A FORAY INTO THE NATURE, CUISINE & CULTURE OF OAXACA
Immerse yourself in Oaxaca’s incredible culture, nature, and artisan mecca over 8 nights and 8 days. Spending time in the city, mountains, and Valleys of Oaxaca, we’ll learn how to identify and dye with mushrooms and lichens, spend time with artisans creating a range of handmade crafts, and soak up the diversity and richness of Mixtec and Zapotec culture dating back at least 12,000 years.
Our trip will be book-ended in the cultural and foodie mecca of Oaxaca City with most of our time immersed in the mountains and valleys, exploring the diverse edible (and dyeable) landscape with our Zapotec friends, sharing generations of knowledge from nature to traditional cooking, natural dyeing, fiber arts, and more.
Enjoy ancient cuisine with new friends.
Our first night will kick off in Oaxaca City with a group welcome dinner to get to know each other and enjoy Oaxaca’s famous cuisine before heading for two full days of foraging in the Mixteca Alta mountains.
In the misty Sierra Occidental mountains where the Rockies end, we’ll stay for three nights in cozy cabins heated by fire in the night and spend our days in the woods foraging for mushrooms and lichens to dye with in the coming days. Alongside local guides and women from the community, we’ll also collect a range of mushrooms, medicinal plants, and other dyers for an ID and dye testing table back at our mountain abode.
Nestled in nature, we’ll gather the colors offered by the mountains, learn about the food and medicine provided by these forests and enjoy hot chocolate and local dishes prepared by local chefs.
Staying with Dr. Sam and his Zapotec artisan family, we’ll spend three days turning our foraged treasures into a rainbow of colored wool yarn to accent the rugs we’ll make on foot treadle looms to take home with you and remember our adventure together.
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Joining for her second year with us, Mycopigments master Alissa Allan returns to explore new forests, environments and mushrooms! We couldn't be more excited to build in more time with the heart a soul of Teotitlan again this year!
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Last year, Alissa presented to more than 50 community members on the mushroom and lichen colors of Oaxaca to raucous applause and a photo session.
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This year, we’ll also be inviting a handful of community members to join in mushroom dyeing as the Zapotec dyers in the village are very interested in learning more about mushroom dyes to incorporate into their weaving process.
We’ll wrap up our time with a night back in Oaxaca City for some last minute market shopping for those looking for gifts and one last celebratory meal to show off our woven and dyed creations from the week.
Of course, you don’t have to leave Oaxaca when the trip ends… in fact, we encourage you to stay and are more than happy to share what we know.
Our Local Partners & Experts
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Kim & Zack, Tour Leaders
Over several trips to Oaxaca, we have cultivated a rich relationship with the people, culture, & cuisine that has culminated in this invitation for a hands-on, immersive window into this cradle of civilization. Avid travelers with curiosity & a deep appreciation for culture & engaging people around the world, we believe that through travel & connecting with different cultures, we gain a greater understanding of the world, our place in it, and the better future that we can build together. It's in this spirit that we share the Oaxaca that we know & love with you.
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Alissa Allen, Mushroom Dye Master
Alissa is the founder of Mycopigments. She specializes in teaching about regional mushroom and lichen dye palettes to fiber artists and mushroom enthusiasts all over the world. Alissa got her start in the Pacific Northwest and has been sharing her passion for mushrooms for over 15 years.
Alissa uses brilliant colors found in fungal dyes to entice people to take a closer look at mushrooms and lichens and the role they play in our lives. This will be her second season joining us for mycoadventures in Oaxaca. -
Dr. Sam Lazo, Zapotec Weaver
Our host for three nights, Samuel grew up in the Zapotec way of life with a family of weavers in Teotitlan de Valle. In his own journey of self-discovery, Samuel has revisited his people’s written history from an indigenous perspective. For the better part of the week, you will be immersed in one of the cradles of civilization at the hands of none better to guide you.
From the oral stories of the Benizaá people from the last Ice Age, Dr. Sam will help us understand the depth & wisdom of his ancestral people & land.
“My hope was that the week would be filled with adventure..
"... and I really do feel like that expectation was met. Everything was so well organized and combined with your vast knowledge of both the cultures of Oaxaca and the world of mycology resulted in a fantastic experience... I was fascinated by all of it!"
- Deborah, California; 2022 attendee
How to join, the cost, and payment schedule:
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Price & Payment Schedule
The price of this trip per person* : $2500.00 most expenses included**.
Payments for the trip shall be made in full, and include the NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of $500 which helps us secure accommodations, reserve transportation, book restaurants, and secure the tour.
With this payment commitment, your deposit will be returned to you only on one of two conditions: the trip is completely canceled (all monies will be returned), or you help arrange for someone else to take your place.
Refunds for cancellations will be returned on the following schedule:- 120+ days before the start of the trip, 80% refund (total minus deposit);
- 90-120 days before, 60% refund (total minus $1000);
- 60-90 days before, 40% refund (total minus $1500);
- 30-60 days before, 20% refund (total minus $2000);
- 30 days before, no refund available
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How to Join + DIscounts
INTERESTED? CLICK HERE to fill out our QUESTIONNAIRE!!
We review each application to make sure our mycoadventure is a good fit for all participants and give us insight to create the best experience for each group. Upon review, we're reach out ASAP to offer an info call, secure payment information and next steps.
We will fill the trip in the order of applications received and deposits secured. Our group size is capped at 11 participants and we have very high interest this year. APPLY TODAY if you are interested and get your spot on the list.
Early Bird Discount***Secure your deposit before February 3rd & SAVE $150!!***
Payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis. Please send chef@thefoodbender.com an email to explore this option. -
What is Covered on Trip
*Double occupancy is assumed for our available accommodations.
**Ground transportation to & from Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca City, all meals, lodging, tours, activities, and workshops are included. Alcohol during meals, souvenirs, and some optional activities are not included.
The deposit is non-refundable IN MOST CASES. We use it immediately to secure transportation, lodging and reservations. However in 2020, the full cost of the trip, deposits included, was fully refunded due to the pandemic. If the trip is canceled for any reason, you will get ALL of your money back, guaranteed.)
[THE FLIGHT TO OAXACA is not included. Please make travel arrangements to be able to join us in Oaxaca for dinner on Wednesday, August 16th.