Artisans, Culture
and Craft Tour
On this cultural tour based out of San Cristóbal, we will visit the famous ruins of Toniná in Ocosingo, San Cristóbal de Las Casas and surroundings (the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantá, the Moxviquil preserve, the Temple and ex-Convent of Santo Domingo, the handicraft market, the Sergio Castro Museum), Amatenango, the Evergreen Ranch, Cañon del Sumidero and the magical town of Chiapa de Corzo.
Before this tour, you can either meet us in San Cristóbal or Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
7 Days Itinerary:
Day 1
On the first day of our tour, we will visit the archeological site of Toniná, one of the Maya’s most important temple complexes located about 10 kilometers east of the city of Ocosingo.
Day 2
Today we will visit the Temple and ex-Convent of Santo Domingo, a baroque style church, the Textile Museum, and the huge craft market of Santo Domingo during the day. For lunch, we will eat in an authentic Maya restaurant near the craft market. In the evening, we will visit the Sergio Castro Museum, and we will eat dinner at the Tierra Adentro, a unique restaurant filled with Zapatista decor.
Day 3
Today we will visit the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán with our Maya expert. You will have the opportunity to visit a local family and sample their home-made tortillas, as well as to browse hand-made textiles woven by local women. In the afternoon we will visit a genuine Shaman.
Day 4
Today we will visit the Orquídeas Moxviquil Botanical Gardens, filled with many beautiful hummingbirds as well as other endemic and migratory bird species. Later, we will visit the Medicina Maya Museum and the attached Maya Pharmacy.
Binoculars are highly recommended for this day.
Day 5
Today we will drive to Amatenango to visit the family known as the best pottery artists in Mexico. Later, we will travel to the Rancho Evergreen, an ecological resort and equestrian guest ranch hidden in a gorgeous valley surrounded by pine and oak forests. We will utilize our bird guides to observe the unusual mixture of highland and lowland birds here.
Day 6
In the morning, we will drive to the Sumidero Canyon and eat lunch in Chiapa de Corzo, which is considered one of the magical pueblos. We will also be able to watch some excellent wood carvers at work here.
Day 7
You will spend your last day in Sancris, where you will have the chance to visit impacto café, a local NGO that works with small coffee producers. This organization, led by young professionals and a certified Q Grader, offers open cupping sessions for anyone who is interested in learning more about the quality and taste of coffee varieties from all over Chiapas.