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Herbal, Healing Arts & Cultural Tour

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Overview

Learn about herbal plant medicine from world famous herbalists, discover the beauty & diversity of Oaxacan Culture, and create joyful memories that will last a lifetime.
This is an exclusive authentic adventure and cultural tour that is unmatched in its unique offerings, its expert private guides, its charming boutique accommodations and its attention to detail. You will visit Zapotec local artists and healers, tour the colonial and modern city of Oaxaca, eat divine regional cuisine, practice meditation and yoga with like minded locals and explore the energy of the pyramids. You will also participate in an herbal plant medicine workshop and explore plant use in modern art, spirits, food and the healing arts. Throughout this journey you will be supported by two community builders & healers, Dawn Feuerberg & Angela Sarah North. They both bring their unique gifts of holding sacred, joyful & abundant space. (see bio below) This is unique and authentic Journey that will last a lifetime. ( see testimonials below).
Where: Oaxaca, Mexico
When: March–July
Duration: 8 days
Group Size  TBD
Price: $TBD
Customize this Adventure
  • Browse this page for ideas and information
  • Call and tell us about your desired changes
  • We’ll handcraft a tour that works for you
CALL 805-540-1762

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.
On 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.

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

Nearly every home is filled with family members who card, spin and color wool, often using hand-gathered natural dyes.
We 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.
Spend a morning bathing in a natural infinity pool with breathtaking views. On your return to Oaxaca we will visit a Zapotec ceremonial site.

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.
We will collect medicinal plants and make our own herbal soap and herbal cough syrup with guidance of Doña Enriqueta and/or her assistant.

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

Charming boutique hotel

We will be staying in the heart of the colonial center of downtown Oaxaca in a beautiful boutique hotel that is exquisitely decorated with local artwork. The hotel is small and intimate with only 9 rooms. It is within is steps away from many 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 boutique hotel in colonial downtown with delicious regional  breakfast daily
  • 8 authentic & exquisite freshly prepared main meals.
  • Herbal Workshop
  • Welcoming ceremony and ritual with Spiritual Leader of Toltec Wisdom,
  • Entrance fees to archeological sites and museums
  • 3 Behind-the-scenes excursions
  • “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

Travel

It is your responsibility to book your own flight and transportation. However, we know the best airlines & flight times to this destination. Once you have booked your custom adventure, we will connect you with our local travel agent to arrange the booking of your flight so that you can travel with the group. 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:
  • Pre-departure advising
  • Pre-departure and onsite orientations
  • Risk Management & Crisis management plan
note: Each participant is required to purchase  Trip Cancellation & Medical Travel Insurance.

What’s Not Included

Airfare or transportation 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.

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 20 years. She is a yoga practitioner of 30 years, a meditation guide, a surfer and mother of 2 daughters. For the past decade she has joyfully taught 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…

Enriqueta Contreras)

Enriqueta Contreras is a highly respected and well known elder and 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.

Doña Enriqueta’s traditional temascal (ritual sweat bath) is an experience never to forget. To find out more about this experience go to our Zapotec Healing section.

Read full bio…

Armando Cruz Sanchez

Armando Cruz Sanchez is the Founder and General Manager of Growing Spaces Taiyari. For the last 24 years he has been offering lectures and workshops in human growth and spiritual awareness in several countries of America and Europe. He has deepened into the practice of eastern techniques like Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Yoga; as well as shamanic Toltec techniques for physical, mental, emotional and energy harmonization.

He has lived and learnt with the surviving Toltecs, the Wirraritari (Huichol people), of the northern sierra of Jalisco. He has also been part of anti-anthropological field work and lived with the Nahua people in the mountains of Puebla, the Lacandon in the jungle of Chiapas, the Quechuas in Peru and the Maya in Guatemalan Peten. Being recognized as Spiritual Guide in all these places. Currently, he is leading Vision Quests and Sacred Journeys. Armando will be leading the group in a Toltec fire Ceremony and meditative walking journey.

Read full bio…

Customize this tour

For a Curated Authentic Experieance

We take care of ALL logistics!
You choose the dates, the focus & the place.

CALL NOW 805-540-1762
It all starts by either making a phone call or by submitting an online inquiry form. We will then work with you to understand exactly what it is you are looking for from your vacation.

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    Reviews

    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

    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

    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