Oaxaca Mezcal Four Day Experience

A comprehensive introduction to mezcal and Oaxaca through cultural immersion—in a seriously fun and engaging package.

This experience is designed for longtime mezcal aficionados, the newly converted, as well as their family and friends who may not know they love mezcal yet! Meet producers of some of the most traditional mezcales in the region, visit palenques utilizing distinct regional production methods, experience the greatest diversity of maguey species in the world, and enjoy spending each evening in the beautiful, bustling colonial center of Oaxaca City.

This experience is a concentrated and serious introduction to the world of Oaxacan mezcal. We visit mezcaleros producing mezcal with both artisanal and ancestral methods in two different villages. You will touch, smell, and taste all facets of mezcal production, including such millenarian techniques as maguey hand-crushed with wooden mallets, and distillation in clay and bamboo. You will be up close and personal with the people, processes and culture that come together to create the most exciting spirit in the world.

Our friendly, knowledgeable team is there to interpret and help you understand the fascinating traditions kept alive in rural villages for centuries, as well as helping you navigate the abundant and complex world of Oaxacan cuisine. Our guests leave with a very real connection to the people and culture of Oaxaca.

We take a holistic approach to exploring the region through the people, food, music, and the deep folk knowledge behind mezcal to create a truly unforgettable cultural experience.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Delicious Oaxacan meals

Oaxacan cuisine is widely regarded as the best in Mexico. Our itineraries balance dinners in the best of Oaxaca City’s contemporary restaurants with lunches in traditional village eateries. It’s nearly impossible to eat poorly in Oaxaca—get ready to loosen your belt!

Boutique hotel accomodations

We’ll stay in the heart of Oaxaca City’s colonial center. We are in rustic areas during the day, so we work with hospitable, comfortable hotels to create a relaxing oasis each evening.

Professional bilingual team

You’ll have a driver, a hospitality specialist, and a tour leader who is well versed in all things mezcal. You will be taken care of and have all aspects of mezcal production, tasting, culture, history, Oaxaca, and Mexico illuminated for you by enthusiastic professionals who live and breathe mezcal and Mexico.

Four palenque visits and tastings

We vary our itineraries to maximize our guests’ exposure to active mezcal production. The four palenques are chosen with an eye toward a diversity of production methods, flavor profiles, and family histories. We visit producers using both artisanal and ancestral methods, including stone-milling, mallet-crushing, and distillation in copper alembics and clay and bamboo internal condensation (“Phillipine”) stills. We visit producers of some of the highest quality mezcal brands, as well as skilled maestros whose mezcal is bought and consumed locally as soon as it is made.

Pulque tasting

Pulque is the pre-Hispanic fermented alcoholic beverage made from raw agave sap. We will visit an excellent producer for a tasting and pulque to go.

Free time to explore and shop

Oaxaca City is enjoying a full-blown renaissance in food, beverage, and commerce. We make sure to leave time for you to enjoy some time away from the group, and will happily make recommendations.

Private Tour Details

Duration:

Four days, three nights

Group Size:

Two to 10

Dates

September — May

Cost (US Dollars):

Varies according to group size

A 30% deposit is due upon booking. Payment in full is due one week before the tour begins.

Included

Airport pick-up and drop-off
Private, comfortable ground transportation daily
Bilingual, professional team
Four palenque visits and tastings
Three nights boutique hotel accommodations
Meals and beverages

Not Included

Airfare
Mezcal to take home
Tips

Sample Tour Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary only. Distilleries, hotels, restaurants and times are subject to change at any time due to production schedules, availability, weather conditions, or other circumstances.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Various: Oaxaca International Airport arrivals, hotel transfers
Various: Sightseeing / shopping /relaxing in colonial Oaxaca City
5:00pm: Mezcal orientation at the hotel
7:00pm: Dinner in Oaxaca City
9:00pm: Optional drinks around Oaxaca City
Lodging: Casa Antigua, Oaxaca City

9:00am: Breakfast at hotel
10:00am: Depart hotel
11:00am: Private tour and tasting at first palenque (e.g., El Zompantle in Mitla)
1:00pm: Lunch in Santiago Matatlán
2:30pm: Private tour and tasting at second palenque (e.g., Tres Mezquites in San Baltazar Guelavila)
4:30pm: Depart for Oaxaca City
5:30pm: Free time in Oaxaca City
7:30pm: Dinner in Oaxaca City (eg, El Destilado)
9:00pm: Optional drinks around Oaxaca City
Lodging: Casa Antigua, Oaxaca City

