes of what you're familiar with. Take care of your stomach! We'll have a first-aid kit on hand as well and bug spray just in case.

• Should I bring extra cash? The tour fee includes transportation and food. In addition there may be a chance to make purchases during the day. Some of the women have items displayed for sale, including artisan work, as part of their businesses. There is no pressure or expectation to buy on the tour; however you are certainly welcome to, if you see something you fancy! If you do intend to buy, consider taking extra money. Please note that there are no ATMs in the communities, and credit cards are not widely accepted. Tejiendo Alianzas cannot facilitate orders or follow up deliveries of products purchased on the tour. Also, having a little extra money with you is useful if you wish to buy a snack or extra bottle of water during the tour.

• Why Take This Tour? This is more than just a tour – it’s a chance to give back in a way that has a real impact. By participating, you directly support women entrepreneurs and help foster economic independence and social change. Whether you're passionate about supporting women’s empowerment, curious about microfinance, or simply want a unique cultural experience, this tour is for you. Book your tour today and be part of the change!

• Why donate to Tejiendo Alianzas and/or the local groups they support? Your money will go towards promoting greater financial autonomy and leadership of women running businesses, the well-being of families and the strengthening of communities by providing participatory programs that encourage the growth of income-generating businesses and personal development.  

• How does Tejiendo Alianzas operate? We use funds generated through community impact tourism to support and incubate microenterprises run by indigenous women in three Oaxacan communities.  From ancestral mezcal production to palm weaving and handmade shoes, your visit helps create jobs, preserve traditions, and reduce forced migration.  However, we rely on donations to fund our workshops, research, and infrastructure development for these groups.  For more information on our programs, visit our website. Here is the quickest way to donate.

• Can I buy anything during the tour?  Yes—many of the community businesses you’ll visit sell directly to visitors. Whether it's naturally dyed sandals, palm crafts, or mezquite flour, all items are made by Indigenous families using traditional knowledge and sustainable practices. Buying directly from producers helps them grow their businesses and reinvest in local development.  We’ll share price ranges for their products before the daily activities.  Note:  Tejiendo Alianzas does NOT receive any percentage of these sales.

Begin your Oaxaca adventure by exploring the vibrant historic center of the capital city. Wander through the cobblestone streets, admire the architecture, and discover the rich history where colonial beauty meets indigenous cultures. Beyond the city's current appearance, envision the natural landscapes and indigenous neighborhoods that thrived before its growth, dating back to the era of Spanish rule and the arrival of Catholic missionaries.

Welcome to Oaxaca!!

12:00-5:00 PM: Airport arrival and transport to hotel

2:00-3:30 PM: Lunch in Oaxaca City with Frederick Jiménez at AQTS

5:00-7:00 PM: City tour 

7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Dinner in Oaxaca City with Frederick Jiménez at AQTS

Discover the inspiring story of the community-led microenterprise, Suchilquitongo Community Development Association, and their 'Xuchil' brand. This initiative revives ancestral Oaxacan foods, focusing on natural flours derived from mesquite pods. Visit the Xuchil workshop to learn about their mission of sustainable community growth. See firsthand how solar energy powers the creation of mesquite flour and taste this unique product. Following the tasting, participate in a mesquite cookie workshop, then meet other local agricultural producers, hear about their innovative farming practices, sample their harvests, and learn about their commitment to economic and environmental sustainability.  Following these activities in Suchilquitongo, we’ll travel to the Mixtec community, San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca, where we’ll stay at a local hotel next to the 15th century Dominican ex-convent, enjoy a traditional dinner, and partake in an (optional) ancient temazcal ceremony to ease our bodies to sleep after an eventful day.

8:00-900 AM: Breakfast in Oaxaca with Frederick Jiménez at AQTS

9:00-10:30 AM: Travel to Suchilquitongo

10:30 AM-12:30 PM: Meeting with Xuchil mesquite flour project members, interactive tour of the Xuchil workspace and project presentation, hands-on cookie workshop.  

Xuchil Natural Products is a community business run by the cooperative Suchilquitongo Community Development Association.  They produce healthy foods sourced and processed from the Oaxacan countryside.  Mesquite flour, based on the mesquite pods growing on the trees, is their key product.  However, they also offer mesquite based coffee substitute, corn meal, amaranth flour, honey, local black beans, corn, as well as other organic foods.

1:00-2:30 PM: Lunch in Suchilquitongo 

3:00-4:00 PM: Visit Don Plutarco to learn about his agro-ecological farming methods, then participate in harvesting his current batch of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or tomatoes.  Don Plutarco is a key local leader we'll meet who has spearheaded numerous agricultural projects to create organic foods, such as tomatoes, strawberries, and amaranth, using innovative and sustainable resources and practices. 

