Oct 29 - Nov 4, 2025
Oct 29 - Nov 4, 2026
Portrait and Landscape
Photography
• 7 Days
• Only 4-8 Guests
• Photographer | Guide
• Celebrations and Events
• Premium hotel
• Breakfasts
• 2 Dinners
• Local Transportation
OAXACA | DAY OF THE DEAD
Oaxaca – Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán
Celebrating Life at Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead.
Join our 7-day Oaxaca Day of the Dead Photo Tour and Cultural Adventure and experience a city that comes alive by honoring the dead. This festival has exploded into global consciousness in recent years, yet it is no fleeting fad; it is an ancient and sacred celebration that spans over three millennia. Although it may seem like a vibrant spectacle of fun-filled frivolity on the surface, we will endeavor to delve deeper, our cameras encapsulating the deeply meaningful relationship that Mexicans have with the dead. This event is a symbol of the eternal dance between life and death and the bonds between loved ones and ancestors that transcend time and mortality.
Over the first few days of November, elaborate altars, flowers, candles, skeletons, and skulls adorn every corner of the city. Papel Picado, intricate tissue paper streamers, line every alleyway and become a reminder of the fragility and the ephemerality of life. During our photo trip, we will shoot women with bold floral headdresses, painted faces, and costumes inspired by La Catrina, the skeletal aristocrat character created by artist José Guadalupe Posada 100 years ago to remind us that whether rich or poor, in death, we are all equal.
Sitting at the foothills of the Sierra Madre, you will find that Oaxaca is a city that inspires artistic expression, it being the home for many Mexican painters, like the late Francisco Toledo, Alejandro Santiago, Rufino Tamayo, and contemporary artists like Manuel Reyes. However, this photo trip will also see us venture out of the city center to other sites and small villages nearby, each with its own family-held traditions, craftsmanship, and celebrations. We will visit rolling fields of silver-toned agave and bright orange marigolds and take a moonlight pilgrimage to the Panteón Viejo Xoxocotlán and Atzompa Cemeteries for a nighttime photo shoot. Experimenting with the interplay between life and death, darkness and light, our lenses will capture the flickering glows of countless candles and shadows cast by altars and tombs as families come to pay their respect to lives well-lived and loved ones remembered.
This 7-day photography tour is more than just a quest to capture exceptional images; it’s an invitation to elevate your craft and see the world through a new lens. Our expert photographer guides will not only lead you to the most photogenic locations under the best light but also help you master the art of visual storytelling. Along the way, you’ll refine your camera techniques and discover how to navigate the challenges of photographing in a foreign land. You’ll also learn to anticipate a scene before capturing the decisive moment, elevating ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art.
Join us for spirited discussions, enriching camaraderie, and moments of unforgettable inspiration. Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead, a living and breathing testament to the unwavering power of family, tradition, and remembrance, is a celebration you will certainly never forget. Your visual odyssey starts here!
Over the first few days of November, elaborate altars, flowers, candles, skeletons, and skulls adorn every corner of the city. Papel Picado, intricate tissue paper streamers, line every alleyway and become a reminder of the fragility and the ephemerality of life. During our photo trip, we will shoot women with bold floral headdresses, painted faces, and costumes inspired by La Catrina, the skeletal aristocrat character created by artist José Guadalupe Posada 100 years ago to remind us that whether rich or poor, in death, we are all equal.
Sitting at the foothills of the Sierra Madre, you will find that Oaxaca is a city that inspires artistic expression, it being the home for many Mexican painters, like the late Francisco Toledo, Alejandro Santiago, Rufino Tamayo, and contemporary artists like Manuel Reyes. However, this photo trip will also see us venture out of the city center to other sites and small villages nearby, each with its own family-held traditions, craftsmanship, and celebrations. We will visit rolling fields of silver-toned agave and bright orange marigolds and take a moonlight pilgrimage to the Panteón Viejo Xoxocotlán and Atzompa Cemeteries for a nighttime photo shoot. Experimenting with the interplay between life and death, darkness and light, our lenses will capture the flickering glows of countless candles and shadows cast by altars and tombs as families come to pay their respect to lives well-lived and loved ones remembered.
This 7-day photography tour is more than just a quest to capture exceptional images; it’s an invitation to elevate your craft and see the world through a new lens. Our expert photographer guides will not only lead you to the most photogenic locations under the best light but also help you master the art of visual storytelling. Along the way, you’ll refine your camera techniques and discover how to navigate the challenges of photographing in a foreign land. You’ll also learn to anticipate a scene before capturing the decisive moment, elevating ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art.
