OAX
Sunday, October 22nd - Sunday, October 29th
2023
To join - click this button to send me an email and let’s jump on a call to discuss!
O A X A C A
<< Mexico >>
8 Days // 7 Nights // 2 Locations
Experience the magic of this diverse and culturally rich region—from a small rural village through the beautiful forests + mountains.
Together, as a small curated group of amazing individuals, we will travel through 2 different locations - experiencing the very best Oaxaca has to offer, including ::
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2 unique and stunning venues - hosted by the most enamoring humans who keep captivating me to return again and again. Not only are the accommodations incredibly charming and comfortable, they are also deeply personal with a heartfelt sense of “home”.
4 nights in the Pueblo Magico - MITLA.
Pueblos Magicos are towns recognized by the Mexican government for their “magical” qualities, whether that be their astonishing beauty, rich history, or extraordinary legends.
MITLA is considered a Pueblo Magico (and an official UNESCO site) due to “The Mitla Archaeological Zone” - which is one of the most important in Oaxaca.
3 nights in the small mountain village of SAN MATEO RIO HONDO.
Starting as a rest house where families relaxed after living intensely in the forest, its dirt roads, rain and fog - our peaceful and luxurious, mountain lodge now receives guests from all around the world.
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Oaxaca is the birthplace of the best of Mexican food - moles, tlayudas, tamales, mezcal and so much more. This trip is as much about food as it is about adventure. We are going to experience both my most favorite restaurants AND authentic home cooked meals with incredibly talented local chefs.
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The focus of this trip is adventure and cultural immersion. Our itinerary is full of activities that showcase my most favorite things to do with people who love sharing the things they do with us. Nature, food, ceremony, mezcal - we are going to relish in exploring all of it.
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Movement + meditation will be included within our schedule to connect us with our bodies, minds and hearts, expanding our ability to be present and feel great throughout our explorations.
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In each location we will spend time with the most heart-centered and interesting individuals, who will share their love for Oaxaca with us and deeply enrich our experience of the land they love. Our driver, our hotel hosts, our chefs and local facilitators - are all friends I’ve made through my own adventures through Oaxaca and I CANNOT WAIT to introduce you to each and every one of them.
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We have a private van for all of our explorations and our driver is a deep well of Oaxacan knowledge who is such a pleasure to converse with and learn from.
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All itinerary:
Lodging
Transportation
Meals
Tips
Excursions
Inclusions
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Flights
Transportation before retreat start or after retreat end
Alcoholic beverages
FREE TIME - Food / Activities / Transportation
Personal snacks
Personal shopping
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$3,300 per person for shared accomodations (your own bed in a room with 2 beds)
$4,300 private accommodations (for single individual)
To join - click this button to send me an email and let’s jump on a call to discuss!
Mitla
<< 4 Nights >>
Our hotel has three acres of organic gardens and is a short distance from the archaeological site of Mitla—with a pool, temazcal, palapa, kitchen, and living room. All rooms have been decorated with great care, from the blankets and rugs handwoven by our favorite weavers to the ceramics and local art. A separate building next to the pool houses the fully equipped kitchen and living room, where breakfast is served every morning. The adjacent palapa is an idyllic space to relax, surrounded by bamboo, coffee plants, palm trees and ferns. Solar panels provide almost all of the electricity. Our hotel embraces sustainable ethical and environmental labor practices.
Our time in << MITLA >> will include ::
Cacao ceremony with local curandero
Temazcal ceremony with local curandero
Dining at the most authentic and delicious restaurants
2 home cooked dinners with a fabulous local chef
Cooking class with local chef
Visit to father + son mezcal farm to learn about mezcal and how it is made
Visit + swimming in Hierve El Agua (stunning cold water springs alongside cliffs)
Visit to Tlacolula Market (the largest local market in the area with goods from all over Oaxaca)
Hike to Fortaleza (2 hours)
Visit to the archeological site that makes Mitla considered to be a “Pueblo Magico”
Free time to relax and enjoy our stunning venue + pool
Mountains
<< 3 nights >>
On our fourth day, we will drive up into the mountains to explore the small villages of San Jose Del Pacifico and San Mateo. Our Mountain Lodge is located above the cloud forests and is breathtakingly stunning. Here we will enjoy more great food and hiking through the woods. On our 5th day - we will visit Relato Nativo’s studio - where she will lead us through a 3 hour “Botany For Body And Soul” workshop, incorporating flowers and plants from her garden.
Our time in the << MOUNTAINS >> will include ::
Dining at the most special + delicious restaurants
Visit to Jacabo y Maria's Workshop
Visit to Jose Garcia's Workshop
Exploring the small mountain village of San Jose Del Pacifico
Exploring the small mountain village of San Mateo
Botany for body and soul workshop with Relato Nativo
Hiking through the forest
Free time to relax and enjoy our stunning venue
To join - click this button to send me an email and let’s jump on a call to discuss!
THIS ADVENTURE IS FOR ::
This trip is curated for a small group of 10 people. As such - each participant is thoughtfully selected and vetted to be a kind, self-sufficient human who will thrive in actively participating in the group as a whole.