4:00-6:00 PM: Travel to San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca and set up in hotel

6:00-8:00 PM: Dinner in San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca

8:00-10:00 PM: (Optional) Participate in a traditional ancient temazcal ceremony

After waking up in Coixtlhuaca, we'll make the short drive through the mountains to Santa Maria Ixcatlan. Once there, we’ll engage directly with diverse community projects through hands-on workshops led by local artisans. After a traditional breakfast of memelitas and cafe de olla with a local artisan family, we’ll participate in the Xula Palm Craft project and learn the art of palm weaving – from the land to your hands. We’ll join a hands-on workshop in the caves where artisans create their masterpieces, and learn the secrets of the "petatillo" or "Mixtec knot" technique. Then, you’ll experience "Mezcal Ixcateco" and learn about the traditions of mezcal production by artisans. You’ll witness the techniques, from crushing agave with mallets to fermentation in animal hides and distillation in clay pots, and taste this craft. Then we’ll share a meal with a local family once more before returning to Oaxaca.

8:00-8:45 AM: Travel to Santa Maria Ixcatlan 

9:00-10:00 AM: Traditional breakfast in Santa Maria Ixcatlan

10:30 AM-12:30 PM: Palm craft tour/workshop with Xula Palma Artesanal

1:00-2:00 PM: Artisanal mezcal tour with Mezcal Ixcateco

2:30-3:30 PM: Traditional lunch in Santa Maria Ixcatlan

4:00-7:00 PM: Return to Oaxaca

7:30-9:00 PM: Dinner in Oaxaca with Frederick Jiménez at AQTS

Visit the 250-year-old Ex-Hacienda Guadalupe, a place where history meets modern innovation. Discover how this space now champions artisanal design through the "Oaxifornia" project, connecting hundreds of talented Mexican artisans, including those you've already met! See firsthand how cultural heritage thrives in the global market. Enjoy a traditional meal in the charming village of San Jerónimo Tlacochahuaya, completing a lighter day of discovery.

9:00-10:30 AM: Breakfast in Oaxaca City with Frederick Jiménez at AQTS

11:00 AM-12:00 PM: Travel to the Ex-Hacienda Guadalupe in San Jerónimo Tlacochahuaya

12:00-2:00 PM: Tour of the Ex-Hacienda Guadalupe and Oaxifornia

2:30-4:00 PM: Traditional meal from a local family in San Jerónimo Tlacochahuaya

4:00-5:00 PM: Return to Oaxaca

5:00-7:00 PM: Free time

7:00-8:30 PM: Dinner in Oaxaca with Frederick Jiménez at AQTS

Travel to San Dionisio Ocotepec and learn from the Zapotec women of DAVA Artisan Design. Discover their mission to support sustainable employment for indigenous women through handcrafted, eco-friendly footwear, preserving Oaxacan textile traditions of intricate hand embroideries and colorful pedal loom weaving. DAVA partners with a network of over 150 textile artisans who create materials using techniques like natural dyeing, traditional embroidery, and loom weaving, which DAVA then employs in their shoe and sandal designs. Join a workshop, see their artistry in footwear creation, and learn about their sustainable innovations. Conclude your day at a chocolate workshop, where you’ll participate in the process of toasting cacao, making and tasting authentic Oaxacan chocolate.

8:00-9:30 AM: Departure and arrival in San Dionisio Ocotepec

9:30-10:30 AM: Breakfast with the family behind DAVA Artisan Design

10:30 AM-12:30 PM: DAVA Artisan Design sandal / shoe factory tour, presentation by family behind DAVA

DAVA Artisan Design, led by a collective of Zapotec women, hand-makes shoes and sandals that celebrate indigenous textiles from all over Oaxaca through contemporary shoe and sandal designs.  We will talk with the founder, Doña Clara, and her daughters who run the business.

12:30-2:00 PM: Lunch with the DAVA family

2:30-4:00 PM: Hands-on chocolate making workshop

4:00-5:30 PM: Return to Oaxaca

5:30-7:00 PM: Free time

7:00-8:30 PM: Dinner in Oaxaca with Frederick Jiménez at AQTS

Depart with memories, enriched by the cultural tapestry of Oaxaca. You'll carry with you the essence of this heritage, and the connections forged with the traditions and inspiring stories of the indigenous communities. Your journey will have provided a greater appreciation for the resilience, innovation, and warmth of the Oaxacan people, and a clear understanding of how your participation has directly supported their sustainable microenterprises. Transfer to the airport for your departure.