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Day of the Dead Tours & Holidays: Mexico City + Oaxaco - with Private Guides

Day of the Dead: Mexico City + Oaxaco

Day of the Dead Tours Holidays Mexico City Oaxaco Flights Private Guides

9 NIGHTS FROM:

$3,410

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

XRD9M

• Day of the Dead Tours & Holidays

• Private Guides

• Mexico City Tour

• Anthropology Museum

• Lady of Guadalupe Shrine

• Teotihuacan Pyramids

• Oaxaco Flights

• Teotitlan + Tule Tree

• Day of the Dead Celebrations

• Holidays Mexico City & Oaxaco

In late October, enjoy one of our fascinating Day of the Dead tours & holidays, exploring Mexico City & Oaxaco at the time of this significant celebration that honours our ancestors. Also explore the wonderful cultural sites of Mexico City, including the Anthropology Museum & Teotihuacan Pyramids. Oaxaco flights & all transfers included, travelling with your own private guides.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

Arrive at Mexico City Airport where you will be met and transferred to this high altitude city, that is the oldest capital in the Americas and one of the largest cities in the world.

Check into your hotel and embrace this colourful and vibrant city, originally established by the Aztec Indians (the 'Mexica').

Day 2

Today enjoy a full day shared tour of the highlights of Mexico City and the surrounding area.

At the heart of the city is the Zócalo (or Plaza de la Constitución), a huge central square built by the conquering Spanish over the ceremonial centre of the vanquished Aztec city of Tenochtitlán. Ruins of their 13th century Templo Mayor can be seen here, as well as the baroque Metropolitan Cathedral built by the Spanish and outside views of the National Palace, which is the residence of the president. There is a dense concentration of museums and art galleries in this area.

West of the Zócalo, the historic centre stretches through the main commercial district and past the National Art Museum to the Tower of Latin America skyscraper and the Opera House / Palace of Fine Arts, with its magnificent Art Deco interior. Both overlook Alameda Central Park, which is the oldest public park in Mexico.

Afterwards we leave the city and drive 1-hour to the mysterious Teotihuacan Pyramids, ancient archaeological ruins that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This enormous city was built in 300 BC but was inexplicably abandoned centuries before the arrival of the Aztecs, who called it the 'Birthplace of the Gods'. This is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Americas and includes the third largest pyramid in the world, constructed according to precise astronomical measurements and filled with sacrificial victims.

You can climb the magnificent Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and view the Butterflies Temple, the Avenue of the Dead and Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Admire the majestic plazas and stone temples, covered with stone statues and faded murals, before returning to Mexico City.

At the end of your tour you will be dropped off at the world class National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepac Park. This museum is not to be missed, with its many ancient Olmec, Aztec, Mayan and other pre-Colombian artefacts - including the Stone of the Sun (the Aztec calendar stone) and the statue of Xochipilli.

Afterwards make your own way back to your hotel. Lunch is for your own account today.

Note: Try and avoid visiting the museums and pyramids on a Sunday, as it is free for locals so very crowded.

Day 3

At leisure to independently explore the sights of colourful Mexico City.

If you have not already visited it, the world class National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepac Park is not to be missed, with its many ancient Olmec, Aztec, Mayan and other pre-Colombian artefacts - including the Stone of the Sun (the Aztec calendar stone) and the statue of Xochipilli. Chapultepec Castle is nearby.

The Palace of Fine Arts with its magnificent dome is well worth a visit, as well as the historic Frida Kahlo Art Museum (or Blue House) dedicated to her work. With its numerous world class museums, dramatic art murals, thriving music scene and exploding culinary scene, in Mexico City you will be spoilt for choice.

You can also enjoy a boat ride on a colourful 'trajinera' through the canals and floating gardens of Xochimilco (meaning ‘Place of the Flowers’), a small village south of the city. These fertile riverbeds called 'chinampas' are all that is left of the lake on which the Aztecs first built their capital city, but are now used for growing flowers rather than food crops and will give you an interesting cultural glimpse into modern urban life.

Note: Try and avoid visiting museums on a Sunday, as they are free for locals so very crowded.

Day 4

Transfer to Mexico City Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Oaxaca Airport and transferred to your hotel in this central Mexican city.

Known for its lovely colonial buildings, many of which are made from green volcanic stone, Oaxaca is also renowned for its indigenous people and its festivals, especially Easter Holy Week parades and the famous 'Day of the Dead' celebrations at Halloween.

Day 5

Today enjoy exporing the cultural and culinary delights of Oaxaca with your guide.

We start in the Zocala (the main square) situated in the heart of the historic centre, with its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture that goes back four centuries. On the southern end of the plaza you can see the Government Palace, with its beautiful mural painting depicting the history of Oaxaca. The nearby Cultural Museum, housed in a former monastery, contains an amazing turquoise encrusted skull and the Church of Santo Domingo should also not be missed.

