15-day Trip In Mexico: Hidden Gems Of Oaxaca

Itinerary

Day 1: Mexico City

Stop At: Zócalo, Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de Mexico - the largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. Arrive at any time before meeting your group & Tour Leader in the evening: welcome meeting & dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Food & Drinks: welcome dinner
Activities: welcome meeting
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Dinner: Welcome dinner
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Mexico City.

Day 2: Mexico City

Stop At: Zocalo, Calle Plaza de La Constitucion S/N Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Mexico City 06000 Mexico
Spend the 1st half of the day exploring Mexico City's Historic Centre & visiting the National Anthropology Museum with your Tour Leader.  Free time in the afternoon, optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

Food & Drinks: breakfast
Activities: walking tour of the Historic Centre of Mexico City; guided visit to the National Anthropology Museum
Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Museo Nacional de Antropología, Av. Paseo de la Reforma s/n, Polanco, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Guided visit.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Mexico City.

Day 3: Mexico City - Cuernavaca - Tepoztlán

Stop At: Cuernavaca, Cuernavaca, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Firstly, in the morning,  head to the colonial city of Cuernavaca visiting El Salto de San Antón waterfall & Teopanzolco Archeological Zone on your way. Once there, have a walking tour of the historic center of the city & visit its main attractions. Afterward, following an optional lunch, go to a "Magical Town" of Tepoztlan. There, we will hike to Tepozteco. This unique archeological zone on top of the hill is famous for its temple of Tepoztēcatl, the Aztec god of pulque (fermented beverage from the sap of agave). Later, we will explore the historic center of the town, try some of the most typical regional dishes in a municipal market & famous local ice-cream. Check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

Food & Drinks: breakfast; Market Food Experience and ice-cream tasting in Tepoztlan
Activities: guided visits to El Salto de San Antón waterfall, Teopanzolco & Tepozteco Archeological Zones; walking tours in Cuernavaca & Tepoztlan
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Salto de San anton, Av Del Salto, Cuernavaca Mexico
Guided visit.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Zona Arqueologica Teopanzolco, Rio Balsas s/n, Teopanzolco Vista Hermosa Colonia Vista Hermosa, Cuernavaca 62350 Mexico
Guided visit.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Pyramids of Tepoztlan, Tepoztlan 62156 Mexico
Guided visit/hike.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Tepoztlan, Tepoztlan, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Orientation walk.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Mercado, Santo Domingo, 62520 Tepoztlán, Mor., Mexico
Market Food Experience.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Tepoztlán.

Day 4: Tepoztlán - Cuautla - Zacualpan de Amilpas - Atotonilco

Stop At: Ex Hacienda de Apanquetzalco, Calle Apanquetzalco, Vicente Estrada Cajigal, 62730 Yautepec de Zaragoza, Mor., Mexico
In the morning, go to explore the history and nowadays of Ex-Hacienda de Apanquetzalco. Afterward, move to Cuautla - a regional center famous for its rich war history and revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata who was born here. After a walking tour of the historic center of Cuautla, visit to a local railways museum & nearby house-museum of Zapata, we will transfer to Zacualpan. This little town is famous for its coffee & aguardiente (alcoholic beverage from sugar cane similar to rum) traditions -  we will see both of them. Finally, we will arrive at our accommodation in Atotonilco - a small village famous for its numerous hot springs. Check-in, relaxation in thermal springs in our accommodation, optional dinner & get-together in one of the local restaurants.

Food & Drinks: breakfast; berries picking & tasting in an organic strawberry farm; Market Food Experience in Cuautla; aguardiente distillery tour & coffee workshop in Zacualpan
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico
Walking tour of the historic center.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Experiential 279 Railroad Museum, Mariano Escoto, Centro, 62740 Cuautla, Mor., Mexico
Guided visit.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Museo y Casa de Emiliano Zapata, Ayuntamiento 33, Anenecuilco, 62709 Anenecuilco, Mor., Mexico
Guided visit.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Ex Hacienda de Coahuixtla, Cuautla Mexico
Guided visit.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Aguardiente de Caña Zacualpan, Juárez, Los Tres Reyes, Zacualpan de Amilpas, Mor., Mexico
Tour & tasting.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Las Termas, Flores Magón s/n, Emiliano Zapata, 62925 Atotonilco, Mor., Mexico
Accommodation & access to SPA facilities.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned SPA hotel in Atotonilco.

