Destination:
Days: 6Dive into authentic Oaxaca culture with this fascinating excursion of local gastronomic delights, ancient archeological sites, and traditional crafts.
Start this six-day experiential adventure with a stay at the historic hotel Quinta Real and an exploration of the local Zapotec community. Enjoy a cooking class and market tour before learning about some local heritage textile traditions. After, head to Monte Alban Archeological Site for a private tour, and then on to Santo Tomas Jalieza to learn about local cuisines.
This is followed by a contemporary cooking class with top chef, Alejandro Olmedo, a relaxing shaman-led temazcal ritual, and a chance to try caldo de piedra, also known as stone broth.
HIGHLIGHTS
Cooking lessons – Learn cooking techniques with a top local chef and with members of the indigenous community
Gastronomic traditions – Study and sample pre-Hispanic gastronomic traditions including nixtamal and mezcal
Monte Alban – Enjoy a private tour of the World Heritage Site, Monte Alban, a pre-Colombian archeological site
Temazcal – Participate in an authentic Temazcal ceremony with a Oaxacan healer
Day 1: Welcome to Oaxaca
Upon arrival in the cultural capital of Oaxaca, enjoy a private transfer to Quinta Real. Built in 1576 as the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, the delicate feet of nuns trod its corridors for almost three centuries.
At the height of political turmoil in 1862, the nuns were ordered to abandon the convent, and their former home was turned into offices for municipal bureaucrats until 1972, which is when restoration began. The National Institute of Anthropology and History supervised the interior decoration.
Teams of experts restored the frescoes that adorned the ancient walls. Floors were returned to their original designs, and, where possible, the artistic treasures of yesteryear were repaired. No two rooms are identical in the Quinta Real Oaxaca, but all of them offer modern comforts against a Spanish colonial backdrop.
Overnight: Quinta Real Oaxaca
Day 2: Zapotec traditions in Teotitlan del Valle
Today, enjoy the first of two cooking classes with members of the local Zapotec community. Before doing so, learn about some of the historical forces that shaped the local cultural landscape by visiting the magnificent 17th century church, built by Spaniards atop a Zapotec ceremonial site, repurposing sacred carved stones.
A local expert guide will help interpret the frescoes and the history that guided the artists’ hands. After an introduction to the Zapotec culture and history, accompany a local family to the market to procure the best ingredients for favorite stews known as guisados.
While Oaxaca is well-known for its culinary traditions, this particular community is widely celebrated for its additional adroitness at the loom. Learn about natural dyes and traditional approaches to creating entirely unique blankets and rugs.
Before returning to Oaxaca City, visit a local distillery to learn about the production of mezcal from agave. While the spirit has grown in popularity internationally over recent years, the world’s best is still produced in Oaxaca. Sample fine, smoky reposado and añejo varieties in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Quinta Real Oaxaca
Day 3: Monte Alban
Today, continue to look at ancient Oaxacan traditions and traditional cuisine with a visit to World Heritage Site, Monte Alban. Learn of the great ancient civilization at Monte Alban that preceded known history and its surviving maize traditions.
After a privately guided tour of Monte Alban, visit the artisanal town of Santo Tomas Jalieza. Here, learn about the maize lime-hulling tradition of nixtamal. Prepare this enriched masa and combine it with other local products such as fine Oaxacan cheeses to create delicious local favorites such as quesadillas with squash blossoms, tlayudas, and memelitas, all local specialities requiring specially prepared nixtamal. Learn the process, work the comal griddle, and enjoy the resulting dishes!
Depending on travelers’ interests, visit local artists to see the colorful mythical carvings known as alebrijes.
Overnight: Quinta Real Oaxaca
Day 4: Cooking class with top chef Alejandro Olmedo
After spending time in the countryside with local campesinos, learn about the contemporary flavors that continue to attract international attention to Oaxaca with local top chef Alejandro Olmedo of Casa Oaxaca.
Visit the great central market and discuss the ancient traditions and more cosmopolitan approaches to a range of local dishes. Through his personalized course, Alejandro will demonstrate the different flavors of Oaxaca, sharing his extensive gastronomical knowledge along the way.
Discuss recent discoveries in the Zapotec communities with Chef Alejandro for further insight into Oaxaca’s cuisine. Prepare another special meal today and enjoy along with a selection of artisanal mezcals.
Overnight: Quinta Real Oaxaca
Day 5: Temazcal ritual and caldo de piedra culinary experience
Today, join a local shaman for a temazcal purification ceremony. Hot stones combined with carefully-selected herbs in the sweat lodge in this ancestral ritual will offer a unique and unforgettable journey. The adventure continues with lunch in a local spot for a culinary experience. Learn all about and taste the traditional meal known as caldo de piedra or stone broth.
Overnight: Quinta Real Oaxaca
Day 6: Departure Date
Enjoy a private transfer from the Oaxaca hotel to the airport.
Dates
Our trips are fully customized, allowing us to build your itinerary for any time of the year.
Prices
Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.
Please note, our pricing guideline is a starting from price and is not necessarily applicable to the suggested hotels contained within the suggested itineraries on this web site. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.
