Oaxaca, Mexico
Adventuring the Best of Oaxaca, a UNESCO World Heritage gem and Mexico’s most biodiverse state, on a 9-day, 8-night journey that blends culture, cuisine, and adventure.
Oaxaca Tour: 9-Day Cultural, Culinary, Mezcal, Art, History & Nature Adventure in Mexico June 5-13, 2026
Wander through vibrant art galleries, world-class museums, and artisan workshops.
Admire colonial architecture, archeological wonders, and historic landmarks that tell the story of 16 Indigenous groups who still honor their traditions in 32 living languages.
Step into nature on breathtaking hikes through valleys and hillsides, then savor Oaxaca’s culinary treasures—from market delicacies to mezcal tastings and the region’s famed moles. Along the way, explore the birthplace of corn, squash, and ancestral foodways that shaped the world.
Oaxaca is more than a destination—it’s an immersion in living history, dazzling biodiversity, and unforgettable flavors.
Trip price per person is $2950, includes 8 nights in a private room at a 4-star hotel in downtown Oaxaca, daily tours, all entrance fees, hikes and guides, land transportation, breakfasts, and lunch. Special price $2625 ($320 discount per person) for those sharing a king size room with two double beds. (Transportation to and from Oaxaca, as well as alcoholic beverages, are not included.)
All attendees of REI’s presentation receive a 10% discount if registered by November 30, 2025. To register, a $500 USD deposit is necessary to secure your space. Space is limited to 12 participants. The full amount is due February 28, 2026. Cancellation with 50% refund accepted by May 30 (except deposit). No refund 30 days prior to trip departure (unless extreme circumstances, only a 50% refund will be honored). Paypal and personal checks accepted. To register, contact us.
Duration
9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS JUNE 5-13, 2026
Group size
6 - 12
Itinerary
Each day reveals a new side of Oaxaca and its surroundings. Start with a traditional breakfast, then dive into bustling markets, artisan studios, world-class museums, indigenous homes, and ancient ruins. Hike through the Sierra Norte, uncover living traditions, and savor one of the world’s most vibrant cuisines—with the chance to learn how to make it yourself. Evenings are yours to wander, sip mezcal, and soak up Oaxaca’s endless charms.
Day One, Friday, June 5
Arrive in Oaxaca
Arrive at your adventure with a cocktail in hand and settle into our boutique hotel located in the center of Oaxaca City. Meet us at a local restaurant in the evening and get introduced to the group, tour guides, and planned activities.
Day Two, Saturday, June 6
Oaxaca Unveiled: Art, History & Mezcal Magic
Start with an early stroll of the streets in this magical city with a guided tour and learn about the major architectural sites of Oaxaca, where art, history, and culture intertwine at every corner. Explore major printmaking centers, the golden Santo Domingo church, art galleries and museums, and vibrant street-art vendors. For lunch, indulge in locally sourced dishes with inventive mezcal cocktails and artisanal beers at a Michelin-rated restaurant.
Day Three, Sunday, June 7
Where Flavors Meet Crafts: Tlacolula’s Sunday Magic
As a great introduction, savor Oaxaca delights at the Tlacolula Sunday tianguis—one of Mesoamerica’s greatest outdoor markets. Shop alongside indigenous locals, feast on goat barbacoa, crunch roasted grasshoppers in heritage corn tortillas, then wind up on the hillside town of Tlapazola at a red-ceramic woman artisan’s home to try your hand at pottery-making or take home that perfect piece.
Day Four, Monday, June 8
Pyramids, Monasteries, and Moles: Oaxaca in One Journey
Just a few miles from the City, step back into Zapotec splendor at the pre-Hispanic sacred city of Monte Albán, then descend to Cuilápam de Guerrero’s grand Dominican monastery—a prime example of Hernán Cortés' first religious buildings and murals. Savor rich moles at the local market and finish with a cold beer in a hidden private cactus-and-sculpture garden.
