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Flavours of Oaxaca
Culinary tour in Mexico`s capital of gastronomy
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- Price £1,445
- Was £1,545
- Price £1,445
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- Please contact us for flights from your nearest airport
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- Single sup £300
- Duration : 9 days
- Single sup £300
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- ACTIVITY
- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Discover the people, the sights and the flavours of Mexico`s culinary capital - the indigenous state of Oaxaca. This beautiful state in southern Mexico is a melting pot of cultures, traditions and peoples, a fact reflected in its rich, varied and delicious cuisine. Discover the ancient heritage of sites like Monte Alban and Mitla, the stunning beauty and unique biodiversity of the Sierra Norte mountains and experience the best food and drink of the region as well as learning the region`s culinary secrets from some of Oaxaca`s best chefs and some who have still use the traditional recipes of rural Oaxaca. Buen Provecho!
· Experience real Oaxacan food
· Visit unique site of Hierve El Agua
· Prepare you own Oaxacan dishes
· Discover the lovely Mixteca region
· The ancient site of Monte Alban
· The colonial charm of Oaxaca city
· The colourful food market at Tlacolula
· Learn from top Oaxacan chefs
- Oaxaca
- Tlacolula
- Santiago Apoala
- Mitla
- Monte Alban
- Hierve El Agua
Oaxaca is known for its fascinating history, indigenous culture, unique landscape and beautiful architecture.
Day 1
Fly from Mexico City into Oaxaca. Transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: n/a
Day 2
Visit Tlacolula market and El Tule. Lunch at Caldo de Piedra. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 3
Cooking lessons with Pilar Cabrera. Afternoon visit of Monte Alban. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 4
Drive to Santiago Apoala. Gentle hike followed by cooking lessons in Doña Marina's kitchen. Overnight in Santiago Apoala. Meal plan: B, L, D
Day 5
Optional hike. Prepare lunch with Doña Marina. Return to Oaxaca for overnight. Meal plan: B, L
For full itinerary, click on one of the links below
· Experience real Oaxacan food
· Visit unique site of Hierve El Agua
· Prepare you own Oaxacan dishes
· Discover the lovely Mixteca region
· The ancient site of Monte Alban
· The colonial charm of Oaxaca city
· The colourful food market at Tlacolula
· Learn from top Oaxacan chefs
It is not surprising that UNESCO has added Mexican cuisine to its list of cultural treasures worth preserving. The variety and quality of Oaxacan food is awe inspiring and ranges from street food to creative chefs in top class restaurants. All aspiring young chefs should visit the Sunday market in Tlacolula, a real feast for the eyes and the palette. We have learnt a huge amount on this tour about life in Mexico and the problems of Mexico`s indigenous people.
Jeanine (UK)
Day 1
Fly from Mexico City into Oaxaca. You will be met at the airport by a Travel The Unknown representative and brought to your hotel. Rest of the day free. Meal plan: N/A
Day 2
Visit the colourful traditional food market at Tlacolula. Spend some time learning about Oaxacan ingredients and absorb the buzz of this lively market. Drive to the village of El Tule, where you will see the worlds widest tree, a marvel that has drawn biologists. The trunk of this Montezuma Cypress has a circumference of 36.2m and is thought to be about 1500 years old. From here we visit Caldo de Piedra, a restaurant that specialises in a pre-Hispanic dish of Chinantec origin knows as Caldo de Piedra or stone soup made with shrimp, white fish, chilli, coriander (cilantro), shallots and water it is all cooked by adding a hot rock to the bowl. The dish is traditionally prepared by the men, and served to honoured guests. Return to Oaxaca mid-afternoon. Rest of the day free to relax. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 3
This morning we take a cooking class with renowned Oaxacan chef Pilar Cabrera. Take this opportunity to learn hands on about the complex cuisine of Oaxaca. Learn the secrets of a top quality molé, and when you are finished enjoy a delicious 5-course meal in a quaint secluded outdoor patio. In the afternoon take a short drive to Monte Albán, one of Mexico's most ancient and impressive archaeological sites - dating from as far back as 500BC. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 4
After breakfast drive to Santiago Apoala in the lovely Sierra Mixteca mountain range.
Gentle hike through canyon to the village of Apoala, exploring the village (hike is optional). Next we visit Doña Marina in her house where you will learn to make some local dishes. Overnight in the comfortable log cabins of Apoala. Meal plan: B, L, D
Doña Marina is a good old soul of Santiago Apoala. She was born in this beautiful village but soon after her 12th birthday she was forced to leave for Oaxaca city to help her family to survive. She worked for many years - first in Oaxaca city, later in Mexico city - as a chef for well-to-do families. She is passionate about food and love to cook. Her family say that she is like an old cook book because she knows so many amazing traditional dishes using only simple ingredients. She cooks traditional food using seasonal products that she finds in her surrounding environment including Cactus flowers (a.k.a. Biznaga, February-March), agave flowers (grilled, steamed or pickled, April), watercress (July), a vast array of mushrooms (around September).
Her specialities include:
- "Amarillo" - a molé sauce made with chilli, guajillo capsicum and maize dough.
- "Atole blanco" - maize based drink, cooked, ground by hand, sieved and boiled.
- "Pinole" - a similar process to the "Atole blanco" but using toasted wheat instead of maize and adding chocolate.
