Traditional dancer in purple skirt carrying flower basket during a Oaxaca street procession

Oaxaca with Crista Luedtke

October 1 - 7, 2024 | One Exclusive Departure

Savor Oaxaca

Experience the flavorful heart and cultural soul of Oaxaca with Chef Crista Luedtke

October 1 - 7, 2024

One exclusive departure — likely to sell out, reserve your spot

7 Day, 6 Nights

Best of Oaxaca City, Teotitlan del Valle, Monte Albán

Price from

$5,500

Per person based on double occupancy

Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018

Artistic illustration of Oaxaca showing Oaxaca City, agave plants, ancient ruins, and a traditional figure holding a decorated object.

You’ve heard the legends about Oaxacan gastronomy, yet you’re still unprepared for all of these incredible flavors, the notes of chili pepper, chocolate, and fresh herbs. It’s your first bite of mole negro—just one of the region’s seven moles, refined over centuries, complex and intoxicating—prepared just for us in the home of a local family. It’s been this way all week; from walking the agave fields with a fourth-generation mezcalero to inviting the healing energies of a renowned shaman, every waking hour has roused your senses. This is Oaxaca, a city in love with innovation yet rooted in tradition, a banquet for the senses and a sanctuary for the soul.

With you on this journey is none other than Food Network Star and chef, Crista Luedtke, a two-time champion of Guy’s Grocery Games known for her endless energy, quick wit and easygoing humor. She’s a hands-on owner at Boon Hotel + Spa, the Highlands Resort, Boon Eat + Drink and a huge lover of all things Oaxaca. She’ll introduce us to some of her favorite people and places, including a trailblazing mezcalero, local artisans crafting some of the finest wares around, and (of course), her favorite spot to sit for a nightcap.

No matter how much you may know about Oaxacan culture and food, this journey will teach us, delight us—and leave us hungry for more. Wander colorful markets, taste incredible street food from moles to tlayudas, then wash it all down with the finest artisanal mezcals. This is Mexico like you’ve never imagined.

Taste

Rich moles, smoky mezcal, street tacos—more flavors than you can imagine

Marvel

At Oaxaca’s colorful markets, artist workshops, agave farms, and ancient pyramids

Meet

Traditional weavers and sculptors, modern artists and shaman healers

Connect

With Oaxacan traditions, a vibrant art scene, and Chef Crista Luedtke

3 Reasons to Travel with Crista Luedtke

Crista worked in physical therapy, engineering recruiting, biotech sales, and banking before heading to Guerneville, where one of her duties as “unofficial mayor” is hosting the town’s annual parades. Just for the love of it, she created a food and travel concept show called Lost in Taste, where she explores local cultures using food as her lens.

Chef Crista Luedtke of Boon Eat + Drink smiling in Guerneville, Sonoma County

Energy to Spare

Driven by an insatiable lust for life (and a healthy appetite for learning cultures via her palate), Crista’s the kind of person who jumps in with two feet, exploring, engaging and learning the world with openness and charm.

An Eye for Design

Descended from a family of Arizona-based interior designers, Crista curates every detail for her properties. In Oaxaca, she’s inspired by the vibrant colors, rich textures and personal attention that goes into every ware.

Starry-Eyed Dreamer

When Crista arrived in Guerneville, it was a seen-better-days resort town, all sagging storefronts with dusty “for rent” signs in the windows, but she had a vision. Since 2008, she’s catalyzed at least six businesses in town and served as a mentor and advisor to many more.

Your Experience

Travelers examining hand-dyed indigo and marigold wool with a Zapotec weaver near Oaxaca, Mexico
“Art and food to me kind of go hand in hand.”
Crista Luedtke

Oaxaca City, Monte Albán

Traditional Oaxacan memelas topped with quesillo, chorizo, and black beans grilling on a comal
Workers stirring roasted agave fibers in a traditional mezcal palenque near Oaxaca, Mexico
Ancient stone pyramids and terraced platforms of the Monte Albán archaeological site under a clear blue sky, overlooking the lush valleys and the Sierra Madre mountain range in Oaxaca, Mexico.
“Every single mezcal is different. And every one tells a story.”
Crista Luedtke

Day by Day

*On rare occasions, this itinerary may change.

