Oaxaca Small Group Culture & Hiking Tour
Art, Cuisine & Mountain Trails in the Heart of Mexico
From US $4750/person. Spots are Limited | LIVE WEBINAR SEPT 29.
Oaxaca, Mexico
7 nights/7 days
4-star boutique hotel with pool + mountain cabin
March 13-20, 2027
2-3 out of 5
Moderate to Active
Make it Private
Oaxaca Up Close: From City to Sierra
Mexico is one of the most culturally rich countries on earth, and Oaxaca sits at its very heart. Explore its Indigenous-rooted art and food, getting off the gringo trail to meet master artisans and cooks in their homes and studios. Then hike ancient trails through mountain villages and dramatic landscapes of the Sierra Norte.
Walk Through Wild Oaxaca
Taste the Flavours of Oaxaca
Savour Oaxaca’s rich food culture, from bustling markets to MICHELIN restaurants and private mezcal tasting.
Meet Oaxaca’s Makers
Discover Oaxaca’s creative spirit from traditional craft to subversive street art and Francisco Toledo’s legacy. Meet artisans working in wool, wax and wood, and trace local cantera stone from mine to studio.
Who this is for
Friends, couples and solo travellers who are active and curious, enjoy hiking, art and good food, and value personal encounters with Indigenous communities and local artisans.
Seven Days in Oaxaca
Explore Oaxaca with expert local guides: taste your way through markets, home kitchens and exceptional restaurants, meet master artisans and discover Oaxaca’s vibrant art scene, then hike ancient mountain trails through Zapotec villages.
Day 1
Welcome to Oaxaca
We begin our adventure with a welcome dinner showcasing Oaxacan culinary richness in the beautiful courtyard of our hotel. Joining us is a special guest from the Indigenous Zapotec community, who will share what makes Oaxaca unique within Mexico, the importance of traditional customs and self-governance, and his efforts to preserve the Zapotec language.
DAY 2
Ancient Market & Teotitlán
Dive into Oaxaca’s largest market, dating back to pre-Hispanic times, bustling with vendors and tasty local specialties from pulque to freshly baked bread, just waiting to be sampled. We’ll then head to the village of Teotitlán del Valle, visiting a family to learn about weaving and artisanal chocolate before enjoying a homemade meal. Cap off the day exploring the 300-year-old tradition of beeswax candlemaking with a celebrated artisan family.
DAY 3
Monte Albán & Subversive Street Art
Explore Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, then meet a master potter who still uses the same kiln techniques and designs found among the ruins. After a homemade lunch with the potter, learn about Oaxaca’s tradition of political and social protest through a printmaking collective. Dinner is a seven-course tasting menu prepared over open flames, turning traditional Oaxacan cooking into a richly sensory experience.
Day 4+5
Hiking the Sierra Norte
Spend two days hiking Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte with a Zapotec guide through Mexican pine forests, giant agave, bromeliads and orchids. Follow the ancient Camino Real through the Pueblos Mancomunados, a network of Zapotec mountain communities. Sample pulque and tepache from a local maker who travels four hours daily to harvest wild agave, enjoy home-cooked mountain meals, visit a traditional healer and overnight in simple mountain cabins.
Activity Level
DAY 6
Fantastical Creatures, Terracotta Mermaids & Mezcal
We’ll learn about the intricate art of hand-carved alebrijes – colourful, fantastical creatures – at the workshop of a legendary artisan family. Enjoy lunch at a magical open-air restaurant recognized by MICHELIN for its traditional Oaxacan cooking. Visit a remarkable potter, who, despite losing his vision, fashions terracotta mermaids inspired by his wife. End the day with a guided mezcal tasting by Oaxaca’s foremost distillery.
DAY 7
Cantera & the Arts of Etla
Explore a cantera mine, where the signature volcanic stone used to build much of Oaxaca is found before visiting a celebrated stone sculptor’s studio, where we’ll lunch with his family. Then visit the artistic hub of Etla, home to traditional Mexican paper making and the ecological arts centre, a first of its kind in Latin America, founded by Francisco Toledo. Farewell dinner at an acclaimed restaurant known for its inventive take on local cuisine.
Accommodations
Our guests spend six of seven nights at our favourite boutique hotel — a place our founder first discovered 25 years ago and still loves today. It’s simple, organic luxury, Mexico-style, with an open-air courtyard, vibrant greenery, a refreshing pool after a day of exploring, and just 10 rooms. One night is spent in simple but comfortable mountain cabins in a Zapotec village in the Sierra Norte.
Whats included
- All accommodations
- All breakfasts, lunches and 3 dinners
- Private mezcal tasting
- Market tastings
- Local Zapotec hiking guide
- Local trip guide with deep knowledge of arts and culture
- All transfers and fees for activities
Excluded:
- Airport transfers to and from Oaxaca City
- Alcohol (except mezcal tasting)
- 4 dinners
- Guide gratuities
Getting There
Oaxaca is easily reached from the U.S. and Canada, with connecting flights through Mexico City and direct service from select U.S. cities. The trip begins and ends in Oaxaca City, with arrivals and departures through Oaxaca International Airport (OAX).
Insurance
Medical travel insurance is required to participate in our tour. Your insurance plan should include full medical coverage, emergency evacuation and emergency repatriation. Travel interruption insurance is highly recommended.
Activity Level
From The Wild Life Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oaxaca safe for travellers?
What is the weather like in Oaxaca in March?
What should I know about the altitude in the Sierra Norte?
We begin our hike at 2,000 metres (6,560 ft), gradually making our way to 2,430 metres (7,980 ft), where we overnight. The following day, we will hike to a high point of approximately 3,150 metres (10,330 ft) before driving back down to Oaxaca City.
What are the mountain cabins like?
We spend one night here, in a Zapotec village in the Sierra Norte, before returning to our boutique hotel in Oaxaca City the following day.
What do I need to pack and carry on the two-day Sierra Norte hike?
You’ll need to bring a backpack large enough for two days of personal items, including clothing and toiletries, as well as your water bottle. Temperatures can change considerably from warm days to cooler evenings in the mountains, so you’ll need appropriate layers.
A 25 –30 litre backpack is suggested.
A full packing list will be provided before departure.
Is this Oaxaca trip suitable for solo travellers?
Absolutely. We host many solo travellers, and they are very welcome on our small-group trips.
You can choose single occupancy or share a room with another solo traveller or a friend.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. We can accommodate gluten-free and vegetarian diets. Vegan options are also available; however, because some of our meals are home-cooked and served in remote communities, we can’t guarantee that all dietary requirements can be accommodated at every meal.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions when booking so we can plan accordingly.
Can we make this a private trip?
Yes. We can arrange this itinerary as a private trip for a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 guests. Contact us to discuss dates, availability, and pricing.
What if I don’t feel like doing one of the activities or need some downtime?
All activities are optional, and you’re welcome to take some downtime if you prefer. If you choose not to participate in a planned activity, there is plenty to explore in Oaxaca City, or you can simply relax by the pool.
Secure your spot on this one-of-a-kind travel adventure. Spaces limited!
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