Day 5: Atotonilco - Chalcatzingo - Izúcar de Matamoros - Huajuapan de Leon

Stop At: Chalcatzingo Mexico
Start your morning exploring Chalcatzingo Archaeological Zone - see its impressive 2000-years-old structures and unique carvings. Then, transfer to ancient 400-years-old Ex-Convento De Santo Domingo De Guzman in Izucar de Matamoros. After a guided visit to the convent, an orientation walk of the town & Market Food Experience, head to Destileria Ayutla. Once there, have a factory tour learning about the process & tasting some of its main products - whiskey, gin, vodka & beers. Afterward, move to a final destination of the day - colonial town Huajuapan de Leon. Check-in, walking tour of the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

Food & Drinks: breakfast; Market Food Experience in Izucar de Matamoros; distillery tour with tastings in Ayutla
Activities: guided visits to Chalcatzingo Archaeological Zone; walking tours of Izucar de Matamoros & Huajuapan de Leon
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ex-Convento De Santo Domingo De Guzman, 5 de Mayo 9, Centro, 74400 Izúcar de Matamoros, Pue., Mexico
Guided visit of the convent & orientation walk of the town.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Mercado Miguel Castulo de Alatriste (Mercado de Picos), 74400, Ayuntamiento Nte 19, Centro, 74400 Izúcar de Matamoros, Pue., Mexico
Market Food Experience.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Destileria Ayutla, Mariano Matamoros 17, Zapata, 74577 Ayutla, Pue., Mexico
Distillery tour & tasting.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Huajuapan de Leon, Huajuapan de Leon, Southern Mexico
Orientation walk of the center of the town.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Huajuapan de Leon.

Day 6: Huajuapan de León - Reserva Natural El Boqueron - Grutas de San Miguel Cuevas - Putla Villa de Guerrero

Stop At: Huajuapan de Leon, Huajuapan de Leon, Southern Mexico
Start your day with a Market Food Experience in Huajuapan de León. Then, move to Reserva Natural El Boqueron with a photo stop at Presa de San Francisco Yosocuta. In El Boqueron, have a spectacular hike along the steep walls of the canyon, followed by an on an optional swim in a crystal-clear mountainous river. Afterward, following an optional lunch, go for a swim in a spectacular Laguna Encantada & walkthrough hidden San Miguel Caves. By the evening, arrive at Putla Villa de Guerrero - the center of the municipality that serves as a commercial center for the Mixtecs, Amuzgos, Chatinos, and other indigenous people that live in the area. Check-in, an orientation walk of the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

Activities: hiking to Reserva Natural El Boqueron; guided visits to Laguna Encantada & San Miguel Caves; orientation walk of Putla Villa de Guerrero
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: San Marcos Arteaga, Oaxaca, Mexico
Photo stop.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Reserva Natural El Boqueron, Santo Domingo Tonalá, Oaxaca, Mexico
Guided hike.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Grutas de San Miguel Cuevas, Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Guided visit/hike.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Putla Villa de Guerrero, Putla Villa de Guerrero, Southern Mexico
Orientation walk & optional dinner.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Market Food Experience in Izucar de Matamoros
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Putla Villa de Guerrero.

Day 7: Putla Villa de Guerrero - Atotonilco - Pinotepa Nacional - Lagunas de Chacahua National Park

Stop At: Putla Villa de Guerrero, Putla Villa de Guerrero, Southern Mexico
After breakfast, enjoy a local river beach near Putla Villa de Guerrero and natural hot springs in Atotonilco village. Afterward, continue to Pinotepa Nacional - the center of one of a few Afro-Mexican areas of the country: Market Food Experience & orientation walk of the center. Thereafter, move to Lagunas de Chacahua National Park. There, visit a local beach where hundreds of turtles come every year to lay eggs, enjoy the view from an abandoned lighthouse, and see the sunset from one of the huge rocks. Check-in,  optional dinner & night bioluminescence boat tour to one of the local lagoons.

