Journeys’ Christmas holiday trip in Oaxaca (Wa-HA-kuh) offers more color and hands-on fun than anywhere else in the Americas.
This trip explores charming Oaxaca City in the heart of the high valley. The over-the-top pageantry of December 24 features parades of giant papier-mache heads and competitions between artists who create sculptures from 7-pound radishes. This day alone would make the trip worthwhile, but you’ll enjoy one delight after another from the moment of arrival. Sample Oaxaca’s exotic fruit popsicles in flavors ranging from lime to tamarind to jamaica (ha-MY-ca). Learn from weavers and woodcarvers and try your own hand at painting those whimsical wooden animals that Mexicans call alebrijas (ah-lay-BREE-has). Visit the local markets and learn from a Mexican chef how to cook tortillas, tamales, and Mexican hot chocolate. Explore Monte Alban, the first urban center of ancient Mesoamerica. After a few days in now familiar Oaxaca, sit at the Zocalo, listen to the marimba players, and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Upon arrival you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally-located, colonial style hotel in Oaxaca City. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a favorite Oaxaca locale!
Meals
Dinner
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
BDay 2Oaxaca City Tour
After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour to introduce you to this UNESCO Cultural Heritage City, dating back to the 1530s. Highlights of the tour include the bustling Benito Juarez Market, the lively central Zocalo, the lovely pedestrian street, Garcia Virgil, the Santo Domingo Church and the Museum of Oaxacan Culture. Our “comida” is at the famed Marco Polo restaurant, known for its fresh wood-fired fish which is brought in daily. After lunch, you are free to continue ambling, shopping and people watching from the Zocalo.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
CDay 3Mitla/Tlacolula/Teotitlan del Valle
Today is market day in Tlacolula! In addition to visiting this bustling, colorful weekly market located in the Eastern Valley, you will explore the ancient site Mitla, the post-classic Zapotec and Mixtec site dedicated to the dead. See the finely carved stone frets in various designs and configurations that express the Zapotec cosmology. Then since today is Sunday, you’ll visit a favorite weekly “tianguis” or market, in the town of Tlacolula. Here you’ll see villagers engaging in trade, much as they have for over 3000 years.
Following this visit, you’ll travel to the weaving and dyeing community of Teotitlan del Valle. The rest of the day is dedicated in order for us to spend quality time with some of the weavers (our friends) to better understand their natural dye materials and processes, as well as their master weaving techniques. For lunch, we will eat some delicious “tlayudas” and quesadillas, so famous in Oaxaca! Take a walking tour of the town, including the church, local museum and other points of interest. You will certainly spot many beautiful tapestries you will want to take home.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
DDay 4Oaxaca Cooking/Radish Carving
A special treat is in store today, as we will be led in a wonderful cooking class to learn about Oaxaca’s regional specialties, such as mole, squash blossoms, tamales and more. Our morning begins with savoring delicious high altitude coffee known as Pluma Hidalgo, from the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range. From here, we walk to the local market, to buy our ingredients for our multiple course meal.
After enjoying the fruits of our labor, we venture to the Zocalo to witness the most amazing radish carving contest in the world. Since 1897, local Oaxaca merchants and artisans have carved radishes as an early form of advertising for their produce stands. Themes such as daily life, political characters, and nativity scenes are depicted in radish art. Maybe you can pick the winner!
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
EDay 5Monte Alban/ Calenda Parade
Today is dedicated to exploring the first urban city of Mesoamerica, Monte Alban. Great civilizations emerged and thrived in this region, with the Zapotec among the first cultural groups to develop. They went beyond being nomadic hunters and gatherers and began to develop complex systems of religion, politics, and commercial activity. Enjoy exploring, climbing, and observing the wonders of these ancient ruins. After you’ve immersed yourself in this early world, return to present-day life and refresh yourself in the on-site cafeteria, museum, and bookstore. Return to Oaxaca City where the afternoon is at leisure.
