Oaxaca & Puebla: A Modern Look Into an Ancient Land

After arriving at the hotel, checking in and getting your room, take some time to unpack, freshen up, and relax.

At the hotel restaurant, we’ll enjoy a plated 3-course meal, plus soft drinks, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase. Dinner will be saved for those arriving late to the hotel

At leisure

At the hotel restaurant, we’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast of Mexican and international cuisine featuring a variety of hot dishes, bread, pastries, fruit, and yogurt, plus coffee, tea, water.

Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. An instructor conduct classroom sessions, a certified expert will lead field trips, and transportation will be via bus unless specified otherwise. We will provide suggestions for restaurants and on-site visits for personal independent exploration and several meals on your own to enjoy the cuisine of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Our first lecture will begin with a presentation at the hotel given by our Study Leader will build on our knowledge of Oaxaca and and its history stretching back 3,000 years back. We will then walk with our local expert to the Historical Center where we will visit some of the most important buildings. Though the current city was founded in 1532, the Zapotec and Mixtec pre-Columbian civilizations had already been settled in the area for thousands of years. The city is known for these archaeological sites and the large number of colonial-era structures. We will learn about the Templo of Santo Domingo. Founded by the Dominican order, the rooms that once constituted the monastery, today house the Cultural Center of Oaxaca. The construction started in 1570 and continue over a period of 200 years, and has since undergone a complete restoration that was finished in 1999.

At a local restaurant, enjoy a two-course lunch with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase

The field trip for today will continue with a visit to the famous Mercado Benito Juárez where we’ll feast our eyes on the rich colors of the fruits and vegetables, the smells of the aromatic herbs and exotic spices and Mayordomo Chocolate Factory where we will learn from a local expert about the history of chocolate making and receive a step-by-step demonstration of how it is done. After these visits, we will return to the hotel for a social hour and a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Road Scholars.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a 2-course meal with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure

Hotel bufffet

Aboard our bus with a local expert, we will set out for Santa María del Tule. This used to be marshland filled with bulrushes, which the Aztecs called “tulle,” and cypress trees. We’ll stop in the town center where El Árbol del Tule is located, a 2,000 year old Montezuma cypress tree that is the widest tree in the world with a diameter of almost 40 feet. Continuing, we’ll go to Mitla, an archaeological site that is an important representation of Zapotec culture as it features unique and intricate geometric and mosaic work. Well-preserved thanks to the dry climate, Mitla was the residence of the high priest, whom the Spanish likened to the Pope, and served as the main religious center for the Zapotec.

At a local restaurant just outside Mitla, we’ll enjoy a tasty buffet specializing in different kinds of moles, a variety of salads, main dishes, and desserts, plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Our exploration will continue with a visit to Teotitlán del Valle, a small village known for its handmade textiles from local materials. The village was originally founded by the Zapotec under the name Xaguixe, meaning “at the foot of the mountains,” and still retains much of its original culture. The Spanish then renamed the site Teotitlán del Valle; Teotitlán meaning “land of the gods” in Nahuatl. While here, we will be treated to a unique demonstration given by our local experts, as well as local professional weavers from Teotitlán del Valle. The demo will include the treating of the wool, the organic coloring, and weaving by a team of professionals weavers.

On your own. This meal cost has been deducted from the program cost, for you to enjoy what you like the most in Oaxaca

At leisure.

Hotel breakfast

Aboard our bus, we will begin our field trip to Monte Albán, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in México with the most spectacular views. One of the greatest Mesoamerican cities, it served as a political and economic center for the Zapotec from roughly 500 BCE to around 500 CE. One of the defining features of the city are the carved monuments, or Danzantes, lining the Main Plaza. After the site visit, we will walk to the Monte Albán Site Museum and observe many of the artifacts excavated from the area, including the impressive collection of Danzantes.

We will return to the hotel. Lunch will be on your own.

On your own.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a 2-course meal with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out in the morning

Hotel buffet

After checking out of the hotel, we will board the motorcoach and transfer to Puebla, arriving in time to check in and have lunch.

