This is the first time offering a specialized tour with a focus on local textiles, culture and traditions.  

This small group tour has it all.  Visits to a weaving workshop, backstrap weaving co-op, hands on indigo and cochineal dyeing workshops, visit to a silkworm sanctuary, local markets where we will see many types of textiles, a hands on Oaxacan embroidery workshop, a walking tour of downtown Oaxaca markets, 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.

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.

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 for shopping later on during your free time. We stop at a chocolate store to see how they make Oaxacan chocolate. Then walk up the Alcala (pedestrian walkway) with stops by the Zocalo, Cathedral and Santo Domingo Church.  Lunch along the way.  On our walk back to the B&B we stop by the Inglesia La Soledad plaza for a tasting of nieves (ice cream).  

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.

Breakfast at the B&B.  Today will be the first of our two hands on dyeing workshops. Our private workshops will allow us to learn about the use of natural dyes and to understad how the colors work on the fibers.  Cochineal Dyeing Workshop - start with the mordant process, discuss naturals dyes in Oaxaca and prepare extracts of cochineal as you change the Ph of the dye vat to yield 12 different colors of red. Workshop will end around 3 pm. Balance of the day is free.  

Lunch and dinner on your own.

Breakfast at the B&B.  Today is our second hands on dyeing workshops where we focus on indigo.  We will grind the indigo into powder and prepare the dye bath, learning at least two different recipes and the history of indigo in Oaxaca. You will experiment with a shibori technique and solid color dyeing on cotton and have a choice of making napkins, a table runner or a scarf.  Workshop will end around 3 pm. 

Balance of the day is free.  

Lunch and dinner on your own.

Breakfast at the B&B.  This morning we head out to the weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle.  In the morning we visit a weaver’s workshop for a demonstration of the spinning, dyeing and weaving processes. Next stop will be the town of Mitla where we will visit the small, but impressive archaeological site with its incredible geometric designs and a feast for any textile lover.  Lunch along the way, then a stop to visit the workshop of a fly shuttle weaver to see how the local bed spreads and tableware are woven.  

Breakfast and Lunch Included.   Dinner on your own.

Breakfast at the B&B.  A free day since there is so much to see and do in the Historic Oaxaca area.  Galleries, museums, markets and so much more. Information will be provided to the group with a list of things to see.  

Lunch and dinner on your own. 

Breakfast at the B&B.   Today we explore the Southern Valley and our first stop will be 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.  Then on to Ocotlan's beautiful church and museum with its incredible display of Rodolfo Morales collages and painted pillars. Lunch along the way.  

Our final stop of the day will be in San Antonino where they specialize in intricate embroidery featuring a floral motif.  These blouses and dresses are embroidered, then smocked and finally have a crocheted accent added around the neck and sleeves. This is an extremely time consuming process and we will be able to try our hands at the embroidery process.  

Breakfast and Lunch included.  Dinner on your own. 

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 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.  This afternoon we visit a Mezcal making factory and have the opportunity to sample several different mezcals.  If time permits and the site is open, we will stop at the small archaeological site of Lambityeco.  

Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner on your own. 

Breakfast at the B&B.  Today will be a long day, but a very special day as we drive three hours to the Sierra Norte mountain village of San Pedro Cajones to visit a silk sanctuary where silk worms are cultivted, their cocoons spun and then woven on back strap looms into incredible naturally dyed silk garments.  Lunch with a local family. Finally a visit to a family of ixtle agave spinners. 

Breakfast and Lunch included.  Dinner on your own. 

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. 

Breakfast and our Final Group Dinner included.  Lunch on your own.

Departure to the airport and travel back home.

Group transportation to the airport included.