Oaxaca (Wah-Hah-Kah) is the ancient home of the Zapotec and Mixtec civilization, builders of Monte Alban and Mitla. The Zocalo (town square) is a place where people relax, listen to the mariachi bands, have a drink and watch the local culture pass by.
So why should I take this tour? As a crafts-person, artist, or someone who loves to travel, you will find that Oaxaca's woodcarving, weaving, pottery, metal working, baskets and masks are just a few of the crafts that appear everywhere, and are an integral part of every day life. When we travel to the villages you will see the primitiveness of this area and the craft work reflects their wonderful culture. You will experience the markets that come alive with sights, smells and sounds that one will never forget. The markets have vast selections of all types of crafts.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1 - Saturday, January 16: Travel Day - Arrive in Oaxaca, Mexico. We will make our way via taxi/van to the Bed and Breakfast which will be our home for the next 8 days. Evening meal at the B&B.
Day 2 - Sunday, January 17: Breakfast at the B&B, After breakfast we travel by van to the Tlacolula market, which is held every Sunday and is filled with an abundance of local produce, livestock, the best selection of breads and a large variety of area crafts. Visit the Dominican Chapel considered by many to be the most beautiful in the Americas. Next, we make a brief stop at Santa Marie del Tule, home of El Tule a large (15 story high) Mexican cypress tree which is over 2000 years old. Back to the B&B for the mid-day meal. During the afternoon we will visit the new Textile Museum of Oaxaca. Here we will have a personally guided tour by the Education Director and then begin our first hands on workshop in "Plangi" (tie-dye). The balance of the day will be free time to explore Oaxaca. Dinner at the B&B.
Day 3 - Monday, January 18: Breakfast at the B&B and the on to Monte Alban, Oaxaca's major archeological site where we will have our own personal tour guide. The morning will be spent at Monte Alban and we will return to the B&B for lunch. After lunch we will travel to Atzompa for a hands-on pottery workshop with internationally known potter Irma Blanco as well as a brief stop to the village pottery co-op. We return to the B&B late afternoon. The balance of the day will be free time. The evening meal at the B&B.
Day 4 - Tuesday, January 19: Breakfast at the B&B, then get ready for a very exciting day. It seems so ironic to be able to find a high quality Glass Gallery and Workshop right in the middle of Oaxaca. First we will visit a glass making studio and get a tour of their space, plus a glass blowing demonstration. We'll start our glass fusing hands-on workshop, break for lunch and then head back to complete our glass making workshop. No experience is necessary. Balance of the day will be free time and dinner will be at the B&B.
Day 5, Wednesday, January 20: Breakfast at the B&B. Today we will travel to Teotitlan del Valle, a village that is devoted entirely to the weaving of tapestry style rugs. We have been extended a very generous invitation to visit one family's home to see the weaving process from the dyeing of the yarns to the final process of weaving the carpets. Lunch will be in the village. We will return to Oaxaca late afternoon and the balance of the day will be free time. The evening meal at the B&B.
Day 6 - Thursday, January 21: Breakfast at the B&B. We travel to the ruins at Mitla where we will have our own personal guide. Mitla, is an unusual site with the buildings containing mosaic geometric designs and is unique because it lacks any human or animal figures. There will be time for shopping in this small village and a lunch stop at Dona Chica's. After lunch we travel to Hieve del Agua - a petrified waterfall way up in the mountains with a spectacular view that is almost unworldly. Dinner at the B&B.
Day 7 - Friday, January 22: Breaksfast at the B&B. Today we travel to Ocotlan for the weekly market and a visit to the beautiful town church and museum. We will visit the home and workshop of the late internationally known artist - Rudolfo Morales. Lunch will be at a roadside restaurant. After lunch we will visit a woodcarving workshop in San Martin Tilcajete for a wood carving demo. Our final stop will be San Bartolo, for a visit to the Oaxacan Folk Art Museum. Balance of the day will be free time. Dinner at the B&B.
Day 8 - Saturday, January 23: Breakfast at the B&B. Today will be entirely at your own pace. A visit to the Benito Juarez Market or the Abastos Market. This market is the largest in the state and covers a 20 square block area and is just a short taxi ride (or walk) from the B&B. Here you will see the locals purchasing anything from fresh fruits, produce, household goods, and live animals to a wide range of locally produced crafts. Back to the B&B for lunch with enough time in the afternoon to make your final purchases, sit and have a drink on the zocalo, and see your final sites. Our final dinner will be a special event.
Day 9, Sunday, January 24: Breakfast at the B&B and then travel to the airport for your flight home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Lodging
- All meals
- Ground transportation
- Daily tours
- Local Guides
- Museum admissions
- Archaeological site admissions
- Textile Museum Workshop
- Glass Fusing Workshop
- Tour of Hieve de Agua
Note: Single rooms very limited - travelers may be paired with another person sharing a room. Tour is limited to 10 people.
Also see tour packages in:
North America
Mexico
Artistry
Crafts Tours
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
