Embark on an eight-day sojourn into the heart and soul of Oaxaca with Rutopía, your compass to the unseen and unforgettable. As you traverse the ancient yet ever-alive streets, delve into a world where every stone tells a story, every meal is a celebration, and every day brings a chance to interact with the traditions that have shaped the identity of this region. From the mystic ruins of Monte Albán to the bustling markets and serene countryside, Rutopía unveils a curated journey showcasing the rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural splendor that is uniquely Oaxaca's.
Your adventure commences in the vibrant city of Oaxaca, where every corner beckons with the promise of discovery. Amidst the backdrop of architectural marvels and the strains of folklore, you'll explore the culinary heart of Mexico, revered for its unique flavors and traditional gastronomic practices. As you step into the rural embrace, Rutopía guides you through ecotourism projects that resonate with the ethos of sustainability, empowering local communities while offering an unadulterated glance into their lifestyles.
As a socially responsible travel companion, Rutopía orchestrates a harmony between the wanderlust souls and the indigenous spirit of Oaxaca. You'll partake in workshops that are a tribute to the age-old crafts, culinary heritage, and the natural bounty that defines this land. Whether it's kneading the dough in a traditional bakery, brewing the ancestral Pulque, or hiking to vantage points where the beauty of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca unfolds, every moment is a note in the melody of exploration and appreciation.
The itinerary meticulously designed by Rutopía is not just a travel plan, but a narrative that flows through the veins of Oaxaca's community, waiting to be lived and recounted. Each day is a chapter that transitions from the historic walkways of Oaxaca City to the tranquil trails of Sierra Norte, from the artistic aura of artisan workshops to the rustic kitchens where every meal is a rendition of tradition.
With Rutopía, you are not merely a traveler, but a participant in a dialogue that transcends time, a dialogue between the past and present, between the local heart and the global spirit. As you trace back the steps of ancient civilizations, engage with the enduring crafts, and savor the authentic flavors, you contribute to a narrative that is ever-evolving, ever-inspiring.
Your journey through the vistas and voices of Oaxaca is an homage to the indelible spirit of its people and a tribute to the travelers' eternal quest for the authentic and the meaningful. As you bid adieu to Oaxaca, you carry with you not just memories, but experiences that are as profound as the ancient wisdom cradled in the heart of this land. With every step, every story, and every sunset shared with Rutopía, you etch a part of Oaxaca onto your soul, an essence that calls you back to explore, to learn, and to celebrate the unending dance of culture and nature.
Right for You?
One of our local experts in Mexico will make this the perfect trip for you!
Base Price:
$1,130/person
Speaks: English and Spanish
Highlights
-Eat delicious local meals and delightful new foods -Learn more about Oaxaca´s culture & history -Visit Artisan gastronomic factories in the communities of the Sierra de Oaxaca -Participate in beautiful artisan workshops -Have a spectacular view of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca
Details
Itinerary
¡Bienvenidos an Oaxaca! Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed by a private driver and transferred to your hotel (approx. 30 minutes). Once you settle into your room, you'll be free to explore on your own, perhaps starting with a great dinner in your neighborhood. Oaxaca's culinary scene has exploded in recent years so you'll be in good hands, armed with a few recommendations from your driver or hotel.
● Accommodation: Eco-Hotel Las Mariposas or similar in Oaxaca.
● Optional activities: Mezcal or chocolate tastings.
● Transport: Private transfer from Oaxaca's airport to your hotel.
After enjoying your breakfast, your local guide will pick you up for a walking tour through Oaxaca's historic center.
Antequera was the first name of this city which is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and which has a great wealth of culture, history, gastronomy, and traditions, making its visitors fall in love with it. You will be able to admire the ex-convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, home of the museum of cultures and the site that guards the treasure of the 7th tomb of Monte Albán. You will also visit the temple of Santo Domingo with its impressive baroque decoration, Alcalá street, the cathedral and the Plaza de la Constitución with its beautiful markets full of colors, aromas, and flavors. You will enjoy a free afternoon, where we will give you our best recommendations for restaurants to enjoy the variety and delight of Oaxacan food. Rest in your hotel at night.
● Accommodation: Eco-Hotel Las Mariposas or similar in Oaxaca.
● Activities: Oaxaca Walking City Tour.
● Transport: None included for today.
After breakfast, you will have a day off to continue enjoying the city. We suggest you visit one of the city's museums such as the Museo Textil de Oaxaca or the Museo de las Culturas, both of them have interesting exhibitions that will allow you to get a deeper insight into Mexican culture. You can also visit the beautiful Ethnobotanical Garden of Oaxaca, enjoy the markets and gastronomy of the place, or simply have a cup of coffee watching the day to day life of this beautiful city. Rest in your hotel.
● Accommodation: Eco-Hotel Las Mariposas or similar in Oaxaca.
● Optional Activities: Visit the Tule Tree, Hierve de Agua Waterfalls, and Teotitlán del Valle
● Transport: Not included for today.