Our next stop is at one of Oaxaca's wonderfully chaotic markets - Benito Juarez or 20 de Noviembre. Here you can find just about anything - from flowers to toys, meats, chocolate, clothing, herbs, local handcrafts and 'chapulines' (fried grasshoppers, sold by the basketful).

You can also learn more about the city’s creative history at the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures (closed on Sundays and Mondays).

In the evening enjoy a mezcal tasting (strong spirit made from agave) and a traditional dinner of grilled tlayuda, a dish consisting of a large, thin and crunchy tortilla covered with cooked and mashed beans, asiento (pork lard), lettuce or cabbage, avocado, meat (usually shredded chicken, beef or pork), cheese and salsa. On Fridays and Saturdays you can also enjoy live Mexican ballads.

Day 6

In preparation for the Day of the Dead celebrations, today we visit local artisans and explore the diversity of folk art found in the Zimatlan Valley. We visit the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec, famous for its black pottery known as 'barro negro' and the famous potter, Carlo Magno Pedro, who specialises in Day of the Dead art.

We then drive to the village of San Martin Tilcajete which is known for its 'alebrijes' - brightly coloured folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. While this style of wood carving is relatively new, having started only two generations ago, these art pieces are a magnificent expression of Mexican folklore.

During the course of the day, enjoy a delicious ‘Day of the Dead’ quesadillas included lunch, hosted by a local family in Santo Tomas Jalieza who will share with you how to prepare a traditional Oaxaca meal. At the end of the day we return to your hotel in the city.

Day 7

Spend today and tonight wandering through the streets of the picturesque city of Oaxco with your guide, experiencing the traditional Dia de los Muertos ('Day of the Dead') festival.

Celebrated for thousands of years by Aztecs and other ancient Meso-American tribes, the date of this festival was changed by the Spanish to coincide with All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days, so it is now celebrated from 31 October until 2 November. During these three days, it is believed the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, and the spirits of the deceased can come back to visit.

Pass houses, shops and cafes which are painted a multitude of bright colours. Then head over to the ornate Santa Domingo church, a wonderful example of the city’s lavish baroque architecture and the Zócalo, the main square and the centre of this historic town. You will see many yellow carts selling 'elotes' (corn on a stick spread with mayonaisse and chili powder), clusters of colourful flowers, brightly-painted skulls and skeletons everywhere. Vendors sell all types of street food including empanadas, crepes and 'tlayudas' - a local specialty similar to a large quesadilla, cooked to order by old women using flat-topped grills.

Afterwards head to the huge Abastos Market – an eclectic and energetic ‘tianguis’ (open-air bazaar). Browse the stalls piled high with Day of the Dead ornaments and decorations including colourful strings of beads and iconic illustrated skulls. Join the local families buying the decorations used to adorn their home altars in tribute to their loved ones. These alters typically include a photo of the dead person, intricate paper decorations, vibrant yellow marigolds and some sustenance for the spirit - such as fruit, bread, water, a favourite snack, beer or cigarettes (all opened for them). Altars may also have a hat or shawl of the deceased, as well as candles or incense.

At night head to the village cemetery to be part of this incredible yearly celebration and appreciate the unique atmosphere of joyous remembrance, mixed with a macabre sadness. Although time spent in the cemetries is more solemn, outside the festivities can become more riotous, with impromptu parades and fireworks.

Day 8

Today enjoy a full day private excursion to the weaving village of Teotitlan Del Valle, whose crafts date back to the Aztecs. One of the prettiest villages on the eastern side of the valley, it has a remarkable 16th century church.

On arrival we explore the colourful Teotitlan Market, where people still use traditional techniques of carding and spinning their wool, before dying it with natural colours. Keen to welcome guests and share their craft, you can watch their delicate weaving and spinning techniques that create remarkable tablecloths and rugs, using solid-wood hand looms.

After a traditional lunch in a Zapotec family home, we visit the ancient village of Santo Domingo Tomaltepec to see the traditional Day of the Dead bread being made and prepared for the following day. Our journey through the valleys ends in the village of Santa Maria, home to the world’s thickest tree - El Tule.

We then drive north to the village of Soledad Etla to be a part of the magnificent Comparsa Parade. Participate in this jubilant parade alongside 10-feet stilt walkers dressed as spirits, marching bands playing loud ‘banda’ music and locals wearing elaborate costumes. You will pass rows of vendors where you can stop to purchase food, mezcal, flowers, coffee and hand-made craft. Being part of this vibrant parade and all the festivities is an amazing experience of Mexican life.

Day 9

At leisure to explore more of Oaxaca independently.

Day 10

Transfer to Oaxaca Airport for your flight home.

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