At the hotel restaurant featuring Mexican cuisine, we’ll enjoy a 3-course meal, plus soft drinks, coffee, water; other beverages available for purchase.

We’ll set out from the hotel with a local expert on a walking field trip into the Historic Center of Puebla, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. The area was unsettled during the Aztec empire, having served as the location for “flowery wars” between the Aztec alliance and their rivals. Until the establishment of Puebla in 1531, the area was known as Cuetlaxcoapan, or “where serpents shed their skin.” Today the city is known for its diverse architecture and Talavera pottery in addition to being one of the largest cities in México. We will make stops at the Templo de Santo Domingo; the Capilla del Rosario, also called the House of Gold, considered one of the modern wonders of the world; Casa de los Muñecos, the Doll House, a baroque house from the 18th century with beautiful talavera tile; and the artisan Market “El Parian.”

We will walk with the Group Leader to a local restaurant to enjoy a two- course dinner with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase

At leisure

Hotel buffet

Aboard our bus, we will then depart Puebla for a field trip to Cholula and the Great Pyramid, one of the largest pyramids in the world. With the widest base of any pyramid in the world at a length of a quarter mile, the pyramid stands 180 feet tall. Built in four stages over a period of 800 years, it was the primary temple to Quetzalcoatl. Following a period of population growth, the pyramid became abandoned until the Toltec-Chichimecas overtook the city and built a new temple atop the pyramid. The temple remained overgrown after the arrival of the Spanish and remained undisturbed until the 19th century, except for the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios church on top. Upon arrival, our local expert will lead us on a walking field trip around the area.

At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a 2-course lunch, including. Coffee, soft drinks, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

We will then be transferred to Puebla for a visit to the Amparo Museum, one of the most important historical museums in the country. Founded by Mexican businessman, Manuel Espinosa Yglesias, as the Amparo Foundation, it was created to promote social learning and culture in Mexico. Gathering more than 3,500 pieces of art from Pre-Columbian to contemporary times, it boasts one of the most significant collections of Pre-Columbian art in any private museum in Mexico. The museum itself is housed in what was originally the San Juan de Letrán hospital, built in 1538 as the city’s first health institution.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a 2-course meal with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure

At the hotel

We’ll take a field trip to the archeological site of Cacaxtla. A prosperous city for more than 300 years, Cacaxtla declined around 900 CE before ultimately being abandoned by the year 1000. Cacaxtla was built around the Gran Basamento, a large elevated platform where the most important buildings were located, offering unobstructed views of the surrounding area. It is known for its colorful murals with their unmistakable Maya influence that are in excellent condition having not been excavated until the 1980s. After we will return to Puebla for lunch.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a three-course meal plus coffee, tea, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Free time to relax before dinner.

At a local restaurant with a three-course meal with beverage choices of soft drinks, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for for check-out and departures in the morning

At the hotel.

After checking out of the hotel, we will then board the motorcoach and transfer to Teotihuacan Archaeological Site. Upon arrival, our field trip will begin with a visit to the Teotihuacan Pyramids and its archaeological site where our local expert will introduce us to Teotihuacan and explain how it became the 6th largest city in the world between 150 BCE and 450 CE. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the pyramids are the centerpiece of the holy city that once hosted a population of at least 125,000 people. Some of the most famous temples include the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, and the Temple of the Plumed Serpent.

At a local restaurant, we get to chose from a variety of main dishes, soups, and salads, plus coffee, tea, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

After lunch, we will continue exploring the archaeological site before departing in time to check in to our hotel and to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At the hotel, we will enjoy a farewell dinner

We’ll then gather with our Group Leader for a review of the program and to discuss transfers for the conclusion of the program. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

At the hotel, the buffet features Mexican and international cuisine including a variety of hot dishes, fruit, and pastries, plus coffee, tea, juice, water. This concludes our program.

Independent transfers to the airport If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!