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to explore the pre-Columbian Monte Albán archaeological site south of Oaxaca City—one of the largest Mesoamerican cities of its time (100 BC). Monte Alban is the great Zapotec city developed on top of a hill in the center of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, which had a great influence on the development of Mesoamerica. Surrounded by a landscape of mountains and valleys, you will cross the North Platform and the Great Plaza paying special attention to the "Gallery of the Danzantes" (the dancer's gallery) and the game of ball among other imposing buildings.
Once the visit of this fascinating place over, you will continue with a visit to the community of Arrazola and its workshops of carving and Alebrijes paintings. This beautiful day will end with the visit to the workshop of Doña Rosa's Black Clay Workshop in Coyotepec. Back to your hotel.
● Accommodation: Eco-Hotel Las Mariposas or similar in Oaxaca.
● Activities: Group visit of Monte Albán, Arrazola & Coyotepec.
● Transport: Shared transportation to the mentioned activities.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast to start your morning. Today you will participate in a cooking workshop in Oaxaca. Oaxaca is one of the main gastronomic centers of Mexico; the stone, the clay comal, and the firewood give a unique and artisan flavor to its dishes made with corn, beans, and chilies.
You will leave Oaxaca to visit a Zapotec community in the Valley of Oaxaca. Here you will visit the traditional wood-burning stove of a farmer's family to take part in a rural cooking workshop given by a Comidera, a title given to ladies who enjoy prestige for their culinary knowledge and expertise. You will prepare 3 dishes in a rural environment and discover the authentic flavors of traditional country cooking, always using local products and harvested from the family's plots or patios. ¡Buen provecho! Back to Oaxaca where you will have a free afternoon. Rest at your hotel.
● Accommodation Eco-Hotel Las Mariposas or similar in Oaxaca.
● Activities: Group cooking class.
● Transport: Transportation to the mentioned activities.
After your traditional breakfast, your private transportation will pick you up and take you to the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca (approx. 1h 30 minutes) to visit an ecotourism project of intercommunity cooperation that promotes the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the towns through the promotion of responsible tourism.
Once arriving at the community of Latuvi you will leave your things in your cabin and start this beautiful experience. First, you will participate in a Bread Workshop, where you will learn the traditional way to prepare it by using the wood ovens. In the end, you will enjoy a delicious local meal with organic ingredients harvested in one of the surrounding communities.
In the afternoon, you will participate in a jam workshop given by a group of Shiga-laa women who help support their families with this initiative. With them, you will learn everything from selecting and collecting fruit in the community's plots, to preparing it and having the opportunity to taste it. Before dinner you will participate in the last workshop of the day to learn more about Pulque, a drink of pre-Hispanic origin and very characteristic of Mexico, by then it will be night so you will enjoy a night with legends on a campfire. Rest in your cabin at night.
● Accommodation: Private Cabin in Latuvi.
● Activities: Workshops of Pan Serrano, Jams & Pulque. Campfire with legends at night time.
● Transport: Private transportation to the mentioned activities.
After breakfast, you will have to say goodbye to this community and you will be transferred to the Community of Benito Juarez (approx. 30 minutes), where you will enjoy a walk to a viewpoint and hanging bridge (approx. 3 hours of walking). From here you will have a spectacular view of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca and if the day is clear you will be able to see the Pico de Orizaba, the highest volcano in Mexico.
Finally, you will enjoy a delicious meal with a local family before heading to Oaxaca City (approx. 1h 35 minutes) to spend your last day as you love to. Rest in the night.
● Accommodation: Eco-Hotel Las Mariposas or similar in Oaxaca.
● Activities: Walking in Benito Juárez.
● Transport: Private transportation to the mentioned activities.
After breakfast (depending on your flight’s time) your transportation will pick you up to take you to Oaxaca Airport (approx. 30 minutes. After one week you will carry the flavors and traditions of Oaxaca in your heart, with renewed energy you will start your journey back home. We hope to count on you again to continue enjoying our beautiful Mexico ¡Hasta Pronto!
● Accommodation: None included for today.
● Activities: None included for today.
● Transport Private Transfer from Oaxaca City to the Airport of Oaxaca.
- Accommodation
With breakfast included in a double occupancy room at mentioned standard hotels or similar according to availability.
- Activities
Mentioned as included
- Transportation
To the above activities as indicated
- Certified local guides
English speaking
- Entrance fee
To archaeological sites and activities mentioned as included in the itinerary.
- Meals
Included meals are noted in the itinerary: BB=Boxed Breakfast, B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner
- Taxes
What's Included
Your Local Host
Rutopia
Locally Owned Social Enterprise
Rutopía: Pioneers of Sustainable and Immersive Travel Experiences in Mexico Rutopía stands as a beacon of innovation and social responsibility in the travel industry, crafting unique journeys that connect adventurous souls with the heart and spirit of Mexico's
Getting There
