If that’s not enough, you’ll have free time to visit the famous ruins of Monte Alban or Mitla, or wander the friendly streets of the city to take in the culture, churches or magnificent architecture.
$1950 per person, double occupancy. (Single occupancy, please add $700.)
All lodging, breakfasts and "comidas" included. Note: We usually eat a big breakfast and try to have "comida" or a late lunch/early dinner and don't stop for lunch. We will have a cooler available in the van for beverages and snacks during day trips. All ground transportation, including transport to/from the Oaxaca airport included. Airfare not included.
A non-refundable $500 deposit is required at time of reservation. Deadline for reservations is January 20. Balance due no later than March 1. Please make checks payable to COSAS. Group size limited to 8 people on a first come basis. No children please.
*Ground transportation provided to events listed in details of itinerary. Activities may change if unforeseen circumstances occur. Personal items including: alcoholic beverages at times other than "comidas," snacks, laundry, phone calls and other incidentals are not included. No refunds for breakfasts not consumed; events/services not used; early departures. If for any reason COSAS cancels the tour, a full refund will be issued.
Shipping Art to Boerne is included.
Shipping your treasures home is included in the cost. However, space will be somewhat limited. Please limit your purchases to items that will fit on pallets. Special arrangements can be made for an additional cost for larger items. We will help with organizing all your packing needs (bubble wrap, boxes, tape, etc.) but the actual cost for materials will not be included. There may be personnel available to assist in packing for an additional charge. Ultimately, the packing to ensure the safe return of your items will be your responsibility. COSAS cannot be responsible for any breakage.
Oaxaca and Surrounding Villages
March 14 - 21, 2010
Tour Itinerary
Sunday, March 14: Arrivals in Oaxaca City. We’ll have a driver pick you up at the airport and take you to our quaint small hotel steps away from the Plaza. There’s plenty to see and do near the hotel so if you arrive early, there will be lots to see. We’ll plan a group dinner that evening so everyone can get acquainted.
Monday, March 15: After breakfast, we’ll start the day with a visit to San Martin Tilcajete; home of many of Oaxaca’s famous wood carvers and “alebrije” artists. We’ll visit Jacobo and Maria Angeles, the Melchor family, Zeny Fuentes and Efrain Fuentes.
The afternoon will be spent back in Oaxaca City where you can enjoy a walking tour, to markets, churches, museums and other points of interest. We’ll plan dinner together in the city.
Tuesday, March 16: First we’ll head to Santa Maria Atzompa during market day. In addition to seeing the wonderful green pottery in the market, we’ll visit with several important potters. We’ll meet for a talk and demonstration by Angelica Vasquez, then continue to the workshops of Dolores Porras and son; and also stop at Irma and Faustino Blanco’s workshops.
We’ll stop for a quick lunch on the way to La Union Tejalapa – the other famous wood carving village. On the way, we’ll visit with the Tribus Mixes workshop (wood carvers of Viguera). Then, in La Union we’ll visit the wood carvers Angel Cruz Solis, Jaime Santiago Morales, Martin and Placido Santiago Cruz, Reynaldo and Benjamin Garcia. Dinner will be back in the city.
Wednesday, March 17: This will be a free day for you to visit one of many of the wonders of Oaxaca. Tours to the ruins of Monte Alban or Mitla will be available, a cooking class or visit to a cheese factory can be arranged; or just a continued visit of the city on foot. Be sure to do your homework ahead of time. There are so many choices, that you’ll want to have a good idea of what’s available in order to maximize your day.
Thursday, March 18: We’ll stay in the hotel for a while after breakfast and be visited by a couple who works with most of the women’s sewing cooperatives around the state. They will bring a wide array of clothing that we can choose from. Accompanying them will be one of Oaxaca’s famous silversmiths. He will bring a great selection of traditional jewelry and we can shop to our hearts desire.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Teotitlan del Valle where the famous Zapotec rug weavers work. On the way, we’ll stop by the Tule Tree and visit a candle factory. Then off to the weaving workshops of Roman Gutierrez and Francisco Hernandez. We’ll plan a late afternoon comida in the village.
Friday, March 19: After breakfast in the hotel we’ll visit the market in Ocotlan. From there we’ll visit the famed Aguilar sisters and their workshops, and Jose Jimenez, a blind potter in San Antonino Valasco.
From there, we’ll make a stop in Santo Tomas Jalieza where some of the back strap loom wavings and cotton textiles are made and visit the house and workshop of painter Gerardo Navarro.
After that we’ll visit the market in San Bartolo Coyotepec where the black pottery is made. We’ll visit Carlo Magno’s workshop, Elba Leon and others. We’ll have dinner back in Oaxaca.
Saturday, March 20: We’ll spend the morning visiting tinsmiths in Xochimilco including Victor Ruben Hernandez Leyva, Alfonso Santiago Leyva, Catalino Miguel Aguero Pacheco, Arturo Sosa and others. Be sure to set some shopping money aside. There’ll be lots of treasures.
The afternoon will be free to get your purchases organized and packed and do any last minute shopping or sightseeing. We’ll plan a special dinner in the city for our last evening.
Sunday, March 21: Back home…individual departures from Oaxaca.
Sign Up!
Oaxaca and Surrounding Villages Trip Cost: $1950 per person. Single occupancy, please add $700. Cost includes shipping your purchases back to Boerne, Texas. Deadline to sign up is January 20, 2010.