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Maestro Jrnys

Ankita's Mexico

Maiz, Mole and Mezcal

LED BY

Ankita Neotia

TRIP DATES

08 Nov 26 - 15 Nov 26

PRICE PER PERSON

$ 2,875

CULINARY

OFF-BEAT

CULTURE

Join This Jrny

Overview Stay Itinerary FAQs

Join This Jrny

Ankita's Mexico: Maiz, Mole and Mezcal

TRIP DATES

08 Nov 26-15 Nov 26

PRICE PER PERSON

$ 2,875

Join This Jrny

About this Jrny

Mexico is too often reduced to tacos and tequila. The truth is far more regional, and far more interesting.

This is a journey through the kitchens, markets and family tables that tell the country's story best: eight days moving from the exhilarating energy of Mexico City to the slower rhythms of Oaxaca, following the ingredients, traditions and people who've shaped one of the world's great food cultures.

We'll wander markets before the crowds arrive and eat standing at stalls the locals queue for. We'll spend a full day in a village kitchen with women who've been making mole negro since before you were born, walk agave fields with the person who distils what's in your glass, and sit down to a bowl of stone soup cooked the way it was two thousand years ago. Some meals happen in celebrated restaurants. Just as many happen at a market breakfast, a roadside grill after dark, or a grandmother's table.

This isn't a list of must-eat dishes. It's an answer to why mole tastes different from one village to the next, why maize is closer to a religion than an ingredient here, and why the best food in Mexico has never made it into a guidebook.

Hosted by award-winning food writer Ankita Neotia, founder of Crispy Compass, the trip draws on years spent exploring regional food cultures through curiosity, conversation and a serious appetite for stories. Every stop earned its place because it reveals something about Mexico, not because it's famous.

Come hungry. Come curious. The food will stay with you. So will the people who made it.

Highlights

Move beyond the guidebook version of Mexico City with a taco crawl through Condesa, Roma and Narvarte that locals actually queue for, capped by a late-night stop in a converted car garage.
Spend a full day cooking in a village kitchen above Oaxaca: hand-pressed tortillas, mole negro from scratch, and a lunch you helped make yourself.
Meet the artisans keeping Oaxaca's traditions alive, from a family of weavers who tell their own story to the mezcalero who walks you through his agave fields before pouring.
Wander markets with local insiders, from a two-thousand-year-old tree and the ruins at Mitla to Ocotlán's Friday sprawl and Tlacolula's ancient Sunday market, the oldest continuously running market in Mesoamerica.
Taste centuries-old dishes exactly as they've always been made: caldo de piedra cooked with fire-heated river stones, and mezcal distilled the traditional way in clay pots.
Balance street stalls, family kitchens and a Michelin-recognised countryside table, with plenty of surprises along the way.

Inclusions

Meals as per itinerary

Premium Stays

Airport Transfers

Internal Transport

Entrance Fees and Permits

English Speaking Guides

Internal Flights

Maestro's Expertise

Inclusions

What's Included

7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunch, 5 Dinners (lunch and dinners counts include the street food tasting, cooking class meals etc)

Stay in Premium 4 star hotels (specified in the itinerary or similar)

Arrival and departure airport transfers

Comfortable minivans or coaches for internal transport, depending on group size.

Entrance Fees and permits for all included activities as per itinerary

Professional English speaking local guides

Domestic flight included Mexico City - Oaxaca

Ankita's expertise and company guarantees a memorable trip experience

What's Excluded

Additional meals not mentioned in itinerary

Alcoholic beverages

Camera/Video charges during sightseeing

International Flights to & from the trip's start and end point

Personal expenses (Drinks, Laundry etc.)

Tips for guides and drivers

Travel Insurance

Visa Fees (if applicable)

Led by Jrny Maestro

Ankita Neotia

Award-winning food writer, culinary expert, and supper club host uncovering regional food cultures

