Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
8 Days
From AUD $4465
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(20 reviews)

Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca

Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

When it comes to vibrant culture and varied cuisine, there’s nowhere quite like Mexico. Get a taste of the country’s best on an eight-day Premium adventure through Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca.

Highlights

  • Sample a delicious array of local dishes during your welcome dinner and dine at an award-winning restaurant in Oaxaca for an Exclusive Experience – Mexico's authentic food scene is sure to hit the spot.
  • Spend a night in Puebla at your Feature Stay, converted from 16th, 17th and 18th-century buildings and offering a perfect blend of traditional charm and modern amenities, just a stone’s throw away from the city’s main sights.
  • Learn of the ancient Zapotec and Aztec histories with visits to the ruins of Teotihuacan and Mitla and the Cholula archaeological site, joined by specialist guides to further enhance your visit.
  • Discover traditional craft industries with enlightening Exclusive Experiences. Learn about Zapotec woven fabrics, textile making, mezcal distilling and beeswax candle-making and visit a family-run obsidian workshop.
  • Explore the Mexico City of past and present on a city tour with your leader, from the buzzing Zocalo Plaza to the Gothic National Cathedral and the sprawling National Palace.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Mexico City, Mexico

Finishes

Oaxaca, Mexico

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Mexico City
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in Mexico City, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Meet your group and local leader at a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Your hotel in Mexico City is housed in a building built in the 1890s and the location is one of the city’s best. The buzzing Zocalo Plaza and the National Cathedral are right on your doorstep and you can see views from the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar. After your meeting, head out for dinner with your leader and sample an array of local dishes while you’re entertained by the roving Mariachi bands. End the evening with some sweet treats at the city’s oldest churreria.

Included Activities:

  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Mexico City - Welcome Dinner (taco night)

Optional Activities:

  • Mexico City - Leon Trotsky Museum (entrance fee) (75 MXN)
  • Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) (320 MXN)
  • Mexico City - Folklore Ballet (entrance fee) subject to availability (1700 MXN)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Zocalo Central or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Mexico City
Today, you’ll get to know Mexico City on a tour with your knowledgeable local leader. From cosmopolitan glamour to ancient history, there’s a lot to see, so rise early and head out to the National Museum of Anthropology where your leader will indicate the most interesting rooms so you can walk through the different stages of the country’s past. Continue to the Zocalo Plaza, the lively main square of the city. Visit the National Cathedral to hear its story and see the impressive Baroque architecture, then stop at Diego Riviera Museo Mural where you can appreciate one of his most famous works. This spot first held a palace built by an Aztec emperor in the early 16th century, and now houses the offices of Mexico’s president. We will also visit Gastromotiva, an Intrepid Foundation partner who fight hunger and food insecurity across Latin America. Tonight is free to seek out the best food – your leader will have the best local recommendations.

Included Activities:

  • Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee)
  • Mexico City - Leader-led Historico Centro tour
  • Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee)
  • Mexico City - Gastromotiva Mexico (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Zocalo Central or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Puebla
Depart Mexico City and travel to Teotihuacan. Here, you'll discover the extraordinary ruins known as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which dominate the skyline. This was once the biggest city in the Americas and predates the Aztec Empire by many centuries. Join an expert local guide and stroll down The Avenue of the Dead to see fascinating clues as to what life here was like nearly 2000 years ago. After lunch continue to Puebla. Stop off on the way to visit a local family who produce beautiful stonework carved form obsidian – a naturally occurring volcanic glasslike rock. Take some time to admire their striking pieces and speak to the family about their craft. Arrive in Puebla and set out for a walk around town, visiting Calle de los Dulces (Candy Street) and the El Parian handicraft market. See the Rosary Chapel and Town Hall Palace, then head out to dinner at an award-winning restaurant, where a local chef serves up local specialties in an elegant setting – the mole here comes highly recommended.

Included Activities:

  • Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Teotihuacan - Archaeological site
  • Teotihuacan - Obsidian workshop

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Casareyna or similar (Feature Stay) (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Puebla
After breakfast, drive out to the fascinating Cholula archaeological site. Meet with an expert local guide and tour the complex, including the Great Pyramid of Cholula – if you include its basement, this is the largest pyramid in the world. Walk to the church overlooking the site for views of the excavated areas around the pyramid and learn how the structure was built to honour the great Popocatépetl volcano. For lunch today, stop off at a restaurant serving up organic dishes made with locally sourced produce to minimise their impact on the environment. The rest of the day is free for your own explorations. 