Join us for spirited discussions, enriching camaraderie, and moments of unforgettable inspiration. Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead, a living and breathing testament to the unwavering power of family, tradition, and remembrance, is a celebration you will certainly never forget. Your visual odyssey starts here!
Group Size
4-8 Guests
Experience | Difficulty
- Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
- All cameras and camera phones are welcome
- Moderate schedule
- Travel by walking or car
- Minimal elevation changes and lots of walking
- (non-photographers also welcome)
Weather | Sun
October: Temps 82/54 F 27/12 C Sunrise: 6:25 am / Sunset: 5:55 pm
Includes
- 7 Days
- Travel, street, landscape, portrait, and people photography
- Professional photographer | guide
- Photo walks & discussions
- Small group size (4-8 guests per leader)
- Premium Hotels
- Breakfasts
- 2 Dinners
- Entrance fees to museums, churches and parks included in the itinerary
- Local transportation
Travel Information
Arrival & Departure Airport: Xoxocotlán, Mexico (OAX) – Transfer time to hotel 15min
Our adventure begins at 10 AM on the first day and ends at noon on the last day.
Travel Visa: A visa may be required depending on your nationality. Go to Visa Map to find out.
Accommodations
Hotel: Hotel Sin Nombre, Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca, Hotel Azul or similar
Helpful Links
> 7 Must-See Festivals in 2020 – By Erika Suban
> 10 Trees Worth Traveling For – by Erika Suban
Day of the Dead Prices & Dates
Adventure | Price | REGISTER |
---|---|---|
From: $6,995 | ||
From: $7,295 |
Photographer Leader
Gus Mejia
October 29 – November 4, 2025
October 29 – November 4, 2026
*All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic, and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. In Cuba, we stay in upscale family-owned Casas (bread & breakfasts). On all of our tours, breakfast is almost always included, but not guaranteed. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
OAXACA | DAY OF THE DEAD – 7 DAYS
Day 1 | Oaxaca - Santa Cruz Lachizolana
As the day comes to a close we will return to Oaxaca, freshen up and head out for the evening. We’ll be taking you out for our Welcome Dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. (D)
Day 2 | Oaxaca
After a break and lunch we’ll return for another Catrina Model Shoot, this time outside the city at a Mezcal farm and distillery. We’ll shoot through sunset before returning to the city.
Tonight you are free to dine on your own or with the group. (B)
Day 3 | Oaxaca - Panteón Viejo Xoxocotlán
Today, we will leave early to get some action at the market. With the arrival of the festival, these markets are going to be even more interesting than usual.
We will spend the day capturing the festivities and celebrations around the plaza and other programs that are organized by the city of Oaxaca. This is the right time for some portraits and action shots, as you will see faces getting painted in vivid colors in preparation for the festival.
In the late evening, we will head to the Panteón Viejo Xoxocotlán and Atzompa Cemeteries to see more celebrations and get to photograph the authentic rituals. We will not return back to our hotel until well after midnight.
NOTE: We will not be using any flash or intimate settings at the cemetery. (B)
Day 4 | Oaxaca
Today we will enjoy a light morning schedule after the previous days very late festivities. After a late breakfast we’ll depart for a casual street art walk throughout Xochimilco and Jalatlaco. You’re going to love the colors and energy in these two very cool Oaxaca neighborhoods.
In the afternoon and evening we’ll be focused on the parades and activities throughout the city. (B)
Day 5 | Oaxaca - Santa Cruz Lachizolana
Today, we will learn how to make Mezcal, a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant. Oaxaca is famous for its mezcal and they are very proud of it. It will also give an opportunity to photograph the process as well as the agave fields.
In the evening we will attend the local festivities in Santa Cruz Lachizolana. Here you will get to see villagers celebrating as one community, with music, dancing, and role-plays. This is a time when the ancestors are celebrated by their loved ones. It is filled with emotions and sentiments and is an auspicious festival for families. (B)
Day 6 | El Tule - Teotitlan de Valle
Today we will visit the surrounding villages: Village El Tule – a 2000-year-old tree, the village Teotitlan de Valle with its fine rugs, and, Tlacolula, with its 16th Century Church.