Day Five, Tuesday, June 9
Art, Waterfalls, and Woks: Oaxaca with a Twist
Trace the legacy of the great master artist and philanthropist Francisco Toledo in San Agustin at the CASA museum, the textile factory reborn as a world-class arts center atop of an evergreen mountain. Then trek through San Agustín’s forest to its waterfalls, wrapping up with a stop at a famed Asian eatery on the return to Oaxaca.
Day Six, Wednesday, June 10
The Path of the Dead and Mezcal
Visit pre-Hispanic Zapotec and Mixtec sites Dainzu and Yagul, hike to caves and petroglyphs, and follow Coco’s route to the underworld through the mysterious ruins of Mitla. Experience the process of mezcal at a renowned palenque, accompanied by a delightful array of Oaxacan local-sourced delights overlooking the stunning agave fields, and end the day with a visit to the magical woolen textiles of Teotitlán del Valle.
Day Seven, Thursday, June 11
Oaxaca in full flavor: master art and artisans, vibrant sculptures, and irresistible bites
Explore the southern Valley of Oaxaca: from San Bartolo Coyotepec’s legendary black pottery to Jacobo and María’s alebrije atelier and museum, San Antonino’s exquisite embroidery workshops, the Velázquez family’s painted ceramics, and the Rodolfo Morales Museum—topped off with regional delights like tlayudas, mole empanadas, and memelas at beloved local eateries.
Day Eight, Friday, June 12
Hike, eat and meet the locals or take a Oaxaca cooking class
For nature explorers, hike the Sierra Norte forest on Benito Juarez’s path from Ixtepeji to Gelatao passing through Mixteco villages and savor their unique cuisine. Or, take a cooking class with a traditional Zapotec cook at her home and enjoy your creations.
Extra Day 9, Saturday, June 13 ¡Adiós, amigos, gracias y hasta pronto! Join us for a farewell breakfast made just for you. Transportation to the airport or bus station is provided. (If you would like to extend your stay, please let us know to help you with it.)
Visit Oaxaca with Teresa Díaz & Mitch Stevens
Meet your tour guides!
Teresa Díaz
Teresa Díaz is a cultural guide and storyteller who brings Oaxaca’s vibrant traditions to life for curious travelers. A lifelong explorer, she has journeyed across the world in search of cultural wisdom and inspiring ways of living, weaving these insights into the experiences she shares today.nnOriginally from Mexico, Teresa settled in Oaxaca in 2017, captivated by its ancestral artistry and living traditions that continue to inspire creators around the globe. Her deep connection to local communities allows her to open doors that visitors might not find on their own—whether exploring artisan workshops, ancient ruins, or savoring the region’s celebrated cuisine.nnAs a professional museologist, curator, and historian, Teresa blends her expertise with her passion for discovery, offering travelers not just a tour, but an immersion into the spirit of Oaxaca. She is the owner and director of Red Dot Gallery in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Mitch Stevens
Mitch Stevens is the founder and lead guide of Southwest Discoveries. After growing up surrounded by asphalt, Mitch pursued an education at City College of New York. After graduating with a degree in geology, he eagerly left the confines of the city and he and his wife moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1984. Mitch came to discover the great outdoors and fall in love with Arizona’s special places. Through his countless trips across the state and region, Mitch made it his mission to encourage fellow hikers and enthusiasts to protect the beauty of the desert. After leading Sierra Club outings since 2006, Mitch saw a fresh opportunity to share the beauty of the Southwest through the lens of conservation. The core mission of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the Earth. John Muir, who founded the Sierra Club in 1892, was the most famous and influential conservationist and naturalist on the planet. He believed that by partaking in adventurous activities such as hiking and backpacking, people would fall in love with wild places and want to protect them. That is the core mission of Southwest Discoveries. Today, Mitch continues to serve as outings chairman for the Rincon Group of the Sierra Club in Tucson while leading personalized guided hiking tours across the Southwestern region of the United States. He also makes regular presentations at Canyon Ranch about the “Islands in the Sky and the Southwest Monsoon.”
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