Taste of Tradition: A Dia de los Muertos Gastronomic Group Expedition

Welcome to Oaxaca! Upon your arrival, your private guide, Roman Cahero, will greet you with a warm smile and a heartfelt “¡Bienvenidos!” Roman, an experienced and passionate local expert, will be with you every step of the way to ensure your journey is unforgettable.  After a seamless transfer to your hotel, NaNa Vida Boutique Hotel—a charming retreat celebrated for its support of local artists and craftspeople—you’ll have a moment to settle in and refresh. If time allows, Roman will lead you on a leisurely stroll through the vibrant streets of Oaxaca City. Feel the energy of this captivating city as you make your way to a stunning rooftop terrace, where you’ll enjoy a refreshing sundowner. Here, you’ll witness the breathtaking Oaxacan sunset, as the sky transforms into a canvas of warm hues over the horizon.

Tonight not only savor a sumptuous meal but also embark on a culinary adventure led by Chef Olga Cabrera, a distinguished authority on Mixteca cuisine. Chef Olga will personally greet you and provide an engaging introduction to the rich tapestry of flavors, ingredients, and traditions that define Mixteca cuisine.  As you savor the delectable dishes meticulously crafted by Chef Olga and her team, our knowledgeable guide accompanies you, offering insights and information about the fascinating regions of Oaxaca. This immersive dining experience is designed to provide our guests with a deeper understanding of the cultural and gastronomic heritage of this region.  By the end of the evening, we aim to ensure you feel not only well-fed but also well-prepared for the exciting adventures that await you on the following day. Return to the hotel for overnight at NaNa Vida Boutique Hotel, known for its commitment to supporting local artists and craftspeople.

Market Exploration
Begin your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition at Benito Juarez Market. Wander past stalls overflowing with colorful chilies and handmade crafts. Sample crispy chapulines from friendly vendors.

Next, visit 20 de Noviembre Market’s famous food alley. Watch tortillas cook on hot comals. Breathe in the smoky aroma of grilled meats.

Chocolate Discovery
Continue your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition with chocolate tasting. Learn how local makers blend cacao with cinnamon and almonds. Try this rich ingredient in both drinks and savory moles.

Chef’s Tasting Lunch
Enjoy a feast by Chef Alejandro Ruiz during your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition. Savor venison tamales with dark mole sauce. Try lamb in sweet pineapple-vanilla glaze.

Share dishes while learning ancestral recipes. Save room for guava tart with rose sorbet.

Cultural Walk
Explore Oaxaca’s historic Zócalo after lunch. Admire vivid murals at Government Palace. Visit Santo Domingo Church’s stunning gold-covered interior.

Browse handicrafts at the cultural center. Relax in its peaceful gardens.

Start Celebrating
Join San Agustín Etla’s lively comparsas parade. Help families decorate graves with flowers. Paint your face as a colorful calavera if you wish.

Sustainable Dinner
End your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition at an eco-restaurant. Try huitlacoche tacos with city views. Their zero-waste philosophy honors tradition.

Sleep at artsy NaNa Vida Hotel. Dream of tomorrow’s adventures.

Exploring Monte Albán
After breakfast, we’ll drive one hour to Monte Albán. This ancient Zapotec capital thrived from 500 BC to 800 AD. Perched on a mountaintop, it offers stunning valley views.

As part of your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition, you’ll understand how these ruins connect to modern Oaxacan culture. The site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Mole Tasting Experience
Next, taste Oaxaca’s famous moles at a special restaurant. Try seven varieties, including rich mole negro with chocolate and chiles.  This family-run spot preserves traditional recipes from Oaxaca’s Central Valleys. Each dish tells a story of local heritage.

Artisan Villages
Visit San Martín Tilcajete to see colorful alebrije sculptures. Then explore San Bartolo Coyotepec’s black clay pottery tradition.

We’ll stop at Vives Verdes gardens – a transformed dump now housing 200 plant species. The space runs on rainwater collection.

Sunset & Fine Dining
Watch sunset from El Mirador near Santo Domingo Church. Enjoy panoramic city views before dinner.

Your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition continues with innovative Mexican cuisine. The restaurant uses ingredients from its organic garden, like huitlacoche.

Cultural Connection
Today your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition reveals how pre-Hispanic traditions blend with Christian holidays. You’ll see this in food rituals and ofrendas honoring ancestors.

These altars, meticulously crafted with tiers of symbolic offerings, showcase:

• Edible tributes: Pan de muerto, mole, chocolate, and fruits, many of which you’ve tasted firsthand on this culinary journey.
• Sacred flavors: Copal incense (used to purify) and marigolds (whose scent guides spirits) also infuse Oaxaca’s iconic dishes.

After dinner, we join locals in a heartfelt tradition: restoring a neglected grave with fresh flowers, candles, and offerings. This act of care—central to Día de los Muertos—mirrors the spirit of your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition: both are ways to honor legacies. Just as families prepare their ancestors’ favorite dishes for ofrendas, you’ve spent the day tasting the very recipes that sustain these bonds between the living and the departed.

As the night unfolds, get ready to dance your shoes off as more comparsas converge in streets and schoolyards, engaging in spirited “Bring It On” style battles.  Hopefully feeling a sense of fulfillment and contentment after celebrating and commemorating the lives of both the living and those who have departed, we make our way back to the hotel, eagerly anticipating a well-deserved and peaceful night of rest.  Overnight at NaNa Vida Boutique Hotel or similar.

