JUL 11-18, 2024

Archaeology and Culture in the Valley of Oaxaca

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This 7-day journey will take you to Oaxaca just before the Guelaguetza festival in July.

Participants will arrive late afternoon to Oaxaca on a Thursday and explore the town a bit on their own. The first full tour day will stay in the city, exploring its markets, museums, and botanical garden. Day two will start at the famous ruins of Monte Alban. After lunch at the ruins restaurant overlooking the city, the tour will visit the museum collection of the treasures of Monte Alban Tomb 7, the richest tomb ever found in Mexico. The next day will start with a visit to the sister city of Monte Alban, Atzompa, and end with a visit to the Rufino Tamayo archaeological museum.

On Monday the group will travel into the eastern arm of the Valley of Oaxaca to visit the beautiful Zapotec ruins of Mitla and explore its tombs. On the way back to the city, visit the 1500 year old Tule Tree. The next day will return to the east, visiting the rug weaving town of Teotitlan de Valle, having lunch at a Zapotec home, and enjoying a visit to a mezcal distillery. The last day of the tour visit the half-Olmec, half-Zapotec ruins of San Jose Magote and some wonderful craft villages. The tour will come to a celebratory end that evening with a Guelaguetza dance and dinner show.


Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Atzompa, Mitla, Teotitlan de Valle and San Jose Magote

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Oaxaca - Thursday, JUL 11

    • Oaxaca

    • All Day: Arrivals to Oaxaca
    • 6-7pm: Orientation meeting in hotel lobby
    • Evening: Free time for dinner
    • Overnight at the Hotel Casa Abu
  • Day 2: Markets and Museums - Friday, JUL 12

    • Markets and Museums

    • 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-12pm: Tour of city markets
    • 12-2pm: Lunch break
    • 2-4pm: Botancial Gardens
    • 6-7pm: Lecture: Ancient Times in the Oaxaca Valley
    • Overnight at Hotel Casa Abu
  • Day 3: Monte Alban - Saturday, JUL 13

    • Monte Alban

    • 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-12pm: Tour of Monte Alban
    • 12-1pm: Lunch at Monte Alban
    • 2-4pm: Tomb 7 museum exhibit
    • 6-7pm: Lecture: Mixtec Codices
    • Overnight at Hotel Casa Abu
  • Day 4: Atzompa - Sunday, JUL 14

    • Atzompa

    • 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-12pm: Tour of Atzompa
    • 12-2pm: Lunch break in town
    • 3-5pm: Rufino Tamayo Museum
    • Overnight at Hotel Casa Abu
  • Day 5: Mitla and Tule Tree - Monday, JUL 15

    • Mitla and Tule Tree

    • 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-10am: Transport to Mitla
    • 10-12pm: Tour of Mitla
    • 12-2pm: Lunch at a hacienda
    • 2-3pm: The Tule Tree
    • Overnight at Hotel Casa Ab
  • Day 6: Teotitlan del Valle - Tuesday, JUL 16

    • Teotitlan del Valle

    • 7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-10am: Transport to Teotitlan del Valle
    • 10-12pm: Rug weaving demonstration
    • 12-2pm: Lunch at a Zapotec home
    • 3-4pm: Mescal distillery
    • Overnight at Hotel Casa Abu
  • Day 7: San Jose Magote - Wednesday, JUL 17

    • San Jose Magote

    • 7-8am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 8-9am: Transport to San Jose Magote
    • 9-11am: Tour of San Jose Magote
    • 11-1pm: Lunch on the road
    • 1-3pm: San Bartolo Coyotepec - black pottery
    • 3-5pm: San Martin Tilcajete - alebrijes
    • 7-9pm: Guelaguetza dinner and dance show
    • Overnight at Hotel Casa Abu
  • Day 8: Departure - Thursday, JUL 18

    • Departure

    • Morning: Free time or transport to the airport
    • End of Tour
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Lodging

Oaxaca - Hotel Casa Abu
A luxury hotel located two blocks from the city's zocalo.
AC, private bath, restaurant, telephone, cable TV and wifi

Price includes

All lodging
Private ground transportation
Breakfasts
Archaeologist guide
Local guides
Evening lectures
All entry fees
Bottles of cold purified water in the transport

Price does not include

Airfare to/from Oaxaca City
Taxi to the hotel from the airport the first day
Lunches and dinners
Gratuities (maids, drivers, guides, etc..)
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Costs

Deposits for courses and tours are due upon registration. After 14 days before the trip, no refunds will be granted.

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Disclaimer

For the purposes of this disclaimer both "tours" and "study abroad programs" will be referred to as "the program".

Maya Exploration Center, Inc. (MEC) will make every effort to provide a safe, accident free, enjoyable experience for all participants in the program. All ground transportation during the program will be provided by a licensed third party independent contractor over whom MEC has no control.

Participants in the program assume all responsibility for hazards associated with ground transportation. The programs take place within environments which can be hazardous. Participants assume all risks associated with these environments including but not limited to hazards posed by animals, insects, plants and disease. MEC recommends that all participants consult with their physician with regard to vaccinations and/or other precautions that the physician may recommend prior to participating in the program. As with any outdoor activity which involves hiking and climbing, there are risks of injury for which participants assume all risk. The territories of indigenous people occasionally experience periods of political unrest. Participants assume all risk associated with political unrest during the program. MEC reserves the right to change or cancel any or all portions of the itinerary of the program, without refund, as a result of political unrest, inclement weather or any other reason beyond the control of MEC. For the reasons outlined above, MEC strongly suggests that each program participant purchase travel insurance. By switching the toggle below to "on" you acknowledge that you have read, and agree to, the terms of this disclaimer.

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Shared Room

Only shared with known people

$3,500 USD

JUL 11 - 18 2024

  • Based on double or triple occupant lodging
  • $500 deposit due upon registration
  • 50% balance due 90 days before the trip
  • Final balance due 30 days before

PRIVATE ROOM

Solo traveler

$4,000 USD

JUL 11 - 18 2024

  • Based on single occupant lodging
  • $500 deposit due upon registration
  • 50% balance due 90 days before the trip
  • Final balance due 30 days before