October 31st marks the beginning of Mexico’s “Dia de Los Muertos”(Day of the Dead) celebration. Day of the Dead events honor the deceased with vibrant festivities through November 2nd. Elaborate altars welcome spirits with food and flowers as people visit cemeteries to decorate gravesites and spend time with the souls of their loved ones.
These celebrations originated with pre-Hispanic traditions dating back hundreds of years, including an Aztec festival honoring the goddess of the afterlife, Mictecacihuatl. As the cultures intertwined, The Day of the Dead evolved to include elements of Christianity, including prayers for the souls of the deceased. Rather than a morose occasion, Dia de Los Muertos is a celebratory holiday when the lives of those passed are commemorated. Whimsical skull decorations symbolize the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Experience the layers of history behind this UNESCO cultural heritage event in the land of its origins.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Oct 29 – Oaxaca
Arrive at the Oaxaca airport, transfer included to the hotel for checkin. The tour manager will greet you at the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 2 - Oct 30 – Monte Alban and Oaxaca Cuisine
Breakfast at the hotel. Our first visit will be to the market to learn about the ingredients and the materials used for the celebration. We will also visit the archeological site of Monte Alban, a great city on the hill that reigned for 1200 years. This great city’s remains reveal an already advanced culture with temples, pyramids, palaces, and ball courts. During the evening we will attend a cooking class and enjoy the preparations. Welcome dinner tonight. (BLD)
Day 3 - Oct 31 – Ocotlan, Coyotepec, Tilcajete, Jalieza, and Graveyards
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Our first stop will be at Ocotlan for the traditional market and then see the elaborate black pottery. Next, travel to Tilcajete famous for its wood carvings of mystic figures, termed “alebrijes.” In Jalietza, you will see artisans creating elaborate and beautiful embroidery cloth products. The evening will bring a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, we will visit the cemetery to see the altars with its offerings and decorations of the graves. You will also see the colorful carpets of Marigolds, sand, and sawdust that adorn the streets, welcoming the spirits.
Day 4 - Nov 1 – Mitla, Teotilan, Mezcal, Tule Tree, and Masquerade Parade
Breakfast served at the hotel. Today we will visit the archeological site of Mitla, “The place of the dead.” Built around 800 AD, Mitla contains amazing architecture and striking grecas that adorn the walls. We will stop at Teotitlan to see the woolen and woven goods produced and the techniques using natural dyes to color them. You will learn about the production of Mezcal, a product made from the blue agave. You will see the distillery and try some of the products. Lunch is here at the distillery. On the way back to Oaxaca, you will see the Tule Tree, a huge Mexican cypress probably the most massive tree in Latin America. The Tule Tree is a 2000-year-old living giant. Tonight, we will enjoy the masquerade parade with people dressed in devil and skeleton costumes imitating the dead. They parade dancing from house to house, receiving food, fruit, candy, and chocolate from the families. (BLD)
Day 5 - Nov 4 – Depart
Say Adios! to Mexico. Breakfast at the hotel and all day transfers to the airport.
Dates & Prices
Tour Dates
- October 28th – November 4th, 2023
Price Per Person
- Single – $2,029
- Double – $1,755
* = All seats have been reserved by a custom group or agency. For availability on exclusive departures, please call our office at (602) 938-0951
