Day 1: Arrive in Oaxaca Arrive at Oaxaca Airport, where your Journey Mexico guide greets you for a private transfer to your colonial-style hotel near the historic zócalo. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the lively main square, artisan markets, and shaded cafés. In the evening, enjoy street musicians and local food vendors as the city comes alive. Overnight: Hotel de la Parra
Day 2: Oaxaca City Exploration & Monte Alban Private Full Day Experience Begin the day at Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec capital perched on a hilltop overlooking the Oaxaca Valley. Explore its temples, ball courts, and terraces while learning about its influence on regional civilizations. Return to Oaxaca for lunch and an afternoon walking tour of the historic center, visiting Santo Domingo Church, the Museo Rufino Tamayo, and artisan galleries. Sample local specialties such as tlayudas, tamales, and mezcal. Overnight: Hotel de la Parra
Day 3: Visit Tlacochahuaya, the Mitla ruins, and journey to the Sierra Norte Travel east to visit the colorful 16th-century church of San Jerónimo in Tlacochahuaya and continue to Mitla, once a sacred Zapotec burial site. Stop in Teotitlán del Valle to meet artisans renowned for handwoven textiles and natural dyes. Later, transfer to the remote Sierra Norte Mountains and check in to your community-run mountain cabin. Gather around the fireplace for a locally prepared dinner and evening conversation. Overnight: Community Yu’u Sierra Norte Llano Grande Optional hike: 1 hour 30 mins, 6.4km/4 miles (altitude: 300ft gain/300ft loss)
Day 4: Sierra Norte Day Two – Hike from Cuajimoloyas to Latuvi Embark on a full-day guided hike through wildflower meadows, agave fields, and pine forests linking the villages of Cuajimoloyas and Latuvi. Stop at La Cucharrilla viewpoint for sweeping mountain vistas, then enjoy a trout lunch at Cara de León Ranch. Arrive to Latuvi for dinner and an evening by the fire. Overnight: Community Yu’u Sierra Norte Latuvi Hike: 6 hours, 15.7km/9.8 miles (500ft gain/200ft loss)
Day 5: Sierra Norte Day Three – Hike from Latuvi to Benito Juarez Continue hiking through farmland and dense forest toward Benito Juárez, passing bromeliads, wild orchids, and traditional Zapotec fields. After lunch, return to Oaxaca City with a brief stop at the massive Tule Tree, believed to be the widest tree in the Americas. Enjoy a relaxed evening in town. Overnight: Hotel de la Parra Hike: Half-day, 11.9km/7.4 miles (750ft gain/1,200ft loss)
Day 6: Visit San Bartolo Coyotepec, Santo Tomas Jalieza, and San Martin Tilcajete Visit the artisan towns surrounding Oaxaca. In San Bartolo Coyotepec, watch black-clay ceramics fired in underground kilns. Continue to Santo Tomás Jalieza for handwoven textiles and to San Martín Tilcajete for colorful alebrijes. If it’s Friday, visit the Ocotlán market to see local life in full color. Return to Oaxaca for a final evening at leisure. Overnight: Hotel de la Parra
Day 7: Fly from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Today, rise early to enjoy a 14-passenger plane ride across the mountains and down to the tropical Puerto Escondido on the Pacific coast.
After checking into your beautiful seaside lodge, today is a free day to enjoy as you wish. The area is packed with exciting adventures such as biking to the Chatino villages in the Mixteca Sur, visiting the National Turtle Museum, or heading to the natural cosmetics factory created by The Body Shop founder Anita Roddick. Of course, you may opt to simply relax and stroll the beaches or explore this quaint fishing town.
Overnight: Hotel Escondido Day 8: At Leisure Spend the day at leisure. Kayak or birdwatch at Laguna de Manialtepec, surf Zicatela Beach, or enjoy a massage and sunset swim. Savor ocean-fresh seafood and organic produce at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Escondido Day 9: Depart from Puerto Escondido Early this morning, take your private transportation to Puerto Escondido airport for your onward flights. As with all Journey Mexico itineraries, this vacation can be fully customized to your desires. So if you’d like to extend the trip for more time in Puerto Escondido or Oaxaca, let our travel planners know.
