Day 9, November 3 – Tule + Teotitlan Del Valle + Mitla
Breakfast not included.
The Tree of Tule is the tree with the largest trunk diameter in the world. Its exact age is unknown, but it is estimated to be over 2000 years old. This ahuehuete (montezuma cypress) has a crown circumference of approximately 58 meters and a height of 42 meters. The trunk diameter measures 14.5 meters, and it is estimated that at least 30 people with outstretched arms are needed to encircle the tree, while about 500 people can fit in its shade. It is located in the square of the Santa María del Tule church, about 12 km from the city of Oaxaca.
We will continue our trip to Teotitlan del Valle, located in the picturesque Oaxaca Valley, Mexico. This area offers a captivating blend of indigenous culture, craft heritage, and natural beauty. It is renowned for its intricate textiles, where skilled artisans weave rugs and tapestries using ancient methods passed down through generations.
Our next stop will be Mitla, which means "Place of the Dead." It was the last pre-Hispanic monumental center built in the central valleys of Oaxaca. This site is where stone was treated like a precious gem, and the Zapotecs displayed their reverence for the dead.
The most notable feature of this archaeological zone is the diverse decoration of its buildings, achieved through a carving system that sets it apart from the rest of the country.
There are 5 groups of structures known as: Grupo del Sur, Grupo del Adobe, Grupo del Arroyo, Grupo de las Columnas, and Grupo de la Iglesia. The first two are classified as ceremonial groups, consisting of mounds and central plazas, while the remaining three are cataloged as palaces, organized with rooms around square courtyards.
In the evening, we will return to Oaxaca, with the rest of the day free for personal exploration.