Day 5
After breakfast optional hike to waterfall with possibilities to swim. Or just enjoy the peaceful rural setting. We prepare lunch with Doña Marina before returning to Oaxaca. Rest of the day free. We recommend a visit to the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 6
Morning free. Visit Teotitlan for micro-finance tour. This tour with our partners Envia (www.envia.org) will give you a real insight into the lives of local people in this traditional Zapotec village famous for its weaving traditions. This tour will directly fund small micro-finance projects which are small interest-free loans to help people to start or expand their businesses. You will visit people's homes and they will explain what they will do with the loan from their own homes or places of business. The benefits these small loans can bring to people is quite incredible and Envia will send you an update on the people who explained their projects once they have received their loans. Return to Oaxaca. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 7
Cooking Class with famous chef Oscar Carrizosa. Oscar is the founder of the prestigious restaurant, Casa Crespo. The main objective to promote only fresh seasonal products endemic to Oaxaca, making purchases in local markets,and thus guaranteeing freshness and total quality in every dish. These are contemporary dishes made with traditional ingredients. The intention is to be playful, have fun and encourage creative cuisine. Late afternoon free in Oaxaca. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L a. José is the founder of the prestigious restaurant <>experience the Culinary Theatre at the renowned Casa Crespo. the main objective to promote only fresh seasonal products endemic to Oaxaca, making purchases in local markets, thus guaranteeing freshness and total quality in every dish. These are contemporary dishes made with traditional ingredients. The intention is to be playful, have fun and encourage creative cuisine. Late afternoon free in Oaxaca. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 8
After breakfast drive to the bizarre terrains and petrified waterfall of Hierve el Agua. Take a dip in the highly mineralised water admiring the stunning landscape. Next visit the ancient pyramid of Mitla and learn the fate of the other fifty one.
Lunch with Doña Chica in Mitla, Doña Chicas molés are famous in Oaxaca and considered to be the best in the whole state. After lunch we will visit a mezcal factory, learn about the distillation process and sample a variety of mescals with a variety of natural flavours across a range of ages. Return to Oaxaca. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 9
After breakfast drop to airport for return flight to Mexico City. Meal plan: B
Day 1
Fly from Mexico City into Oaxaca. Transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: n/a
Day 2
Visit Tlacolula market and El Tule. Lunch at Caldo de Piedra. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 3
Cooking lessons with Pilar Cabrera. Afternoon visit of Monte Alban. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 4
Drive to Santiago Apoala. Gentle hike followed by cooking lessons in Doña Marina's kitchen. Overnight in Santiago Apoala. Meal plan: B, L, D
Day 5
Optional hike. Prepare lunch with Doña Marina. Return to Oaxaca for overnight. Meal plan: B, L
Day 6
Morning free to relax. Visit Teotitlan for micro-finance tour. Evening free. Meal plan: B, L
Day 7
Contemporary cooking class with Oscar Carrizosa. Afternoon free. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 8
Visit Hierve El Agua and Mitla. Lunch on Doña Chicas molés. Visit a mezcal factory. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L
Day 9
After breakfast drop to airport for return flight to Mexico City. Meal plan: B
Oaxaca is known for its fascinating history, indigenous culture, unique landscape and beautiful architecture.
Our handpicked accommodation incorporates these aspects of Oaxacan life and creates a more authentic and comfortable experience.
- Oaxaca
- Tlacolula
- Santiago Apoala
- Mitla
- Monte Alban
- Hierve El Agua
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRAVEL THE UNKNOWN EXPERIENCE
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Look through our brochure or on our website for ideas. Download the trip dossier and detailed itinerary for any trip you are interested in for more information. Remember we would be happy to customise any trip to suit your needs if required.
2. Call us to confirm availability
Call our travel experts on 020 7183 6371 to confirm availability and ask us any outstanding questions. Alternatively you can email us at info@traveltheunknown.com.
3. Secure your place and complete your booking
Secure your place by sending a deposit of £100 (a holding deposit) and returning your booking form by email or by post. This will secure your place on the trip of your choice.
The total deposit required will depend on the trip chosen but is typically 25-40% of the ground arrangements price plus the full cost of the international flight if you decide to book this with us. The final balance will fall due 10 weeks before your departure date.
To book, now call 020 7183 6371 and speak to one of our travel experts or email us at info@traveltheunknown.com.
4. Book your flights
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TELEPHONE
020 7183 6371 (UK)
(347) 329 5524 (USA)
+44 20 8823 0705 (Other)
POST
Travel The Unknown
Hyde Park House
5 Manfred Road Putney
SW15 2RS United Kingdom
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Fill in as much detail as you can including the name of the trip you wish to book, the date of departure, whether you require international flights, the number and type of rooms required, any additional services desired (tours, transfers, overnights) and any special requirements. We will then contact you as soon as possible to complete your booking. Our contact details are below if you require any assistance.
TELEPHONE
020 7183 6371 (UK)
(347) 329 5524 (USA)
+44 20 8823 0705 (Other)
POST
Travel The Unknown
Hyde Park House
5 Manfred Road Putney
SW15 2RS United Kingdom
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Mexico Regional Information.pd....pdf | 547 | KB |
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Booking Conditions.pdf | 300 | KB |
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Booking Form.doc | 61 | KB |
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Flavours-of-oaxaca-accommodati....pdf | 387 | KB |
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Trip Notes - Flavours Of Oaxac....pdf | 252 | KB |
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