Oaxacan Soul Adventure

 
Where: Oaxaca, Mexico
When: June– SOLD OUT
Duration: 8 days
Group Size  8 women
Price: $5,844

Overview

Connecting you to ancient cultures & traditions with modern luxuries
This is an intimate curated adventure designed for women to discover their souls connection to deeply rooted traditions.

Founder Dawn Feuerberg will guide you to the local haunts and introduce you to unforgettable behind the scene experiences. Be ready to participate in sunrise sound healing ceremony at ancient ruins, eat divine regional cuisine, enjoy the modern and hip night life, and dive into the flourishing art scene of Oaxaca while creating joyful memories that will last a lifetime. (see testimonials below).

To support your Journey, primordial sound meditation and guided self reflection activities will be offered.

 

Itinerary

Excursions

First we will visit Monte Alban, a massive complex of pyramids, terraces and crumbling temples that was founded in 500 A.D. This ancient ceremonial site is considered to be one of the most important examples of pre-Columbian culture in all of México.

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55On our return from Monte Alban, we will visit a small village known for it’s sculptured pottery that many of its citizens produce. The muñecas, or figures, are fanciful and intricate. This type of pottery has become a unique and very collectible art form as well as a beautiful addition to any decor. You will be given a demonstration by world famous ceramist Irma Blanco.

233On this excursion we will first visit a small Zapotec indigenous village known for it’s production of world famous colorful rugs. (tapetes).

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Nearly every home is filled with family members who card, spin and color wool, often using hand-gathered natural dyes.
59We will spend the afternoon visiting the homes of these Zapotec weavers and walking the cobblestone streets of this village nestled in the mountains of the central valley of Oaxaca. You will be treated to a traditional Zapotec meal before departing.

We will go out to a small village and meet with one of the few female Mezcaleras ( one who makes mezcal). She will share in the process of her small batch wild agave blends. On our return to Oaxaca we will visit a master artist and village known for it’s alebrije (fanciful wood carvings) art. Exquisite lunch included of Chile en Nogada ( a Mexican favorite only served on special occasions).
38The first stop on this tour is to visit a huge Mexican cypress tree  that is over 2,000 years old.  The largest tree in all of Latin America.

234The tour continues with a stop at an ancient indigenous market
founded around 1250 A.D. This pueblo’s Sunday market is one of Oaxaca’s biggest, oldest and most diverse. We also visit the main town church.

Activities

We will be lead in a sacred ceremony of offering and gratitude to manifest your highest purpose with Toltec spiritual leader Armando Cruz Sanchez.
We will guide you to sore fronts that promote ethical shopping to support local fair trade & women’s cooperatives.
  • An interactive walking tour that takes you to some of the latest exhibitions in photography, graphic designs & contemporary art. We will also keep you informed about openings!

Oaxaca is a juxtaposition of the ancient traditions and modern luxuries. And the dinning offerings represent this flare. Many world famous chefs have come to Oaxaca to learn from it’s unique flavors & ingredients. We will reserve you a 7 course meal at an exquisite restaurant.

Your cooking experience will start with a visit to the Central Market where you will stroll through the aisles visiting with the vendors amongst the colorful array of region’s culinary heritage. You will return with the unique fruits, vegetables, and spices to prepare a 4 course meal that you will enjoy with some artisanal mezcal if you wish!
Mezcal tasting is very similar to wine tasting. It is meant to be sipped and savored to enjoy the subtle nuances of each type of Mezcal. The flavor of mezcal comes from the type of agave, climate, terroir and distillation process. We will connect you with the master of Mezcal and his one of kind Mezcaleria.

Location:

Oaxaca, Mexico
The city of Oaxaca (altitude 5070 ft.) is located in the heart of two verdant valleys and has an ideal Spring-like climate. Folk art, festivals and fascinating indigenous cultures make Oaxaca one of the most magical of Mexico’s many colonial cities. Zapotec and Mixtec ruins and traditional rural villages lie just a few miles from the beautifully preserved city center. Streets around the Plaza Principal, one of the prettiest public parks in all Mexico, have been closed to traffic and transformed into pedestrian malls. Colonial haciendas house excellent restaurants featuring world famous Oaxacan regional cuisine; some offer live music at nigh ranging from jazz to tropical. Oaxaca city with its hip cafés, art galleries, and live music scene, has a bohemian feel while maintaining its colonial charm and links to its pre-Hispanic past.

Highlights

Zapotec Temezcal with Elder Enriqueta Contreras

The Sacred Plant Medicine Adventure includes a rare opportunity to meet and learn from Master Zapotec healer, midwife & herbalist Enriqueta Contreras. We will visit with Enriqueta twice during our time in Oaxaca. One evening you will have the opportunity to experience a traditional Zapotec Temascal (wet steam bath). The afternoon following the Temascal ,Enriqueta will lead a workshop on women’s emotional, physical, & spiritual health.

