Overview & Highlights
Watch and take part in Mexico’s biggest annual cultural event, the Day of the Dead celebrations
- City tour and Anthropology Museum in Mexico City
- Oaxaca: Explore the city and local markets
- Take part in traditional Day of the Dead activities in Oaxaca
This eventful short holiday invites you to observe and even participate in the colourful rituals of the Day of the Dead, a festivity which is enthusiastically embraced in Mexico. You spend some time in Mexico City before moving on to Oaxaca which, with its airy patios and graceful arcades, is famed for its colourful market, serapes, crafts and dances. The celebrations are particularly animated in this region.
The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) involves a traditional ritual, both vivacious and contemplative, during which Mexicans pray for and remember friends or family members who have passed away and assist them on their spiritual journey.
Death is not to be feared: this is a celebration of the lives of those who have died. The so-called Day of the Dead – actually three days – gets under way on Halloween, 31 October and extends into 1-2 November, coinciding with All Saints Day and All Souls Day in the Catholic calendar. Exuberant parades with rumbustious music, where participants wear ghoulish costumes and skull-masks in vibrant colours take place alongside calmer, quieter celebrations featuring anecdotes, many amusing, about the lives of the departed. You’ll get to know local families and share their experiences.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
28 Oct: Arrive Mexico City.
Day 2
29 Oct: Guided city tour and Museum of Anthropology.
Day 3
30 Oct: Fly to Oaxaca: explore Tlacolula market, Teotitlan, Santo Domingo Tomaltepec.
Day 4
31 Oct: Explore Abastos market; visit a traditional wake.
Day 5
1 Nov: Day of the Innocents. Soledad Etla Valley and Comparsa Parade.
Day 6
Nov 2: Day of the Dead. Valley of Ocotlan, Coyotepec and Tilcajete.
Day 7
3 Nov: Fly to Mexico City to connect with international flight home.
Things to do
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What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
We enjoyed all our excursions. Rio was a great start. The views from the Sugar Loaf were quite spectacular. Likewise the trips at both sides of the Iguazu Falls provided stunning scenery and of course Machu Picchu which even surpassed our epectations. Our first optional excursion was fascinating - up Corcovado. We also thoroughly enjoyed our helicopter trip over the falls, and the day trip to Potosi - a different and very interesting trip with lots to see.We also enjoyed visiting Moon Valley with its varied and interesting formations and in contrast going in to Lima. Every trip was worthwhile and enjoyable.
JR, Swansea
Really it was the whole experience. A well-organised trip with lots of interesting things to see and do with people we got on well with and a knowledgeable,friendly,helpful guide.
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Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert
After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.
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