Day 1: Oaxaca City

October 1, Tue

Bienvenidos a Mexico! In the afternoon, we’ll meet up with Crista and get oriented with one of Latin America’s great colonial wonders: Oaxaca City. We’ll get to know the cobblestone streets and bookmark a few sites to explore before settling in for a welcome cocktail hour.

In the evening, we’ll toast the start of our adventure with local mezcal—of course—then walk to dinner overlooking Oaxaca’s flood-lit cathedral for an inspired meal together under the stars.

A group of travelers sharing a communal dinner and craft cocktails under warm lighting at an intimate outdoor patio in Oaxaca. The atmospheric evening captures the essence of a Modern Adventure culinary experience, blending local culture with sophisticated dining in a historic city setting.

Day 1: Oaxaca City Highlights

  • Illustrated cocktail shaker, jigger, and bar tools. Welcome cocktails
  • MOAD icon showing a hand-drawn plate, fork, knife, and spoon arranged on a placemat Welcome dinner
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at El Callejón

Day 2: Teotitlan del Valle

October 2, Wed

Today we head into the mountains, where villages devoted to arts and crafts lurk in valley shadows. We’ll stop at the Zapotec village of Teotitlan del Valle, a weaving village with about 5,000 people (and 2,000 looms).

We’ll meet a local Zapotec weaving family, who’ll demonstrate their intricate craft using natural fibers for dyes (and even a grounded insect for the bright reds), just as they have for the past 14 generations. A hands-on and home-cooked Zapotec lunch awaits us, where we’ll learn the hows and whys behind Nixtamalization.

Afterwards we return to the city, where the afternoon is yours to explore. We’ll reconvene at one of Oaxaca’s culinary iconic restaurants for a truly unforgettable meal.

An indigenous artisan in Teotitlán del Valle, near Oaxaca City, Mexico, displays natural pigments in his hands. Behind him, vibrant skeins of hand-dyed wool in blue, gold, and green hang against an adobe wall, showcasing the traditional textile craftsmanship of the region.

Day 2: Teotitlan del Valle Highlights

  • moad-illustrations-iconset-weaver Zapotec Weaving village
  • A circular gold and black logo featuring a minimalist, stylized bird emblem in a stippled art style, representing boutique travel experiences and global expeditions from Portland to Tokyo and Mexico City. Home-cooked Zapotec Lunch
  • MOAD Illustration icon Tlayuda_500x500 Dinner in city
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at El Callejón in Oaxaca

Day 3: Santa Catarina Minas

October 3, Thu

In the morning, we’ll wind our way past rows of agave plants to meet up with a fourth-generation mezcalero in Santa Catarina Minas for a masterclass in mezcal, the cousin-spirit of tequila and one of Oaxaca’s famed exports. We’ll learn firsthand how the piña (heart) of agave are harvested and smoked in underground pits, fermented in large vats, and distilled in copper or clay stills based on traditions that date back hundreds of years.

Afterwards, we return to the city, where the evening is ours to explore Oaxaca’s irresistible food and nightlife: world-class restaurants open for dinner and taco stands set up along the lit-up zócalo, just a few blocks from our hotel.

Jimador harvesting blue agave plants with a coa tool in the highlands of Jalisco or Oaxaca, Mexico

Day 3: Santa Catarina Minas Highlights

  • Mexico 2019_ Hand-drawn agave plant with gold accents, representing Mexico’s tequila heritage and desert landscapes. Mezcal plantation
  • A hand-drawn illustration of professional bar tools, including a Boston shaker, jigger, and Hawthorne strainer—essential gear for crafting world-class cocktails inspired by the bar scenes of New York, London, and Mexico City. Mezcal tasting
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at El Callejón

Day 4: Monte Albán

October 4, Fri

We begin this epic day at the hilltop ruin of Monte Albán, a vast complex of pyramids and shrines dating from 500 BC—and easily one of Mesoamerica’s grandest sites. We’ll explore its monumental scale and the intricate carvings of bas relief sculptures as one of Mexico’s great colonial cities sprawls below us.