Transportation: private vehicle
Food & Drinks: breakfast; Market Food Experience in Pinotepa Nacional
Accommodation: cabins in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park
Activities: visits of the river beach near Putla Villa de Guerrero & natural hot springs in Atotonilco village; orientation walk of Pinotepa Nacional; night bioluminescence boat tour in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Las Pozas de Atotonilco, Oaxaca, Mexico
Relax in hot springs.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Mercado Pinotepa Nacional, El Puente, 71604 Pinotepa Nacional, Oax., Mexico
Market Food Experience & orientation walk of the historic center of the town.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: El faro de Chacahua, Laguna de Chacahua, Oax., Mexico
Hike up to enjoy the view, explore nearby "Turtle" beach, see the sunset.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lagunas de Chacahua Parque Nacional, Puerto Escondido 71814 Mexico
Accommodation, optional dinner & get-together, night bioluminescence boat tour.
Duration: 4 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned eco-cabins in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park.

Day 8: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park

Stop At: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, Oaxaca, Mexico
Enjoy a free day in this natural paradise choosing among a variety of activities: surfing; sunbath, swim & snorkel;
fishing in the morning with locals; exploring the beach and searching for the traces of turtles; have a relaxing temazcal & massage.

Food & Drinks: breakfast
Accommodation: cabins in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park
Activities: free time
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned eco-cabins in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park.

Day 9: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park - Puerto Escondido

Stop At: Puerto Escondido, Puerto Escondido, Southern Mexico
After free time to enjoy the beach in the morning, check out at midday & visit the local crocodile protection center. Then, continue our "Mexico: Hidden Gems of Oaxaca Tour" going to the center of Puerto Escondido - a port town and resort that’s known for its many beaches and buzzing nightlife: optional lunch & orientation walk. Thereafter, go to see the sunset & liberate little turtles on the local beach. After sunset, transfer to our accommodation in Zicatela Beach, check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local bars.

Transportation: private vehicle
Food & Drinks: breakfast
Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Puerto Escondido
Activities: guided visits to crocodile & turtles protection centers; orientation walk of the center of Puerto Escondido
Duration: 16 hours

Stop At: Campamento Tortuguero"Vive Mar" Liberación de tortugas, Playa Bacocho, 71980 Puerto Escondido, Oax., Mexico
Sea turtle hatching release & sunset.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Puerto Escondido.

Day 10: Puerto Escondido - Sociedad Cooperativa Lagarto Real - Mazunte - La Crucecita

Stop At: Sociedad Cooperativa Lagarto Real, Playa Ventanilla Santa María Tonameca, Ventanilla, 70947 Santa María Tonameca, Oax., Mexico
After breakfast, check out & go for a mangrove boat tour. Then, continue to Mazunte - a "Magical Town" famous for a strong surf,  beautiful beaches & Mexican Turtle Center. Once there, enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and (if you are lucky & it's a correct season) migrating whales on a local peninsula. Then, go for an orientation walk and optional lunch in the center of the town. Once ready, transfer to Bahia de Cacaluta - a virgin golden-sand beach in Huatulco National Park accessible by a 30-min walk through the forest. This is a great spot for snorkeling, swimming & enjoying untouched nature. After spending several hours on the beach, go to see the sunset from a local lighthouse. Transfer to our accommodation in La Crucecita, check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

Transportation: private vehicle
Food & Drinks: breakfast
Activities: mangrove boat tour; guide hikes to Punta Cometa Peninsula & Bahia de Cacaluta
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Punta Cometa Lookout Point, Camino a Playa Mermejita, Mazunte, Oax., Mexico
Guided hike to the peninsula, orientation walk & optional lunch in Mazunte.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Bahía Cacaluta, T, 70987 Crucecita, Oax., Mexico
Guided hike & free time on the beach.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: El Zócalo, Bugambilia 701, H, 70987 Crucecita, Oax., Mexico
Orientation walk & optional dinner.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in La Crucecita.

