oaxaca with
naiana nami
Future dates tbd
Join a very special collaboration with artist incubator Naiana Nami as we delve into the generations-old crafts of the rugged plains of Oaxaca’s agave-studded Central Valleys.
A cradle of artisan craftsmanship, the Central Valleys are home to practices like natural dying, weaving, candle-making, and ceramics. Here we will connect with local families who have honed their craft over generations, their artisan practices evolving alongside Oaxaca’s seasonal shifts in climate and reflecting the cultural nuance of this special region.
This curated group experience also includes visits to mountainside mineral springs, boutique hotel accommodation, and dinners at some of the best restaurants in the city.
NAIANA NAMI IS A DYNAMIC CREATIVE GATHERING SPACE, PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND SERVING AS A VALUABLE RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY AND ITS SUPPORTERS.
AT NAIANA NAMI, WE VALUE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESSIBILITY. OUR MISSION IS TO FACILITATE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CREATIVE FIELD AND PROVIDE EDUCATED SUPPORT TO ARTISTS AND ARTISANS. FURTHERMORE, 100% OF OUR PROFITS ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SHARE OUR VALUES.
ITINERARY
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Arrive to Oaxaca City.
Group orientation and welcome dinner at a favorite central restaurant. -
Hand build ceramics pieces with the talented clay sculptures in Taller Manos Que Ven.
Lunch in a rural farm to table restaurant, set inside the garden of a reforestation project.
Afternoon shopping at Benito Juarez market in the city.
Multi-course traditional dining experience at Cocina del Humo.
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Natural dye workshop with Vida Nueva cooperative in Teotitlan del Valle.
Farm to table lunch with Imelda and her family.
Visit candle studio and have opportunity to make candles of your own.
Visit with local photographer in her home studio.
Group dinner at weaving design studio.
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Optional guided tour of the Ethno-Botanical Gardens.
Visits to contemporary artist studios including Adriana Monterubio, Argelia Matus nd Johana Palmieri.
Group dinne at one of our favorite restaurants.
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Venture into the mountains in the Sierra Mixteca region of Oaxaca to participate in a traditional firing of the region. Fire pieces built on first day of the trip.
Final group dinner at Criollo. -
Final breakfast together.
Transportation to the airport.
TRIP
DETAILS
Dates:
TBD
Pricing + Payment:
Pricing is based on single-occupancy accommodation. If you are booking with someone you know and would like to share a king size bed, and receive a shared-room discount, please email us to let us know.
A non-refundable deposit it required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining balance can be made at your convenience on this page at least two months prior to the trip.
When making a reservation, there is the option to Pay it Forward. These contributions are directed exclusively towards our Artisan Exchange Program, in which we invite our indigenous craft collaborators to participate in retreats in other regions, thus weaving a larger web of this global artisan community.
Cost Includes:
In-Country Transportation: Thread Caravan and Naiana Nami cover all transportation within Oaxaca city, as soon as you arrive at the airport until you depart. We'll be taking a mix of shuttles and taxis.
*Airport transfers are only included if you are arriving within the workshop dates. If you choose to spend extra days in Oaxaca, you will be responsible for transportation to and from the airport.Most Meals: This experience incorporates meals at some of Oaxaca City’s most renowned restaurants, and home-cooked meals with artisan families using local and seasonal ingredients. We will leave one dinner open, to allow guests down time to explore on their own.
Education + Supplies: Artisan instructors are all fairly compensated for their time offering demonstrations and workshops. This payment also covers costs for all craft materials.
Single Occupancy Accommodation: Our group will be staying at centrally-located boutique hotel, Grana Bed and Bread. All rooms each have one bed, and are therefore single occupancy. If you're traveling with someone you know and would like to share a bed, please email us to let us know.
Extra Excursions: We'll be venturing to Hierve el Agua, natural spring-fed infinity pools on the side of a cliff, as well as other favorite sites.
Support: We will have at least two hosts accompanying the group at all times, offering participants their combined knowledge of Oaxaca, while making sure everything runs smoothly. In addition, Thread Caravan staff is available to answer questions and assist with trip preparations prior to the experience.
A donation to local social initiatives: In addition to paying artisan instructors for their time teaching, we will also donate a percentage of the trip price to our partners Colectivo 1050 Grados, to go towards the development of their community social programs.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Trees for the Future to plant 50 tress on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Mexico.
Additional Expenses:
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan and Naiana Nami do not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages (*except where noted in itinerary)
Airfare: We've found that flights from the U.S. to Oaxaca range from approximately $350 - $700 depending on the airline and how far in advance you book.
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. If this is your first time purchasing travel insurance, we recommend World Nomads.
Getting There and Away:
Guests should plan to fly into the Oaxaca City’s Xoxocotlan International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, our team of drivers will pick you up to bring you to the hotel.
We ask that all travelers arrive before 5pm on the first day of our trip to ensure attendance at our group welcome dinner and orientation.
Other Info:
Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations, Covid, 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.