Monte Alban Chesillo and handicrafts alebrijes and black mud

Start your day at the home of a local cook, where you will discover one of the best-kept secrets of Oaxacan cuisine: quesillo, known elsewhere as Oaxaca cheese.

You can get up close and personal with the artisanal brewing process, from the curds to the characteristic strip-rolling that makes it unique. In addition, you will have the opportunity to taste fresh cheese accompanied by traditional memelitas,—thick corn tortillas, soft and slightly browned, typical of Oaxaca—freshly made and prepared with local ingredients.

An authentic experience that connects with the culinary roots of Oaxaca and the work of the families that keep this tradition alive.

After breakfast, head to Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec city that dominates the Oaxaca Valley.

During the guided tour, you will explore its wide squares and archaeological structures while learning about the history, culture and traditions of this important civilization. You will know how its inhabitants lived, their social and ceremonial practices, and the influence that this city had in the region. In addition, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the valley, ideal for photographs and to appreciate the magnitude of this historic site.
This visit offers a perfect combination of education, culture and natural beauty

WOODEN BREWS

In this colorful town at the foot of Monte Albán we will visit one of the artisan families that keep alive a unique tradition: the elaboration of figures in copal wood that many popularly know as alebrijes. However, in Oaxaca its origin is different: here they are called tones and nahuales.

Tones represent protective animals that, according to Zapotec tradition, are linked to the day of birth of each person, while nahuals are mystical beings that link the human world with the animal and spiritual. Each hand-carved and hand-painted figure reflects a deep connection to the ancestral worldview.

During the visit you can see the craft process up close, hear directly from the creators about the symbolism of their designs and, if you wish, acquire an authentic piece directly in the family workshop.

Finally, we visit San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town famous around the world for its unrivalled black mud, one of the most emblematic craft expressions of Oaxaca. Here we will discover how the clay soil of the region, worked with ancient techniques, gives rise to pieces that are not only beautiful, but also bearers of history and symbolism.

We will see the complete process: from mud preparation, modelling and natural drying, to cooking in traditional ovens. Most striking is the quartz stone burnishing technique, which gives each piece that characteristic metallic shine without the need for enamels or paints.

Black mud is used for utilitarian objects, decorative pieces and figures representing the local worldview. During the visit you will see how each work comes to life in the hands of artisans and you will have the opportunity to purchase directly in the workshop unique pieces that carry centuries of tradition.