February 13-20, 2027 Mexico Interwoven
A place-based experience of mindfulness, craft, & connection to the earth
What to Expect
Imagine an experience of seeing the world through your hands. On this journey, we will explore the practice of craft as a pathway to connect deeply to our bodies, to the land we walk upon, to the beings that surround us, and to the rich cultural heritage that informs our understanding of place.
Part travel, part retreat, we will use the language of hand-woven textile and the ancient wisdom of natural dyes to practice retelling the story of ourselves as interwoven in the fabric of this rich, living world.
A Slowe(er) Travel Experience
An itinerary intentionally designed with enough with space, time, and practice to allow you to fully experience the beauty of a new place.
Immersion into Place-Based Craft
The opportunity to embody place and cultural tradition through three days of engaged textile craft workshops.
Mindfulness, Meditation, & Ceremony
Daily guided mindfulness practices to settle and ground you alongside traditional experiences of ritual and ceremony integrated throughout the week.
Like-minded Community
A small group of travelers who share a longing to see and experience the world differently.
Join us for a week exploring one very particular place in the living world: one where touch opens a gateway to land, to living beings, and to the ancestral histories that have shaped our present: The Oaxaca Valley of Southern Mexico. Throughout this region, the reverberation of rich artisanal tradition offers a different way of listening to the world’s Story through our hands.
Trip Itinerary
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Arrive in Oaxaca City.
The group will meet and be transported to a boutique bed and breakfast in Mitla, our home base for the week.
Shared welcome dinner, introductions, and orientation.
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Fully land in body, mind, and spirit with a gentle guided morning of mindfulness practice including sitting, walking, and mindful movement.
Experience a traditional Cacao Ceremony in the afternoon.
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Enjoy a half-day guided hike through the Oaxaca Valley countryside with an experienced guide.
Explore the local town of Mitla, including ancient ruins, a local market, and a variety of restaurants and cafes.
Massage therapist available in the evening at the hotel.
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Meet owners of Casa Cruz Gallery, a multi-generational family of Zapotecan textile weavers. This is the first of three full days spent with the family in their studio.
Learn about the historical cultural significance of weaving Teotitlán del Valle, a town famous for its weavers. Join the family in gathering plant and fiber materials.
Enjoy a traditional breakfast and lunch made by the family.
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Engage in a hands-on experiece of the process of natural dyes using locally-sourced pomegranate, terragon flower, pecan nuts, marigold, indigo, zacatlazcalli, black zapote and more including the preparation of the famous red cochineal.
Learn about the tools and materials required for rug-making, and prepare for weaving. Visit the family’s gallery for inspiration and an opportunity for purchasing a local piece of hand-woven art.
Traditional lunch offered by the family.
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Spend the day learning to weave on a traditional pedal loom, using the materials that you dyed the day before. Understand the basic principles of weaving - developing new connections between yourself and textiles.
Enjoy a final meal with the family.
In the evening, experience a cleansing Temazcal Ceremony (Mexican sweat lodge) guided by a local practitioner.
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Visit the historic Caves of Mitla, a 2000 year old archaeologic site adorned with ancient paintings.
Learn about the history and importance of this site from a local guide, and experience a cave meditation.
In the evening, enjoy a special celebratory dinner and final closing circle.
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Final farewell breakfast.
Group transport back to Oaxaca City.
Trip Details
Dates:
February 13-20, 2027
Pricing & Payment:
$3,975 per person, double-occupancy room
$4,925 per person, private room (1 available)
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining balance is paid in 2 installments with final payment made at least 60 days prior to the trip.
Cost Includes:
In-Country Transportation: All travel within the scheduled trip dates is covered. *Transport from Oaxaca City to Mitla, and returning to Oaxaca City at trip completion is only covered if you arrive within the recommended schedule.
Most Meals: The trip includes all breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners
Payment to Artisan Partners: All program costs related to the weaving and natural dye workshops as well as materials. We are committed to supporting local artisans and economies.
Spanish/English Translation: We will have a dedicated professional translator on site for all three days spent with the Casa Cruz weaving family.
Mind/Body Facilitators & Guides: All wellbeing programming including mindfulness sessions, traditional Temazcal, Cacao Ceremony, and guided hikes are included. The only exception is an optional massage therapy session at the hotel which will be paid directly to the provider.
Double Occupancy Accommodation: We will stay in a boutique family-owned bed and breakfast located in Mitla, about an hour outside of Oaxaca City. We will be the only guests at the hotel which includes gardens, a kitchen, lovely pool, and surrounding walking trails. Shared rooms have individual beds and a private bathroom. Guests may reserve as individuals or with someone else, but all rooms are shared.
Not Included:
Airfare: To and from Oaxaca City
Alcoholic Beverages: The trip cost does not include alcoholic drinks.
Personal Travel Insurance: We require all participants to have personal travel insurance. This will cover things like illness, trip and/or flight cancellations, theft, etc. We recommend World Nomads or Allianz.
Personal Spending Money: For personal shopping, activities, and/or meals during free time.
Tips: There will be an opportunity to offer service tips to drivers and hotel if desired.
Getting There:
Guests should plan to fly into the Oaxaca City’s Xoxocotlan International Airport. We will depart Oaxaca City from a central meeting point at 3pm on Saturday. Please plan to arrive prior to that time to ensure you are able to join us for our group welcome dinner and orientation.
At the conclusion of the trip, guests will be transported from Mitla back to Oaxaca City on Saturday morning, arriving by 11:30am.
Additional Information:
Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations, Hepatitis A and Typhoid are suggested by the Center for Disease Control. If you are traveling from a country with Yellow Fever, it is required that you have a Yellow Fever vaccination.
VISA: A VISA is not required for citizens of the United States if traveling to Mexico for under 180 days. If you are a citizen of another country you can check VISA requirements here.
Passport Validity: In order to enter Mexico, your passport must be valid for at least 90 days following your departure date. You must also have at least one blank page in your passport.
Booking Terms & Conditions: It is the participant’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with these terms and conditions which include the trip cancellation policy. Read them here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No experience is needed with textiles, weaving, or natural dyes to joining this trip. All are welcome. The craft experience is designed to be engaging for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
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This trip will be a maximum of 10 guests.
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We are dedicated to our guiding mission of reviving connection to ourselves, each other, and the earth through craft. As a small nonprofit, our motivation is to create an experience that will shift how you see the material world, and your place within it. We wish to cultivate a community founded on meaningful practice, deep relationships, and a shared desire to reconnect to our sacred relationship to the earth through joyful, creative endeavors.
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This trip welcomes people from all backgrounds and root traditions. There is no need to have experience with mindfulness or meditation - we will all be practicing presence in the moment no matter what we are doing. Practices offered are inspired by the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. All practices are an invitation.
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This trip is intentionally designed to balance spaciousness with scheduled programming. You will have opportunities to explore the local town on your own. Travelers are able to opt out of any scheduled experience to rest or take personal time as desired.
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This trip is for anyone interested in exploring how craft can be utilized as a connection and spiritual practice.
Adults (18+) are welcome to join us on this trip from all backgrounds, life experiences, orientations, and gender identities.
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If you still have questions or would like to connect with us to learn more about the trip, please reach out to us at info@theinterwoveninstitute.org. We are happy to speak with you.
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A 50% nonrefundable deposit is required to secure your space on this trip. Please carefully read our Booking Terms & Conditions page for full details prior to registering.
If you are longing,
if you are curious,
if you are unsettled,
if you are seeking,
if you are ready,
if you are willing,
if you are open -
then join us.