Tour Duration : 8 Nights And 9 Days
Destinations Covered: Oaxaca - Oaxaca
Package Inclusions:

• accommodation on twin share basis

• transfers and tours with local english speaking guides

• american breakfasts daily

• meals as per itinerary

• entrance fees as per itinerary

• local taxes and service charges

Package Exclusions:

• visa fees

• meals not mentioned as being included and beverages

• items of a personal nature and tips & gratuities to local guides or drivers

DAY 1: ARRIVE OAXACA

Arrive in Oaxaca. You will be met at Xoxocotlan Airport and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight in Oaxaca.

DAY 2: OAXACA: THE MITLA ROUTE

This should be a Sunday so that a visit to market day at Tlacolula can be incorporated After breakfast at the hotel enjoy a half day tour of the Mitla route. Visit the following: Santa Maria El Tule. Among Oaxaca’s natural wonders, one of the most extraordinary is this unique, gigantic sabine known as “the Tule tree”. It measures 40 meters tall, has a diameter of 52.58 meters, weighs 509 tons and is approximately 2000 years old. Teotitlan del Valle This village is known for wool rugs that are woven on handmade looms. They are colored with natural dyes made from indigo, cochineal and rock moss. We recommend visiting homes of the artisans as well as the village museum, which displays pre-Hispanic objects used for rug weaving. Santa Ana del Valle The villagers are weavers who are renowned for their textiles, serapes and jorongos woven from naturally dyed wool, using both modern and traditional designs. The village church features beautiful baroque gilded retablos as well as oil paintings and sculptures. Tlacolula The color and tradition of the Sunday market is of special interests to tourists. Inside the church of La Asuncion is one of the prize jewels of Mexican Baroque architecture: the chapel of the Christ of Tlacolula. Mitla This was the Zapotec ceremonial center and the residence of holy men. It is especially famous for its beautifully proportioned patios complement with the extraordinary decoration of the walls. This evening you will enjoy a Guelagetza dinner show. Overnight in Oaxaca.

DAY 3: OAXACA: COOKING CLASS / CITY VISIT

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you shall attend a cooking class at either Casa Oaxaca Hotel or Los Naranjos Restaurant which will include a visit to the local market and lunch. In the afternoon you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Oaxaca, a unique and colorful city located in a valley surrounded by the Sierra del Sur mountain range. During your tour you will admire the center of the town with its beautiful Santo Domingo church, the historical center that is comprised of 27 blocks that cover 5 km: 26 temples, 5 convents and a variety of buildings that portray the diverse architectural style from the XVI to XX century. Overnight in Oaxaca.

DAY 4: OAXACA: HIERVE EL AGUA

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning. Today enjoy an excursion to visit Hierve el Agua, situated 13 km southeast of Mitla, where bubbling mineral springs run into bathing pools with a dramatic cliff top location and expansive panorama. Hierve el Agua means “the water boils” but the mineral-laden water is actually cold. Water dribbling over the cliff edge for millennia has created mineral formations that look like huge frozen waterfalls. On the way back to Oaxaca you will stop at a Mezcal distillery to learn about the production of Mezcal. Return to Oaxaca. Dinner and overnight in Oaxaca

DAY 5: OAXACA: THE MONTE ALBAN, ZAACHILA ROUTE

After breakfast at the hotel, visit: Monte Alban was the ancient capital of the Zapotecs which was later occupied by the Mixtecs until a few years before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. In its heyday, Monte Alban covered an area of 40 square kilometers, with a population of approximately 40,000. Temples, patios, palaces and a ball court are laid out along a huge esplanade. Arrazola The creativity of the village artisans is evident in the fantastical animals which they carve from copal wood and which they display and sell in their homes. Zaachila This was the last capital of the Zapotecs empire. Seen on the tombs are extraordinary representations known as the Senores del Infierno (men from hell). This evening enjoy dinner at Restaurant los Danzantes. Overnight in Oaxaca.

DAY 6: OAXACA: COOKING CLASS

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you shall attend a second cooking class, which includes a visit to the market and lunch. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Oaxaca.

DAY 7: OAXACA – THE OCOTLAN ROUTE

This should be a Friday so a visit to the market at Ocotlan de Morelos can be incorporated After breakfast at the hotel, visit: San Bartolo Coyotepec This village’s main attraction is the burnished black clay pottery that is crafted by local artisans. Incredibly beautiful pieces can be purchased in the village market. San Martin Tilcajete This town is known for brightly painted animal figures carved from wood. Ocotlan de Morelos One of this town’s main attractions is the Friday “tianguis”, or market, where you’ll find red clay pottery, knives, apaxtles and traditional kitchen utensils. This evening enjoy dinner at Restaurant Catedral. Overnight in Oaxaca.

DAY 8: OAXACA – THE ROUTE OF THE DOMINICANS

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Departure to visit: Etla Situated in a small valley, the town of Etla has a surprisingly large and beautifully proportioned 16th century church. The vestiges of an ancient aqueduct give a very special character to the town that is famous for its cheeses and its onyx handicrafts. Coixtlahuaca Built by the Dominicans in 1596, this Renaissance-style convent complex is noteworthy for the elegance of its gothic-style doors and windows. Of special interest is the outdoor chapel and the rich collection of colonial paintings exhibited on the walls of the convent. Teposcolula This church boasts an extraordinary 16th century outdoor chapel, known as the chapel of the Indians. Inside the church is a group of gilded baroque retablos. Displayed in the convent section is a collection of large oil paintings that illustrate events in the life of Santo Domingo de Guzman. Yanhuitlan In sharp contrast to the craggy mountains the imposing silhouette of the 16th century convent and church. They are of special interest for the finely detailed architecture and for one of the largest and oldest retablos in Mexico, placed over the main altar. It is equally famous for its 16th century organ, which is considered a jewel of its kind.

DAY 9: DEPART OAXACA

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Places	Nights	Standard	Superior	Deluxe
Oaxaca	8	Mision Hotel	Fiesta Inn	Camino Real

TOUR RATES & DATES

Currency	From	To	Tour Category	Twin	Single	Single Supplement
USD	01-May-10	15-Dec-10	Tourist	2,200.00	-	280.00
USD	01-May-10	15-Dec-10	Superior	2,545.00	-	575.00
USD	01-May-10	15-Dec-10	Deluxe	2,750.00	-	1,520.00

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