Wet steam bathing has been a ritual part of Zapotec culture for 2,500 years. Doña Enriqueta’s traditional temascal (ritual sweat bath) is an experience never to forget. Enriqueta spends all day carefully preparing the ritual aspects, from stoking the fires, preparing the bathing and drinking teas, to creating the flowers/herbs for cleansing. You will have the option to experience the Temascal at the home and clinic of Doña Enriqueta. The actual wet steam bath is one hour and incorporates prayer, toning, singing, laughing & telling personal stories. There is a post-temascal resting space where time is provided for relaxation & meditation while enjoying restorative herbal teas.

About Enriqueta Contreras

Enriqueta is a highly respected and well known elder & healer of the Meso-American Zapotec indigenous people located in Oaxaca, Mexico. She is a descendant from a long line of Zapotec shamans that date back to 500 B.C. Enriqueta owns and operates a health clinic for her community and international visitors. Her history as a practicing midwife for more than sixty years has yielded a flawless career with no mother or infant ever lost during the birth process.


Accommodations

4 star luxury boutique hotel

We will be staying in the heart of the colonial center of downtown Oaxaca in a beautifully curated boutique hotel that is exquisitely decorated with local artwork. The hotel is small and intimate with only 6 rooms, so our group will be the only guests on premises. It is within is steps away from many sought out places of interest, parks, nightlife, restaurants and cafes.

Inclusions

What’s Included

(This is an all-inclusive tour with no hidden costs.)

  • 7 nights in an exclusive historical hotel in colonial downtown with delicious regional  breakfast daily
  • 8 authentic & exquisite freshly prepared main meals.
  • Welcoming ceremony and ritual with Spiritual Leader
  • Entrance fees to archeological sites and museums
  • 3 Behind-the-scenes excursions with fully insured luxury transportation
  • “Temezcal” traditional Zapotec steam bath with Doña Enriqueta
  • Mezcal Tasting
  • Off the beaten path tours of Oaxaca City
  • Dynamic onsite director and guides
  • yoga & meditation classes
  • Airport transfer to and from Oaxaca City Airport

What’s Not Included

Airfare to and from Oaxaca, 2 lunch, 2 dinners, Guide gratuities, Excess baggage charges, Alcoholic beverages, Airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry fees, immunizations or insurance of any kind.

Travel

If you are planning to travel with the group, contact us immediately to find out the specifics of the group flight. The sooner you make your reservation the more likely you will be able to travel with the group. Otherwise you may make other travel arrangements.

Safe & Secure Travel

Each program includes:

  • Insured, comfortable and air conditioned vehicles are provided for transportation in the host country.
  • Optional International Medical Travel Insurance for each participant.
  • Pre-departure advising
  • Pre-departure and onsite orientations
  • Risk Management & Crisis management plan

About Your Guides

Dawn Feuerberg (AKA Aurora in Spanish)

Owner and founder of Aurora Adventures, LLC.

Dawn has been leading & designing customized tours since 1995. She has a master’s in Spanish Literature and taught at the college level for over 25 years. She is a certified classical ashtanga yoga instructor &  yoga practitioner of 30 years, a tantra meditation guide, an avid surfer  and mother of 2 daughters. For the past decade she has joyfully led non-dual tantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, goddess energy meditation,and shamanic rituals. She is a community builder and leads full moon ceremonies on the Central Coast of California.

 

Traveling for her is all about the connections.  At a very young age she began to travel alone seeking out and connecting with the aboriginal, the indigenous and the authentic local life abroad. Often times finding herself being the only non-native in the region. Her longstanding relationships abroad give her clients access into an enriching, in depth local experience. She is both well connected and enthusiastic about sharing her access with others. She values the genuine art of discovery travel for all ages and creates flexible itineraries that provide opportunities to make new discoveries.

Read full bio…

Cost

All-inclusive Program Cost*

$5,844

Space Limited to 8

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Contact us at 805-540-1762 if you would like to pay personal check.

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Reviews

This was more than a trip… where you see the sights and experience great food, meet great people… it was so much more than that… I brought home a renewed gratitude for all I have and all I have to offer… a beautiful journey!Michelle Cobbs, Morro Bay, California
I was the senior woman (81 years Young) on this trip, and I signed up with some trepidation, but “not to worry.” For me, the trip was invigorating and very memorable. We interacted with the indigenous people during all the activities planned by our guide and mentor, Dawn, who clearly had our best interests and our safety as her constant priority. We were totally immersed in dancing, singing, yoga sessions, eating and learning. I will not forget that I was treated with love, kindness, consideration, and respect during the entire trip by Dawn, fellow lady-travelers, villagers, my niece and various merchants. Gracias!Edie Juck, Pismo Beach, California
Saying Yes to traveling with Dawn to Oaxaca has been one of the best choices that I have made and will last me a lifetime. It was a beautiful blend of culture, art and ceremony. Dawn exposed us to the most amazing, warm hearted and loving people that whole heartedly welcomed us into their homes and took the time to share their artistry and passion. The kindness of the people, the beauty of the land and the opportunity to experience a culture that has kept its traditional ways was a life altering experience I will never forget. Can’t wait to return with Dawn next year!
Angela Bailey, Morro Bay, California