East Los Angeles College

Archaeology and Culture in Oaxaca, Mexico

January 8-19, 2025

Professor Julienne Bernard
bernarjl@elac.edu


Deadline to register: October 8, 2024

Program Summary

This program takes students through the archeological treasures of Mexico’s Oaxaca valley. In addition to learning about the archeology of the area, students will immerse themselves in  the region’s exceedingly rich culture and history. 

The program includes site visits to numerous archaeological sites like the famous Monte Albán,  traditional artisan communities like San Bartolo Coyotepec, and to the unique community-based tourism programs of the Pueblos Mancomunados. A bilingual Learn From Travel guide will be the group throughout the itinerary.  

Itinerary

Day 1 - Jan 8. Oaxaca City

  • Arrive at the Xoxocotlán International Airport. Your guide will greet the group at the airport.  

  • Travel approximately 30 minutes hotel in Central Oaxaca 

  • Orientation on health, safety and logistics 

  • Welcome dinner at a traditional Mexican restaurant. 

Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Jan 9. Oaxaca City

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  • Faculty lecture - introduction to Oaxaca and the course, colonial period 

  • Guided tour of Oaxaca’s incredible colonial center, a UNESCO World Heritage site 

    • Learn the pre-columbian, colonial and recent history of Oaxaca 

    • Stops will include:

      • City square, or “Zocalo” 

      • Benito Juárez Market 

      • Santo Domingo Cathedral and Oaxaca Regional Museum 

      • Several other important and unique sites 

  • Group lunch

  • Visit La Pozontlería in La Cosecha market

    • Pozontle is a traditional beverage, originating from the town of Hidalgo Yalalag in the Sierra Norte mountains of Oaxaca. 

    • Learn about the cultural significance of this beverage and enjoy a cup (actually a hollowed out gourd) in the shade while eating lunch from the market 

  • Faculty lecture on Mitla y Yagul

  • Independent dinner with guides recommendations 

    • Students also have the option to join the guide for dinner (cost not included)

Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch 

Day 3 - Jan 10. Oaxaca City

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  • Faculty lecture - Monte Alban

  • Travel about 1 hour to Guila Naquitz, a cave known to be the earliest evidence for domestication of any crop on the continent

  • Return to Oaxaca for lunch

  • Visit the Ethnobotanical Garden . In addition to conservation, the garden collaborates with local communities and organizations to promote sustainable practices and protect endangered plant species.

  • Faculty lecture Monte Alban

  • Independent dinner

  • Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
    Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 4 - Jan 11. Oaxaca City -  Monte Albán

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  • 9:30am. Departure to the Monte Albán ruins (30-minute transfer)

    • This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be Oaxaca’s most magnificent ruins.

    • Guided tour will be followed by time to explore the site in small groups 

    • Bag lunches will be provided and we will return to Oaxaca for dinner in small groups

  • Return to Oaxaca 

  • Faculty lecture on Black Pottery and Textiles

  • Independent dinner

Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 5 - Jan 12. Oaxaca City - Tlacolula

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  •  Travel about 45 minutes to Tlacolula, a town famous for its Sunday market

    • Expect to find fruits and vegetables, baked goods, meats, chicharron, textiles, crafts, and of course edible crickets! 

    • Guide will help students talk to merchants to learn about their products and shop for the best deal.

  • Group lunch at the market

  •  Visit to Hierve el Agua, an incredible natural site of still water pools with big views!

  • 2 hour return to Oaxaca for free time and independent dinner.

Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 6  - Jan 13.  Oaxaca City - Yagul and Mitla

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  •  Departure to visit the archaeological sites of Yagul and Mitla, two important city-states that emerged during the Postclassic Period. 

    • 10am. Arrive at Yagul, one of the most studied and beautiful archaeological sites in the Oaxaca Valley, and is classified as one of Mexico’s four Natural Monuments.

    • 1130am. Arrive at Mitla, one of Mexico’s best known ruins, and believed to have been a Zapotec religious center.

  • Group lunch in local restaurant.

  • 1:15-hour return transfer to Oaxaca

  • Independent dinner and free time

Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7 - Jan 14. Oaxaca City -Santo Tomás Jalieza - San Martin Tilcajete

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  • Travel 1 hour to two neighboring towns famous for their artisans 

    • In Santo Tomás Jalieza students will  learn about local textiles made with the ancient backstrap loom weaving technique.  