We’ll also visit a wood carving family in San Martín Tilcajete that produces beautiful hand carved statues, well known throughout Oaxaca. In the late afternoon we will return to Oaxaca and prepare for our Farewell Dinner in the city. (B) (D)
Day 7 | Oaxaca
We urge you to extend your stay in Oaxaca or elsewhere in Mexico and apply all the wonderful photographic techniques you learned on this Photo Adventure. (B)
(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (E) Excursion
May all who come as guests... leave as friends®
OPTIONS AND BENEFITS
Pricing
All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in boutique hotels in the 4-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels which offer cultural, historic and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. Breakfast is included only if included in our room rates.
Private Guided Adventures
We offer amazing private guided photo adventures, cultural tours and vacations for individuals, couples, families and groups. We can customize any of our published adventures, as well as others, to meet your individual needs, schedule, budget and interests. This may include the finest 5-star accommodations, business-class travel, and private guides and fixers who are able to make the impossible possible. If you are not interested in a photo-centric vacation, but you love our approach to private travel, we will be happy to design and deliver an amazing adventure focused on travel, culture and cuisine. Click here to request a quote. Feel free to call us at 1-888-834-0288 or contact us for more information.
Travel Insurance
We offer travel insurance through the internationally recognized Travelex Travel Insurance Company, as well as evacuation and medical transportation insurance through MedJet, one of the best in the industry.
The cost for travel insurance can be as low as 4% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other factors. Knowing you have trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason. Travelex Insurance Services is a BBB Accredited business with an A+ rating. Click here to learn more about why you should consider travel insurance.
Rewards Program
Start earning points today and SAVE $200 - $900 off future trips!
Simply register for one of our amazing photo adventures and begin earning points today!
How The Program Works
For every adventure reservation you make with Photo Workshop Adventures, you earn valuable points which you can redeem on your next trip. This is a great way to save up to 8% off future trips. Our Rewards Program is designed with three tiers: Orange, Gold and VIP Members. Points may be applied towards balance payments on your next trip, or you may choose to accumulate points for a free trip in the future.
ORANGE REWARDS
All guests begin with our Orange Rewards Program (Level 1), which earns 4 points for every dollar you spend. You begin earning points immediately after your first trip. A $5,900 spend earns 23,600 points with a value of $236 USD.
GOLD REWARDS
With our Gold Rewards Program (Level 2), you earn 6 points for every dollar you spend. Orange Members who reach 120,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 4-6 trips), automatically move up to Gold Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 35,400 points with a value of $354 USD.
Additional Gold Benefits:
- Earn up to double points during promotional events
- Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers
VIP REWARDS
With our VIP Rewards Program (Level 3), you earn 8 points for every dollar you spend. Gold Members who reach 350,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 8-12 trips) move up to VIP Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 47,200 points with a value of $472 USD, (8+/-% discount).
Additional VIP Benefits:
- Earn up to double points during promotional events
- Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers
- Ability to Gift or Transfer points to others
- Receive complimentary airport transfers at the destination location*
Redeeming Your Points
Redeeming your points couldn’t be easier. You can always log in to your account to check your points balance. When you are ready to book your next trip, register and pay your deposit. When you go to pay your balance you will be given the option to apply your points and receive a discount.
THINK ORANGE Magazine
Subscribe to our Think Orange Magazine and eNews. THINK ORANGE is a wonderful mix of stories and tips related to travel, photography, adventure, culture, art, technology, cuisine, lifestyle, people and more. Our objective is to immerse you in a world you may only fantasize about. Raise your awareness and inspire your creativity. Perhaps even help make you a better photographer. We deliver similar experiential experiences that our guests enjoy on our photo adventures. Like all of our adventures, our blog is “photo-centric”, while also allowing you to experience all the nuances and cultural aspects of travel and adventure. Welcome to our world. We hope you enjoy. Our eNews is a great way to receive information about upcoming photo adventures, exciting new destinations, photography tips, special offers and more. Subscribe today!
Gift Cards
Give someone you know a Gift Card, good toward any of our Photo Adventures, Photo Tours, Private Guided Tours, Online Courses, Prints or Merchandize. Our beautifully personalized eGift Cards and Certificates are delivered to you electronically. They are fully transferable and have a 2 year expiration date. They are available in any amount from $100 to $5000. It makes a great gift for anyone who loves photography, travel or adventure. Order now, or email for more information.