About this trip
Join myself, cultural curator Jewel Murphy and medicine woman Camilla Blossom as we pray and make ceremony to the land, the Ancestors, the Corn Mother goddess and others deities just like people have been doing in this part of the world for millenia. We’ll go on hikes to prehistoric caves, visits to mystical ruins & pilgrimages to sacred trees. We’ll experience local healing traditions like steam baths and flower cleansing, drink ancestral corn and cacao drinks and lean into the deep nourishment of place.
Camilla will guide us into cultivating relationship with the sacred land - how to connect, honor and be appropriate and respectful and how to give and receive as she gathers us in ritual, plant spirit practices, altar making, and shamanic trance journeys. Sacred Corn Mother will nourish and feed the life-force of our body and soul as she calls us to deepen relationship with Mother Earth. We will open to the healing spirit of these lands rich in indigenous wisdom.
Camilla supports your process for receiving the beautiful and bountiful energetic treasures of these lands with her wisdom, gentle presence, and energetic weaving of sacred space.
We also visit with local curanderos and culture keepers for ritual and teachings about local healing and traditions including altar making, steam bath, flower cleansings and prayer.
This trip is more healing retreat and pilgrimage to sacred places than my more typical art/cultural tours to Oaxaca. We still soften into experiencing the people and culture through a more prayerful rather than art making lens. Meetings with local curanderos, knowledge keepers, plant people and ancestral artisans allows us to connect in new ways.
We locate ourselves in the village of Mitla, home to the world famous archaeological ruins and close to the caves where the first domesticated ears of corn have been found. It's located one hour east of Oaxaca City. The village is indigenous Zapotec and you will hear the local language and experience the slow, safe, and happy pace of village life. Mitla is at almost 5,000 ft elevation and most days we’ll be doing a moderate amount of walking (less than 3 miles). It is a 10 minute walk to the ruins, 20 minute into the village center. Tiny taxis are plentiful should you choose. The caves are a less than a mile in-and-out hike with a 600 foot elevation gain, so not too long but steep. Please talk to us about any fitness concerns or accommodations you might need.
We stay in a small, beautifully appointed eco lodge with private kitchen, solar warmed pool, temazcal and nearby hiking trails. Cactus and stars abound. It will be our private sanctuary. Please note that only four rooms are available—all rooms are double occupancy. Bring a partner or friend or we can pair you up with a roommate. If you really need a private room, reach out and talk to us about options.
Most days we have a planned activity but we have built lots of space into the tour for time to reflect, journal, swim, connect, hike and generally retreat. We want you to feel vibrant, renewed, and nourished by this retreat. And, as always, lots of laughter, fun and connection that always seems to happen when a group of intuitive, curious, joyous travelers come together with intention.
What’s included
- Petroglyph Cave Hike
- Traditional Steam Baths
- Ceremonial Limpia
- Cacao Tastings
- Visit with Curandero
- Plant Healing Ceremony
- Reflection Time
- Herb Walk
- Altar Making
- Visits to Artisans
- Nourishing Meals
- LodgingOur price is based on double occupancy. Come with a friend or partner or we can find someone for you. A single option may be available staying offsite. Reach out for more info
What’s not included
- Airfare to Oaxaca
- Laundry, Tips & Extras
- Shopping
Available Packages
Tour price includes lodging, meals, transport, work with Camilla and local guides.
Itinerary
Welcome to Mitla! Today we enter our sacred pilgrimage to honor Corn Mother—Mother Earth and ask permission to enter and honor these magical lands, her ancient people, ancestors, and sacred trees and plants. We’ll gather for a light meal and ceremony late in the day.