Day of the Dead Culture & History tour

Arrive in Oaxaca and transfer to Hotel Mision de los Angeles.

Oaxaca, located in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur, was once the center of the Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations. Today's Oaxaca is a combination of pre-conquest, colonial and modern influences. Two of Mexico's most famous presidents, Benito Juárez and Porfirio Diaz, were of Zapotec origin. The early Zapotecs developed a great civilization at nearby Monte Albán centuries before the birth of Christ.

After the Spanish conquered Oaxaca in 1533, the city quickly took on a Spanish flavour, with ornate buildings, churches, elegant archways, balconies, decorative grill work and charming plazas. Yet despite its colonial heritage, the city remains basically Indian at heart, wherein lies its charm. More hotel info   |   Hotel image gallery

Today enjoy a tour of Oaxaca. Meet at 8:30am and from 9:30-14:00, walk through the city taking in the city’s lovely museums, shops, and churches, visiting the main square/zocalo, the awesome Museum of the Oaxacan Cultures and glorious Santo Domingo Church & more. We will end at the main square at the fabulous Asador Vasco restaurant overlooking the plaza for a welcome delicious full Oaxacan lunch.

From 16:00-17:30, we will walk to the colourful Benito Juarez & 20 de Noviembre central markets and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while we see the production of it at the traditional chocolate mills La Soledad.

Spend the evening at leisure.

Today we will travel East in the valley to be a part of one of the week’s best Indian Tianguis/Market day at the town of Tlacolula. Afterwards we will continue to the famed Zapotec weaver’s town of Teotitlan del Valle where we will first visit with a ZAPOTEC family to see the making of the wonderful candles that decorate their church on festive occasions; and after be hosted for a wonderful and traditional lunch in their home. Following lunch we will be shown their weaving and spinning techniques using natural dyes. We will continue to visit the bread making village of Santo Domingo Tomaltepec to see the traditional Day of the Dead bread being made as this entire specialty begins this day as families will expect to buy their fresh bread for their home altars always on the 31st. To end the day we will stop at the village of Santa Maria to admire the world’s thickest tree El Tule.

Spend the evening at leisure in the city.

This morning we will walk and dedicate the entire morning to visiting the amazing “Day of the Dead Tianguis” at the Abastos Market, to see piles of unique breads, sugar skulls, flowers, candles & all the Day of the Dead ornaments that families go out this very day to purchase as it the day to make their home altars to their loved ones.

The afternoon will be free and you may like to visit altars in the city and sand arrangements made on central streets by art groups and take some rest for the late night unique experience.

This evening, we will meet at 11pm to go to a nearby town and see the best example of this traditional wake and also be hosted for hot chocolate and DOD bread with Angelica Vazquez and her family. From there we will all go to their village cemetery to take part in the yearly celebration of the arrival of the “Angelitos”. They will honour us by allowing us to help them decorate their family grave.

Spend the morning recovering from the late night. At 4pm, we will drive north of the Valley to the village of Soledad Etla to take part in the traditional Comparsa Parade! This is a parade that many villages organize in which most dress as spirits and dance through their streets to the rhythm of brass bands. We can walk along with the parade to enjoy this festive and colourful custom.

Today we will travel south in the Valley of Zimatlan to see the diversity of the folk art created by local artisans. First we will visit the famed black pottery village of San Bartolo Coyotepec, where we will visit the famed potter CarloMagno Pedro who specializes in Day of the Dead art, then visit the home of Sofia & Simón Reyes, a family with many generations of making the traditional ollas who will give a demo of their traditional
work. To end our visit in this lovely town, we will stop to see the new State Folk Art Museum.

From there we will continue to the village of San Martin Tilcajete famous for the Alebrijes-Fine wooden painted animals! Here we will be hosted by a traditional family of fine wood carvers, who will first show us their work and then give us a “tortilla making class” and after we can enjoy some with delicious hand made quesadillas from their hot “comal”. Afterwards we will have time to stroll through the village to different carver’s home-studios.

On the way back, we will stop at Santo Tomas Jalieza to see the centuries old use of the back strap loom with the Mendoza Family who will also host us for a traditional lunch and share with us their secrets of making delicious Day of the Dead quesadillas! We will then see the work of the younger daughters Abigail & Eva Mendoza who make intricate miniature weaving and have been included in the Smithsonian collection of Textiles!

Spend the evening at leisure in the city.

Today we will enjoy a Cooking Class with Chef Susana Thrilling. The class includes a hands on cooking experience with a visit to the market and a festive lunch with all the food prepared by our group.

Spend the evening at leisure in the city.

We will spend the morning visiting the impressive archaeological city of Monte Alban.

Transfer to the Oaxaca airport for departure.