Begin your Oaxaca journey cycling through mezcal country to Tlacolula Market, one of the oldest in Mesoamerica, where a local expert guides you through its vibrant stalls and flavours. In the afternoon, return to Oaxaca City to explore its colonial centre on foot, where cobblestone streets and plazas reveal layers of Zapotec, Mixtec, and Spanish colonial history, ending the day with dinner at one of the city’s leading contemporary Oaxacan restaurants.

Head for the Sierra Norte, meeting your Zapotec guide before walking into the Pueblos Mancomunados, a network of mountain communities focused on sustainable ecotourism. Hike high-country trails through traditional villages with sweeping views, before a home-cooked lunch in a local home. Then visit a family-run textile workshop in Teotitlán del Valle to discover traditional Zapotec weaving techniques before an easy evening back in the city.

An early visit to Monte Albán reveals one of Mesoamerica’s most important archaeological sites before you descend by bike into the peaceful valley of Jalapa del Valle. The ride ends at a former hacienda cultural centre for a tasting menu with live music, followed by dinner inspired by the ancestral cuisine of the Sierra Norte.

Travel into the Central Valley to Hierve el Agua, where petrified waterfalls and mineral-rich pools set the scene for a short walk and a chance to soak in these natural formations. Continue on foot with your Zapotec guide before heading to Santiago Matatlán for a traditional lunch and a visit to a family-run palenque to learn the art of mezcal-making. Return to Oaxaca City for a free evening at leisure.

Ride the Camino de Benito Juárez from the misty cloud forests of the Sierra Norte, tracing a historic route through pine forest and Zapotec villages as you descend into the Oaxaca Valley. Enjoy a free afternoon in Oaxaca City before rolling up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class, followed by a rooftop dinner overlooking the Templo de Santo Domingo.