    • In San Martin Tilcajete students will witness the production of the famous Alebrijes, brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of mythical creatures. 

  • Lunch in a local restaurant 

  • Visit to the potting community of San Bartolo Coyotepec

    • Students will observe the work of local artisans, and learn about the black clay pottery that has been a part of the region’s history for hundreds of years.

  • Return to Oaxaca

  • Free time and independent dinner

Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 8 - Jan 15. Oaxaca City - Teotitlán del Valle

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  •  Travel approximately 1 hour to the famous Zapotec weaving village of Teotitlán del Valle

    • Textile-making demonstration

    • Opportunity to buy textiles

  •  Lunch in Teotitlán

  •  Travel 30 minutes to Tulé Tree (toward Oaxaca)

    • This montezuma cypress is known to be the widest tree in the world, and estimates state that it is between 1,200 and 3,000 years old.

  • Return to Oaxaca

  • Faculty Lecture

  • Independent dinner and free time  

Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 9 - Jan 16. Benito Juarez

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  •  Travel approximately 2 hours to the pioneer community-based ecotourism town of  Benito Juarez, one of the Pueblos Mancomunados of the Sierra Norte.

  • Arrive to Pueblos and meet the local guide

  • 3-hour hike

    • Walk to the Mirador and Hanging Bridge where you will have a breathtaking view of the Central Valleys, if the day is clear you will be able to see the Pico de Orizaba.

  • At the end of the hike you will meet the family of the community to enjoy a gastronomic experience of farm-to-table Oaxacan cuisine  

    • Converse with the family learn about their way of life

  • Group dinner

  • Stay the night in the Pueblos

Lodging: Cabin in Los Pueblos
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 10 - Jan 17. Benito Juarez - Oaxaca City

  • Breakfast at lodging

  • hike to Neveria along a rural trail used by farmers to reach their fields.

    • During the walk you will be able to enjoy the incomparable beauty of the forests of the Sierra Norte and get to know the diversity of flora and fauna.

    • Upon arrival at La Neveria you will enjoy a lunch at the local restaurant in the community. 

  • Optional additional zipline of 1km (cost not included in base tour)

  • After a little free time, you will meet the local guide for a tour Los Colores del Maíz

    • Students will visit a local family and will learn more about corn through a gastronomic workshop based on this food.

  • Faculty-led discussion of the Pueblos experience 

  • Group dinner

Lodging: Cabin in Los Pueblos
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 11 - Jan 18. Return to Oaxaca City

  • Breakfast at the lodging

  • Return to Oaxaca

  • Independent lunch

  • Free time to visit market and shopping

  • Special farewell dinner in a famous restaurant

Lodging: Hostel in Oaxaca City
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 12 - Jan 19. Oaxaca City

  • Breakfast at the hotel 

  • Transport to the airport 

  • Departure

Lodging: N/A
Meals: Breakfast



Additional Details

Cost

10 -11 students: $3,150

12-13 students: $2,890

14-15 students: $2,690

16+ students: $2,590

Single occupancy: +$300

Invite your friends to reduce the price!


Includes

  • All lodging in double occupancy

  • All ground transportation in private van or minibus

  • Meals as listed in the itinerary, including one free non-alcoholic drink per student

  • All activities described in itinerary, including entrance fees when applicable

  • Carbon offset for air travel 

  • Guide/translator with the group the entire trip from airport pickup to drop-off

  • 24-hour emergency support 

Excludes 

  • Tuition

  • International airfare

  • Travel interruption and medical insurance


Payment Process

A non-refundable deposit of $500 per student is due 3 months prior to travel.

Balance payment is due 2 months prior to travel. Cancellation policy is detailed in the terms and conditions below.


Cancellation Policy

October 9th, 2024  - 91 or more days prior to start of program, full refund 

Nov 8th, 2024  - 61-90 days prior to start of program, retain $500 deposit 

Dec 8th, 2024 - 31-60 days or more days prior, retain 50% of fee 

Dec 9th, 2024 - 30 or fewer days prior to start, No refund

We recommend all participants to purchase travel insurance with cancellation and interruption coverage.


Course Information

Students who complete the required reading and a written assignment based on their observational experiences on the trip will receive 1 unit in Anthro 185.


Deadline to register: October 8, 2024

You will make a $350 deposit payment to secure your place on the program.

If you don’t have a passport valid through June, 2025 please submit a passport application now. The processing takes much longer than indicated on the Passport website.

Do you have questions?