Artisans, Ruins & Culture of Central Mexico

Our adventure in "Old Mexico" is a skillful blend of the active and cultural, designed to impart a perspective of what it was like in days of old, yet packed with enough activities to satisfy any adventure seeker. Oaxaca is one of Mexico's great colonial cities, a city of churches, with hundreds of church domes seen from the rooftops.

The state of Oaxaca itself is at the crossroads of two major Mexican cultures, the Mixtecs and the Zapotecs. Once waging wars and fighting feudal battles between them, their cultures ultimately became entangled before much of their territory fell to the Aztecs in the 15th and 16th centuries. The ruins of their cities are now at Monte Albán and Mitla, but you still experience these communities beyond the ruins throughout our trip in Oaxaca.

You'll visit ancient Mesoamerican archaeological sites that echo the spirits of long-ago times, see a family-run rug weaving operation, and even visit the largest tree in the world! Add in hiking from in the Sierra Norte, Oaxaca's high Sierra, and experiencing one of the most biologically diverse and most sustainable ecotourism projects in the world, and you'll have a week of adventure that is beyond compare! But don't count on taking any siestas on this trip. You won't want to miss a second of the fun!

Activities

4 days moderate day hikes on varied terrain (max. elev. 10,000')

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the ruins of Monte Albán, believed to be Mesoamerica's oldest city, and Mitla, with its unique stone fretwork
  
• Visit a family of weavers, watch how prized Oaxacan rugs are woven, learn how to spin wool, and see how organic dyes and silk are produced
  
• Hike in the Sierra Norte, an ecotourism project rated #1 in the world by Conde Nast Traveler

2010 PRICES
$1,995 (4-16 members)
$500 single supplement

Bring the Kids!
$150 discount for children ages 9-15 (group departures only)
Minimum age is 10

Duration: 5 days Start Location: Oaxaca End Location: Oaxaca Best time to go: March - April, July - August, December

Itinerary

• 

  Day 1 : Oaxaca

  Meet in Oaxaca, Mexico.

• 

  Day 2 : Monte Albán

  Explore the Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán, and visit the Catedral Santo Domingo, Oaxaca's lively market, and a museum where you can see treasures from the tombs of Monte Albán.

• Day 3 : Mitla

  Morning visit to the Mixtec ruins of Mitla, with its five hilltop palace-like structures and the remains of tombs, plazas, and ancient dwellings. Continue to the home of a family that specializes in spinning and weaving Oaxacan rugs, highly prized by collectors for their use of organic dyes. Continue to Cujimoloyas (8,500') and hike to the Zapotec village of Llano Grande (10,000').

• Day 4 : Llano Grande

  Day hike to Piedra Larga, an area of remarkable rock formations and pristine alpine forests with wonderful views of the Oaxacan Sierra Norte. Return to Oaxaca City for a night on the town!

• Day 5 : Fly Home

  Depart Oaxaca, or continue to Toluca for our Valle de Bravo or Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary extension!

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Antonio del Rosal

  Antonio has been guiding since he was a college student in 1993, specializing in trekking, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting expeditions throughout Mexico. However, Antonio is no conventional guide! He holds an MBA from Georgetown University, has been involved in private equity, international banking, planning and strategy for multinational firms, and is currently the Executive Director for Adventure Travel Trade Association’s Mexico office. Antonio is helping shape the adventure travel industry in Mexico and considers guiding not only a lifestyle decision, but an essential element to maintaining a pulse on the market and making sure his recommendations to other operators and government agencies are accurate and up to date. Antonio also holds a position as Environmental Advisor to a local television channel in Mexico, and uses the media to promote adventure travel and conservation. Antonio is a bi-national (Mexico – U.S.) citizen, is married, and has 3 kids.

photo credits: