Mexico Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included. Please try to arrive before 6pm for an important group meeting where you will meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. Monte Albán, a spectacular grouping of pre-hispanic (Zapotec) mountain-top temples, is just a short bus ride away, as is the Valley of Mitla with its ruins and colourful foot-loomed carpets. In addition, the Oaxaca region is home to a plethora of activities and celebrations focused around the Day of the Dead ("Dia de Los Muertos") festivities in Mexico. During this tour, you will experience many related events firsthand.

Take an orientation walk around Oaxaca with your Chief Experience Officer. Visit two massive markets located just off the zócalo (main square), where you'll find many local foods on sale alongside ornaments and Day of the Dead essentials for local families. This tour includes visits to cemeteries in both Xoxocotlan and Atzompa to view the altars and families gathering as dusk turns to dark. The many candles placed around the altars and graves add to the ambiance. In addition, you'll view Day of the Dead parades in both Oaxaca and the Etla Valley. Participants in these parades dress in elaborate costumes and are serenaded by brass bands. Mezcal served in small plastic cups is frequently passed out to those watching the parades. Day of the Dead takes place between October 31 and November 2 and is a celebration and remembrance of the deceased. Families will build private altars and bring large feasts to cemeteries, where they go to be with the souls of the departed. It is believed that the souls will come back to visit and take part in the celebrations. Some of the altars ('ofrendas') are very elaborate and include sugar skulls and marigold flowers. In most regions, the souls of infants and children are honoured on November 1, with adults being remembered on November 2. It is generally a festive rather than somber gathering. The Oaxaca area is well known for its many artisans who make everything from pottery to elaborate weavings to tequila's cousin, mezcal, and the group will also have the opportunity to visit a couple of the the nearby communities to see the artisans at work.

Take an orientation walk around Oaxaca with your Chief Experience Officer. Visit two massive markets located just off the zócalo (main square), where you'll find many local foods on sale alongside ornaments and Day of the Dead essentials for local families. This tour includes visits to cemeteries in both Xoxocotlan and Atzompa to view the altars and families gathering as dusk turns to dark. The many candles placed around the altars and graves add to the ambiance. In addition, you'll view Day of the Dead parades in both Oaxaca and the Etla Valley. Participants in these parades dress in elaborate costumes and are serenaded by brass bands. Mezcal served in small plastic cups is frequently passed out to those watching the parades. Day of the Dead takes place between October 31 and November 2 and is a celebration and remembrance of the deceased. Families will build private altars and bring large feasts to cemeteries, where they go to be with the souls of the departed. It is believed that the souls will come back to visit and take part in the celebrations. Some of the altars ('ofrendas') are very elaborate and include sugar skulls and marigold flowers. In most regions, the souls of infants and children are honoured on November 1, with adults being remembered on November 2. It is generally a festive rather than somber gathering. The Oaxaca area is well known for its many artisans who make everything from pottery to elaborate weavings to tequila's cousin, mezcal, and the group will also have the opportunity to visit a couple of the the nearby communities to see the artisans at work.

Take an orientation walk around Oaxaca with your Chief Experience Officer. Visit two massive markets located just off the zócalo (main square), where you'll find many local foods on sale alongside ornaments and Day of the Dead essentials for local families. This tour includes visits to cemeteries in both Xoxocotlan and Atzompa to view the altars and families gathering as dusk turns to dark. The many candles placed around the altars and graves add to the ambiance. In addition, you'll view Day of the Dead parades in both Oaxaca and the Etla Valley. Participants in these parades dress in elaborate costumes and are serenaded by brass bands. Mezcal served in small plastic cups is frequently passed out to those watching the parades. Day of the Dead takes place between October 31 and November 2 and is a celebration and remembrance of the deceased. Families will build private altars and bring large feasts to cemeteries, where they go to be with the souls of the departed. It is believed that the souls will come back to visit and take part in the celebrations. Some of the altars ('ofrendas') are very elaborate and include sugar skulls and marigold flowers. In most regions, the souls of infants and children are honoured on November 1, with adults being remembered on November 2. It is generally a festive rather than somber gathering. The Oaxaca area is well known for its many artisans who make everything from pottery to elaborate weavings to tequila's cousin, mezcal, and the group will also have the opportunity to visit a couple of the the nearby communities to see the artisans at work.

Take an orientation walk around Oaxaca with your Chief Experience Officer. Visit two massive markets located just off the zócalo (main square), where you'll find many local foods on sale alongside ornaments and Day of the Dead essentials for local families. This tour includes visits to cemeteries in both Xoxocotlan and Atzompa to view the altars and families gathering as dusk turns to dark. The many candles placed around the altars and graves add to the ambiance. In addition, you'll view Day of the Dead parades in both Oaxaca and the Etla Valley. Participants in these parades dress in elaborate costumes and are serenaded by brass bands. Mezcal served in small plastic cups is frequently passed out to those watching the parades. Day of the Dead takes place between October 31 and November 2 and is a celebration and remembrance of the deceased. Families will build private altars and bring large feasts to cemeteries, where they go to be with the souls of the departed. It is believed that the souls will come back to visit and take part in the celebrations. Some of the altars ('ofrendas') are very elaborate and include sugar skulls and marigold flowers. In most regions, the souls of infants and children are honoured on November 1, with adults being remembered on November 2. It is generally a festive rather than somber gathering. The Oaxaca area is well known for its many artisans who make everything from pottery to elaborate weavings to tequila's cousin, mezcal, and the group will also have the opportunity to visit a couple of the the nearby communities to see the artisans at work.

Take an orientation walk around Oaxaca with your Chief Experience Officer. Visit two massive markets located just off the zócalo (main square), where you'll find many local foods on sale alongside ornaments and Day of the Dead essentials for local families. This tour includes visits to cemeteries in both Xoxocotlan and Atzompa to view the altars and families gathering as dusk turns to dark. The many candles placed around the altars and graves add to the ambiance. In addition, you'll view Day of the Dead parades in both Oaxaca and the Etla Valley. Participants in these parades dress in elaborate costumes and are serenaded by brass bands. Mezcal served in small plastic cups is frequently passed out to those watching the parades. Day of the Dead takes place between October 31 and November 2 and is a celebration and remembrance of the deceased. Families will build private altars and bring large feasts to cemeteries, where they go to be with the souls of the departed. It is believed that the souls will come back to visit and take part in the celebrations. Some of the altars ('ofrendas') are very elaborate and include sugar skulls and marigold flowers. In most regions, the souls of infants and children are honoured on November 1, with adults being remembered on November 2. It is generally a festive rather than somber gathering. The Oaxaca area is well known for its many artisans who make everything from pottery to elaborate weavings to tequila's cousin, mezcal, and the group will also have the opportunity to visit a couple of the the nearby communities to see the artisans at work.

Depart at any time.