This evening position yourself around the now-familiar Zocalo to witness the Calenda Parade, where approximately 20 area churches decorate a float carrying children who dress as angels, and Jesus and Mary. These floats and church members parade around the Zocalo before heading to their respective churches for midnight mass.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
FDay 6Ocotlan Market and Craft Route
Today we explore the Southern Valley, known as the “Craft Route”, where you first visit Ocotlan, the town that Oaxacan Painter, Rodolfo Morales came from and has left his legacy. Then visit the Rodolfo Morales Museum housed in a lovingly restored Dominican Convent. Further along, the Southern Craft route, visit numerous artisan communities, including Jalieza, where cotton belts and bags and table runners are woven on backstrap looms; Tilcajete, to see the unique alebrije wood carveings; and to Coyotepec, famous for its black pottery, produced by firing in oxygen reduced kilns.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
GDay 7Exploring more of Oaxaca
Our last day in Oaxaca is left open for us to continue as a group or independently to explore many of Oaxaca’s museums, including The Textile Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art and Art Galleries, Coops, Café’s, Bookstores and colorful dynamic markets. Or, we can sit at the Zocalo and watch people as they amble by, or listen to the marimba players. One thing for sure, we will enjoy a fabulous Farewell Dinner with Chef Alejandro Ruiz at Casa Oaxaca!
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
HDay 8Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home or extend to the coastal beach area of Huatulco or Puerto Escondido.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Dates & Price
Dates
Customized for you on your dates, or join a group on the following dates:
For dates and customization options for this adventure, please contact us.
Best Time of Year to Visit
j
f
m
a
m
j
j
a
s
o
n
d
Ideal
Unpredictable
Not Recommended
Not Offered
Journeys’ Christmas holiday trip in Oaxaca (Wa-HA-kuh) offers more color and hands-on fun than anywhere else in the Americas.
This trip explores charming Oaxaca City in the heart of the high valley. The over-the-top pageantry of December 24 features parades of giant papier-mache heads and competitions between artists who create sculptures from 7-pound radishes. This day alone would make the trip worthwhile, but you’ll enjoy one delight after another from the moment of arrival. Sample Oaxaca’s exotic fruit popsicles in flavors ranging from lime to tamarind to jamaica (ha-MY-ca). Learn from weavers and woodcarvers and try your own hand at painting those whimsical wooden animals that Mexicans call alebrijas (ah-lay-BREE-has). Visit the local markets and learn from a Mexican chef how to cook tortillas, tamales, and Mexican hot chocolate. Explore Monte Alban, the first urban center of ancient Mesoamerica. After a few days in now familiar Oaxaca, sit at the Zocalo, listen to the marimba players, and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Upon arrival you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally-located, colonial style hotel in Oaxaca City. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a favorite Oaxaca locale!
Meals
Dinner
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
BDay 2Oaxaca City Tour
After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour to introduce you to this UNESCO Cultural Heritage City, dating back to the 1530s. Highlights of the tour include the bustling Benito Juarez Market, the lively central Zocalo, the lovely pedestrian street, Garcia Virgil, the Santo Domingo Church and the Museum of Oaxacan Culture. Our “comida” is at the famed Marco Polo restaurant, known for its fresh wood-fired fish which is brought in daily. After lunch, you are free to continue ambling, shopping and people watching from the Zocalo.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
CDay 3Mitla/Tlacolula/Teotitlan del Valle
Today is market day in Tlacolula! In addition to visiting this bustling, colorful weekly market located in the Eastern Valley, you will explore the ancient site Mitla, the post-classic Zapotec and Mixtec site dedicated to the dead. See the finely carved stone frets in various designs and configurations that express the Zapotec cosmology. Then since today is Sunday, you’ll visit a favorite weekly “tianguis” or market, in the town of Tlacolula. Here you’ll see villagers engaging in trade, much as they have for over 3000 years.
Following this visit, you’ll travel to the weaving and dyeing community of Teotitlan del Valle. The rest of the day is dedicated in order for us to spend quality time with some of the weavers (our friends) to better understand their natural dye materials and processes, as well as their master weaving techniques. For lunch, we will eat some delicious “tlayudas” and quesadillas, so famous in Oaxaca! Take a walking tour of the town, including the church, local museum and other points of interest. You will certainly spot many beautiful tapestries you will want to take home.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
DDay 4Oaxaca Cooking/Radish Carving
A special treat is in store today, as we will be led in a wonderful cooking class to learn about Oaxaca’s regional specialties, such as mole, squash blossoms, tamales and more. Our morning begins with savoring delicious high altitude coffee known as Pluma Hidalgo, from the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range. From here, we walk to the local market, to buy our ingredients for our multiple course meal.
After enjoying the fruits of our labor, we venture to the Zocalo to witness the most amazing radish carving contest in the world. Since 1897, local Oaxaca merchants and artisans have carved radishes as an early form of advertising for their produce stands. Themes such as daily life, political characters, and nativity scenes are depicted in radish art. Maybe you can pick the winner!