A mindful adventure for foodies and adventurists alike, this trip is for those who enjoy saying YES to ::
Adventure and the brilliant spontaneity that arises from engaging with new experiences, ideas and people
Respecting and appreciating different cultures and environments
Enjoying amazing food and good company
Connecting authentically with a small group of people
Being a kind and thoughtful human being
JOIN US!
If you are interested in joining the adventure, please fill out this form for more information.
Itinerary
10.22 - SUN // Mitla
Our wonderful driver and private van will pick us up in the center of downtown Oaxaca at 11am and take us straight to my most favorite restaurant in the area for lunch. Then, we will go to Tlacolula Market (the largest Oaxacan market) where our friend and guide Lily will walk us around and show us where all of the best goodies are.
After checking-in to our stunning accommodations we will have some free time to relax and jump in the pool before our Welcome Cacao Ceremony. We will end our day together with a fabulous welcome dinner by local chef Eduardo - who is an absolute treasure and will no doubt blow us away with his local flavors.
10.23 - MON // Mitla
We will awaken into our day with a 3 hour hike to get a sense of place and see the incredible surroundings of Mitla.
Then, we will have free time to relax by the pool and enjoy the heat of the day in the cool water.
In the evening we will venture over to a Mezcal Palenque - where the agave is roasted, crushed, fermented, distilled, and bottled by a father and son duo. This is the real stuff - no tourists, no mass production - made with deep love and reverence for the craft and land.
10.24 - TUES // Mitla
This is the day we get to go explore Hierve El Agua - natural cold mineral springs and white mineral formations resembling frozen waterfalls.
Once we’ve soaked up the minerals, sun, and beauty of this special location - we will head to lunch at a fun and local restaurant before checking out my favorite Mezcal Distillery where they serve their grandmothers chocolate to bring out the mezcal flavors.
In the evening we will have a cooking class with our very own chef - which will flow into dinner as we help prepare part of what we will all be enjoying together.
10.25- WEDS // Mitla
For our last day in Mitla, we will start with a Temazcal Ceremony - led by a local temazcalero.
These ancient rituals have been part of Mexican and South American culture for around 1,000 years. The word itself originates from a Nahuatl word Temāzcalli, which translates to “house of heat.”
During a ceremony, participants will enter a sweat lodge (igloo-shaped hut) with hot volcanic rocks placed in the center where water is poured to produce steam. Herbs are added to aid the cleansing process.
The rest of the day we will be free to integrate the ceremony and relax by the pool or go explore around Mitla one last time.
Our evening will conclude in a wonderful dinner all together, overlooking Mitla.
10.26 - THURS // Mountains
On our way to the mountains we will have brunch at a very special location in a tiny village and visit two artisan studios/workshops/homes. One that is famous for hand painted Zapotec figures carved in wood called "tonas" and "nahuales" (known worldwide as alebrijes) and another that is famous for pottery.
We will then drive up to San Jose Del Pacifico, where we will watch the sunset at a friend’s incredible asian restaurant.
After dinner, we will arrive at our mountain lodge for a cozy evening of settling in.
10.27 - FRI // Mountains
Our day will start with an energizing yoga practice and healthy breakfast.
Then we will head over to my friend Mafer’s stunning home and property for a 3 hour “Botany for the Body and Soul” workshop. Check out her company, Relato Nativo, to get excited!
We will then get lunch in San Jose Del Pacifico - where we will explore the tiny town’s little shops afterwards.
Our evening will be free to relax and enjoy our lodge.
10.28 - SAT // Mountains
Our last day in the Mountains will start with a leisurely hike and delicious brunch, before enjoying a free afternoon to do whatever you like. In the evening, we will have a very special experience for our closing dinner.
10.29 - SUN // Departure
We will head out for the airport (or downtown Oaxaca) after one last delicious breakfast all together.
What People Are Saying About GLDMND Retreats
“I am beyond grateful I made the choice and said “Yes!” to the immersive retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico in November 2021. The experience of getting to know local creators and honoring the Oaxacan culture was so special. From the minute we touched down in Oaxaca, everything was intentionally planned and everyday was a new, beautiful adventure! I am counting down the time until I am able to attend another GLDMND retreat.”
“We have all suffered as a result of the ongoing pandemic – including disrupted communities and a toll on mental and physical health. I can think of no better cure for 2020 than Nicole and GLDMND’s retreat. The retreat I did with Nicole was invigorating – spiritually, mentally, and physically. It was like having an opportunity to wipe away the accumulated toll of the last two years, and start fresh, re-energized, and re-dedicated to what matters most in life. I cannot recommend Nicole and GLDMND highly enough!”
“Every experience with Nicole feels authentic and creative, designed for the season and environment and tailored to both the group and each individual. Every detail is creative and well planned. The experiences I have been so special and meaningful. She is such a bright light! I leave Nicole’s work shops, ceremonies and retreats feeling re centered, positive and with a full heart. The spaces and accommodations are beautiful, and she genuinely cares about every participant. So much love for Nicole and her practice.”