Experience Overview
Celebrate one of Mexico’s most intriguing festivals in the eclectic city of Oaxaca, where indigenous culture holds strong. During Day of the Dead, which takes place at the end of October and early November each year, pre-Hispanic traditions honouring the departed merge with Catholic feasts to create a truly unique holiday. Delve into the beautiful spirit of Día de los Muertos, witnessing spectacular street dances, costumes, and altars while discovering the picturesque landscapes and mouthwatering flavours of Oaxaca.
Highlights
- Take part in the Day of the Dead festival
- Explore Mexico's artistic heartland
- Experience the culinary delights and traditional cooking methods of this region
- Visit the ruins of Monte Albán or Mitla
Trip Details
Product Code: 1782
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: National Geographic Journey, Extreme Adventures
Supplier Code: CMDNG
Starts: Oaxaca, Mexico
Finishes: Oaxaca, Mexico
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Oaxaca Culinary Experience, Oaxaca
- Arrival transfer
- Visits to observe cemetery vigils in the small surrounding towns
- Oaxaca and Etla Valley Day of the Dead parades
- Orientation walk and market visit in Oaxaca
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (6 nts).
- 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport
- Private vehicle, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2699 (CAD 386 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Oaxaca
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
El Día de los Muertos is a holiday in Mexico to honour and pray for loved ones who've departed. During this period in Oaxaca – centre-stage for Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico – cemetery vigils and street parades are not to be missed.
Day 2: Oaxaca
Take an orientation walk through Oaxaca, known for its colourful crafts, unique cuisine, and vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations. During our walk, we'll visit two bustling markets selling local foods, ornaments, and many Day of the Dead essentials. Over the course of the week, immerse yourself in the festival's theatrical parades, watching people dressed in elaborate costumes march to the tune of brass bands; and observe local families gathering at candle-lit altars and graves on visits to the city's cemeteries.
Take an orientation walk around Oaxaca with your CEO. Visit two massive markets located just off the “zócalo” (main square), here you'll find many local foods, ornaments, and Day of the Dead essentials for local families.
This tour includes visits to cemeteries in both Xoxocotlan and Atzompa to view the altars and families gathering as dusk turns to dark. The many candles placed around the altars and graves add to the ambiance. In addition, you'll view Day of the Dead parades in both Oaxaca and the Etla Valley. Participants in these parades dress in elaborate costumes and are serenaded by brass bands. Mezcal, served in small plastic cups, is frequently passed out to those watching the parades.
Day of the Dead takes place between October 31 and November 2 and is a celebration and remembrance of the deceased. Families will build private altars and bring large feasts to cemeteries, to be with the souls of the departed. It is believed that the souls will come back to visit and take part in the celebrations. Some of the “ofrendas” (altars) are very elaborate and include sugar skulls and marigold flowers. In most regions, the souls of infants and children are honoured on November 1. Adults are remembered on November 2. It is generally a festive rather than somber gathering.
The Oaxaca area is well known for its many artisans who make everything from pottery, to elaborate weavings, and mezcal (tequila's cousin). The group can also take an optional visit to a couple of the nearby communities to see the artisans at work.
Day 3: Oaxaca
Set out to explore the culinary delights of Oaxaca with a local host. The culinary richness of Oaxaca has been featured on an episode of National Geographic's “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted”, in which Ramsay explores the history and traditions of this Mexican city while learning how to make mole and tortillas from talented locals. Learn how to flip your own tortillas at a tortilla-making workshop before continuing to a local family's kitchen to taste an array of delicious Oaxacan dishes and chat with your hosts about traditional cooking methods and Oaxacan food culture. You'll also have free time to explore the city and its surroundings.
Day 4: Oaxaca
Spend the day experiencing Oaxaca's Day of the Dead festivities. Attend atmospheric vigils, photograph the boisterous parades, and learn about the spiritual significance of the holiday's rituals. Opt to travel to Hierve del Agua. This stunning natural formation of mineral pools near the edge of a cliff.
Day 5: Oaxaca
Continue exploring the captivating culture of the Day of the Dead. In your free time, choose to head to the nearby ruins of Mitla for a guided tour. One of Mexico's best known archaeological sites, it is believed that Mitla was founded as a Zapotec burial ground. Or, wander among the plazas and pyramids of the Monte Albán ruins, a Zapotec site dating to the eighth century BC.
Day 6: Oaxaca
Enjoy the last of the Day of the Dead festivities. You may also opt to visit a nearby artisan community for a look at Oaxaca's renowned traditional crafts, including pottery and handwoven textiles. Alternatively, learn how to prepare mole, the flavoursome Mexican sauce that comprises a famously inexhaustible list of ingredients.
Day 7: Oaxaca
Depart at any time.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Karen - Traveled, October 2023
We can not say enough about what a great experience this was. Arjeri our tour guide was fantastic and went over and beyond for us and several others. Would highly recommend this trip to family and friends
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/07/2023
Lewis - Traveled, November 2019
great trip thanks to Hugo. If you are thinking of visiting Oaxaca during the day of the dead celebration, a guided tour is the way to go
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2019
Larissa - Traveled, October 2019
Sid was amazing. Hotel casantica was not
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/05/2019
Heather - Traveled, November 2017
Excellent trip! Appreciated the choices of activities to do each day. The hotel where we stayed was centrally located and quite nice. It was noisy. This tour was very well organized and was a great way to experience the day of the dead celebrations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/14/2017
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