9:00am: Breakfast at hotel
10:00am: Depart hotel
11:00am: Private tour and tasting at third palenque (e.g., Real Minero in Santa Catarina Minas)
1:00pm: Lunch in Santa Catarina Minas
2:30pm: Private tour and tasting at fourth palenque (e.g., Félix Ángales in Santa Catarina Minas)
4:30pm: Depart for Oaxaca City
5:30pm: Free time in Oaxaca City
7:30pm: Dinner in Oaxaca City (eg, Origen)
9:00pm: Optional drinks around Oaxaca City
Lodging: Casa Antigua, Oaxaca City

Various: Breakfast and Departures

Tour FAQs

All our multi-day and custom mezcal tours begin with a driver who meets you as you exit customs at Oaxaca City’s Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX) and transports you to the hotel. Your tour also includes drop-off back at the airport at the end of the experience.

On our four-day tours, we spend all three nights at the same Oaxaca hotel, so there’s no need to worry about your luggage.

Dress in comfortable clothes and good closed-toe walking shoes. We strongly discourage sandals, cowboy boots, and heels during the day. We will be at high elevation with lots of sun, so bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Plan for warm days and cool nights – you’ll want a light jacket, sweater, or wrap for nighttime. In general, Mexicans dress more formally than North Americans. You may want to bring at least one nicer outfit for going out at night.

If your trip is during the rainy season (June through early September), bring a light rain jacket and closed-toe shoes that can take some mud. Consider bringing an umbrella.

The city of Oaxaca is at 5,000 feet. During the mild winter, daytime temperatures are typically pleasant (think high 70s or low 80s F), but can drop at night. Temperatures in outlying regions may be hotter. Pack for warm days and cooler nights. However, climate change is a reality in Mexico and the weather is increasingly unpredictable–so look at the forecast while packing and bring sufficient sun protection.

The rainy season starts in June and ends in early September. With the rains, mosquitoes and flies are more common, so consider bringing bug spray. You’ll still want sun protection, but be prepared for mud.

We cannot accommodate groups that include minors (younger than 18), even if they do not taste tequila or mezcal.

We tend to avoid scheduling experiences during the rainy season (June-early September), which features near daily thunderstorms.

Since our guests come from various time zones, day four is essentially just a departure day. Breakfast on day four is included, but there are no other formal activities on the itinerary. Feel free to book your departure flight as early as needed. On the other hand, we’re also happy to make recommendations for extra hours or days in and around Oaxaca.

Still have questions? Explore our FAQ page »

I’m an independent traveller. I speak Spanish. I can find my own way and have great experiences. Tours can be awful, but this Experience Agave tour proved to me that, wow, with the right leadership and a company that attracts these kinds of participants – that was an experience that I could never achieve on my own. Clayton and crew, you have established the benchmark for what makes great tour experiences absolutely great.

-Orange Orb (Tripadvisor reviewer)
We had a fantastic time on our Experience Agave mezcal tour led by Kami Kenna. She is super knowledgeable, personable, and eager to share her experiences. We learned so much on this trip and tasted so many interesting and completely off-the-grid mezcals that you simply couldn’t find anywhere outside of Mexico. You see the entire process from plant to bottle and you sample how the different genus of agave produce different tastes. I highly recommend it!

-Pointfulblog (Tripadvisor reviewer)
Nothing short of magical. You get to explore the authentic, farm to distillery production of delicious mezcal, and you also make incredible friends and experience the deep kindness, creativity, and tradition of these expert Mescaleros. Clayton has dedicated his life to building trusting relationships and he shares that with everyone who joins his tours. We were spoiled by the hospitality of our hosts at every stop in Oaxaca. Bottom line, the food, company, and lodgings were incredible and the mezcal was truly unparalleled. This trip is the best. I wish I could go every year.

-Katy N (Tripadvisor reviewer)
Experience Mezcal is the best-guided tour I’ve been on. Clayton creates a one-of-a-kind experience that will forever change the way you understand the beauty and culture of mezcal.

-Solo (Tripadvisor reviewer)

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