We’ll carry that history with us when we stop for lunch just outside the city at one of Oaxaca’s most unique restaurants; we’ll feast family-style on local mezcal and tacos as chickens patrol the backyard. The afternoon is a time to recharge at the hotel or explore on your own.

Just don’t wander too far as we’ll reconvene for a raucous, no-frills tlayuda dinner.

Ancient stone pyramids and plaza at Monte Albán overlooking the Oaxaca valley, Mexico

Day 4: Monte Albán Highlights

  • Illustrated hiking boot MOAD icon representing outdoor trekking and adventure Visit Monte Albán temple complex
  • A minimalist sketch of a shared platter featuring a traditional rice dish with shellfish, representing the coastal flavors and culinary traditions Traditional lunch
  • MOAD icon showing a hand-drawn plate, fork, knife, and spoon arranged on a placemat Tlayuda dinner
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at El Callejón in Oaxaca

Day 5:

October 5, Sat

Today is ours to revitalize our hearts and spirits. We’ll meet with a local Zapotec shaman, who’ll share the secrets of a cleansing ritual that’s been in practice here for thousands of years, using smoked copal to bid farewell to negative energies. We’ll leave feeling electric and magical as we make our way to the home studio of a master artisan of Oaxacan folk art. After a private pottery tour, she’ll host us for a homemade lunch featuring one of the region’s famed seven moles.

Once back in Oaxaca, you’ll have the evening to yourself. Organize a taco crawl on the zócalo, relax in one of our hotel’s many garden spaces or wander towards those sublime notes of live folk guitar.

A Zapotec healer dressed in colorful embroidered clothing, holding a bundle of herbs for a traditional spiritual cleansing ritual in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Day 5: Highlights

  • A circular gold and black logo featuring a minimalist, stylized bird emblem in a stippled art style, representing boutique travel experiences and global expeditions from Portland to Tokyo and Mexico City. Shaman ritual cleansing
  • A hand drawn illustration in black and gold of two hands spinning a bowl, holding a sponge in one hand, on a pottery wheel. Artist meet-up, studio visit & lunch
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at El Callejón in Oaxaca

Day 6: Oaxaca City

October 6, Sun

After a leisurely morning at the hotel, we leave for the pinnacle of our journey, a total Oaxacan farm-to-table experience. Our destination is a renowned and locally beloved ranch on the outskirts of the city. Once arrived, we’ll break into small groups and take turns making mole, Oaxacan cheese, and nieve—ice cream studded with seasonal ingredients. As we roast and churn alongside Crista, we’ll gain a hands-on understanding of the flavors and ingredients that make these dishes so unique.

Afterwards, we’ll gather for an al fresco feast, sitting down to savor all the local delicacies we had a hand in preparing. This farewell dinner will be a true celebration of our time spent in Oaxaca. The food, the music, the joyful celebrations of craft—all of it an ode to handed-down traditions and the true flavors of the region.

Large group enjoying an outdoor meal and raising glasses together under shaded trees.

Day 6: Oaxaca City Highlights

  • A circular gold and black logo featuring a minimalist, stylized bird emblem in a stippled art style, representing boutique travel experiences and global expeditions from Portland to Tokyo and Mexico City. Day at the ranch
  • MOAD icon showing a hand-drawn spoon, whisk, and knife arranged over a yellow checkered cloth. Cooking workshop
  • MOAD icon showing a hand-drawn plate, fork, knife, and spoon arranged on a placemat Farewell dinner
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at El Callejón

Day 7: Departures

October 7, Mon

All great things come to an end, alas. We’ll bid farewell to Crista and to Oaxaca, and head out to the airport for our flights home. Buen viaje!