1 Jrny

Overview

Dates

8Nov’26 - 15Nov’26

Suggested Ages

21+

Duration

8 days

Activity Level

Moderate

Group Size

4 - 12

Travel Style

premium

Price per person

$2,875

Itinerary

Sun 08 Nov

Arrival in Mexico City

Mon 09 Nov

Mexico City Deep Dive

Tue 10 Nov

Mexico City to Oaxaca

Wed 11 Nov

Oaxaca - Villages, Ruins & Stone Soup

Thu 12 Nov

Oaxaca - A Day in a Village Kitchen

Fri 13 Nov

Oaxaca - Markets & Mezcal Country

Sat 14 Nov

Oaxaca's Biggest Market Day

Sun 15 Nov

Oaxaca - Departure

Stay

CHECK IN 08 Nov

2 N

CHECK OUT 10 Nov

Andaz Mexico City Condesa

Mexico City

CHECK IN 10 Nov

5 N

CHECK OUT 15 Nov

Hotel Boutique Na'ura Centro

Oaxaca

Your Daily Itinerary

Sun 08 Nov

Arrival in Mexico City

Touch down in Mexico City and hand the logistics over: a smooth transfer takes you straight to your hotel in Centro, whichever hour you land. Early arrivals get first claim on the week's best lunch, a weekend-only lamb feast pit-roasted in maguey leaves. Land later and you're handed a shortlist instead: crisp churros, a guava-stuffed pastry, coffee in a café with literary ghosts. Come evening, a mezcal toast kicks things off before a taco crawl through Condesa and Roma, al pastor spinning at the counter that claims to have invented it. Those with stamina for one more stop finish the night in Narvarte, at a car workshop that becomes, after dark, one of the capital's best-loved taquerías.

Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

Activities

Meet & Greet in Mexico

09:00 - 15:00

Arrive at Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (Airport code: MEX). After collecting your luggage and exiting the terminal, look out for your representative holding a placard with the JrnyOn logo. You are warmly greeted, received, and assisted with your transfer arrangements for a smooth arrival experience.

Taco Crawl

19:00 - 21:00

Dive into Mexico City's vibrant street food scene as you sample iconic tacos al pastor, savour freshly grilled elote from local stalls, and end on a sweet note with crispy churros.

Narvarte after dark

22:00 - 23:00

A short van ride to a car workshop that becomes, after sundown, one of Mexico City's great al pastor institutions.

Optional Activities

Lamb Barbacoa lunch

13:00 - 14:00

A Roma Sur institution that raises its own flock and pit-roasts it whole in maguey leaves, jugs of pulque poured freely. Weekends only.

Mon 09 Nov

Mexico City Deep Dive

Start the way the city starts: guajolotas and atole from a corner tamal steamer, the classic commuter breakfast. From there, disappear into La Merced with someone who knows it properly: hand-pressed blue-corn tlacoyos, squash-blossom quesadillas, alleys thick with chilli and candied fruit. In the afternoon, choose your pace: chase one more story at the Centro's most storied pulquería, or head back for a siesta. Dinner closes the day at one of the capital's most talked-about tables.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities

Guajolotas and Atole

09:00 - 11:00

Begin the day like a local with guajolotas (tamal sandwiches) and warm atole, Mexico City's classic commuter breakfast. Savour freshly steamed tamales tucked into bread, paired with this comforting maize-based drink.

La Merced

11:00 - 13:30

A guided walk through one of Mexico City's oldest markets: blue-corn tlacoyos, squash-blossom quesadillas, chilli and candied-fruit stalls.

Dinner in Condesa

19:30 - 21:00

A seat at one of Mexico City's most talked-about restaurants.

Optional Activities

Visit a Pulqueria

13:30 - 16:00

Step into one of Centro's most iconic pulquerías. A pulquería is a traditional Mexican tavern or bar that specialises in serving pulque, an ancient alcoholic drink made from the fermented sap of the agave (maguey) plant. Sip traditional pulque or flavoured curados beneath vibrant psychedelic murals and experience a drink rooted in Mexico's ancient heritage. Alternatively, return to the hotel and enjoy time to relax and recharge.

Tue 10 Nov

Mexico City to Oaxaca

Breakfast at the hotel, then a short flight south into a different Mexico: warmer light, mezcal instead of pulque. After a transfer to your hotel in Oaxaca’s historic centre, lunch happens in the smoke hall of Mercado 20 de Noviembre, tasajo and cecina grilling to order. Once the heat breaks, a golden-hour walk winds through Jalatlaco's murals and the chocolate mills of Mina Street. There's burnt-milk ice cream near Plaza de la Danza and an elote eaten on the move as evening carts light up around El Llano park. The day closes with a mezcal tasting flight, then suckling pork and tlayudas off a coal grill.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities

Flight Mexico to Oaxaca

09:00 - 11:00

A short domestic flight (about an hour), then a private transfer to your hotel.

Flight Duration: 1 hour

Mercado 20 de Noviembre

11:00 - 13:00

Lunch in the market's smoke hall: tasajo and cecina grilled to order, agua fresca or tejate next door.

Oaxaca's Historic Centre

13:00 - 15:00

Explore the historic centre during a golden-hour orientation walk. Wander Jalatlaco's colourful murals, breathe in the aroma of cacao, almond and cinnamon from the traditional chocolate mills on Mina Street, and soak up the lively atmosphere. Treat yourself to nieve de leche quemada con tuna (burnt-milk ice cream with cactus-fruit sorbet) and a freshly grilled elote from the evening carts around El Llano Park.