Ancient Wonders of Mitla
After breakfast, we’ll drive 50 minutes to Mitla. This sacred Zapotec site dazzles with intricate stone designs. Let its spiritual energy transport you through time.

Your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition connects past and present here. Marvel at walls telling stories of an ancient civilization.

Zapotec Flavors & Weaving Traditions
A family-run restaurant awaits inside a tapestry workshop. Watch weavers use natural dyes passed down for generations. Then, savor their homemade tlayudas – Oaxaca’s best!

Chef Carina Santiago leads a cooking class next. Learn pre-Hispanic techniques using local ingredients.

Mezcal Magic
Visit a traditional mezcal producer. See clay pot distillation and walk through agave fields. Sample varieties unique to Oaxaca’s soil.  Later, explore Teotitlán del Valle’s wool tapestries. Vibrant natural dyes bring these textiles to life.

Culinary Symphony
Downtown Oaxaca holds one of Latin America’s top restaurants. Chef José Manuel reinvents traditional dishes with creative flair.  As you dine in the colonial courtyard, reflect on your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition’s flavors and memories.  Return to NaNa Vida Hotel. Its art-filled spaces offer perfect relaxation after today’s adventures.

Hierve el Agua
Start your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition at Hierve el Agua’s petrified waterfalls. Walk 2km with your guide to see mineral formations. Enjoy panoramic valley views while learning their geological story.

Mezcal Pairing Lunch
Continue your journey at a local mezcalería. Try creative Mezcalinas like passion fruit or hibiscus. Pair them with ceviche or mole-topped tacos.  Each cocktail highlights regional ingredients. The chef selects perfect food matches.

Ancient Tree Visit
Explore El Tule’s 2,000-year-old cypress tree after lunch. Its massive trunk will amaze you. Browse the town market for handmade crafts.  Visit the historic church nearby. Learn local legends from your guide.

Celebrate your last day in Oaxaca with a final feast. Taste Oaxaca’s best moles and seafood dishes. Toast new friends with artisanal mezcal.

Rest at NaNa Vida Hotel. Pack memories of waterfalls, flavors and ancient wonders.

Your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition transitions as you enjoy a final Oaxacan breakfast. A comfortable group transfer brings you to the airport for your Mexico City flight.

Upon landing at Benito Juárez Airport, our team greets you promptly. A smooth ride delivers you to your downtown hotel.

First Impressions of the Capital

Mexico City’s vibrant energy welcomes you immediately. Historic architecture stands beside modern towers, creating a fascinating contrast. The blend of old and new excites your senses.

Complete your check-in at Zocalo Central Hotel. Settle into your room overlooking the iconic square. Freshen up before tonight’s culinary adventure.

Welcome Dinner Experience

The Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition continues with a special dinner. Sample both classic and rotating regional dishes. Each course showcases Mexico’s diverse flavors.

Start with fresh salads featuring local produce. Continue with savory mains representing different states. Conclude with artisanal desserts that surprise your palate.

Retire to your comfortable room at Zocalo Central. The hotel’s prime location offers stunning cathedral views. Rest well for tomorrow’s explorations.

Cultural Walk
Your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Culinary Expedition continues with a guided tour led by Roman and his brother Louis. Louis’s expertise in agricultural economics provides unique insights into Mexican gastronomy’s history and key ingredients.

The journey begins in Coyoacán, a charming southern neighborhood. The first stop is Frida Kahlo’s iconic Blue House, where her artistic legacy is preserved.

Frida Kahlo’s Legacy
A visit to Casa Azul immerses you in Kahlo’s world. The home’s vibrant interiors and personal artifacts reveal her creative spirit and complex relationship with Diego Rivera.

Another authentic Mexican Lunch
A flavorful lunch follows, showcasing traditional dishes that highlight Mexico’s culinary diversity. Each course reflects the region’s rich agricultural heritage.

Gastronom
Louis leads a walking tour through Mexico City’s historic center. The origins of Mexican cuisine are explained, with a focus on corn-based dishes like tacos.  Key landmarks are visited, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. Diego Rivera’s murals depict Mexico’s history vividly.

Ancient and Modern Contrasts
The ruins of Templo Mayor showcase Aztec civilization. Nearby, Madero Street blends baroque and contemporary architecture seamlessly.

Farewell Dinner
The day concludes at a historic restaurant specializing in traditional Mexican cuisine. Classic dishes are recreated with authentic techniques, offering a fitting tribute to the journey.

Evening Reflections
After dinner, the group returns to Zocalo Central Hotel. Stories and contact details are shared over margaritas, celebrating the trip’s unforgettable moments.

After breakfast, begin your journey homeward with a transfer to the Benito Juarez International airport. While it’s time to bid farewell for now, please know that we’re already excited to welcome you back for your next adventure in Mexico!

Please be aware that the routes, activities, and schedules provided may be subject to potential changes. Weather conditions could require adjustments to the itinerary or the sequencing of days to ensure the best possible and enjoyable experience. Moreover, the local trip coordinators maintain the authority to replace accommodation with alternatives of comparable quality if necessary. Please be assured that every endeavor will be undertaken to enhance your overall experience.