Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy an authentic experience of traditional Mexican culture
- Venture to nearby villages to visit their most renowned artisans
- Immerse yourself in the macabre spirit of ‘Dia de los Muertos’
- Take part in various street parade festivities and twilight vigils
- Head to the ancient, extraordinary Mayan ruins of Monte Alban
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
10 nights from £3,480 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Be part of the celebrations for Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival on this exciting set itinerary, from an in-depth introductory tour of Mexico City to visiting the archaeological site of Teotihuacan.
This trip is perfect if you’re keen to get involved with an authentic experience of Mexican culture, during one of the country's biggest celebrations. A colonial city and the artistic capital of Mexico, Oaxaca is one of the best destinations to experience this unique festival.
During the Day of the Dead celebrations, death comes alive! Families celebrate the memories of those they’ve lost over the years, elaborately decorating altars in their houses and holding traditional wakes in cemeteries. You’ll be immersed in this 4,000-year-old festival and learn about the history, meaning and symbolism behind it. Streets will be filled with iconic symbols, including the iconic, intricately painted sugar skulls which are always elaborately decorated.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Fly UK to Mexico City | 28th October
Depart the UK on your chosen flights to Mexico City. On arrival, you're met by a local representative who'll transport you to your hotel.
Day 2 | Mexico City to Oaxaca | 29th October
Enjoy an introductory tour of Mexico City, from Zocalo main square (one of the world’s largest public squares) to the Metropolitan Cathedral (the largest church in Latin America). Your final stop is the Anthropology Museum, where there’s time to explore the treasures of Aztec culture. Then board your onward flight to Oaxaca. Upon arrival, you’ll transfer to your hotel for the next six nights.
Day 3 | Oaxaca | 30th October
This morning, transfer to San Bartolo Coyotepec – where Oaxaca’s gleaming black pottery is made. Experience a demonstration of the process at Rosa Real’s family pottery workshop before driving to Santo Tomas Jalietza. This village is famous for its beautiful weavings and embroidery work. After browsing the market, continue to Ocotlan, where the village’s most renowned artisans, the four Aguilar sisters, create colourful pottery figures. Ocotlan was also the hometown of artist Rodolfo Morales (1925-2001), who turned his international success to Ocotlan’s benefit by setting up a foundation to help renovate the village’s 16th century church.
Day 4 | Oaxaca | 31st October
Head to the Mitla archaeological site, an important Zapotec city after the decline of Monte Alban. Next, make your way to an ‘Altar of the Dead’ for a full explanation of the significance and how this connects with the Day of the Dead festivities in the city. In the evening, visit one of the oldest towns of the Oaxaca Valley; Xoxocotlan. Visit the tombs of the old and new cemetery of San Miguel and celebrate with flowers and candles alongside the local villagers.
Day 5 | Oaxaca | 1st November
While in the heart of the Zapotec zone, visit the town of Teotitlan del Valle; considered the craft centre of Oaxaca. This traditional town has been renowned for its weaving wares and handicrafts since pre-Hispanic times. Visit the workshop of a traditional candlemaker to witness this exemplary art form, carefully hand crafted to be used throughout annual celebrations like Day of the Dead.
Day 6 | Oaxaca | 2nd November
Exploring the extraordinary archaeological site of Monte Alban is not to be missed. A collection of temples, palaces, terraces, dams, canals and pyramids carved out of the mountain, Monte Alban was the ancient capital of Zapotec that once supported 35,000 people. Looking down across the spectacular landscape is an incredible way to view the valleys you have spent the last few days exploring. Later, explore the beautiful city of Oaxaca and discover its colonial heritage on a city tour. End the tour with a stop at a local market, full of diverse offerings for the locals to purchase on the altars for the Day of the Dead tradition.
Day 7 | Oaxaca | 3rd November
Today, visit 'Hierve El Agua', where up in the hills these mineral springs run into icy cold clifftop bathing pools and offer spectacular panoramic views. The surrounding cliffs appear to be covered in huge frozen waterfalls, formed by the petrified minerals from the water. On the way back to Oaxaca, there’s a stop at the Tule tree, one of the world’s largest trees thought to be more than 2000 years old. Continuing along the same route, take a final stop before returning to the city at a Mezcal distillery. This visit includes a tasting as well as a tour to demonstrate the process of making one of the region's most famous drinks.
Day 8 | Oaxaca to Mexico City | 4th November
Oaxacan cuisine is famous for its refinement and complexity, So, we’ll learn how to prepare it; your teacher is a local woman who learned cooking from her mother and her grandmother before her. We’ll take you to the local market where we’ll taste and buy the ingredients: different fruits, vegetables and traditional herbs that are used in the preparation of the regional dishes of Oaxaca. A light lecture on Oaxacan cuisine is given. Then grab an apron to create a delicious four-course meal. In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to the airport for a flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel for two nights.
Day 9 | Mexico City | 5th November
On your final full day of the tour, visit the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. First stop will be the Three Cultures Plaza, where Aztec, Spanish and contemporary Mexican cultures all converge. Continue to the Shrine of Guadalupe, one of Latin America's most revered religious shrines, before a one-hour drive to Teotihuacan, one of the most impressive cities of the ancient world. We’ll explore temples, palaces and pyramids, including Quetzalpapalotl Palace Complex, Temple of the Feathered Conches, Pyramid of the Moon and Pyramid of the Sun, ranked among the largest in the world.
Day 10 | Flight Home | 6th November
Depart Mexico City and transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
10 nights from £3,480 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Tour includes:
Shared airport transfers
6 nights accommodation in Oaxaca including breakfast
3 nights in Mexico City including breakfast
Shared sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary and please note that accommodation is subject to availability at time of booking.
You spend the day of the dead festival in Oaxaca.
International & Domestic flights
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Pricing Notes
This is an itinerary operating on set dates from 28th October until 6th November, specifically for the Day of the Dead celebrations. This tour is operated by our Mexican suppliers and is subject to availability and rates at the time of request, based on shared services with other tourists travelling over the same period.
Services outside of these dates are suggestions and based on shared services. These services outside of Oaxaca can be tailored to your requirements or be taken on a private basis.
Please note as services are shared with other tourists some pick up/drop off times may not link exactly with flights and for excursions you may spend some time whilst the driver collects other clients. Please enquire for details if you would rather have private services.
Hotels are subject to change due to availability. At time of bookings the best option with the best price will be selected.
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