Mezcal Tasting

15:00 - 18:00

Taste four distinctive mezcals at La Mezcaloteca. Discover agave varieties, production regions and traditional distillation methods. Savour each pour correctly as you explore Oaxaca's iconic spirit and its rich heritage.

Dinner in Oaxaca

19:00 - 21:00

Savour Oaxaca’s iconic suckling pork and tlayudas off a coal grill.

Wed 11 Nov

Oaxaca - Villages, Ruins & Stone Soup

Head east on a day built around one ancient road. First, a tree that's been standing for two thousand years. Next, a village of weavers opens its own home for a simple breakfast (memelas, hot chocolate, tejate) and a hands-on look at a craft passed down for generations. A certified guide then leads you through Mitla, the Zapotec city of the dead. Lunch happens on the road home: caldo de piedra, cooked the pre-Hispanic way with fire-heated river stones. After a rest, dinner offers a choice between Oaxaca's traditional canon or the food of the Isthmus.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Oaxaca - Villages, Ruins & Stone Soup - Day 4 image

Activities

The Tule Tree

09:00 - 10:15

A two-thousand-year-old tree, wide enough that it takes a village to hug it.

Village weaving visit

11:00 - 12:00

A family of weavers hosts you at home for memelas, hot chocolate and tejate, then a hands-on look at their craft.

Mitla with a Certified Guide

13:00 - 14:30

The Zapotec city of the dead, its geometric stone mosaics unlike anything else in the region.

Caldo de Piedra Lunch

14:30 - 16:00

Stone soup cooked the pre-Hispanic way, fire-heated river stones dropped into the broth at the table. Afterwards, unwind at the hotel and savour a relaxing evening at your own pace. Recommendations provided to explore Oaxaca's traditional culinary canon, or a menu built around the food of the Isthmus.

Thu 12 Nov

Oaxaca - A Day in a Village Kitchen

Today belongs to one very special kitchen. After a light breakfast at the hotel, head into the hills to a rustic village home for a full day of hand-pressing tortillas, coaxing mole negro through its stages, and turning it all into lunch. Flour on your hands, real instruction, in a kitchen that's been doing this far longer than any restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Oaxaca - A Day in a Village Kitchen - Day 5 image

Activities

Village Cooking class

10:00 - 17:00

A full day of hands-on cooking in a village kitchen: hand-pressed tortillas, mole negro from scratch, and a family chicken dish. Lunch is what you make.

Optional Activities

Mezcalería Crawl

21:00 - 23:00

End the day with a mezcalería crawl and soak up Oaxaca's lively nightlife; with essential pitstops for elote and tlayuda along the way, of course.

Fri 13 Nov

Oaxaca - Markets & Mezcal Country

Head south into mezcal country, starting with Ocotlán's Friday market, breakfast among stalls of empanadas de amarillo and chocolate. From there, Santa Catarina Minas: agave fields walked with the mezcalero who distils them, then a family palenque, the earth oven, clay-pot stills, mezcal tasted straight from the source. Lunch is at a countryside kitchen with a Michelin nod, memelas and enmoladas under the trees, with time after for the village's alebrije workshops.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Oaxaca - Markets & Mezcal Country - Day 6 image

Activities

Ocotlán's Friday market

08:30 - 11:30

Breakfast among the stalls of one of the region's great weekly markets: empanadas de amarillo, bread and chocolate.

Santa Catarina Minas

11:30 - 14:30

Agave fields walked with the mezcalero who distils them, then a family palenque and mezcal tasted straight from the source.

Lunch at a Countryside Palenque

14:30 - 16:00

A Michelin-recognised lunch under the trees, memelas, enmoladas and tableside salsas, then a wander through the village's alebrije workshops.

Optional Activities

Market Visit

17:00 - 19:00

An optional group visit to a local market, plus a shortlist of the maestro's favourite bars for the evening.

Sat 14 Nov

Oaxaca's Biggest Market Day

Saturday means one thing in Oaxaca: the Central de Abastos market at full tilt. Breakfast comes first, memelas with salsa morita from a stall that draws its own queue, then a deep dive into the market with someone who knows every corner: mole pastes by the kilo, chapulines, native fruits, chocolate ground fresh. It's the last chance to stock up before heading home. The afternoon is free, before a farewell dinner: village-rooted Sierra cooking, or a courtyard dinner at a long-loved local kitchen.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Oaxaca's Biggest Market Day - Day 7 image

Activities

Market Breakfast

07:30 - 08:30

Memelas with salsa morita from a stall that draws its own morning queue, in the Central de Abastos.

Central de Abastos deep dive

08:30 - 11:00

Oaxaca's largest market at its busiest: mole pastes by the kilo, chapulines, native fruits, chocolate ground fresh, tortilla stalls generations old.