Agave landscape, Santiago Matatlán, artisanal mezcal, Mexico highlands

Day 7: Departures Highlights

  • A stippled line art drawing of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van in gold and black, representing premium group travel and custom road trip itineraries through iconic cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Transfer to OAX airport
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn airplane flying in front of a textured golden circle. Flights home

People Love MO/AD’s Oaxaca

Oaxaca 2020_Collection of handmade clay figures and pottery displayed against a vibrant blue wall with an orange-trimmed window in Oaxaca, Mexico, showcasing the region’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Oaxaca 2020_An older man playing guitar and singing under string lights in a cozy courtyard in Oaxaca, Mexico, as guests enjoy live traditional music during an intimate evening gathering.
Oaxaca 2020_A man gently petting a donkey in a sunny vineyard setting in Oaxaca, Mexico, capturing rural charm and connection to local farm life.
Panoramic view of the Monte Albán archaeological site near Oaxaca City, Mexico, featuring ancient Zapotec pyramids and terraces surrounded by mountain landscapes.
Oaxaca artisan painting a detailed alebrije figure, wearing traditional embroidered clothing and working in a colorful open-air workshop.
Oaxaca 2020_Interior view of Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church in Oaxaca, Mexico, featuring ornate gold altarpieces, baroque architecture, and beautifully detailed religious artwork.
Oaxaca 2020_Woman preparing traditional Oaxacan food over an open flame in an outdoor kitchen surrounded by tropical plants, showcasing authentic Mexican culinary traditions.
Oaxaca 2020_Group of travelers enjoying a festive outdoor meal together under the trees, raising glasses in a toast during a culinary experience in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca 2020_Scenic view of a traditional hacienda courtyard with a central stone fountain, rustic architecture, and surrounding gardens at sunset in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca 2020_Local artisan hand-painting a vibrant red jaguar alebrije in a colorful workshop surrounded by paints and traditional crafts in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca 2020_Woman selling fresh cuts of meat and sausages at a traditional butcher stall inside a local market in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca 2020_Group of travelers enjoying a traditional Oaxacan outdoor cooking class and tasting experience led by local chefs in a lush garden setting.
Oaxaca 2020_Local artisans in Oaxaca display colorful handwoven rugs and traditional textiles made with natural dyes, highlighting the region’s rich Zapotec weaving heritage.
Oaxaca 2020_A colorful Oaxacan dish served on a green ceramic platter, garnished with radishes, herbs, and edible flowers, showcasing the region’s vibrant farm-to-table cuisine.
Oaxaca 2020_A group of travelers exploring the vibrant colonial streets of Oaxaca City, surrounded by colorful buildings, local shops, and mountain views on a sunny day.
Oaxaca 2020_A local woman selling traditional ingredients and snacks like chapulines and dried chilies at Mercado Benito Juárez in Oaxaca City, surrounded by colorful market stalls and fresh produce.
Oaxaca 2020_Bundles of naturally dyed yarn in indigo blue and neutral tones hang to dry outdoors in Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec weaving village near Oaxaca City known for its traditional textile craftsmanship.
Oaxaca 2020_Tostadas topped with roasted seeds cooking over an open flame during a traditional Oaxacan outdoor meal, showcasing authentic local flavors and ancestral culinary techniques.
Oaxaca 2020_An elderly woman stands beside large floral arrangements leaning against the stone walls of a historic church in Oaxaca, Mexico, preparing offerings in the warm morning light.
A person uses a stone roller to grind dried red chilies on a flat stone surface, with a bowl and kitchen items nearby.
Oaxaca 2020_A woman in a colorful embroidered blouse stirs a large pot over a wood-fired stove in a rustic kitchen with brick and tiled details, capturing traditional Oaxacan cooking practices.
“
I loved eating goat just after it was lifted from the pit, sipping on a mezcal.
Diana C.
“
This is more than just a trip. It’s authentic and joyful, and a powerful reminder of why we travel.
Scott M.
“
The meals made for us in local homes were just heavenly.
Andrew B.

Where We Sleep

A serene, sun-drenched patio featuring adobe walls, a stone pathway, and a tranquil reflection pool. This lush outdoor space captures the architectural charm of a private villa in Oaxaca or San Miguel de Allende, perfect for an al fresco afternoon.

A peaceful oasis in Oaxaca City—our accommodations are small-scale and boutique, the ideal ways to get acquainted with Oaxaca life.

Interior of a luxury boutique hotel room featuring mid-century modern furniture, abstract art, and a large sliding glass door. The balcony overlooks a dense canopy of banana leaves and trees, highlighting the indoor-outdoor design typical of Oaxaca City’s best design hotels.