Included Activities:

  • Puebla - Cholula archaeological site (Entrance fee)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Casareyna or similar (Feature Stay) (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Oaxaca
Today, you’ll make the journey to Oaxaca – a colourful city rich with history and culture. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into your hotel for the next three nights – converted from a 19th-century mansion, traditional charm emanates from every corner, from its ivy-clad courtyard to original frescoes and stone fountain. Just a stone’s throw away from the city’s main Zocalo, full of cafes, musicians and artisans, there’s no better base for your time in Oaxaca. Head out for an orientation walk with your leader to get a feel for the city, stopping by the local markets of Benito Juarez and 20 de Noviembre, then enjoy a free evening. The best way to get to the heart of Oaxaca’s culture is to taste its food, so your leader will be happy to offer up some great local recommendations for dinner.

Included Activities:

  • Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Oaxaca - Mercado Benito Juarez
  • Oaxaca - Mercado 20 de Noviembre

Optional Activities:

  • Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) (100 MXN)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Casa de Sierra Azul or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Oaxaca
Today, venture out of the city and take a tour of the Oaxaca region. Visit the Mitla ruins archaeological site – once the religious centre for Zapotec communities – and the Tule Tree, considered the world’s widest tree at over 11 m in diameter. The Montezuma cypress’ gnarled trunk is over 1500 years old, roughly the same as the ruins. Stop off to try some Mexican ice cream – an important part of Mexico’s culinary history, this hand-churned ice cream is considered one of the tastiest in the world. Maybe try some traditional Beso Oaxaqueno – a fresh fruit sorbet – or a scoop seasoned with chili. Continue to a beeswax candle-making workshop, learning age-old processes passed down for generations and the intricate designs that are created. Later, take part in a Zapotec weaving demonstration, which uses only traditional techniques, tools, patterns and organic dyes. Watch as local families craft folk clothing and rugs, some taking months to complete. Here, you’ll have a mostly plant-based lunch of regional specialities. On your way back to Oaxaca, stop by an agave mezcal factory for a tasting before returning to the city in the late afternoon.

Included Activities:

  • Oaxaca - Beeswax candle workshop
  • Oaxaca - Weaving demonstration
  • Oaxaca - Tule Tree
  • Oaxaca - Mitla archeological site
  • Oaxaca - Mezcaleria visit
  • Oaxaca - Zapotecan home-cooked lunch

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Casa de Sierra Azul or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Oaxaca
Enjoy a free day to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of Oaxaca. There’s something here to suit every interest – speak to your leader about arranging a visit to the Monte Alban archaeological site, take a local cooking class or opt for a street art cycling tour. Tonight, head to a special dining experience with a menu of traditional Oaxacan dishes, curated and cooked by the restaurant’s award-winning owner and inspired by the recipes of her mother and grandmother. Let the dishes take you on a trip around the state as you enjoy a multi-course meal.

Included Activities:

  • Oaxaca - Farewell Dinner

Optional Activities:

  • Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) (100 MXN)
  • Oaxaca - Cooking class (1500 MXN)
  • Oaxaca - Folkloric ballet (Fridays only) (130 MXN)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Casa de Sierra Azul or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Oaxaca
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time in Oaxaca, speak to your booking agent about arranging additional accommodation ahead of time. If you’re up for more adventure, consider the Mexico: The Yucatan Peninsula trip.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $4,465
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

When it comes to vibrant culture and varied cuisine, there’s nowhere quite like Mexico. Get a taste of the country’s best on an eight-day Premium adventure through Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 24 Jan 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Neela
Traveled, April 2024

04/22/2024

I had an incredible time during this Intrepid tour of Mexico! The itinerary was perfect, ensuring that we were able to visit cities big and small and at a pace that felt well-balanced and never rushed! Our accommodations throughout the tour were perfect. Our tour guide, Val, was amazing and warm - her enthusiasm about the art and culture of Mexico was evident throughout the tour. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to get a flavor of Mexico and all that it has to offer.

5.0
Lynne
Traveled, March 2024

03/19/2024

A great trip. Outstanding visits to archeological sites, great hotels and wonderful food.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989