Itinerary

The itinerary below is a sample itinerary. Depending on the group and travel times, the actual itinerary may vary in day-by-day content and total number of days. Call us (1-888-359-3801) for specific details.

Day 1: Arrival in Mexico City and travel to Oaxaca City
After arriving in Mexico City, we take a 6-hour bus to Oaxaca. We settle into our hotel in Oaxaca, enjoy a wonderful dinner and head out into the zocalo (town square) to relax.

Day 2: Oaxacan Flavors
From quesillo (string cheese) to squash flowers, this morning we learn about many of the ingredients that make Oaxacan cuisine so special. In the process, we savor the tastes and smells of a downtown city market. The afternoon brings us together with Mexican chefs as together we prepare a five course feast at a mountain hacienda! Through an afternoon of mixing, chopping, tasting, and laughing, we prepare many of Mexico’s traditional dishes. Best of all, we eat everything we prepare for dinner!

Day 3: Oaxacan History
In the morning, we visit the stunning Zapotec city of Monte Alban. Here, we see structures and carvings dating to 300 A.D. as we learn about the culture and traditions of the Zapotecs who once ruled over this region thousands of years ago. In the afternoon, we have a guided tour of the city of Oaxaca. From the Santo Domingo church to the Palacio de Gobierno, the Spanish history that began here in 1529 will come to life.

Day 4: Traditional Handicrafts
This morning we venture outside of the city to visit two small villages. Here we meet the artisans who produce two of Mexico’s most well-known handicrafts: alebrijes (animal figures) and barro negro (black pottery). In the quiet country town of San Martin Tilcajete, we visit several artisans’ homes to explore the variety of alebrijes available. Then, we have a hands-on workshop where you learn how to make alebrijes! Next, we visit the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec. Here, we learn how artisans craft beautifully black polished pottery from rudimentary potter’s wheels and clay. Later, we enjoy a late afternoon of shopping, strolling, and relaxing. In the process, we discover some quiet and not-so-quiet places around the city.

Day 5: A Day in the Life of a Oaxacan
We start early this morning with a trip to one of several outdoor markets in the villages surrounding Oaxaca. Here, the diversity of food, culture, and crafts comes to life with a hum of activity. We take a couple of hours to explore the market. In the afternoon, we engage in a cross-cultural interchange as Mexican and American students share experiences and lifestyles. For our final evening in Oaxaca, we celebrate with a party and one last visit to the zocalo.

Day 6: Conservation and Sustainable Development
Leaving the city behind us, we study conservation issues in Oaxaca’s amazingly diverse tropical cloud forests. We visit a coffee cooperative and learn about fair trade and sustainable coffee. This cultural experience helps students draw direct parallels between consumer decisions in the United States and the effects those decisions can have abroad. Next, students learn about ecotourism efforts in the region. Conservation organizations around the world are racing to protect Oaxaca’s fragile forests.

Day 7: Traditional Handicrafts II
Today we head out to a traditional weaving village where we learn the art of textiles. The afternoon offers free time for last minute shopping, journaling or quiet reflection. Finally, the students wrap up their experience at the town square, or zocalo, sharing what they have learned about conservation, culture and themselves.

Day 8: Hasta Luego!
This morning we head back to Mexico City and return home. As they say in Mexico, “Que le vaya bien y regrese pronto,” or “Travel safely and return soon.”