El Callejón

Oaxaca City

Off a central side street, a few blocks from the zocalo and central shops and eateries, a street gate opens into a breathtaking oasis that’s our Oaxaca City home: a boutique hotel with a dozen spacious rooms blending the city’s distinctive styles. Serenity reigns in its thoughtful garden spaces, with palm trees, covered walkways and an outdoor patio bar.

Oaxacan folk dancers in colorful regional dresses balancing baskets in Oaxaca, Mexico

Book Oaxaca with Crista Luedtke

Number of Travelers

Payment

Reserve your spot today with a $1,500 per-person deposit plus room supplements (if relevant). Please see our terms and conditions for full payment details.

$5,500

Per person based on double occupancy

Can't travel on these dates?
Call us at
+1 (855) 219-8018

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Questions?

That’s OK, we have answers.
Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure Trip Specialist.

  1. What does the price include?

    Six nights at unique 4-star boutique accommodations; private travel for all day trips and excursions; arrival and departure airport transfers; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals.

  2. What does the price not include?

    International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverages not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.

  3. Where does the trip start and end?

    Our adventure begins at Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), where we’ll transfer to El Callejón Hotel in Oaxaca City, Mexico. Our last day is in Oaxaca City. On our final day, Modern Adventure will organize a complimentary transfer to OAX for all guests who’s flight home departs at 1pm or later from OAX airport.

    Detailed arrival and departure guidance is provided in your post-purchase trip materials, including recommended routes, transfer options, and timing considerations. If you have specific questions before booking, our team is always happy to help.

  4. What travel documents are needed?

    US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Mexico for stays up to 180 days. The only requirement is a valid passport. We recommend that your passport is valid for 6 calendar months beyond your planned departure date from Mexico. On arrival at the airport, you will be issued a visitor’s permit, known as a FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple). Not a US citizen? Please check with the Mexican Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

  5. Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?

    For solo travelers, there is a $1,400 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. These spots are extremely limited; we recommend booking early to secure single accommodations.

  6. Who is going on this trip?

    Our adventures typically have between 10 and 20 guests, and our Modern Adventure Team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.

  7. Who is leading this trip?

    This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure trip leader. They’re an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.

  8. Do I need Travel Insurance?

    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

  9. What is the cancellation policy?

    We understand plans can change. Here’s how cancellation fees are incurred depending on when you let us know:

    • More than 150 days before departure: $1,500 per person deposit
    • 150–121 days before departure: 50% of the total trip price
    • 120 days or less before departure: 100% of the total trip price

    For the full details, please see our terms and conditions.

  10. When will my final balance be due?

    Your payment schedule depends on how far in advance you book your trip:

    • At the time of booking: Pay your $1,500 deposit per person.
    • 180 days before departure: 50% of your trip cost is due.
    • 120 days before departure: Full balance is due.

    We’ll send you secure payment links and reminders before each due date to make the process easy. If you book within 120 days of your trip, the remaining balance is due within 10 days.

  11. Is this trip the right fit for me?

    Modern Adventure trips are active, immersive small-group experiences. Our itineraries often involve sustained walking and standing throughout the day, including stairs, uneven terrain, cobblestones, unpaved paths, and moving between experiences at a pace that keeps the day flowing for the group.

    These experiences are not suitable for travelers who require physical mobility assistance, personal care support, or significant itinerary modifications in order to participate. In many destinations, accommodations for significant physical limitations may not be possible without materially altering the experience for the individual traveler or the group.

    All travelers are responsible for informing Modern Adventure of any physical limitations, medical considerations, or concerns before booking, or as early as possible before departure. Please don’t hesitate to contact us before booking if you have any questions. We want every traveler to feel confident, comfortable, and fully prepared for the journey ahead.

MO/AD News

Modern Adventure founder Luis Vargas is recognized as one of the top travel specialists for 2025 by ​Condé Nast Traveler. This list includes travel experts for every trip and traveler imaginable.

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For the second year running, Modern Adventure is recognized as one of the top travel operators in the world by ​Condé Nast Traveller’s​ annual Readers’ Choice Awards, the most prestigious in the travel industry.

“I’d had Oaxacan food before, but few restaurants served meals like this—'celebration food' worth the effort only for births and weddings. And, apparently, for Modern Adventure.”

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