Days 1 – BIENVENIDO

After arriving by plane or bus from Mexico City in Oaxaca de Juárez we meet in the afternoon for Día de Muertos. Together we will get in the mood for our upcoming adventure in one of the most traditional and culturally rich regions of Mexico. At the welcome dinner we enjoy regional specialties in a typical Oaxacan restaurant.

Day 2 – THE BIGGEST TREE IN THE WORLD & CATRINAS IN THE FLOWER FIELD OF CEMPASÚCHIL

We start our tour in beautiful Oaxaca with a visit to the largest tree in the world, the "Tule". The giant cypress measures a circumference of 58 m and grows in the village of the same name next door a church from the colonial era. Then we continue to the south of Oaxaca. In a weaving village, the women of a Zapotec family will show us how weaving is still done today be made according to the old tradition. In the afternoon we will visit a nearby village which is famous for the cultivation of the dead flower Cempasúchil. In the lush fields of red and orange flowers we will see the one and only have the opportunity to see Mexican women made up as Catrina in traditional costumes

Day 3 – OAXACKEN POTTERY - COMPETITION OF THE CATRINAS

Today we spend in a southern Oaxacan village, which is known for its colorfully decorated Pan de Muerto, the bread of the dead . First we will visit the "Fería del Pan de Muerto" together, a market where various offerings for the forthcoming festivities are offered. In addition to the "Pan de Muerto", this also includes sugar skulls, mole, chocolate and other specialties of the region. After we have explored the village a little more closely, we visit the bakery "Panadería" in the afternoon. Here the special baking art of the "Pan de Muerto" is demonstrated. The breads decorated with colorful flowers are still baked in the in-house stone oven. In the early evening we attend a pageant where locals dance through the village in various costumes, balancing on stilts and setting off firecrackers as night falls.

Day 4 – TRADITION OF MEZCAL - CATRINAS ON THE PANTEÓN

In the morning we make our way to a distillery where mezcal, the national drink of Oaxaca, is still brewed according to the old tradition. We will see how an agave is harvested by a mezcal farmer and how agave hearts, already steamed in an earth oven, are ground with the help of a draft horse. In the in-house "Tienda" we can marvel at the different types of Mezcal, the taste of which is refined with hemp, scorpions and Gusano worms, among other things. After a break, in the late afternoon we set off to a cemetery, the so-called "Panteón". Artfully made-up Catrinas and Oaxacan women in their indigenous costumes accompany

This morning we explore a Zapotec village famous for the artful manufacture of carpets. Here we see a local weaving family who will introduce us to their centuries-old handicraft. We then visit a traditional manufactory, where extraordinary candles are made by hand, especially for the Day of the Dead. After lunch the colorful market hustle and bustle of an indigenous village awaits us in the neighborhood. Here on the so-called "Plaza de Muertos" regional specialties and offerings for the upcoming festivities are offered for sale. We experience and see how the Zapotec do their shopping for Día de Muertos.

Day 6 – OAXACKEN POTTERY - COMPETITION OF THE CATRINAS

In the morning we start an excursion to a nearby indigenous village, where pottery is anchored as a traditional handicraft. First we explore the colorful market life of the local "Feria de Chocolate y Pan de Muerto", where chocolate, the bread of the dead and other offerings for the coming days are traded. Then we will see the pottery art typical of the village and show us their work specially made for the Day of the Dead. In the evening we attend a very special event, the competition of the Catrinas. The participants create breathtaking and extremely detailed costumes over several weeks to present them to the audience that evening.

Day 7 – TRADITIONAL ALTAR - OCTOBER 31 - THE NIGHT OF THE DEAD

Today you have the morning at leisure before the great festivities of Día de Muertos begin at night. In the historic center we can watch how the people of Oaxak artfully paint their faces for the night of the dead or bid for one of the handmade ceramic figures of the famous woman "Catrina". As night falls, we visit Oaxaca's first cemetery,where the tombs are already decorated with the dead flower Cempasuchíl, as well as food and drinks that the former family members particularly liked. People eat and drink together and mariachis go from grave to grave playing music. Starting at midnight, we'll be part of the most traditional Día de Muertos celebrations in Oaxaca. Hundreds of waist-high candles are lit on top of the indigenous graves, illuminating the cemetery on the night of the dead. The families guard the tombs to receive their ancestors from the afterlife on this night. The locals stay in the cemetery until the early hours of the morning and then return home with their former family members.

Day 8 – OVEMBER 1 - CEREMONIAL PROCESSION OF CHINA'S OAXAQUENA

After a long and eventful night we allow ourselves this morning to sleep in and relax before we continue our adventure to the Day of the Dead. There is the possibility to walk through the colonial center of Oaxaca until the afternoon stroll around and buy one or two handicrafts if you like. In the late afternoon we set off to see the preparations for the famous Oaxaqueñas oaxaqueñas pageant. In keeping with the festivities, the dance group wears one of the famous and magnificent costumes of Oaxaca in black and white. We have the opportunity to portray the dancers while they are artistically made up in Día de Muertos style. Before the group of Chinas start their pageant.

Day 9 – NOVEMBER 2 - DÍA DE MUERTOS - ZAPOTEC ALTARS - PANTEÓN BY NIGHT

PANTEÓN BY NIGHT
Today we return to the Zapotec weaving village to visit the elders of the indigenous community in their home. The deceased are not received here until November 2, the day of the dead, from 3:00 p.m.. The altars of the village community have been prepared according to old Zapotec tradition, so that for us in this special ambience There will be unique photo opportunities with the village elders. After this exciting encounter, we finally visit the local cemetery, which is already decorated with flowers and offerings. Later in the evening we will attend the festivities at an extraordinary cemetery in the north of Oaxaca. The decorations of the graves will be elaborately handcrafted over several days. Portraits of ancestors, Catrinas and other motifs are created from flower heads and fine colored powder. At the graves, people eat, drink and play music and we're sure to be invited to a mezcal by one of the hospitable families.

Day 10 – NOVEMBER 3 - OAXACKEN CRAFTS - DAY OF THE DEAD IN THE VILLAGE OF CEMPASÚCHIL

Not just the unbeatable location of the fortress on the steep coastal cliffs on the Caribbean coast of the Riviera Maya - surrounded by white sandy beaches, tropical palm trees and the deep blue sea is impressive. About 130 km south of Cancún, the place combines relaxation with culture and nature. After swimming, sunbathing and relaxing on the dream beach, you go straight up to the archaeological site and follow the past traces of the Mayas with interest. The fortress consists of several buildings, mainly temples, which are all worth seeing.

The history and legend of the CEMPASÚCHIL can be found at the end of the trip description

Day 11 – HASTA LUEGO OAXACA

Hasta luego! Our adventurous journey to Día de Muertos ends today and it is time to say goodbye. Are you going back to Mexico City or do like many others and spend a few more days in beautiful Mexico.

DÍA DE MUERTOS – Included in your tour

Transfer from/to the airport or bus station in Oaxaca
Photo Tour Guide (German/ English/ Spanish)
Local guides All overnight stays during the tour in a double room
(single rooms can be booked at an additional cost)
All meals included
All trips in private van
All entrance fees during the tour