Full-Day Hierve El Agua, Mitla and Tule Tour from Oaxaca City

Take this amazing tour and explore the petrified waterfall of Hierve el Agua and the majestic nature surrounding it (closed in rainy season). Also, see a gigantic 2,000 year-old tree in Tule and then gaze at the beautiful stone carvings at the Zapotec ruins of Mitla. Visit a local village to learn the process of making woolen rugs from hand. Round off the tour visiting a Mezcal factory and learn how this popular Mexican drink is made.

Hierve el Agua. Due to the variety and high concentrations of mineral salts, a prehispanic irrigation system and various waterfalls are now petrified. A series of small natural pools have been excavated to form an esplanade called "the amphitheater", from which you can admire the amazing scenery. There are two distinct levels: in the lower level there are springs and the irrigation system, and in the upper level there are facilities for visitors.

Mitla. Its name in Nahuatl means "Place of the Dead", while the Zapotecs called it lyobaa, meaning "Place of burials" Mitla was a place of residence for the Zapotec priestly class. It was inhabited from the classic period of Monte Albán (100 to 650 AD), and reached its peak in the post-classical period (750 to 1521 AD). The layout of the city was probably planned with structures grouped in five sets, currently called the Columns, the Church, the Stream, the Adobes and the South.

Santa María El Tule. Among the natural beauties of this town is the huge, ahuehuete cypress called "El Árbol del Tule". The tree is a wonderful example of Oaxacan flora, 40 meters high with a diameter of 52.58 meters, it weighs around 509 tons and is approximately 2000 years old. We suggest you visit the handcraft market of the community and to sample the wide variety of local foods.

Teotitlán del Valle. This town is where woolen rugs are made on domestic looms. The artisans here use natural dyes such as indigo, moss and grana cochinilla. We will take you to an artisan´s house to see the process of making a rug.

Mezcal Factory. Perhaps the most famous drink to come out of Mexico is one made from the agave plant: tequila. But there’s another drink derived from the agave, one less known but just as potent: Mezcal. And lately, it is moving on up among the hip and the chic, not only in Mexico but also abroad. The New York Times recently published an article about this spirit beverage newfound fame in New York and beyond. We will take you down to a mezcal distillery where you will be able to discover all about Mezcal. You've gotta try it, Mezcal is the new tequila! As the old saying goes: "Para todo mal, mezcal, y para todo bien, también" (for any harm, mezcal, for every charm, as well).