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
EDay 5Monte Alban/ Calenda Parade
Today is dedicated to exploring the first urban city of Mesoamerica, Monte Alban. Great civilizations emerged and thrived in this region, with the Zapotec among the first cultural groups to develop. They went beyond being nomadic hunters and gatherers and began to develop complex systems of religion, politics, and commercial activity. Enjoy exploring, climbing, and observing the wonders of these ancient ruins. After you’ve immersed yourself in this early world, return to present-day life and refresh yourself in the on-site cafeteria, museum, and bookstore. Return to Oaxaca City where the afternoon is at leisure.
This evening position yourself around the now-familiar Zocalo to witness the Calenda Parade, where approximately 20 area churches decorate a float carrying children who dress as angels, and Jesus and Mary. These floats and church members parade around the Zocalo before heading to their respective churches for midnight mass.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
FDay 6Ocotlan Market and Craft Route
Today we explore the Southern Valley, known as the “Craft Route”, where you first visit Ocotlan, the town that Oaxacan Painter, Rodolfo Morales came from and has left his legacy. Then visit the Rodolfo Morales Museum housed in a lovingly restored Dominican Convent. Further along, the Southern Craft route, visit numerous artisan communities, including Jalieza, where cotton belts and bags and table runners are woven on backstrap looms; Tilcajete, to see the unique alebrije wood carveings; and to Coyotepec, famous for its black pottery, produced by firing in oxygen reduced kilns.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
GDay 7Exploring more of Oaxaca
Our last day in Oaxaca is left open for us to continue as a group or independently to explore many of Oaxaca’s museums, including The Textile Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art and Art Galleries, Coops, Café’s, Bookstores and colorful dynamic markets. Or, we can sit at the Zocalo and watch people as they amble by, or listen to the marimba players. One thing for sure, we will enjoy a fabulous Farewell Dinner with Chef Alejandro Ruiz at Casa Oaxaca!
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Casa de Las Bugambilias or similar
HDay 8Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home or extend to the coastal beach area of Huatulco or Puerto Escondido.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Rates Per Person
Need to Know
Rates Per Person -
Land Cost from
$2,785
Land Cost (2 Person Private Trip)
$3,525
Single Supplement
+ $425
The cost quoted is the Land Cost and is subject to change. This covers accommodations, transfers, activities, touring, guide services and meals as described in Journeys’ Trip Notes. The quoted Land Cost will apply when group size falls in the specified range and when travel is on the indicated dates.
Travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip, please ensure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to take part in the listed activities. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide, any traveler is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or inconvenience to the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.
The ability to maintain a reasonable walking pace, allowing the group to stay together. More specifically, you must be capable, without assistance, of walking a minimum of one mile over uneven terrain and climbing stairs that may not have handrails.
When you select group travel, you elect to be part of a group dynamic, maintaining a group travel pace and rhythm.
Please note that this trip operates under different payment and cancellation policies than those described in our complete Terms & Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please review the complete Terms & Conditions prior to submitting a deposit.
Expenses covered
Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses not covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
Deposit and payment schedule
$800 per person per trip or the applicable amount based on the trip and the proximity of the departure date. (Note: this schedule supersedes that listed in the general Terms and Conditions.) A second deposit of $1000 per person is due four months prior to departure, and the final payment for land arrangements is due 60 days prior to departure. Any applicable permit fees required in advance are non-refundable as well. Airlines require full payment when tickets are issued. The deposit may be made by Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, or check, and the Reservation Form may be submitted via our website. Full payment schedule and cancellation penalties are described in our Terms and Conditions as noted on our website, and elsewhere. Please request these if you do not have them before advancing a deposit.
Airfare
We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.
Insurance
When you make your reservation, we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations. Please contact us for a recommended policy.
Itinerary Change Fee
There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.
Duration 8 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Group Size 2 - 10
The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.
Comfort Level
Superior
Delightful & superior hotels
Activity Level
Active
Easy walking & optional hiking
Why Journeys International
Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.
We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.
We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.
We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.
Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?
Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world
Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades
Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is
We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)
We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)
We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU
Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities
Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip
Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages
We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.
24-hour emergency phone support while traveling
We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously
Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too
We love what we do, and we love sharing our common passion with you.
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.
Single Supplement
The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.