Farewell Dinner in Oaxaca

19:00 - 21:00

Village-rooted Sierra cooking, or a courtyard dinner at a long-loved local kitchen.

Optional Activities

Cheese making in Etla

12:00 - 16:00

Head north to Etla for a traditional quesillo (oaxacan cheese) making experience.

Sun 15 Nov

Oaxaca - Departure

Check out and make the most of your final morning in Oaxaca. Visit the colourful town of Tlacolula, where the famous Sunday market offers an authentic glimpse into local life. Savour slow-roasted barbacoa tacos before browsing vibrant stalls filled with handicrafts and fresh produce. Soak up the lively atmosphere, then continue to the airport for your departure, carrying unforgettable memories of Mexico's rich culture and flavours.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Activities

Tlacoluca

11:00 - 15:00

Checkout, then a short drive to the oldest continuously running market in Mesoamerica for slow-roasted barbacoa tacos, plus a stop at the jewel-box Capilla del Señor.

Departure from Oaxaca

15:00 - 23:59

Today your JrnyOn journey comes to an end. A private transfer to Oaxaca International Airport (code: OAX) for onward flights home. Most connections route via Mexico City.

Frequently Asked Questions

You want to discover Mexico through its world-famous food, local markets, and regional traditions.

You enjoy exploring vibrant neighbourhoods like Condesa, Roma, and Narvarte while tasting authentic street food.

You want to experience Oaxaca's renowned culinary scene, from traditional markets to contemporary dining.

You love learning about local culture through cooking classes, mezcal tastings, and artisan communities.

You enjoy visiting archaeological sites, colourful markets, and historic city centres alongside food experiences.

You want a relaxed journey that combines culture, history, gastronomy, and authentic local encounters.

- International flights

- Visa fees (if applicable)

- Alcoholic beverages

- Personal expenses (e.g., drinks, laundry, tips for guides and drivers)

- Camera/video charges during sightseeing

- Tips for guides and drivers

- Additional meals not mentioned in the itinerary

You should arrive at Mexico City International Airport (code: MEX) and depart from Oaxaca International Airport (code: OAX). The tour starts in Mexico City and ends in Oaxaca.

For the Mexico City tour, travellers typically need a visa, and it's recommended to check the latest requirements on the official Mexico Embassy or e-visa portal. Indian passport holders do not need a visa if they hold a valid multiple entry visa for USA, UK, Canada, Japan or Schengen area. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your departure. Carry printed or electronic copies of flight tickets, hotel reservations, and a detailed itinerary. Obtain travel insurance covering medical emergencies and unexpected events.

Travel insurance is mandatory to protect against loss of personal valuables, illness or unforeseen late cancellations. While suppliers make every effort to ensure guests' safety, we cannot be held responsible for events beyond our control. JrnyOn does not sell travel insurance since we want you to be able to choose a policy that meets your requirements. For those looking for an insurance supplier, we can recommend Insurance Nomads. Write to them at [email protected] with your Jrny details for insurance options.

Yes, Arrival and departure airport transfers are included in all JrnyOn tours between the airport and the tour hotel. These transfers will be shared with you before your travel.

There are activities planned on Day 1, including a welcome meeting and evening taco crawl. It is recommended to arrive by early afternoon. Standard hotel check-in time is around 14:00 hours.

There is a visit to Tlacolula in the morning. Hotel check-out is generally around 11:00 hours or 12:00 hours. You can book your departure flight post 3pm.

Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome on this trip. However, anyone under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Yes, we offer vegetarian choices at every stop without compromising your culinary experience.

We will try to accommodate your dietary restrictions as much as we can on our tour, there may be some limitations. Please write to us at [email protected] with booking number and restrictions after booking the trip.

Please read through the itinerary in detail. Overall for the tour on a scale from 1 - 5, a fitness level of 2 would be ideal.

No. Travel between Mexico City and Oaxaca is by domestic flight. Local sightseeing is carried out through short road transfers and walking tours.

There are no mandatory vaccinations required.

We advise you to check with your local health clinic or doctors a few weeks before your trip for proper recommendations.

Mexico City enjoys mild temperatures throughout much of the year due to its high altitude, while Oaxaca is generally warmer with pleasant days and cooler evenings. Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a light jacket for evenings are recommended. For the latest forecast, please check weather.com before departure.

We require a 35% advance payment at the time of booking.

The remaining balance needs to be paid in full at least 65 days before the date of travel

We have the following cancellation terms for this tour:

Cancellation up to 91 days from the date of travel: 10% cancellation charges (as per the total trip cost) will be levied, the rest will be refunded to you

From 90 - 46 days from the date of travel: 30% cancellation charges will be levied

45 days or less from the date of travel: 100% cancellation charges will be levied

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