The Day of the Dead Tour is an annual event in Oaxaca. The following information is for the 2005 tour. The 5-night package extends from the 29th of October through the 3rd of November, 2005. Vista World Travel and the Oaxaca Hotel Group offer 5-night tour packages that include: transportation from airport to hotel upon arrival 5 nights accommodations (see hotel choices below) Dinner lecture at the Hotel Camino Real followed by an escorted cemetery tour to the village of Xoxocotlán, October 31, 2005. San Miguel cemetery tour and palapa lunch on November 1, 2005. Rates start at US$402.00 per person, double occupancy. Additional nights are available. This uniquely Mexican and very important holiday, which celebrates the continuity of life, takes place in Oaxaca with more ceremony, ritual and flair than in any other town in Mexico. It is anything but grim and macabre. It provides an opportunity for a warm family and community reunion which includes the well remembered deceased, along with the living. The dead are considered as still being an integral part of the family and they are remembered especially on this day. The whole family takes part in preparing for the celebration. The women of the household have the greatest responsibility, as they must start to save what little money they have long before the awaited days arrive. Little by little, the scarce centavos go to buy new dishes, which are stored under the family altar, waiting for the arrival of the honored guests.

The Zapotecs believed that the spirits come to visit their homes once again on this day. They come to celebrate with the living and to enjoy the spirit of what their earthly descendants have prepared for them. For this reason, the preparation is anything but haphazard. Certain types of flowers, foods and decorations are called for and the conscientious family is well aware of exactly what must be done. On the days leading up to the celebration, the markets are lively and animated - not somber or serious at all. There is a saying in Oaxaca, "We are not here for a long time, we are here for a good time." Tiny homemade stands appear in the market, selling sugar skulls, special bread called pan de yema, bright yellow marigold flowers, delicate handmade ornaments and hand-dipped candles for the altar. The final preparations take place on the night of October 31st, bringing the whole community and generations of families out to the cemetery. The grave sites are cleaned, decorated and bedecked with flowers and candles, as well as food and drink that the deceased loved while living. Vista World Travel offers the unique opportunity to visit the village cemetery of Xoxocotlán and participate in the preparation of the great homecoming. This not-to-be-missed event starts with dinner and Day of the Dead lecture at the 5-star Hotel Camino Real, which overlooks the city of Oaxaca, on October 31 followed by an escorted tour to the village of Xoxocotlán. Various tour options may be added to your package for additional charges. more about Días de los Muertos

Guided tour to Monte Albán:   $25 per person + tax Monday, October 31, 2005, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm Just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the city of Oaxaca lies Monte Albán, one of the very first cities in the new world. Founded approximately 500 years before the birth of Christ, the city grew and dominated the valleys of Oaxaca up to 750 a.d. It was the capital of the cloud people, the Zapotecs, for over a millennium. Monte Albán served as a holy center for 40,000 Zapotec ancestors 2500 years ago. It was the epicenter of their culture and a place of divine worship. (Included in Day of the Dead package) Craft Village Tour:   $45 per person + tax Saturday, October 29, 2005, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm San Bartolo Coyotepec is a village famous for its tradition of making black pottery in the technique preserved by the inheritors of this Zapotec craft. You will be welcome to view the process of making pots on the inverted saucers known as the Zapotec wheel. And then we visit the famous wood carvers in San Martín Tilcajete who create extraordinary polychrome wood carvings in the shape of animals and mythical beasts. The artisan families work together as a unit, yet each person maintains his own brand of skill and ingenuity. Our last stop on this tour is Ocotlán, famous for its unique rambling Friday market and restored colonial church. We will visit, among other artisans, remarkable blacksmiths who specialize in distinctive cutlery as well as exotic swords for movie heroes. Lunch will be at La Capilla, seating is outdoors under walnut trees. We will continue our excursion to Cuilapan, a magnificent Dominical monastery with open-air chapel, built in 1550. An architectural and historical wonder in a setting of breathtaking mountainous beauty. It stands alone in the landscape, a timeless remembrance of the importance and influence of the Dominicans in this area of Mexico.

Guelaguetza Dinner and Performance at the Camino Real:   $35 per person + tax Friday, October 28 and Saturday October 29, 2005, 7:00 9m - 9:30 pm A presentation of the traditional dances of the Guelaguetza from the seven regions of Oaxaca is held in a 16th century chapel. Twenty regional dancers in glorious costumes perform with a 14-piece village brass band. A sumptuous Oaxacan buffet is included. Mitla Tour:   $50 per person + tax Sunday, October 30, 2005 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Mitla archeological site (Place of the Dead) is famous for the fineness of its many geometric mosaics decorating the palace walls. We stop at the village of Santa Maria de Tule along the way. The Tule tree is one of the world's largest and oldest trees--53 meters circumference, 41 meters tall, and over 2000 years old. Lunch is at El Patio, with its breathtaking view of the mountains where our main meal of the day will be valley Zapotec cooking, starting with Consome Xochitl, typical botanas and cazuelas including mole Negro Oaxaqueño. This is followed by Café de Olla and Oaxacan dessert. Of course, no Oaxacan lunch would be complete without some excellent regional Mezcal served in a jarrito verde de Atzompa. After lunch we will visit Teotitlán de Valle, famous for its weaving since pre-Hispanic times and the oldest village in the valley of Oaxaca. We'll show you the plants that produce indigo blue dye, and the nopal cactus where weavers cultivate cochinilla bugs to produce the handsome red color (cochineal cye). We'll also see a spinning, dying and weaving demonstration, and have the opportunity to purchase some of the magnificent, richly colored rugs produced in the village. Oaxacan Cooking class with the renowned Iliana de la Vega:   $80 per person for one class + tax (except the Nov. 3 class which is $60.) Classes held Wednesday, October 26, Friday October 28, and Thursday November 3, 2005. You will be able to enjoy what you cook at lunch time in Iliana de la Vega's restaurant, El Naranjo.

Vista World Travel accepts major credit cards. An authorization form will be faxed or mailed to the customer for their signature. Tickets and hotel documents will be delivered by Federal Express.

Reservations are required to be made at least two weeks in advance. Last minute bookings will be accepted based on availability of airline space and hotel space with a small late booking fee.