Itinerary: Days 1-6 (Day of the Dead Itinerary) +
DAY 1 – ARRIVE OAXACA, MEXICO
Arrive in Oaxaca, a city nestled in the valleys of the Sierra Madre del Sur, once the heart of the Mixtec and Zapotec civilisations, the city is a living mosaic of pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary influences. Known as the birthplace of Benito Juárez, Mexico’s first indigenous president, Oaxaca is a cultural treasure.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the historic centre, perfectly placed to explore the city’s colonial charm during your five-night stay.
DAY 2 – OAXACA & SURROUNDS SIGHTSEEING
Ocotlán de Morelos, San Antonino Castillo, San Martín Tilcajete & Santo Tomás Jalietza
Venture south of Oaxaca to explore a series of craft villages, each preserving centuries-old artisanal traditions. Begin in Ocotlán de Morelos, where the lively central square and church are surrounded by a bustling market. Here, marigolds, incense, pan de muerto (sweet bread), and chocolate fill the senses, these essential offerings are used to adorn altars during the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Continue to San Antonino Castillo, renowned for its intricate hand-embroidered textiles. Watch skilled women weave ancestral patterns into blouses and dresses, keeping centuries-old designs alive. In San Martín Tilcajete, witness the creation of alebrijes, vividly painted wooden spirit animals, in the workshop of Jacobo and María. These figures, called Tonas and Nahuales, are believed to be protective spirits spiritually linked to a person from birth. On the way back to Oaxaca, stop in Santo Tomás Jalietza to admire exquisite backstrap loom weaving, each piece a testament to skill, heritage, and cultural pride.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3 – EXPLORE ZAACHILA
Explore Zaachila, an ancient Mixtec city, with impressive tombs, pre-Hispanic monoliths, and a central square flanked by a colonial church. After lunch at a traditional restaurant specialising in ancestral Zapotec cuisine, visit a local family home to experience a personal Day of the Dead altar. Here, you will learn the symbolism behind flowers, candles, food and photographs, and gain insight into the heartfelt way Oaxacans honour their ancestors.
In the evening, join the festivities at Xoxocotlán cemetery, one of the oldest towns in the Oaxaca Valley, just six kilometres from the city. As the sun sets, tombs glow with candlelight while families gather in vigil, celebrating the lives of their loved ones with music, flowers, and joyful remembrance, a deeply moving, life-affirming experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 – EXPLORE TEOTITLAN DEL VALLE & MITLA
Discover Teotitlán del Valle, the heart of the Zapotec craft region. Here, artisans create elaborately decorated candles that illuminate altars with vibrant colours and intricate designs, each representing life, memory, and devotion.
In the afternoon, visit Mitla, the “Place of the Dead” (Mictlán in Nahuatl), an important Zapotec city after the decline of Monte Albán and later occupied by the Mixtec. Many of Mitla’s temples were destroyed by the Spanish, the stones were repurposed to build the Iglesia de San Pablo, which now dominates the site. Explore the unique geometric mosaics, temple remains, and the colonial church, witnessing the blend of pre-Hispanic and Spanish colonial heritage.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5 – EXPLORE MONTE ALBAN
Spend the day at Monte Albán, a UNESCO World Heritage site spectacularly perched on a mountaintop 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley. Monte Albán was the greatest of the Zapotec cities, dominating the cultural, religious, and economic life of the region. Marvel at the levelled mountaintop, a triumph of ancient engineering, which allowed for ceremonial plazas, ball courts, observatories, and palaces. Explore the Gran Plaza, temples, and other monumental structures while imagining the rituals, festivals, and governance that once animated this sacred city.
In the afternoon, return to Oaxaca and enjoy time at leisure. You may choose to wander through the city’s lively streets, step into its fascinating museums, or unwind at a cafe while taking in the vibrant atmosphere. During the Day of the Dead, cultural centres and galleries such as Casa de la Ciudad and Centro Cultural San Pablo showcase intricate altars and special exhibits, each one offering a powerful and creative tribute to memory and tradition.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6 – DEPART OAXACA
Transfer to Oaxaca airport for your onward journey, carrying with you vivid memories of a city where ancestral traditions, colourful markets, and candlelit vigils come together in a joyous celebration of life.
Meals: Breakfast
