Oaxaca
Oaxaca, Mexico
September 5 to 13, 2026
A portion of this tour will be donated to the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen
This tour will focus on the local crafts, plus regional culture and traditions. Small group tour limited to 12 people and will run with a minimum of 8 travelers.
TOUR OVERVIEW - This small‑group journey is designed to showcase the very best of Oaxaca and is limited to just 12 travelers for an intimate, immersive experience. Oaxaca is renowned for its extraordinary artisans, vibrant markets, rich culinary traditions, and deep cultural heritage—and throughout the week, you’ll experience all of it.
We begin with a guided walking tour of Historic Oaxaca to help you get acquainted with the city’s charming downtown streets, markets, and landmarks. Over the course of our stay, we’ll visit several craft villages where artisans create handwoven rugs from handspun yarns, produce green, natural, and red pottery using locally sourced clay, and carve whimsical wooden figures in workshops passed down through generations.
Our itinerary also includes visits to two of Oaxaca’s major archaeological sites, opportunities to observe back‑strap weaving demonstrations, and time in an embroidery workshop where intricate garments can take weeks—or even months—to complete. No trip to Oaxaca would be complete without exploring its bustling local markets and enjoying a mezcal tasting to learn about this iconic regional spirit.
You’ll also have ample free time to wander through galleries, shops, and museums at your own pace, ensuring a balanced blend of guided experiences and personal discovery.
We stay at a wonderful B&B located about 8 blocks away from the Zocalo (town square) and pedestrian street. The B&B has amazing gardens and serves dinner every evening for an extra charge, should you decide not to go out for dinner.
NOTE: this is a moderately activity tour and some days you will need to be able to walk 2 – 3 miles over cobblestones and uneven terrain and stand for periods of time. This tour is not for those with mobility issues, limited walking / standing issues or major health issues.
Includes*:
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Lodging
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Most meals (see itinerary)
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Group ground transportation to/from airport to pick up travelers on the American Airlines flight from DFW.
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Daily tours with local guide and private van (see itinerary)
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Admissions to museums, churches and archaeological sites.
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Tips for the Guides and Drivers
Overview
Dates: September 5 to 13 2026
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights
Price:
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$3000 per person (double occupancy) 2 people in one room.
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$3300 per person (single occupancy) - only 2 small single rooms available
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$3500 (one person in a double room)
Notes:
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Begins and ends at the Oaxaca Airport
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Limited to 12 people and will run with a minimum of 8 people.
ITINERARY
Saturday, September 5 (D)
Welcome to Oaxaca! Travel Day and group transfer to our B&B. Settle in, relax and get acquainted with your surroundings. This evening, we’ll gather for our first group dinner at the B&B—a perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and kick off our adventure together.
Sunday, September 6 (B, L)
After breakfast at the B&B, you’ll set out for the lively Tlacolula Sunday Market, a vibrant hub of textiles, crafts, and local culture. Free time to explore and shop on your own before enjoying lunch and a mezcal tasting. In the afternoon, you’ll continue to Teotitlán del Valle for a spinning, dyeing, and weaving demonstration. If time permits, we may visit an additional weaving workshop. Dinner on your own.
Monday, September 7 (B, L)
Begin the day with breakfast at the B&B, then put on your walking shoes as we head out on a two to three‑mile walking tour of Historic Oaxaca. You’ll visit several of the city’s bustling markets, including Benito Juárez Market, and Mercado de Artesanías, and see how traditional Oaxacan chocolate is made. We continue through the historic center, past the Textile Museum and the San Pablo Cultural Center, through the Zocalo and Cathedral, and up the Alcala pedestrian walkway to the Santo Domingo Church. Dinner on your own.
Tuesday, September 8 (B, L)
Today you’ll travel to Mitla, an archaeological site famous for its intricate mosaic geometric designs that continue to inspire local weavers. From there you will visit the workshop of Arturo Hernandez to see traditional backstrap and fly‑shuttle loom weaving. The artisans here create an array of cotton textiles, including bedspreads, rebozos, runners, placemats, and tea towels. Lunch will be served along the way and have the opportunity to tour a mezcal distillery and should you wish, sample several varieties of this iconic regional spirit.
Wednesday, September 9 (B)
This day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Relax, explore Oaxaca’s museums and shops, revisit favorite markets, or simply soak in the atmosphere of the city. Lunch and dinner on your own.
Thursday, September 10 (B, L)
After breakfast, you’ll depart early for Monte Albán, Oaxaca’s most significant archaeological site, arriving before the crowds. Following your visit, you’ll continue to the pottery village of Atzompa, known for its green and natural clay pottery, and then to Arrazola, a wood‑carving village where many artists work from their homes. Dinner on your own.
Friday, September 11 (B, L)
Today we explore the Southern Valley. Your first stop is Ocotlán, where you’ll visit a beautiful church and a museum featuring Rodolfo Morales’ collages and painted pillars. From there, you’ll continue to San Antonino to learn about its intricate floral embroidery, and then to San Martín Tilcajete to see the region’s wood‑carving traditions. In the afternoon, you’ll visit San Tomás Jalieza, where you can wander the outdoor textile market and watch weavers create placemats, table runners, handbags, and belts on the pre‑Hispanic backstrap loom. Dinner on your own.
Saturday, September 12 (B, D)
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of free time to explore Oaxaca however you wish. You might return to the Benito Juarez market or downtown shops for your last-minute purchases, visit the Textile Museum of Oaxaca, browse the galleries, or simply relax in the Zócalo. In the evening, the group will gather for a final dinner together.
Sunday, September 13 (B)
After breakfast, group transportation will take you to the airport for your flight back to the United States.
B - Breakfast
L - Lunch - includes non-alcoholic beverages
D - Dinner
*Excludes:
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Airfare
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Travel insurance
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Alcoholic beverages
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Meals not included in itinerary
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Non-group transportation to/from airport
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Medical expenses
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Personal purchases
PRICE
$3000 per person (double occupancy). Two beds and two people sharing one room.
$3300 per person (single occupancy). One bed and one person in a room.
Only 2 of these rooms are available.
$3500 per person (single occupancy in a double room). Two beds and one person in the room.
Any tour questions can be directed to
Sharon Giles at toursbysharon@gmail.com
TOURSBYSHARON.COM
