Puebla and Oaxaca During the Day of the Dead

October 27 – November 4, 2023
Nine Days and Eight Nights

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TRIP

• • Visiting small villages around Puebla and Oaxaca to enjoy the fiesta
  • Being in the houses of the most remarkable folk-artists and learning about their traditions
  • Enjoying with the local families their creations and perceptions about this fiesta
  • Visiting places off the traditional path, often on the market days
  • Sharing the cycle of life in a colorful way through parades and processions at the cemeteries in the small villages
  • Seeing the extravaganza of the fiesta in the main city, where the youth also participate in the celebration
  • Learning about the process of making amate-paper and the traditions behind this unique tradition
  • Enjoying the most fascinating Zapotecan archaeological sites: Monte Alban and Mitla

GALLERY

ITINERARY

OCTOBER 27

We will pick you up from the International Airport in México City at 1:45 p.m. in order to travel to Puebla, where we will have our welcome dinner, tasting the delicious flavors of this traditional cuisine.

OCTOBER 28

You will visit the most interesting historic places in Puebla, such as the Cathedral, the Palofoxian Library and the Amparo Museum. Every corner of the city will be the perfect spot to be close to the traditions of Puebla.

OCTOBER 29

Today we will visit the Baroque Museum. Later we will go to Cholula and you will be witness to the incredible process of making the famous Talavera tiles.

OCTOBER 30

After a four-hour drive, we will arrive in Oaxaca. The first stop will be to eat at Los Danzantes, then we will go to the local market of Benito Juárez, where we will learn about all the elements that are needed in order to celebrate the Day of the Dead.

OCTOBER 31

During the morning we will visit the wonderful archaeological site of Monte Albán, and then we will visit the family of Manuel Jiménez the first maker of the whimsical, wood-carved  nahuales that Oaxaca is now famous for. (In México City, they are well known as alebrijes.) There we will meet with Isaías and Angélico, Manuel Jimenez’s sons. They will show us how they have been improving the tradition over the past thirty years. At 6:00 p.m. we will go to Xoxocotlán to be part of the celebration of the Day of the Dead at a local cemetery.

NOVEMBER 1

Our first stop will be at the local market of Teotitlán del Valle, then we will meet Eugenia Mendoza, an incredible weaver in Teotitlán. With her, we will learn about the dyes and other natural processes that involve the manufacturing of beautiful rugs. After lunch we will go to Mitla, another beautiful archaeological site. We will admire the geometrical designs and the deep meaning behind its architecture.

NOVEMBER 2

Today we will go to Ocotlán de Morelos. First we will visit the museum that holds the most important pieces of Rodolfo Morales, the magnificent artist who showed the beauty and peace of his hometown, Ocotlán. Then we will visit Guillermina Aguilar Alcántara in order to learn about her contribution to the folk-art of Oaxaca.

NOVEMBER 3

We will visit Santo Domingo de Guzmán Cultural Center and then we will spend time at the Textile Museum. After lunch you will have some free time to enjoy the last day of our visit in this lovely city.

NOVEMBER 4

Today we will take you (at the time of your preference) to the local airport in Oaxaca City.

COSTS (USD) & DETAILS

*All prices for this tour are double-occupancy only.

The tour includes:

• • Transportation: México City Airport-Puebla-Oaxaca and transfer from the hotel to the local airport in Oaxaca
  • Daily tours
  • A guide specialized in archaeology, ethnography and anthropology
  • Entrance fees to all the attractions detailed in the tour description
  • Workshop to make alebrijes in the house of Manuel Jiménez, where this tradition started
  • Workshop to make rugs with Eugenia Mendoza, the best known artist in Teotitlán del Valle
  • Accommodations
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel
  • Eight lunches, including a culinary experience in Puebla, and tasting the local flavors and the delicious traditional cuisine of Oaxaca

It does not include:

• • Tips
  • Telephone, laundry, etc

This trip was designed for only fourteen travelers.