This tour is scheduled during Santa Semana (Holy Week) and there will be lots of special events and processions. 

This tour will focus on the local crafts, textiles and regional culture and traditions.  Small group tour limited to 12 people and will run with a minimum of 8 travelers. 

This small group tour has it all.  Visits to weaving workshops, backstrap weaving co-op, pottery and papermaking workshops.  We will get starting with a walking tour of the Historic Oaxaca area with a focus on textiles and crafts. We will have a hands on indigo dyeing workshop, a visit to a red clay pottery workshop and a papermaking studio to learn how paper is made.  We also will have a mezcal making demo with a tasting and so much more. 

When we travel to the villages, you will see the craft work that reflects the wonderful culture and creativity is everywhere. You experience the markets which come alive with sights, smells and sounds that one will never forget.  The markets have vast selections of all types of crafts and there is a very lively gallery scene in downtown.

Oaxaca (Wah-Hah-Kah) is the ancient home of the Zapotec and Mixtec civilizations, builders of Monte Alban and Mitla. It is a charming colonial city, with grand churches, museums and public buildings.  The zocalo (town square) is a place where people relax, listen to the mariachi bands and have a bite to eat and drink.     

We stay at a bed and breakfast that is owned by an American and is located only a few minutes walk to the town square. The rooms are set around a verandah with flower filled gardens and a friendly staff who gives personal service and prepares delicious home style meals.

NOTE:  this is a moderate activity level and some days you will need to be able to  walk 2 – 3 miles over cobblestones and uneven terrain. This tour is not for those with mobility issues, limited walking issues or major health issues.

Monday,  March 30 (D)

Travel Day - Arrive in Oaxaca, Mexico. We will make our way via taxi/van to the B&B which will be our home for the next 10 days. Group pickup at the airport included. Evening meal at B&B.

Tuesday, March 31 (B,L)

Breakfast at the B&B.  Put on your walking shoes. Today we head out for a Walking Tour of downtown Historic Oaxaca which includes Benito Juarez Market, 20 de Noviembre Market, Mercado de Artesanias with a focus on where you can find the best textiles and crafts for shopping later on during your free time. We stop at a chocolate store to see how they make Oaxacan chocolate. Lunch along the way. We will walk past the Textile Museum and San Pablo Cultural Center which you are able to explore in more depth during your free time.  Then we walk up the Alcala (pedestrian walkway) with stops by the Zocalo, Cathedral and Santo Domingo Church.   

You will need to be able to walk 2 to 3 miles over uneven sidewalks and cobblestone streets. 

Breakfast and Lunch Included.     Dinner on your own.

Wednesday, April 1 (B,L) 

Breakfast at the B&B.  We have an exciting day planned today.  We first head to the busy Wednesday market in Etla where they specialize in tamales and Oaxacan cheese.  An early lunch is planned before we head to San Agustin Etla to learn about the papermaking process and even be able to make a sheet of paper.  Our final stop of the day will be a visit to CASA, the Cultural Art Center of San Agustin (a former Textile Factory) and if we are in luck will see one of their incredible exhibitions. 

Thursday, April 2  (B,L) 

After breakfast at the B&B we head out to the archaeological site of Mitla.  The Mitla site is unusual with the buildings containing mosaic geometric designs.  These designs are often replicated by local weavers.  Next stop will be a visit to a weaving workshop to see backstrap weaving and fly shuttle loom weaving.  Weavers in Mitla use the flying shuttle to make many types of cotton textiles including bedspreads, rebozos (shawls), runners, placemats and tea towels.  Lunch along the way.  This afternoon we visit a Mezcal making factory and have the opportunity to sample several different mezcals.  Balance of the day is free.  Dinner on your own. 

Friday, April 3 (B)     

Breakfast at the B&B.  It is Good Friday and today you will have a free day so you can view the many processions and festivities scheduled in the historic area.  More information will be provided to the group as these activities are scheduled.  Lunch and dinner on your own.

Saturday, April 4  (B,L)

Breakfast at the B&B.  This morning we head out to the weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle to visit a weaving studio for a spinning and weaving demonstration.  Next stop is Vida Nueva, the Women's Weaving Cooperative where we learn their story and see their weaving process. After lunch we head to San Marcos Tlapazola to visit the potters who make red clay pottery used primarily for cooking (comals and other vessels).  Dinner on your own.

Sunday, April 5      (B,L)     Easter

Breakfast at the B&B.  It’s Sunday, so that means it is time to drive out to Tlacolula for the Sunday market. Our guide is well versed in the crafts and textiles from this area and will take us to some of her favorite vendors, including the rebozo weavers, apron vendors and some incredibly beautiful hand embroidered blouses.  Free time in the market to make your purchases before we head for lunch.  If time permits and the site is open, we will stop at the small archaeological site of Lambityeco.  Dinner on your own.

Monday, April 6     (B, L)

Breakfast at the B&B.   We needed to change the day's itinerary as we have not met the minimum number of travelers to guarantee the indigo dyeing workshop. In lieu of the dyeing workshop, we will plan to visit Monte Alban, the largest of the archaeological sites in Oaxaca as well as one or two craft villages (woodcarving and/or green pottery. Balance of the day will be free time. Dinner on your own.

Tuesday, April 7     (B,L)

Today we explore the Southern Valley and our first stop is the city of Ocotlan to visit the town's beautiful church and museum with its incredible display of Rodolfo Morales collages and painted pillars.  Next we will visit a shop in San Antonino where they specialize in intricate embroidery featuring a floral motif.  we will lean about wood carving in the village of San Martin Tilcajete.  Lunch at a roadside restaurant.  Final stop is the weaving village of San Tomas Jalietza where you have time to wander through the village outdoor textile market and see how the women weave using the pre-hispanic backstrap loom to make placemats, table runners, handbags and belts.   Dinner on your own. 

Wednesday, April 8   (B,D)

Today will be entirely at your own pace.  Revisit the Benito Juarez Market with its great selection of huipiles, visit the incredible Textile Museum of Oaxaca with its ever changing exhibits, stroll the streets to visit the shops and galleries or just relax and take in the sights of the Zocalo. Tonight will be our Final Group Dinner. 

Thursday, April 9      (B)

Departure to the airport and travel back to the United States.   

Group transportation to the airport.