Day 11: La Crucecita - Pluma Hidalgo - San Jose del Pacifico

Stop At: Pluma Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Mexico
After breakfast & checkout, go for a coffee tour in one of the farms around Pluma Hidalgo. This little mountainous village is one of the most idoneous places in Mexico for the cultivation of coffee. As a matter of fact, the local Pluma Gourmet type is one of the most prestigious in the country. Then, after an orientation walk, lunch & a cup of delicious coffee in Pluma Hidalgo, head to San Jose del Pacifico. Located in the southern sierra of Oaxaca, this town at 2,500 meters above sea level literally touches the sky. Once there, have an orientation walk of the town, see a beautiful sunset from our accommodation & enjoy a traditional temazcal. Optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants in the evening.

Food & Drinks: breakfast; lunch, coffee & waffles tasting in Pluma Hidalgo
Activities: coffee farm tour around Pluma Hidalgo; orientation walks in Pluma Hidalgo & San Jose del Pacifico
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: San Jose del Pacifico, San Jose del Pacifico, Southern Mexico
Orientation walk, sunset, temazcal, optional dinner.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned eco-cabins in San Jose del Pacifico.


Day 12: San Jose del Pacifico - San Martín Tilcajete - Zaachila - Oaxaca City

Stop At: Santo Tomás Tamazulapan, Oaxaca, Mexico
After breakfast & check-out, continue our "Mexico: Hidden Gems of Oaxaca Tour" visiting a family mezcal distillery in Santo Tomás Tamazulapan.

Food & Drinks: breakfast; Market Food Experience in Zaachila
Activities: guided visit to Zaachila Archeological Zone & Ex-Convent of Guerrero Cuilapam; orientation walks/walking tours in San Martín Tilcajete, Zaachila & Oaxaca City
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: San Martin Tilcajete, San Martin Tilcajete, Southern Mexico
Then, head to San Martín Tilcajete - a little town known for its colorful fantastical creatures hand-carved by local artisans.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Zona Arqueologica Zaachila, Alarii 30, Zaachila Mexico
After visiting some of the local workshops & orientation walk of the town, transfer to Zaachila - a small town that became the last Zapotec capital after the fall of Monte Álban. There, we will visit a still largely unexplored local archaeological site & local market where we will try some of the most exquisite regional specialties.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ex Convent of Guerrero Cuilapam, Reserva 5, Grande, 71240 Cuilápam de Guerrero, Oax., Mexico
Then, we will transfer to Oaxaca City with a visit of a unique (it has no roof!) Ex-Convent of Guerrero Cuilapam on our way.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Oaxaca, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico
Once in Oaxaca City, have an introductory walking tour of its historic center visiting its main attractions. Check-in, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Oaxaca City.

Day 13: Oaxaca City

Stop At: Monte Alban, Oaxaca Mexico
After breakfast, go to explore Monte Albán Archeological Zone. Free time in the afternoon. Optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants in the evening.

Transportation: private vehicle
Food & Drinks: breakfast
Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Oaxaca City
Activities: guided visit to Monte Albán Archeological Zone
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Oaxaca City.


Day 14: Oaxaca City - San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca - Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve - Puebla

Stop At: Ex Convento de San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca, San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Firstly, go to visit an impressive Ex-Convento de San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca. Then, head to San Juan Raya - a little village in the middle of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve. There, accompanied by a local community guide, we will visit a place with impressive vegetation and dozens of dinosaur steps that are millions of years old. After a tour, transfer to Puebla with an optional stop at a unique local restaurant with delicious regional cuisine. Check-in, an orientation walk of the historic center of Puebla, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of the local restaurants.

Transportation: private vehicle
Food & Drinks: breakfast
Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Puebla
Activities: guided visit to Ex-Convento de San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca; tour to dinosaur steps in San Juan Raya
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: San Juan Raya, Pue., Mexico
Accompanied by a local community guide, we will visit a place with impressive vegetation and dozens of dinosaur steps that are millions of years old.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Puebla, Puebla, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Orientation walk & optional dinner.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Puebla.

Day 15: Puebla - Mexico City

Stop At: Puebla, Puebla, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Free time in the morning to explore the city. At midday check-out and transfer to Mexico City.

Transportation: private vehicle
Food & Drinks: breakfast
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.